Fan outrage surrounding the Dallas Mavericks’ stunning decision to move on from superstar guard Luka Dončić has faded in recent months following the franchise’s 2025 NBA Draft Lottery success. As optimism gradually resurfaces, Dallas minority owner Mark Cuban candidly addressed the controversial trade and his excitement for the next era of Mavericks basketball.
Dallas sent shockwaves across the league in early February when it shipped Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers for a return centered around superstar big man Anthony Davis. The shake-up came less than a year after Dončić captured the 2024 scoring title (33.9 points per game) and spearheaded his team’s 2024 NBA Finals run.
In the aftermath of the blockbuster deal, Mavericks president of basketball operations and general manager Nico Harrison became public enemy No. 1 in Dallas. However, the organization’s improbable lottery win, landing Duke phenom Cooper Flagg with just 1.8% odds, has begun to rekindle support among its passionate fan base.
How Does Mark Cuban Think Hostile Fan Sentiment Will Change in Dallas?
Speaking on Tuesday’s edition of the “DLLS Mavs Podcast,” Cuban addressed a subset of Dallas fans still grappling with disillusionment stemming from Dončić’s departure.
Cuban, who sold his majority stake in the Mavericks in December 2023 and relinquished control of basketball operations, acknowledged that it’s natural to be apprehensive about major changes. The business mogul added that he, too, experienced difficulty coming to grips with the Dončić deal.
“Fan is short for fanatic, right? And that passion is a good thing, and those things dissipate with time,” Cuban said. “We all were hurt when Luka got traded. Me as much as anyone, because I felt like I let people down by not being there. But what’s done is done.”
Cuban later raved about the new-look Mavericks’ potential with Flagg, a versatile 6-foot-9 forward prospect who is expected to provide a significant boost on the wing from Day 1.
“We got Cooper. The basketball gods were looking down on us, and Coop’s the real deal,” Cuban remarked. “He’s not even 19 years old. I mean, he could literally, depending on science, play for the Mavs for 25 years. I’m guessing if we do well and win, those sentiments will change.”
Mark Cuban reacts to the Luka Doncic trade:
“I felt like I let people down by not being there.” pic.twitter.com/tyvO1nLPme
— DLLS Mavs (@DLLS_Mavs) August 26, 2025
Guided by Davis and Flagg, Dallas will look to build on last season’s 10th-place Western Conference finish (39-43) with star point guard Kyrie Irving (knee) sidelined until at least January. Irving’s absence should provide Flagg with ample opportunities to develop, particularly as a ball handler, as he takes the reins as the Mavericks’ new franchise cornerstone.
