The Luka Dončić trade still stings in Dallas. Fans are still fuming. Dirk Nowitzki’s silence turned into subtle disapproval. And now? The drama is boiling over. But as tensions hit a breaking point, former Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has stepped in to calm the storm and defend both a franchise icon and the squad still repping the city.
On Tuesday, April 15, Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison doubled down on his decision to trade the franchise’s biggest star in years. And that didn’t sit well with anyone who still bleeds blue.
Mark Cuban Breaks His Silence on Dirk Nowitzki’s Comments
With fans protesting outside the American Airlines Center and chants of “Fire Nico!” echoing during recent games, fans are at a boiling point. But Harrison made it hotter.
“My obligation is to the Dallas Mavericks,” Harrison said when asked if he regretted the trade that sent Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers. “Some of those decisions are going to be unpopular, maybe to Dirk and maybe to the fans.”
Nico: "My obligation is to the Dallas Mavericks, it's what's the best interest of the Dallas Mavericks, and that's the most important thing. Some of those decisions are going to be unpopular maybe to Dirk and maybe to the fans, but my obligation is to the Dallas Mavericks."
— tim cato (@tim_cato) April 15, 2025
That’s when Cuban, never shy with his feelings, logged onto X and let the Mavs faithful know exactly where he stands.
“Dirk is the Dallas Mavericks. Then, now and forever,” Cuban wrote. “That statue will be here forever. Loyalty never fades away.”
Dirk is the Dallas Mavericks. Then, now and forever. No one should ever forget that.
That statue will be here forever.
Loyalty never fades away.
Tomorrow night 15 guys will put on a Mavericks uniform. They will do everything they can to win. For themselves, each other… https://t.co/JKCxPEMxSh
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) April 15, 2025
He didn’t stop there. “Tomorrow night, 15 guys will put on a Mavericks uniform. They will do everything they can to win. For themselves, each other, and THE FANS. Our squad has busted their ass to fight through incredible adversity. They have my respect and support. Should have everyone’s.”
Cuban’s message felt like a line in the sand. Support the players. Respect Dirk. Be mad if you want, but don’t let that anger get in the way of supporting the team still grinding on the court.
Mavs Fans Furious, But Cuban Preaches Loyalty
The timing of all this couldn’t be worse — or better, depending on how you look at it.
The Mavericks play the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night (April 16) in the 9/10 play-in game. They’ll need to win two play-in games just to punch a ticket to the 2025 NBA playoffs. Meanwhile, Dončić, wearing purple and gold, is already chilling in the third seed after dropping 45 points on Dallas in a brutal return to his old home court.
So yeah, emotions are high. Fans feel betrayed, and the front office is under fire, but Cuban is asking the fanbase to rise above the chaos.
“I am a Mavs fan,” he continued. “I know fans are upset. But don’t be upset at the players. Support them. Root for them. Rally behind them. MFFL stands for Mavs Fan FOR LIFE.”
The bottom line: The Dončić trade may go down as one of the most controversial moves in Mavericks’ history, but as long as Cuban’s tweeting, Nowitzki is honored. With 15 guys suiting up for the city, the fight ain’t over. Not even close.