Luka Dončić making history is nothing shocking. Dončić has been making history in the NBA ever since he stepped onto the court. Following the Los Angeles Lakers’ victory over his former team, the Dallas Mavericks, Dončić would put his name in the history books again.
Dončić would become just the third player in NBA history to put up a triple-double on every team in the league. The other two players? His current Lakers teammate LeBron James and the all-time leader in triple-doubles, Russell Westbrook.
While Dončić continues to make history, the aftereffects of the Lakers and Mavericks trade still have some that are attached to each organization in tough positions, especially former majority (and current minority) owner of the Mavericks, Mark Cuban.
Mark Cuban Hated Rooting Against Luka Dončić
While Cuban is no longer the majority owner of the Mavericks, his heart has always been firmly planted in Dallas. Cuban saw Dončić as the future of the team, the league, and basketball.
When Dončić was traded, it was noted that Cuban did not understand why this move was made. If Cuban had his way, Dončić would have followed the Dirk Nowitzki path and retired as a Maverick.
Mavericks GM Nico Harrison and Majority Owner Patrick Dumont had other plans clearly, as they executed the Donĉić trade without notifying many people, leading some to raise their eyebrows at the process.
Cuban was in attendance at the Lakers vs. Mavericks game on Tuesday, as he still serves as the minority owner of the Mavericks. It would be his first time rooting against Dončić and Cuban pulled no punches when asked how it felt to have to root against him:
Mark Cuban on what it was like to root against Luka Doncic last night:
“I hated it.”
(via @espn_macmahon, @ramonashelburne) pic.twitter.com/RZbB9zAkKx
— MFFL NATION (@NationMffl) February 26, 2025
“I hated it.”
A simple three-word response that displays exactly how highly Cuban thinks of Dončić. He hated rooting against the player he saw as the franchise. Dončić was set to be the cornerstone of the Mavericks, their leader, and Cuban’s disappointment in the trade couldn’t be any clearer.
Dončić Shines In Lakers’ Victory
Cuban got a front-row seat to watch as the Mavericks fell to the Lakers, 107-99. Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson managed to keep the game close in the fourth quarter, as Irving finished with 35 points and 7 rebounds, while Thompson added 22 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter.
Donĉić was focused throughout the entire game, staring down the Mavericks bench while also controlling the pace. Donĉić would finish with 19 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists, while his superstar teammate LeBron James led the team in scoring with 27 points.
So far, it looks like the trade has worked well for the Lakers, but there will be tests coming up. The Lakers have recent losses against the Charlotte Hornets and Utah Jazz but racked up major wins over the Denver Nuggets and Mavericks.
It remains to be seen how well the Lakers continue to play and if the Mavericks can turn things around as well, but it looks as if the Donĉić to L.A. move has paid some great dividends for the Lakers.
