US President Donald Trump has questioned the Dallas Mavericks’ decision to trade Luka Doncic, saying he doesn’t perceive why the franchise moved on from its celebrity.
“It is a huge Dallas Mavericks crew, which goes to be hopefully good. I have to let you know, I don’t perceive the commerce. That commerce will not be good. What do I find out about basketball? Was it Luka? Possibly we are able to redo that commerce? I redo offers on a regular basis,” Trump mentioned at first-ever RNC midterm conference on the American Airways Middle in Dallas on Wednesday.
The Mavericks traded Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in the course of the 2024-25 season, ending the Slovenian guard’s seven-year run in Dallas.
Doncic had already established himself as one of many NBA’s best gamers by the point of the commerce. He averaged 28.2 factors, 8.2 rebounds and seven.7 assists in 50 video games in the course of the 2024-25 season, together with 28.1 factors, 8.3 rebounds and seven.8 assists in 22 video games with Dallas.
His Dallas profession included 5 All-NBA First Staff picks and 5 top-eight finishes in MVP voting. He averaged no less than 28 factors in every of his last six seasons with the Mavericks.
The 2023-24 season was notably notable. Doncic averaged 33.9 factors, 9.2 rebounds and 9.8 assists in 70 video games whereas capturing 48.7% from the sphere and 38.2% from three-point vary. He completed third in MVP voting and helped Dallas attain the NBA Finals alongside Kyrie Irving.
Dallas struggled after the commerce. The Mavericks completed the 2024-25 season with a 39-43 report, good for ninth within the Western Convention, earlier than falling to 26-56 and twelfth within the convention in 2025-26.
Cooper Flagg emerged as Dallas’ main scorer in 2025-26, averaging 21.0 factors, 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists in 70 video games as a rookie. He won Rookie of the Year, however the Mavericks nonetheless completed 30 video games beneath .500.
In the meantime, Doncic continued to provide at an All-NBA degree with the Lakers. He averaged 28.2 factors, 8.1 rebounds and seven.5 assists in 28 video games after arriving in Los Angeles in the course of the 2024-25 season.
In 2025-26, Doncic raised his scoring common to 33.5 factors per sport whereas including 7.7 rebounds and eight.3 assists over 64 video games. He shot 47.6% from the sphere and 36.6% from three-point vary, earned an All-Star choice and one other All-NBA First Team spot whereas ending fourth in MVP voting.
The Lakers have subsequently constructed their roster round Doncic following LeBron James’ departure to the Philadelphia 76ers. Austin Reaves signed a four-year, $180 million extension, whereas Los Angeles acquired Walker Kessler from the Utah Jazz in a sign-and-trade.
Los Angeles additionally added Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Kevon Looney, Matisse Thybulle and Ziaire Williams.
