The Dallas Mavericks experienced a whirlwind year, marked by major highs and lows, including reaching the NBA Finals, trading superstar Luka Doncic, and securing the top draft pick. The trade of Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers not only stunned Mavericks fans but also disrupted the league’s landscape, making headlines as the most criticized transaction in recent memory.
Despite assembling a roster featuring promising talents like Cooper Flagg, Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, and Klay Thompson, the Mavericks faced significant backlash after parting ways with Doncic. Sports analyst Zach Cram from ESPN labeled the trade as the worst NBA move since 2020, intensifying doubts about Dallas’s future prospects.
The Trade’s Unprecedented Impact
The Luka Doncic trade caused immediate uproar among fans, who voiced their discontent at the arena by chanting “Fire Nico!” targeting Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison. The tension surrounding the decision lingered for months, highlighting how deeply the move affected the Mavericks’ community.
ESPN’s Zach Cram posed a rhetorical question, emphasizing the gravity of the trade:
“Could any other transaction be No. 1?”
and added,
“The most recent entry on this list is also the worst, and perhaps the most shocking, transaction in NBA history.”
The deal outranked notable questionable moves such as the Milwaukee Bucks acquiring Damian Lillard and the Phoenix Suns’ massive asset sacrifices for Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal.
Cram pointed out a critical difference between Dallas and other teams’ mistakes, noting that while others often traded multiple assets to gain a star, the Mavericks traded away their foundational player. He wrote,
“The other trades at the top of this list are mostly about teams trading too many assets to bring in a star. The Doncic deal, conversely, came when a team traded away a beloved incumbent star who had led that organization to the Finals the previous summer and made a record five first-team All-NBA appearances through age 24.”
Doncic’s achievements with Dallas include setting the franchise’s single-game scoring record with 73 points against the Atlanta Hawks in early 2024. Over seven seasons, he ranked third highest in career points per game in NBA history and became the first player to have six consecutive 30-point triple-doubles, solidifying his status as a Mavericks legend.
Mavericks’ Efforts to Rebuild and Move Forward
In spite of the widespread criticism, the Mavericks remain cautiously optimistic about their future without Luka Doncic. According to Zach Cram,
“Their future looks brighter than that of the Suns, Bucks, Nets or Kings,”
emphasizing the potential of newcomers Cooper Flagg and Anthony Davis, who were central to Dallas’s return package for Doncic and could drive the team back to contention quickly.
Kyrie Irving, despite suffering a season-ending ACL injury in March, remains a key figure for the Mavericks, having signed a three-year, $119 million extension in the offseason. Dallas also signed D’Angelo Russell to a two-year contract to manage the offense in Irving’s absence, though they lost Spencer Dinwiddie in free agency.
The current roster lacks a player with Doncic’s star power, and while Cooper Flagg’s promise is clear, few expect anyone to have as profound an impact on the franchise as the “Luka Legend,” a nickname that reflects Doncic’s lasting legacy in Dallas.
The Trade’s Enduring Legacy on NBA and Fans
Zach Cram’s list of the biggest roster mistakes highlighted numerous significant errors across the league, but the Doncic trade stands out for its seismic consequences. The ripple effects of this deal continue to influence the Mavericks, Lakers, and the broader NBA landscape.
Cram concluded by underlining the trade’s exceptional place in sports history:
“Only one transaction was so absurd that it became a flashbulb memory, and fans across the world will remember, for decades to come, where they were when they learned the news. That, more than anything else, is why the Doncic trade ranks No. 1: It transcended typical transaction reactions and penetrated the very heart of sports fandom.”
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Luka Doncic a billionaire?
A. As of 2025, Luka Doncic’s net worth is estimated to be $75 million, based on information from Celebrity Net Worth.
Q. Are Luka Doncic and Bad Bunny friends?
A. A longtime friendship has developed over many years. Recently, this year’s Spotify Artist of the Year released a new song mentioning Mavs star Luka Dončić.
Q. Is Luka Doncic big?
A. Although he’s not the best defender, his size (6’4″, 230 pounds) makes it hard for opponents to easily push him around.
Q. What car does Luka Doncic drive?
A. Top NBA player Luka Doncic owns many cars, but seeing him drive a rare Brabus Rocket 1000 sedan is sure to make you smile. He clearly enjoys cars and loved this experience, saying he’s been passionate about them since childhood.