Mark Cuban revealed whether he still supports Luka Doncic after he was traded to the LA Lakers.
Former Dallas Mavericks majority owner Mark Cuban was not involved when Luka Doncic was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers. Cuban traded a draft pick with the Atlanta Hawks to bring Doncic to Dallas, and had a great working relationship with the Slovenian.
Cuban admitted he was shocked when he was told about the trade, and despite his recent defence of General Manager Nico Harrison for the decision, it seems Cuban is still heartbroken by the event.
When asked if he is still supporting Doncic now that he’s a Laker, this was his response.
Photo by Luka Dakskobler/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty ImagesMark Cuban says he hopes the LA Lakers go 0-82 with Luka Doncic
Doncic immediately made the Lakers title contenders. His body transformation this summer means Doncic looks better than ever for Slovenia, who he is playing for during EuroBasket 2025.
Cuban, when asked if he was hoping Doncic succeeds with the Lakers, said, “Of course not.”
Speaking on The Arena podcast, he said, “Off the court, I love Luka to death. On the court, f___ him! I don’t want him to get hurt or anything… I love Luka to death, he’s a great guy. Luka’s a good guy, but f___ the Lakers.
It’s not personal to Doncic. Cuban just cannot bring himself to root for the Lakers, one of the NBA’s most successful franchises. When asked if he was supporting the Lakers with Doncic, he said, “There is no chance. I hope they go 0-82.”
The Lakers, who have a star-studded history featuring some of the greatest NBA players of all time, have yet another superstar for the future in Doncic. The Lakers may well haunt the Mavericks for years to come, and that won’t help Cuban’s feelings towards them.
LA Lakers and Dallas Mavericks could fight for Western Conference contention
Despite losing Doncic, the Mavericks could be in contention this season after number one pick Cooper Flagg fell into their laps. Pairing him with Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving means the Mavs could have a legitimate big three if Flagg is the generational talent he is projected to be.
Ironically, they’ll have to fight Doncic in the West if they want to contend. Doncic and LeBron James make the Lakers a formidable force, and they’ve been given some reinforcements in the shape of DeAndre Ayton, who signed in the offseason.
Last season, the Mavs’ size would have been able to exploit the hole at centre in the Lakers’ roster. That may not be the case this season with Ayton in the paint, and Maxi Kleber coming back from the offseason in incredible shape.
There’s only one way the Doncic trade could age worse for the Mavericks: if Doncic and the Lakers knock them out of the playoffs the following season. And it’s a real possibility.