It was just one year ago Luka Dončić was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in one of the most shocking moves in NBA history. Here’s a timeline of the Dallas Mavericks’ misery after making it to the NBA Finals only 20 months ago.
May 30, 2024: Mavericks advance to the NBA Finals
Dallas advanced to face the Boston Celtics in its first trip to the NBA Finals since winning it all in 2011, defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games. Dončić, who finished Game 5 of the West finals with 36 points on 14-of-22 shooting with 10 rebounds, five assists and two steals, was named MVP of the series after averaging 32.4 points across five games.
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The Mavericks would fall to the Celtics in the Finals in five games.
July 2: Mavericks sign Klay Thompson to three-year deal
Klay Thompson, a key contributor to the Golden State Warriors’ dynasty, agreed to a three-year, $50 million deal with the Mavericks, who sent two second-round draft picks, one in 2025 and another in 2031, to Golden State as part of the sign-and-trade deal. The 35-year-old was moved to the bench during the 2025-26 season after a slow start.
Dec. 25: Luka Dončić gets hurt
The Mavericks star left the team’s 105-99 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first half on Christmas Day due to a left calf injury — an injury that would sideline Dončić for more than a month.
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Feb. 2, 2025: Mavericks trade Luka Dončić
In perhaps the most shocking trade in NBA history, Dallas sent Dončić, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a first-round draft pick in a three-team deal that also included the Jazz.
Following the news of the trade, which broke after midnight on the East Coast, Mavs GM Nico Harrison told ESPN: “I believe that defense wins championships. I believe that getting an All-Defensive center and an All-NBA player with a defensive mindset gives us a better chance. We’re built to win now and in the future.”
Feb. 4: Dončić is introduced as a Laker
At the introductory news conference for Dončić, Lakers executive Rob Pelinka thanked Nico Harrison for trading Dončić to Los Angeles, calling it “a gift.”
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Dončić, who still looked stunned two days after the trade, said he would “take the high road” in response to comments made about him from the Mavericks after the trade was made.
Feb. 8: Fans protest outside of Mavericks’ arena
Ahead of Dallas’ first home game after the trade, Mavericks fans protested outside of American Airlines Center. Some signs called for Nico Harrison to be fired. Other fans called for the team to be sold.
Feb. 8: Anthony Davis makes his Dallas debut, gets hurt
In his first game with the Mavericks, Davis was impressive, totaling 26 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists and three blocks in only 31 minutes. But, in the third quarter, he exited the game with a lower-body injury. After the game, Davis told reporters that it was “nothing serious.” But the next day it was reported that Davis had suffered an adductor strain and would miss weeks.
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Feb. 9: Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont explains the trade
In his first public comments about the trade in an interview with The Dallas Morning News, Dumont cited “character” and “culture” as reasons for the trade. Dumont also said, “If you look at the greats in the league, the people you and I grew up with — [Michael] Jordan, [Larry] Bird, Kobe, Shaq [O’Neal] — they worked really hard, every day, with a singular focus to win. And if you don’t have that, it doesn’t work. And if you don’t have that, you shouldn’t be part of the Dallas Mavericks.”
Feb. 10: Luka makes his Lakers debut
Dončić made his Lakers debut against the Jazz, draining his first points with the Lakers on a 3-pointer from the top of the key just a few minutes into the contest. Dončić finished with 14 points in a 132-113 win. He added five rebounds and four assists in what was his first game back after the calf injury he suffered on Christmas.
Luka Dončić recorded a triple-double against his former team. (AP Foto/Mark J. Terrill)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)Feb. 11: Fans thrown out in Dallas
During a home game against the Sacramento Kings, Mavericks fans were ejected from their seats at American Airlines Center after calling for the firing of general manager Nico Harrison. A fan drew the attention of the video board’s producers during a karaoke segment. But instead of singing along, he appeared to mouth the words “Fire Nico.” Another video showed what appeared to be the same fan and his neighbor holding up signs that distinctly read: “Fire Nico.” They were escorted out of the arena by security.
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Feb. 15: ‘Craziest trade I’ve seen’
At the NBA’s All-Star Weekend, the trade was still the talk of the league, even among the stars. “Two weeks later, it’s still the craziest trade I’ve ever seen,” said the San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama.
At Adam Silver’s news conference, the commissioner also addressed the trade and concern about the Mavericks’ future in Dallas. “Whether or not history will judge this as a smart trade, they did what they thought was in the best interest of the organization,” said Silver. “I have absolutely no knowledge or belief that there were any ulterior motives. There is no doubt in my mind that the Dumont and Adelson families bought that team to keep it in Dallas. I have no doubt whatsoever that they are committed to the long-term future there.”
Feb. 21: Dirk shares his first reaction to the trade
During an appearance at 96.7 The Ticket’s Ticketstock event, Mavs legend Dirk Nowitzki shared his reaction upon first hearing that Dončić had been traded. He also discussed what it was like seeing Luka in a Lakers uniform: “I’ll never be a Lakers fan, but I must always be a Luka fan.”
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Feb. 25: Luka faces Mavericks for the first time
Dončić reunited with the Mavericks and recorded his first triple-double as a member of the Lakers in a 107-99 win against his old team. He finished with 19 points on 6-of-17 shooting with 15 rebounds, 11 assists, three steals and two blocks. After the game, Doncic said: “I am just glad it’s over.”
March 3: Mavericks raise ticket prices
The team announced it was raising ticket prices for next season, citing “ongoing investments in the team.” The price hike resulted in an average overall price increase of 8.61%, WFAA reported. As expected, season ticket-holders were not happy about the increase.
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March 4: Mavericks lose Kyrie Irving for the season
Mavericks star Kyrie Irving missed the rest of the season after suffering a torn ACL in his left knee. Irving went down early in the team’s 122-98 loss to the Sacramento Kings. Irving was driving to the hoop late in the first quarter at American Airlines Center when his left knee bent awkwardly as he attempted a layup.
March 13: Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont said trade was ‘about the future’
At a speaking engagement a month earlier, Dumont explained the Luka Dončić trade was about the “future” and creating the “most competitive team.”
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Dumont was a guest at the Real Estate Council’s Bank of Texas Speaker Series on Feb. 13 and discussed business matters as well as the trade.
April 9: Luka dominates Dallas in return
Dončić both cried and conquered in his return to Dallas, beginning the game with remnants of tears in his eyes before leading his new team to a 112-97 win.
Dončić had 31 points at halftime before stepping off the gas a bit, eventually finishing with 45 points, eight rebounds, six assists and four steals. The win officially clinched a playoff spot for Los Angeles.
The Mavericks would eventually be eliminated in the play-in tournament.
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May 12: Mavs win draft lottery
The Mavericks overcame the fourth-longest odds of 14 lottery participants and a 1.8% chance to secure the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft. The long-shot win capped a tumultuous season in which the Mavericks’ fan base turned on its beloved franchise after Harrison orchestrated the Dončić deal that’s been widely lambasted as one of the worst in the history of sports.
June 24: Kyrie Irving stays with Mavs on new deal
Irving declined his $43 million player option for 2025-26 with the intention of signing a new three-year, $119 million deal with the franchise. Irving, who underwent surgery in March for his torn left ACL, has not yet played in ’25-26.
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June 26: Mavs select Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 pick
The Mavericks took Flagg with the No. 1 pick. “It’s really amazing,” Flagg told ESPN after being drafted. “It’s a dream come true, to be honest. I wouldn’t want to share it with anybody else.”
At Flagg’s introductory news conference, Harrison famously said: “I think the fans can finally start to see the vision.”
June 30: Mavs sign D’Angelo Russell
The Mavericks struck a two-year, $13 million deal with Russell, as a temporary replacement for Irving. Russell, who has bounced around a lot in recent years, is averaging just 19 minutes per game during the 2025-26 season.
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Oct. 22: Flagg, Mavs lose season opener
The No. 1 overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft posted 10 points on 4-of-13 shooting with 10 rebounds and three turnovers against the San Antonio Spurs in his first true taste of NBA action.
Flagg got out to a slow start this season, as he was forced to play point guard to open the season. The experiment didn’t work. The Mavericks posted one of the worst offenses in the game, and Flagg was quickly moved off the position to play into his strengths.
Oct. 29: Anthony Davis injured again
Davis left Dallas’ game against the Indiana Pacers with what the team described as “left lower leg soreness” and did not return. He would miss 14 games.
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Davis is currently sidelined with a left-hand injury that he suffered on Jan. 8. He is expected to miss around six weeks.
Nov. 10: Mavericks lose to Bucks amid ‘Fire Nico’ chants
Mavericks fans had had it. Monday night marked a new low in the Nico Harrison saga as fans in Dallas revived the “Fire Nico” chant during a home game the Mavericks still had a chance to win.
With 1.2 seconds remaining against the Milwaukee Bucks, Mavericks forward P.J. Washington was fouled on a 3-point shot as Milwaukee held a 116-113 lead. When he got to the line with a chance to tie the game with three free throws, Mavericks fans focused their energy not on the outcome of the game, but on their disdain for the Dallas general manager who traded Dončić.
Nov. 11: Mavs fire Nico Harrison
Harrison’s tenure as Dallas’ general manager came to an end, with the franchise naming former Mavs star Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi as his replacements in the interim — and attempting to finally move on.