Mark Cuban: NBA responsible for Dallas Mavericks trading Luka Dončić

American businessman and Hall of Famer Mark Cuban remains one of the most recognizable figures in the world of sports, having owned the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks for over two decades before selling a controlling interest in the franchise in 2023.

Following the sale of his majority stake in the Mavericks, many expected Cuban to retain an influential role in the team’s operations. However, that did not materialize—and according to the 67-year-old, the NBA was to blame.

In a recent media interaction, Cuban claimed that the league interfered with his post-sale involvement and cited it as a major factor in the Mavericks’ shocking decision to trade Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers. He alleged that the NBA forced him to remove a clause in the sale agreement that would have allowed him to participate in all major basketball decisions.

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“There was a clause in there that gave me the right to be in every meeting, every trade discussion—everything. And the NBA took that out. I have the letter from my lawyer saying the NBA made us remove it,” Cuban said.

Mark Cuban reacts to the Luka Doncic trade:

“I felt like I let people down by not being there.” pic.twitter.com/tyvO1nLPme

— DLLS Mavs (@DLLS_Mavs) August 26, 2025

When Cuban sold his shares to Patrick Dumont and the Adelson family, early reports suggested he would remain a key figure in basketball operations. However, his recent comments indicate that league authorities effectively stripped him of that influence.

The NBA, for its part, denies Cuban’s allegations. A league spokesperson stated that the NBA had no role in determining Cuban’s new position or in how operational control was divided among the new ownership group.

If Cuban’s claims are true, it’s likely that Dončić would not have been traded had he still been involved in team decisions. Fans have long known Cuban to fiercely protect his stars—most notably during his unwavering support of Dirk Nowitzki throughout the German legend’s career.

The controversial trade of a once-in-a-generation talent like Dončić might never have happened under Cuban’s watch. Still, the businessman can take solace in the fact that, despite no longer being involved in day-to-day operations, he earned a profit of over $3 billion from the sale—having bought the Mavericks for just $285 million in 2000.

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