The Dallas Mavericks’ controversial trade of Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers has sparked a firestorm of criticism, but none has been as pointed as the comments made by former NBA star Jalen Rose. The outspoken analyst has called for the Mavericks’ ownership group to sell the team, adding fuel to the already intense backlash from fans. Rose’s remarks, made just before the All-Star Game, have ignited a fury among Mavericks supporters, who feel the franchise’s decision to part ways with their superstar was a massive mistake.
The trade of Luka Doncic, one of the most talented young players in the NBA, sent shockwaves through the league. At just 25 years old, Doncic has already made five All-NBA First Team appearances and led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals just a year ago. Despite these remarkable accomplishments, the Mavericks decided to ship him off to the Lakers, sparking widespread outrage and disbelief from fans and analysts alike.
Jalen Rose didn’t hold back in his criticism of the trade, and his comments have only intensified the uproar. Speaking before the All-Star Game, Rose expressed his distaste for the way the Mavericks handled the trade, particularly the negative narrative surrounding Doncic in the media. “Normally, when you’re about to get traded, there comes out negative things about your character publicly… I don’t like that it happened with Luka before he got traded and after he’s traded,” Rose remarked. He acknowledged that while Luka may have areas of his game to improve, his track record speaks for itself.
While acknowledging that Doncic has room to grow off the court, Rose made it clear that he believes Luka is more than capable of leading a team to an NBA championship. “When Luka wins the championship, by the way, he just led them to the Finals last year and has been All-NBA five times, he’s going to be the best player on a championship team,” Rose said. For him, the trade felt like a move driven by the Mavericks not wanting to pay Luka the max contract he deserves.
His boldest statement, however, came when he said, “If you don’t wanna pay Luka, just sell the team.” Rose’s words have left Mavericks fans fuming, as many believe the franchise betrayed their star player, who had already achieved so much for the team. Rose’s call for ownership to sell the franchise if they don’t value Doncic hit a nerve with fans who are deeply attached to their team’s future.
The backlash against the Mavericks has been swift and unforgiving. Fans are demanding answers from the ownership group, especially as the franchise had only been acquired by the Adelson/Dumont families in late 2023. While it is unlikely that the team will be sold anytime soon, the negative response to the trade has raised questions about the long-term vision for the Mavericks.
The Mavericks still have talent on their roster, but the trade of Doncic has left a bitter taste. As the season unfolds, only time will tell if this decision will haunt the franchise for years to come. Fans and analysts alike are in agreement on one thing—if the Mavericks didn’t want to invest in Luka Doncic, they might want to rethink their role in the NBA.
