The Dallas Cowboys trading Micah Parsons away shocked the sports world. However, it isn't the first blockbuster trade that Dallas fans were subjected to. The Mavericks traded Luka Doncic away to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis in a deal that shocked even Mark Cuban. Luckily for the Mavericks owner, he and Doncic maintain a friendly relationship, even after his exit.
Cuban and Doncic formed a quick bond when Dallas drafted the foreign superstar back in 2018. The duo worked closely during the guard's time with the Mavericks, exploring opportunities off the court and in the business world. While Dallas fans blamed the team's ownership for the trade that sent the All-NBA guard out to the Lakers, Cuban had nothing to do with it.
The Mavericks' owner made an appearance on Gil's Arena to speak about the aftermath of the trade. According to him, his relationship with Doncic remains good, even after the trade.
“We still DM and most of the time he’ll respond to me and I’ll still give him s—t about stuff,” Cuban said. “Like even when we went and played the Lakers. I was sitting and talking to his dad and I are friends. We’ll always sit and talk and hang out. Give Luka a hard time. So I wouldn't say we’re close, but we still communicate as much as we ever did.
Doncic signed a lucrative extension with the Lakers earlier this summer, keeping him in Los Angeles for the foreseeable future. Now, Cuban's team features Davis and the Mavericks' No. 1 pick, Cooper Flagg. Both teams are dark horse contenders in the Western Conference with the NBA season on the horizon.
Regardless of where each team stands when they clash, Cuban and Doncic will stay on good terms. The guard was hurt by many people on his way off the Mavericks, but Cuban continues to have his back.
