‘Might Go Down As the Worst Trade in the History of Sports’ — President Donald Trump Calls for ‘Redo’ of Mavericks’ Infamous Luka Dončić Deal
· Yahoo Sports
U.S. President Donald Trump was at the American Airlines Center, home of the Dallas Mavericks, on Wednesday for a keynote speech at what was reportedly the first-ever Republican National Committee Midterm Convention.
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While politics was the focus of his speech, Trump also took a moment to revisit the shocking Luka Dončić trade that continues to reverberate in Dallas.
Donald Trump Weighs In on Luka Dončić Trade, Claims Mavericks May Have Made Sports’ ‘Worst’ Deal
In February 2025, the Mavericks sent their then-franchise cornerstone Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in a blockbuster deal centered around Anthony Davis. The Slovenian, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris went to Los Angeles in exchange for Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick.
Nico Harrison, the Mavericks’ president of basketball operations and general manager at the time, took plenty of flak from the sports world after the deal. He did not even hold a bidding war for Dončić, leaving many fans furious over what they viewed as a stunningly underwhelming return for a perennial MVP contender.
The backlash was intense, with Mavericks fans holding rallies inside and outside the team’s arena to voice their frustration.
On Wednesday, Trump weighed in on the infamous trade and suggested that Dallas should try to reverse course.
“I must tell you, I don’t understand the trade. What do I know about basketball? … It might go down as the worst trade in the history of sports,” Trump said. “… Maybe we could redo that trade. I redo deals all the time. … We gotta redo that deal! I don’t get that deal. Some deals you understand; I understand deals, but that one I didn’t quite get.”
Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont initially backed Harrison and approved the Dončić trade. However, after relentless backlash, Dumont eventually changed his stance. Nine months after the trade, he apologized to an 18-year-old fan over the decision and fired Harrison the following day.
Dumont’s reversal continued in February 2026, when Dallas sent Davis to the Washington Wizards. Davis’ injury-riddled stint with the Mavericks lasted just 29 games, during which he averaged 20.2 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.8 blocks per game.
Afterward, Dallas shifted to a full-on rebuild around Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 pick of the 2025 NBA Draft.
Trump’s call for a “redo” is unlikely to change anything. The trade was finalized long ago, and both Dallas and Los Angeles have moved forward with different plans for their respective rosters. The Mavericks are rebuilding around Flagg, while the Lakers remain focused on competing for a championship.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.