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Dallas Mavericks fans protest Luka Doncic trade outside of American Airlines Center

Grant Grubbs Profile Pictureby:Grant Grubbs•about 12 hours•

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Luka Doncic trade protest
© Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

On Saturday, NBA fans were left in shock after ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Dallas Mavericks were trading Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. Instead of silently watching their star player be traded away, Mavericks fans gathered today in front of American Airlines Center to protest.

Specifically, the trade was a three-team deal between the Mavericks, Lakers and Utah Jazz. The Lakers received Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris from the Mavericks. Dallas acquired Anthony Davis, Max Christie and the Lakers’ 2029 first-round pick.

Meanwhile, the Jazz received Jalen Hood-Schifino, the LA Clippers’ 2025 second-round pick and the Mavericks’ 2025 second-round selection.

With Doncic averaging 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists per game this season while shooting 46.4% from the field and 35.4% from 3-point range, most Mavericks fans are far from happy with the blockbuster trade.

Several of the Mavericks fans at the protest on Sunday let their frustrations be heard by writing obscenities about Dallas general manager Nico Harris near the Dirk Nowitzki statue outside of American Airlines Center.

ESPN’s Tim MacMahon provided further details on the Mavericks’ front office’s reasoning behind the trade shortly after it was announced.

“The Mavs had major concerns about moving forward with Luka Doncic due to his constant conditioning issues and the looming commitment of another supermax contract extension this summer,” MacMahon wrote on X.

Doncic reportedly struggled to maintain his weight while with the Mavericks and Harris wasn’t satisfied with his defense. Additionally, Doncic was eligible for a $345 million supermax contract this offseason that would’ve spanned five seasons with the Mavericks.

Now with the Lakers, Doncic is no longer eligible to receive a supermax. Mavericks GM Nico Harris confirmed that Doncic’s looming contract discussions were a significant factor in his decision to trade the five-time All-NBA First-Team member.

“We really feel like we got ahead of what was going to be a tumultuous summer, him being eligible for the supermax and also a year away from him being able to opt out of any contract,” Harrison told The Dallas Morning News. “And so we really felt like we got out in front of that. We know teams, they’ve had it out there, teams have been loading up to try to sign him once that comes available.”

Doncic had not played since Christmas when he suffered a strained calf. The Mavericks reached the NBA Finals last season but are just 26-23 thus far this year.