Report: Mavericks to lose ‘nine figures over the next several years’ after trading Luka Doncic

According to NBA insider Tim MacMahon of ESPN, the Dallas Mavericks will lose “nine figures over the next several years” after trading Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. 

The Mavericks traded Doncic to the Lakers on February 1.

Doncic appeared in 422 games with Dallas. He averaged 28.6 points, 8.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists and made five All-Star teams and five All-NBA teams.

“It’s a decision, team sources told ESPN, that probably will cost the franchise nine figures over the next several years, as the Mavs are projected to lose dozens of millions in revenue this season due to dwindling crowds, plummeting merchandise sales and sponsors severing ties with the franchise in the wake of the trade,” MacMahon wrote. “So many fans canceled season tickets in the days after the trade that the Mavs attempted to generate some goodwill by offering limited refunds.”

The Lakers face the Mavericks in Dallas tonight.

Doncic, one of the top players in the NBA, will get a video tribute 

“The franchise plans to play a tribute video for Doncic, sources said, providing fans in the arena a final opportunity to savor all of his accomplishments in a Mavs uniform — and mourn not getting more,” MacMahon wrote. “Team sources told ESPN that the Mavs had also lined up lucrative sponsorship deals for Wednesday’s game, with multiple companies that Doncic endorses, but those deals fell apart after Doncic’s camp declined to give its blessing, pointedly noting that he now plays for the Lakers.”

Dallas lost to the Boston Celtics in five games in the 2024 NBA Finals.

Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison, who targeted Anthony Davis in the Doncic trade, no longer wanted to build around Luka. 

Doncic was eligible to sign a five-year, $345 million extension with the Mavericks this offseason. According to The Athletic, Dallas wasn’t going to offer Doncic the supermax extension.

The Lakers can offer Doncic a four-year, $229 million extension this offseason, or, like other teams, a five-year, $296 million contract in the offseason of 2026.