Mavericks owner Patrick Dumont acknowledged fans' frustration following the shocking decision to trade franchise superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, while still defending the move and making clear there are no plans to relocate the team from Dallas.
Speaking for the first time publicly about the trade, Dumont told The Dallas Morning News that it has been an emotional week for the franchise, which has seen its own fans protest outside the arena.
"I clearly understand that, and I really appreciate that," Dumont said about the fans' reaction to the blockbuster deal. "I'm a big Luka fan. My family are big Luka fans. I have a really deep appreciation for what he brought to this team, what he brought to Dallas, and the excitement he brings. He's an electrifying player.
"I want you to know I really sympathize with all of our fans who feel hurt. Look, as far as I'm concerned, Luka is a Mav for life, and I really wish him nothing but happiness and success in his career as he continues in L.A."
The Mavericks received 10-time All-Star Anthony Davis back in the trade, an addition the franchise thinks will help it return to the NBA Finals. Dumont said that goal was top of mind when making the move. The Mavericks had struggled this season following their Finals appearance last summer, most notably since Doncic went down with a calf strain Dec. 25.
Doncic's recent injury history has been tied to conditioning concerns the Mavericks had with their star, according to reporting from ESPN's Tim MacMahon. Dumont reiterated statements made by general manager Nico Harrison that the team was focused on bringing in players who could help build and improve the Mavericks' "culture," but he stopped short of saying Doncic didn't fit that culture.
"In my mind, the way teams win is by focus, by having the right character, by having the right culture, and having the right dedication to work as hard as possible to create a championship-winning outcome," Dumont told the Morning News. "And if you're not doing that, you're going to lose."
Dumont also addressed rumors that the trade was the first step in an attempt to move the Mavericks from Dallas to Las Vegas, where much of his family's business is based.
"The Dallas Mavericks are not moving to Las Vegas," Dumont said. "There is no question in that. That is the answer, unequivocally. The Dallas Mavericks are the Dallas Mavericks, and they will be in Dallas."
Questions have also been raised about the Mavericks' willingness to pay for a supermax contract worth nearly $350 million, which Doncic would have been eligible to sign this summer. Dumont denied that the trade was related to cutting costs.
"This is not a resource consideration," he said. "For people who understand the NBA ... the salary cap is basically the cap. So this is just a risk-allocation decision, right? No problem signing someone to the supermax. It's just a portion of your cap. So it wasn't an issue. Happy to do it if it's there, no problem."