Mavericks Face Backlash After Trading Doncic, Missing Out on Brunson

March 4, 2025 – DALLAS, Texas – The Dallas Mavericks are under intense scrutiny following their high-profile trades in recent years. Just two years after letting Jalen Brunson join the New York Knicks in free agency, the team took a significant gamble at this year’s trade deadline, sending generational superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Since then, the Mavericks have struggled, experiencing a wave of bad luck. Brunson has become a standout player for the Knicks, while Anthony Davis, the player acquired in exchange for Doncic, has played only one game before an injury sidelined him.

The Doncic trade ignited outrage among fans, many of whom felt betrayed by general manager Nico Harrison and the Mavericks’ front office for parting ways with a beloved star just a year after reaching the NBA Finals. Meanwhile, Doncic has propelled the Lakers to the second seed in the Western Conference, partnering with LeBron James. In contrast, the Mavericks have seen their performance decline without both Doncic and Brunson.

Former NBA player and current analyst Chandler Parsons weighed in on the situation, stating, “Not resigning Jalen Brunson to a $55 million extension could be worse than trading Luka Doncic.” This remark highlights the sharp disappointment surrounding Brunson’s departure, particularly given that he could have signed a four-year, $55 million extension before hitting the open market. Instead, he secured a four-year, $106 million deal with the Knicks after an impressive showing in the 2022 playoffs.

Brunson has rapidly ascended to stardom, finishing fifth in MVP voting last season with averages of 28.7 points and leading the Knicks to a 40-20 record this season, where he continues to make his mark with 26.1 points and 7.4 assists per game.

The situation worsened for the Mavericks when Kyrie Irving suffered a season-ending torn ACL injury against the Sacramento Kings. This injury not only diminishes their title chances for the current season but also leaves the team relying on an aging core featuring Davis and Irving.

Unless the Mavericks can dramatically turn their fortunes around and secure a championship with this new roster, the memories of what could have been with both Doncic and Brunson are likely to haunt their fanbase and front office.