Mark Cuban Admits He Feels Like He Let Mavericks Fans Down After Luka Doncic Trade But Embraces Cooper Flagg Arrival

Mark Cuban has never been one to shy away from expressing himself, and in the aftermath of one of the most shocking moves in NBA history, the former majority owner of the Dallas Mavericks poured his heart out. The trade of superstar Luka Doncic, a player Cuban once believed would wear Mavericks blue for his entire career, has left the franchise in unfamiliar territory. For Cuban, who recently sold his majority stake in the team, the timing of the deal has been painful.

“I feel like I let people down by not being there,” Cuban said, reflecting on the transaction that unfolded mere weeks after he relinquished control. “I built this team with the fans, with Luka as the centerpiece. To not be there to stop it, it stings. But what’s done is done. And I’ll tell you this—basketball gods were looking down on us, because Cooper Flagg is now a Maverick.”

His words resonated with fans who remain torn. On one hand, Luka Doncic represented not just hope but identity for a generation of Mavericks faithful. He was the successor to Dirk Nowitzki, the cornerstone Cuban always wanted, the kind of once-in-a-lifetime talent capable of winning multiple MVPs and championships. Losing him felt like a punch to the gut, a betrayal of the vision Cuban spent decades building. On the other hand, Cuban is right—there is now a bright light shining over Dallas in the form of Cooper Flagg, the phenom widely regarded as the best young prospect since LeBron James.

Cuban’s Emotional Conflict

Cuban’s statement is raw because it cuts to the heart of his relationship with the Mavericks. For over two decades, Cuban wasn’t just an owner; he was part of the team’s DNA. He was on the sidelines, arguing with referees, celebrating wins, and holding players accountable. He gave Dallas legitimacy, transforming the Mavericks into one of the league’s most recognizable franchises. When the Mavs won their first championship in 2011, it was Cuban’s vision, resources, and stubborn belief in doing things his way that made it possible.

Doncic’s arrival in 2018 only further cemented Cuban’s bond. To Cuban, Luka wasn’t just another star—he was the star. Someone who could elevate the Mavericks for decades. Watching him traded away right after Cuban’s exit felt, in his words, like an abandonment of duty.

“I didn’t fight hard enough to keep the team,” Cuban admitted privately to close associates, according to reports. “Fans deserved better. Luka deserved better. But we have to move forward.”

That sense of responsibility—despite technically not having control at the time—speaks to Cuban’s identity as an owner. Even without the majority stake, he still feels like a custodian of the Mavericks’ legacy.

The Luka Legacy

Luka Doncic’s six years in Dallas were marked by jaw-dropping performances, deep playoff runs, and unforgettable highlights. He broke records, carried the Mavericks through playoff wars, and embodied the kind of player fans rally behind for life.

Yet for all the brilliance, the Mavericks often failed to surround him with consistent championship-level support. There were flashes—the Western Conference Finals appearance, a few big trades—but the roster construction never matched Doncic’s immense talent. That frustration built over time, and while the franchise insists the trade was about “long-term flexibility and sustainability,” fans have questioned whether the Mavericks squandered Luka’s best years.

For Cuban, that question lingers as well. He admitted Luka was “the kind of player you’d want to build around forever,” but also suggested that life moves on in strange ways. “We lost Luka, yes,” Cuban said, “but somehow, we landed Cooper Flagg. You can’t script that. Maybe that’s how it was meant to be.”

Cooper Flagg: The New Hope

The arrival of Cooper Flagg has softened the blow for some Mavericks supporters. Widely projected as a generational talent, Flagg is expected to become the face of the franchise immediately. His mix of athleticism, shooting, defensive instincts, and charisma has drawn comparisons to basketball icons before him. For Dallas to lose Luka and, almost serendipitously, gain Flagg, feels like divine intervention to Cuban.

“The basketball gods were looking down on us,” Cuban repeated. “I know fans are hurting, and I am too. But when you look at Flagg, you see the future. He has everything you’d want in a superstar. He’s humble, he’s relentless, and he’s already connecting with Dallas in a way that feels special.”

Indeed, Flagg’s arrival has been embraced by a fan base desperate for hope. Social media lit up when he donned a Mavericks jersey for the first time, and season ticket sales have reportedly surged despite the heartbreak over Luka’s departure. Flagg represents more than just a new player; he symbolizes renewal.

Fans’ Divided Reaction

Still, not every fan is ready to forgive or forget. Many see Luka Doncic’s exit as a massive organizational failure, regardless of how it unfolded. The Mavericks had a superstar and couldn’t keep him happy or secure.

Outside American Airlines Center, murals of Luka have been painted and preserved, with some fans placing candles and flowers as if mourning a loss. Inside, chants of “Thank you, Luka” echoed during the first game after the trade. The connection between Doncic and the city won’t be erased easily.

Yet Cooper Flagg jerseys are already appearing in stores, and a new generation of young fans seems eager to embrace him. Perhaps Cuban’s words will prove prophetic: the basketball gods may indeed have provided Dallas with another savior.

Cuban’s Continued Influence

Although Cuban sold his majority stake, he still retains a minority share and remains a public figure tied to the team. His passion for the Mavericks has not waned, and he continues to be vocal about the organization’s direction. Many believe his comments about “letting people down” reflect more than guilt—they reflect his enduring loyalty to the city and its basketball culture.

He has pledged to stay involved, not as the face of ownership anymore, but as someone who will always protect the Mavericks’ interests. “Dallas is in my blood,” Cuban said. “I’ll never stop caring. I’ll never stop fighting for this team, even in the background.”

Moving Forward

The Mavericks now stand at a crossroads. The Luka era has ended, perhaps sooner than anyone expected, but the Flagg era has begun with unprecedented anticipation. Cuban’s heartfelt admission serves as both a reminder of what was lost and a rallying cry for what lies ahead.

What fans must reconcile is the duality of this moment: heartbreak and hope, departure and arrival, endings and beginnings. Luka Doncic’s shadow will loom large over Dallas for years to come, but Cooper Flagg’s potential promises a future that could rival, or even surpass, what might have been.

For Cuban, it is bittersweet. He didn’t get to write the final chapter of Luka’s Dallas story, but he now watches as a new one begins. “Sometimes you don’t get to control the script,” Cuban said. “But you can still believe in the story.”

And so Mavericks fans must choose: dwell on the pain of losing a superstar or embrace the possibility of a new era. Cuban’s plea is clear—believe in the basketball gods, believe in the Mavericks, and believe in Cooper Flagg.

Because as Cuban himself admitted, “I may have let people down by not being there. But now, I believe we’re right where we’re supposed to be.”