Adam Silver understands anger at Doncic trade, says Mavericks had no ulterior motives

NBA commissioner Adam Silver has given his two cents on Luka Doncic’s trade to the Los Angeles Lakers. According to a three-team deal between the Dallas Mavericks, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Utah Jazz, L.A. received Doncic, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris from the Mavericks. Dallas will have Anthony Davis, Max Christie and the Lakers’ 2029 first-round pick.

The move has been slammed by the Mavericks’ fans and the team’s supporters have been calling for Nico Harrison, who is the president of basketball operations and general manager of the Dallas Mavericks, sacking.

“I have absolutely no knowledge or belief there were any ulterior motives,” Silver said during his annual news conference before All-Star Saturday night festivities at Chase Center. 

“There’s no doubt in my mind that the Dumont and Adelson families bought that team to keep it in Dallas. I have no doubt whatsoever that they’re committed to the long-term success of that franchise.

“In terms of the Dallas fans, all I can say to them is, again, time will tell whether it was a smart trade, but I think they should believe in their organization. Their organization truly made a trade that they believed was in the best interest of the organization, and in many cases, again, it doesn’t mean they were right or wrong, but it’s very difficult to put yourself in their shoes. They are living with the situation. They have a philosophical belief on what’s necessary ultimately to win championships, and I’m not in a position to second-guess that.”

Silver, admitted that, he like everyone was surprised by the Mavericks’ decision to trade Doncic. The Slovenian had played an instrumental role in taking the franchise to the NBA finals in the previous season.

“In terms of anger with the fan base, I’m empathetic,” Silver said. “I understand it. Dallas was in the Finals last year. I’ve already said this before: I like Luka very much. … It seems genuinely, truly authentic that he was stunned and disappointed. You could see it in his body language.

“Having said all that, I also am sympathetic to the Mavericks organization. I’ve known Nico Harrison for a long time from his prior tenure at Nike, and I’ve gotten to be close to Patrick Dumont, our new governor in Dallas. I can say one thing for sure: Whether or not history will ultimately judge this as a smart trade, they did what they thought was in the best interest of their organization.”

Dallas Mavericks currently have a 30-26 record in the ongoing season.