
There was a time when Mark Cuban’s support for Luka Doncic seemed rock solid, even joking in 2020 that he “would’ve divorced his wife before he got rid of the Slovenian.” Fast forward to now, with Doncic donning a Los Angeles Lakers jersey, and Cuban's tune has changed quite a bit.
The Dallas Mavericks owner openly admitted his fandom for Doncic has waned since the player's high-profile move to LA. "Yeah, of course," Cuban remarked when recalling his diehard support during Doncic's tenure in Dallas, via The Arena. But when pressed on his current feelings, Cuban didn't hold back: "Course not."
“Off the court, love Luka to death,” Cuban expressed. “On the court, f*** him. I don’t want him to get hurt or anything.”
Cuban made it clear that while he holds Doncic in high personal regard, he’s not rooting for the Slovenian star’s success in Hollywood. His deep-seated disdain for the Lakers, stemming from his high school days, only adds fuel to the fire. "They have the same colors as my high school – I threw my high school gear away," he shared candidly. "… I’m gonna hope they go 0-82. I love Luka to death. He is a great guy … Luka is a good guy, but f*** the Lakers."
During his six full seasons with the Mavericks, Doncic left an indelible mark. With four playoff appearances, an impressive trip to the 2024 NBA Finals, and a staggering 80 triple-doubles to his name – more than any other Maverick in history – his legacy in Dallas is undeniable. He averaged an impressive 28.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, 8.3 assists, and 1.2 steals over 422 regular-season games.
As Doncic sets his sights on delivering the Lakers their 18th championship in 2026, Cuban’s words make it crystal clear where his allegiance lies. If Los Angeles does manage to lift the Larry O'Brien Trophy with Doncic leading the charge, you can bet Cuban won’t be part of the celebration.