Trump Criticizes Luka Dončić Trade at Dallas Rally: ‘I Don’t Understand the Deal’

Trump jokes about redoing Luka Dončić trade during Dallas speech, calling it 'the worst in sports history'.

September 10, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Dallas, United States — During a recent speech at the Republican National Committee midterm convention, former President Donald Trump expressed confusion over the controversial NBA trade that sent star player Luka Dončić from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Speaking at the American Airlines Center, the venue where the Mavericks play, Trump remarked, I must tell you, I do not understand the trade. That trade is not good. He added that the deal might be remembered as the worst in sports history, though he acknowledged that the 1919 Babe Ruth trade from the Boston Red Sox to the New York Yankees could still hold that title.

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The blockbuster trade in early 2023 saw the Mavericks send Dončić and two other players to the Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis and a 2029 first-round draft pick. The move sparked backlash from Dallas fans who viewed Dončić as the franchise’s future. The Mavericks are owned by Miriam Adelson, a prominent GOP donor with close ties to Trump. This is not the first time the former president has weighed in on high-profile sports decisions, including NFL rules and player selections.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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