After making possibly the worst trade in NBA history, the Dallas Mavericks have continued their descent into mediocrity. They opted to trade superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers without first shopping him around the league to the highest bidder.
That resulted in a lackluster package and likely cost them significant assets and even fans. While they did get star Anthony Davis in return, he has only played one game in his first month with the Mavericks and may not play another game this season.
"I'm told [Kyrie] was very emotional. We saw Kyrie Irving on a mission this season."@ShamsCharania with the latest on Kyrie Irving's season-ending ACL injury and Anthony Davis' status this season. pic.twitter.com/s2n8hjvauF
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) March 4, 2025
That, in addition to a recent avalanche of injuries, including to Kyrie Irving, means that the Mavericks could miss the playoffs after making the NBA Finals with Doncic last season. That would be a massive unforced error that would continue to alienate fans who were already furious with the Mavericks organization for trading their superstar.
The Dallas Mavericks continue to alienate fans with their puzzling decisions.
Now comes word that they plan to raise ticket prices by 8% next season, a comical move that will likely further drive a wedge between them and their fans.
The Dallas Mavericks just sent me my season ticket renewal and they increased the prices another 8%. You trade away everyone’s favorite player, make the team worse, and want to charge us more? Get out of here.
— Karlos Elguea (@CElguea) March 3, 2025
Moving a generational talent and then jacking up ticket prices is a bold move that is also puzzling. After all, one could argue that they traded Doncic to save from having to pay him a supermax contract that would have been worth around $350 million.
Perhaps they were trying to recoup the revenue lost from fans who are unlikely to renew their season tickets. However, this move could increase the chance that more season ticket holders decline to continue supporting the team.
Especially now, with news from ESPN insider Shams Charania that Irving will be out for the rest of the season. Without Irving and Davis, Dallas has little chance of trying to win fans over, and it makes the Mavericks' decision to raise ticket prices all the more confusing.
Breaking: Dallas Mavericks All-Star Kyrie Irving has suffered a season-ending torn ACL in his left knee, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/VEgTU6iF6S
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 4, 2025
Not just that, but with Irving getting injured in March and the average recovery time for an ACL tear being between 9 and 12 months, it is possible that he could miss a large chunk of next season.
That could significantly impact their chances of making the playoffs in 2025-26. Even if fans were willing to pay increased ticket prices post-Doncic, they probably aren't willing to now.
All in all, the Mavericks' decision to trade Doncic looks even worse in retrospect. After all, he likely will miss the playoffs this season now that Kyrie Irving and potentially Anthony Davis will miss the remainder of the season.