Dallas Mavericks’ Front Office Avoids ‘Worst’ Tag – But Does It Deserve a Pass?

The Dallas Mavericks’ front office has found itself in the eye of an NBA storm, and quite frankly, it’s a storm of their own making. Trading away Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers? Questionable. Doing so less than a year after making the NBA Finals? Downright absurd. Yet, somehow, an NBA analyst has suggested that the Mavericks’ front office isn’t the worst in the league.

A Front Office Fumble of Epic Proportions?

CBS Sports recently released its ranking of the worst front offices in the NBA, and while the Mavericks weren’t spared criticism, they didn’t come in dead last. Instead, Dallas landed at No. 27, with only the Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings, and Chicago Bulls ranked lower. CBS even lumped them into the category of, “I can’t defend what you’re doing.”

Gee, you think?

Nico Harrison, the Mavericks’ general manager, now carries the unenviable legacy of trading away a generational superstar before he even entered his prime. Let’s not forget, this isn’t just any player. We’re talking about Luka freakin’ Doncic—the guy who was supposed to define Mavericks basketball for the next decade. The guy who made Dallas basketball relevant again. And now, he’s suiting up for the purple and gold.

The Lakers Win Again – Even If They Haven’t Won Yet

Doncic’s move to the Lakers has not immediately resulted in domination, with LA going 2-2 since the trade. But let’s be honest: does anyone really think that’ll last? Once Doncic settles in, the Lakers will be terrifying. He has the skillset, the IQ, and the flair that Hollywood adores. And let’s not forget that he’s now playing alongside LeBron James (for however long that lasts) and a revitalized Anthony Davis.

So while the Mavericks are trying to convince themselves that Davis was an adequate return for Doncic, the rest of the NBA world is watching with popcorn in hand, waiting for the inevitable Lakers resurgence.

The Future of the Mavericks: A Long Road Back

Dallas, on the other hand, is now under intense scrutiny. The next few seasons will be a referendum on this trade, and let’s be real—no amount of post-trade spin can undo the optics of this move. Even if Anthony Davis stays healthy (a big ‘if’ given his history), he’s already 31 and not getting any younger. The Mavericks have lost a player who could have anchored their franchise for the next 10-15 years in exchange for one who has, at best, a few elite seasons left.

Mavericks fans are left wondering: What was the plan here? Was this a panic move? A power struggle? Did Doncic secretly demand an exit? None of it makes sense, and unless Harrison has a trick up his sleeve, the franchise is looking at a lengthy rebuild rather than another Finals run anytime soon.

Could This Be the Worst Trade in NBA History?

It’s early, but let’s consider the possibility that this could go down as one of the worst trades in NBA history.

We’ve seen bad trades before: The Brooklyn Nets’ infamous Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett deal, the Charlotte Hornets handing Kobe Bryant to the Lakers on draft night, and even the Celtics trading away a young Chauncey Billups. But sending a 25-year-old MVP-caliber superstar to the Lakers for an aging star with injury concerns? That’s a whole new level of questionable decision-making.

Doncic may never win a championship in LA—after all, nothing is guaranteed in the NBA—but the Mavericks will always be haunted by the ‘what ifs’ of this trade. What if they had built around Luka properly? What if they had been more patient? What if they had just… not done this?

Final Verdict: A Front Office in Freefall

So, is the Mavericks’ front office the worst in the NBA? Technically, CBS Sports says no. But does that really matter when their most significant decision in recent history might set the franchise back a decade?

Dallas fans deserve answers. Until then, the basketball world will continue watching, judging, and, let’s be honest, laughing at a franchise that just handed the Lakers another superstar.

For the Mavericks, the road ahead looks long, uncertain, and possibly humiliating. For Luka Doncic? Well, LA sure seems like a great place to cement a legacy.