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NewsWorld

Trump calls the Luka Dončić trade potentially the worst in sports history

Speaking at the Republican National Committee's midterm convention in Dallas on Wednesday night, President Donald Trump stood inside American Airlines Center, the arena where Luka Dončić played before the February 2025 deal sent him to the Los Angeles Lakers, and told the crowd the trade might go down as the worst in sports history. Trump said he didn't understand it. The crowd cheered loudly.

By Miles BroadbentNewsroomSeptember 11, 20262 min read
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Key takeaways

  • President Donald Trump, speaking Wednesday night at the RNC midterm convention inside Dallas's American Airlines Center, called the Luka Dončić trade potentially the worst in sports history.
  • The February 2025 deal sent Luka Dončić, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick.
  • Since joining the Lakers, Dončić is averaging 31.9 points, 8.1 assists, and 7.8 rebounds.
  • Dallas GM Nico Harrison, who negotiated exclusively with the Lakers and argued defense wins championships, has since been removed from the front office.
  • Trump ranked only Babe Ruth's move from the Boston Red Sox to the New York Yankees ahead of the Dončić trade in sports-trade infamy.

Speaking at the Republican National Committee's midterm convention in Dallas on Wednesday night, President Donald Trump stood inside American Airlines Center, the arena where Luka Dončić played before the February 2025 deal sent him to the Los Angeles Lakers, and told the crowd the trade might go down as the worst in sports history. Trump said he didn't understand it. The crowd cheered loudly.

The deal sent Dončić, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris to Los Angeles in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round draft pick. The timing sharpened the reaction: Dončić had just carried the Mavericks to the 2024 NBA Finals the season before, and he never asked to leave. Dallas GM Nico Harrison negotiated exclusively with the Lakers rather than shopping the trade across the rest of the league, then defended the decision by arguing that defense wins championships. That argument didn't show up on the court. Harrison has since been removed from the front office.

Since landing in Los Angeles, Dončić is averaging 31.9 points, 8.1 assists, and 7.8 rebounds. LeBron James, who was set to be his co-star with the Lakers, is entering the 2026-27 season with the Philadelphia 76ers. The math on who came out ahead in that February exchange is not a close debate.

Trump placed only Babe Ruth's move from the Boston Red Sox to the New York Yankees ahead of this one in sports-trade infamy. He joked that he redoes deals all the time and asked the Dallas crowd if they wanted to undo it. They cheered again. Some Mavericks fans had already staged a funeral outside American Airlines Center when the trade was first announced. Wednesday's crowd at that same arena gave Trump's verdict a loud reception, and the 2029 first-round pick Dallas accepted as part of the return is still years away from closing the books on whether Harrison's math ever added up.

About this story

Filed by the newsroom of MarketPR on September 11, 2026. Source: foxnews.com. Indicative figures are not investment advice.

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Frequently asked

Why did the Mavericks trade Luka Dončić?

GM Nico Harrison negotiated exclusively with the Lakers and defended the deal by arguing that defense wins championships, though Dončić never asked to leave. Harrison has since been removed from the front office.

What did Dallas receive in the trade?

The Mavericks received Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round draft pick in exchange for Luka Dončić, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris.

Where did Trump make these comments?

He spoke Wednesday night at the Republican National Committee's midterm convention inside Dallas's American Airlines Center, the arena where Dončić played before the trade.

Did the Lakers keep LeBron James as Dončić's co-star?

No; LeBron James, who was set to be Dončić's co-star, is entering the 2026-27 season with the Philadelphia 76ers.

How did Mavericks fans react to the trade?

Some fans staged a funeral outside American Airlines Center when the trade was first announced, and Wednesday's crowd loudly cheered Trump's criticism of it.