Mavericks Owner, Casino Tycoon at the Center of Luka Doncic Trade?

The NBA’s Dallas Mavericks and majority owner, casino tycoon Dr. Miriam Adelson, signed off on one of the most unexpected transactions in basketball history on Saturday, trading megastar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Lakers sent big man and champion Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 second-round pick the other way for a full package of Doncic, Markieff Morris, and Maxi Kleber. The move unites Doncic with his favorite player, LeBron James, in the City of Angels. 

At its face, the move is purely a basketball decision, albeit a poor one. But digging beneath the surface, there is far more to the deal than first meets the eye.

Out the door

The Doncic trade was shocking on all levels. Never has a player of Doncic’s age (25) and level of ability been traded based on the team’s volition.

Doncic, who averaged 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 7.8 assists in 22 games this season, also lost more than $100 million in potential earnings since he was only eligible for the five-year, $345 million supermax deal as a member of the Mavericks. He is now limited to a five-year, $229 million deal in Los Angeles.

Dallas’ front office has insisted that Doncic, who has been sidelined by a calf problem since Christmas, was traded for reasons related to his health and condition. He allegedly weighed close to 270 pounds during a recent check-in and has reported for training camp overweight several times.

The Mavs also claim he insisted on having his own team of specialists rather than using the ones provided by the team, which rubbed them the wrong way.

Adelson herself did not engineer the trade—credit, or blame, for that goes to general manager Nico Harrison. But that does not absolve Adelson from playing a key role in the story of the trade for several reasons. 

Why would the Mavericks trade Doncic?

Adelson, being a standout member of the casino industry, has direct ties to Las Vegas, which just so happens to be the leading candidate for the NBA’s next expansion franchise. The city recently secured deals with teams in the NFL, NHL, and WNBA, and will soon have MLB’s Oakland Athletics under its control.

Adelson dreamed of building a casino-resort adjacent or connected to the Mavericks’ home American Airlines Center. The Texas legislature, however, has remained steadfast in its opposition to gambling, enforcing bans on both casino gaming and sports betting. 

The Mavs’ new owner is also an outspoken opponent of Palestinian militant group Hamas.

“If you condemn Hamas and then add a ‘but’ followed by condemnation of Israel, you’re dead to us," Adelson penned in an op-ed in the Israel Hayom, Israel’s most widely-distributed newspaper which is owned by Adelson. 

“If you insist Israel is obligated to seek accommodation with Hamas, an idea you would never have entertained for Western powers that fought the Nazis, al-Qaida, or ISIS, you’re dead to us.”

This is significant since Slovenia, Doncic’s native homeland, recognized Palestine as an independent state in 2024 and has maintained a positive political relationship with Palestine since.

The Mavericks are back in action against the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday, at which time Davis and Christie could make their debut for their new team.

Doncic could allegedly return from his calf problem to make his first Lakers appearance against the Indiana Pacers on Saturday.