NBA Commissioner Adam Silver on Saturday shot down one of the biggest conspiracy theories surrounding the Luka Doncic trade that recently shook up the NBA landscape.
The Doncic trade drew bewilderment among fans, players, and media members alike, so it’s no surprise that such a stunning move birthed a few conspiracy theories.
One of the most prevalent theories suggests that the Mavericks’ ownership group allegedly pushed for the Doncic trade as a ploy to eventually move the team away from Dallas.
Longtime Mavericks owner Mark Cuban sold his majority stake in the team to the families of Miriam Adelson and Patrick Dumont back in 2023. The Adelson and Dumont families are tied to the Las Vegas Sands Corp., an American casino and resort company based in Las Vegas, Nev. The conspiracy suggests that the Doncic trade was a self-sabotaging move to sow discord within the Mavericks franchise, thereby opening the door to an eventual move to Las Vegas.
The conspiracy theory was widespread enough that Silver was asked about it during All-Star Weekend. Silver shot down the idea, saying that there is “no doubt” the team’s current owners want to keep the team in Dallas. He also stated that there were no “ulterior motives” behind the Doncic trade beyond the Mavs’ front office simply believing it was the right move to do.
Even if there were any truth to the conspiracy theory, it’s hard to imagine Silver giving such a rumor any life.
For now and the foreseeable future, the Mavericks will remain in Dallas. But the rift between the franchise and its fans has only widened since Doncic left town.
