Luka Doncic made some magic happen in his return to Dallas, scoring 45 points and shooting 70% from three in a 110-94 Lakers win over the Mavericks.  In an emotional homecoming for the All-NBA guard that saw him in tears during his pregame tribute video,

Luka Doncic’s dramatic return to American Airlines Center for the first time as a member of the opposing team went how anyone in Dallas who’s followed the Mavericks’ former cornerstone would imagine.

Besides, Dallas just made it to the Finals last year largely on the strength of its defense. From the P.J. Washington trade to the end of the 2023-24 campaign, the Mavericks were seventh in points allowed per 100 possessions. In the playoffs, the Thunder and Celtics were the only teams that made it past the first round and had better defenses.

Dallas were welcoming Slovenian-born superstar Luka Dončić as part of the visiting team or thanking him for 6 ½ years of service that are now over. But that exact scenario is playing out on Wednesday,

Much has been made about Mavs GM Nico Harrison, who orchestrated the Luka Dončić trade. But what about Patrick Dumont, the man in charge?

After the Dončić trade went down, it became clear that Cuban didn't hold the same power he had wielded for two decades in Dallas.