Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is no stranger to criticism, but for once, he’s not the primary target of Dallas sports fans’ outrage. Instead, the spotlight — and the fury — are locked on Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison after the shocking decision to trade superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. When asked about the situation, Jones offered a rare glimpse into his private life, revealing that the emotional impact of the trade hit home in a big way. According to Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Jones said that his wife, Gene, a longtime basketball fan, cried when she learned Doncic had been traded.
The Mavericks’ season ended in disaster with a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA Play-In Tournament, but the seeds of frustration were planted much earlier when Harrison made the stunning move to send Doncic to Los Angeles. In return, Dallas received a package headlined by an aging Anthony Davis. It was a gamble that backfired almost immediately. Kyrie Irving, another key piece of the Mavericks’ plan, suffered an injury that sidelined him, and the team quickly spiraled out of contention. Now, with their season over and the fan base enraged, Harrison is bearing the brunt of the blame from a city still reeling from the loss of one of its most beloved athletes.
The fallout from the trade has been brutal. Commentators like Stephen A. Smith have mocked the decision publicly, Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki has voiced disappointment, and the anger hasn’t cooled among fans. Even former owner Mark Cuban reportedly made an effort behind the scenes to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control, though ultimately to no avail. Adding fuel to the fire, friends of Doncic have fired back at perceived slights, portraying the Mavericks’ handling of their former star in an unflattering light.
While the Mavericks attempt to pick up the pieces, Jerry Jones and the Cowboys now have a rare opportunity to earn back some goodwill for the city of Dallas. With the 2025 NFL Draft just days away, Jones and his front office — a group often criticized for free agency missteps but praised for strong drafting — will look to make a splash. The Cowboys hold the No. 12 overall pick, their highest selection in years, and fans are hoping for a franchise-altering addition to complement stars like CeeDee Lamb, Micah Parsons, and Dak Prescott. Securing a Parsons extension later this offseason would also help Jones boost his standing with a frustrated and restless fanbase.
No matter what happens, though, the Luka Doncic trade will linger as one of the most polarizing and controversial moves in Dallas sports history. For Mavericks fans, the emotional wound — much like the one Gene Jones felt — won’t heal easily. And until the Mavericks can prove that there’s a path forward without Doncic, the shadow of this decision will hang over the franchise, and over the city, for a very long time.
