Numerous prominent figures in sports media have criticized the Dallas Mavericks after their stunning trade over the weekend, which saw Luka Dončić moving to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for a package largely centered around Anthony Davis. Among these commentators, longtime Around the Horn panelist and Dallas Morning News columnist Tim Cowlishaw stands out as particularly qualified.
Since joining the Morning News in 1989, Cowlishaw has extensively covered major sports in the Dallas area. Although his early career focused on beat writing for the Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Stars, and Texas Rangers, he has gained significant insight into the Mavericks organization.
On Monday’s edition of Around the Horn, Cowlishaw expressed his dismay over the Mavericks-Lakers trade, stating it has shocked and upset fans more than any previous move. “Yeah Tony, I have had 41 hours. And I also came to the Morning News 41 years ago. So I’m trying to remember anything that has shocked and upset fans like this. Even though the Mavericks got rid of Jason Kidd when he was 23 and they let Steve Nash go when he was 29, there is nothing to compare to this—a first-team All-NBA player five years in a row. Now, they are finding out all these deficiencies, which we already know. He’s not much of a defender and he does get hurt. But which team in the West has been to two of the last three Conference Finals? I think it’s Luka’s team.
“Let’s not pretend he was such damaged goods that they couldn’t afford to give him a supermax deal. This is a very strange—and for the fans—upsetting deal that Nico Harrison has done. They are playing in a very short window now for AD, Kyrie, and Klay Thompson to be a part of a championship. They are all 32 or older. They would have had Luka forever. They had Dirk (Nowitzki) here for 21 years. There was this nice bridge one year from Dirk to Luka. Fans felt immensely privileged. He was a beloved player here. There are 77 jerseys everywhere. Shock doesn’t begin to explain how they feel. Even if you reach the point of saying I don’t want to pay the supermax to this guy who is hurt some, you have to strike a much better deal where you get many more first-round picks than what Nico did with the Lakers. This is a very limited deal—one first-round pick that won’t amount to anything and three or four years of Anthony Davis.”
Cowlishaw wasn’t alone in his criticism on Around the Horn. Ramona Shelburne, Frank Isola, and Harry Lyles Jr. also condemned the Mavericks for jeopardizing their future by trading Dončić. “Mark Cuban never would have traded Luka Doncic,” Shelburne asserted. “I don’t care how heavy he is or what he doesn’t do. I know what he does do: two conference finals and an NBA Finals in the last three years,” Isola remarked. Lyles Jr. added, “Let’s say they win an NBA championship. To me, that is not a good enough reason to trade Luka Doncic.”
“Shock doesn’t begin to explain…” @TimCowlishaw
“Mark Cuban never would have traded Luka Doncic.” @ramonashelburne
“I don’t care how heavy he is or what he doesn’t do. I know what he does do: 2 Conference Finals and an NBA Finals in the last 3 years.” @TheFrankIsola
“Let’s… pic.twitter.com/hFWdAaj5mI
— Around the Horn (@AroundtheHorn) February 3, 2025
While there remains a chance that Anthony Davis might prove Cowlishaw and other critics wrong, the prevailing opinion appears to be that the Mavericks have made a significant misstep that could have lasting repercussions for the organization.
