© Gary A. Vasquez/Imagn
The Dallas Mavericks turned the NBA on its head a month ago when they traded then 25-year-old superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis and Max Christie. The Mavs were met with immediately backlash from fans, even going so far as to refund season ticket holders in hopes of quelling their anger.
But one month on from the trade, things are only getting worse. Dallas is 6-6 since the trade and have fallen to the final play-in spot in the Western Conference. The Lakers, meanwhile, are 10-2 since the trade and have surged to second place in the conference standings.
Despite that fact, the Mavericks appear to be doubling down. Mike Curtis of the Dalllas Morning News reports that the franchise plans to increase season ticket prices for the 2025-26 NBA season by a significant margin.
Full season ticket holders will have to pay an averaged of 8.61 percent more than 2025-26 than they did this season if they wish to main the same seats. Those who own club seats or terrace-level seating will see an even larger increase that is expected to surpass double digits in terms of percentage.
The Mavericks have repeatedly pointed to Doncic’s weight as well as his lifestyle habits in order to justify the trade. But some fans still believe it was a long-term cost-cutting measure by new owner Miriam Adelson. The new season ticket prices won’t do much to dispel that idea.
“I believe that defense wins championships,” Mavs general manager Nico Harrison said after the trade. “I believe that getting an All-Defensive center and an All-NBA player with a defensive mindset gives us a better chance. We’re built to win now and in the future.”
But the recent results don’t reflect that fact. And Davis, while a superstar in his own right, is both older and more injury prone than Doncic. So one month later, it’s still hard to see what exactly the plan is for the Dallas Mavericks.