The trade of Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers raised eyebrows, leading fans to speculate about the Dallas Mavericks’ intentions under their new owners, Miriam Adelson and Patrick Dumont. Adam Silver, the NBA Commissioner, addressed these conspiracies head-on during the All-Star press conference, stating:

“I have absolutely no knowledge or belief there were any ulterior motives. There’s no doubt in my mind that the Dumont-Adelson family bought that team to keep it in Dallas.”

Silver’s comments aim to reassure Dallas fans that their team will remain committed to the city, despite the significant trade. Concerns about Doncic’s health and team dynamics have also been points of discussion following this unexpected move.