Colin Cowherd claims he heard that Mavericks GM Nico Harrison was pressured into trading Luka Doncic to the Lakers

Cowherd’s Bold Statement

During his show, The Herd with Colin Cowherd, the outspoken commentator said:

"I’ve been told by someone I trust that there was legitimate pressure on Nico Harrison to send Luka to the Lakers. This wasn’t just some wild rumor—there were real conversations happening."

Cowherd didn’t specify the source of his information, but he strongly implied that forces within the league or even within the Mavericks organization may have been involved.

The claim immediately spread across NBA circles, raising questions about Dončić’s long-term future in Dallas and whether the Lakers, known for aggressively pursuing superstars, had actually come close to pulling off a blockbuster deal.

Would Dallas Even Consider Trading Dončić?

Luka Dončić, a five-time All-Star and MVP contender, is the undisputed franchise player of the Mavericks. Since being drafted in 2018, he has led Dallas to multiple playoff runs and has firmly established himself as one of the league’s premier talents.

Given his elite scoring, playmaking, and leadership, trading him—especially to a Western Conference rival—would be a stunning move. However, recent frustrations with roster construction, coaching changes, and playoff struggles have fueled speculation about Dončić’s long-term commitment to the Mavericks.

Cowherd’s claim, while unverified, plays into existing concerns that if Dallas fails to build a true contender around Dončić, he may seek an exit in the near future.

Why the Lakers?

The Lakers have a long history of acquiring star players through aggressive trades and free agency signings. With LeBron James nearing the end of his career, the team is expected to pursue another superstar to extend its championship window.

A trade for Dončić would make sense for Los Angeles, but pulling off such a move would be extremely difficult. The Lakers lack high-value trade assets compared to other potential suitors, and Dallas would likely demand a historic haul of players and draft picks in return.

Still, the Lakers' appeal is undeniable—Dončić has spoken highly of LeBron James in the past, and Los Angeles remains one of the league’s most attractive destinations for superstar players.

Mavericks Deny Trade Talks

In response to the swirling rumors, a Dallas Mavericks spokesperson denied any trade discussions involving Dončić. When asked about Cowherd’s statement, an anonymous team executive reportedly told The Athletic:

"This is completely false. Luka is untouchable. There was never any conversation about trading him."

GM Nico Harrison has not publicly commented on the rumor, but sources within the organization suggest that Dallas remains fully committed to building a championship team around Dončić.

Fans React to the Rumor

Fans of both teams reacted strongly to Cowherd’s claim. Mavericks fans dismissed the idea as nonsense, emphasizing Dončić’s loyalty to the franchise. Lakers fans, on the other hand, speculated on what a potential trade package could look like, with some suggesting a deal involving Anthony Davis, Austin Reaves, and multiple draft picks.

On social media, reactions ranged from excitement to skepticism:

• "No way the Mavericks are dumb enough to trade Luka, especially to LA."
• "Cowherd says a lot of wild things… this feels like one of them."
• "Luka playing alongside AD and LeBron would be insane!"
• "Dallas better get half the Lakers' roster if they even consider this."

The Bottom Line

While Cowherd’s claim has added fuel to NBA trade speculation, there is no concrete evidence that Dallas ever seriously entertained trading Luka Dončić to the Lakers. The Mavericks remain firm in their stance that Dončić is the face of the franchise, and barring an unexpected turn of events, he is expected to remain in Dallas for the foreseeable future.

However, with the NBA offseason always full of surprises, this rumor will likely linger—especially if the Mavericks struggle in the playoffs.