Mark Cuban, Kobe Bryant: Two More Theories on Why the Luka Dončić Happened

The Shadow GM and Kobe's Shadow

I’ve written up my thoughts on why the Mavericks’ Luka Dončić trade debacle happened. While I’m happy with what’s there, there are two additional explanatory elements I’d like to add. The first is the most obvious, so let’s start there.

Yes, Mark Cuban Peter Principled former Nike rep Nico Harrison into an NBA GM job that Harrison was likely ill prepared for. That part still tracks. The question is why we only just saw the negative effects of this move when Harrison was hired all the way back in 2021. The answer is really simple, and everyone within the NBA sort of knows the “why,” even if they haven’t consciously connected the dots. Honestly I’m not sure if you’ve heard it because there’s so much damned content coming out about this recent NBA earthquake, but here goes.