Mark Cuban Talks Luka-Lakers Trade: 'I Was Just As Dumbfounded as Everybody Else'

Longtime Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is still getting used to life without star guard Luka Dončić following his shocking trade to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Cuban, who no longer owns controlling interest in the Mavs, opened up about Dončić's departure during an appearance on the Your Mom's House podcast and made it clear that he was surprised by general manager Nico Harrison's decision to ship away the young phenom.

"I loved Luka," Cuban said at the 58:40 mark. "We weren't best buddies, but I would text him all the time and DM him. I would give him all these motivational quotes, even gave him books to read and stuff to read. So we had a good relationship, got along great with his dad. I was just as dumbfounded as everybody else."

Since trading Dončić, the Mavs have taken a massive tumble amid injuries to key players, including star point guard Kyrie Irving's season-ending torn ACL. Dallas now ranks 11th in the West with a 33-37 record and appears likely to miss the playoffs.

When asked about (seemingly unfounded) rumors that Irving could be waived this offseason, Cuban initially shot down the notion before admitting anything is possible after the unexpected Dončić trade.

"And I love Kyrie too, maybe they're just trying to get rid of the people I like," Cuban joked. "You know, somebody comes in, takes over a company and gets rid of the old guys."