The shockwaves from the Dallas Mavericks’ decision to trade Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers continue to reverberate throughout the sports world, and even Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has weighed in on the emotional fallout. Speaking during a press conference ahead of the NFL Draft, Jones revealed his personal connection to Dončić and shared how the trade deeply affected his wife, Gene.
Jones, a longtime Mavericks fan, described Dončić as “a personal friend” and spoke fondly of the time they spent together during Dončić’s tenure in Dallas.
“I know Luka was a personal friend and watched a lot of games with us,” Jones said. “I would hope that he would watch more games with us as we go along. I know his family pretty well and his support staff pretty well.”
#Cowboys owner Jerry Jones called Luka Doncic ‘a personal friend’ and said his wife, Gene, cried when she learned of the trade pic.twitter.com/CoHSof1ojV
— 105.3 The FAN (@1053thefan) April 22, 2025
The trade, which sent Dončić to the Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a future draft pick, has been one of the most controversial moves in Mavericks history. For Jones, the decision was not just a professional shock but a personal loss.
Jones also shared how the trade impacted his wife, Gene, a passionate basketball fan and former All-State player.
“Gene lives and dies with that basketball,” Jones said. “She just cried when Luka left.”
Gene’s reaction mirrors the sentiments of many Mavericks fans, who were devastated by the departure of the franchise’s cornerstone player. Jones’ comments highlight the deep connection that Dončić had with the city of Dallas and its sports community. His departure has left a void that extends beyond the basketball court, affecting fans and prominent figures alike.
The trade has sparked widespread criticism of Mavericks General Manager Nico Harrison, who admitted during a recent press conference that he underestimated Dončić’s importance to the fanbase. The team’s subsequent struggles, including an early exit in the Play-In Tournament, have only intensified the scrutiny.
For Jones, the trade serves as a reminder of the emotional stakes involved in professional sports.
“I’m a big fan of the Mavericks, and consequently a big fan of Luka,” he said. “The world knows that I’ve got my hands full with what we think about over here, much less trying to figure out [the Mavericks]. I look at the Mavericks through a very much entertainment eye.”
As the Mavericks face an uncertain future, the emotional impact of Dončić’s departure continues to resonate. For Jerry and Gene Jones, as well as countless fans, the trade represents a bittersweet chapter in Dallas sports history.
