Dallas Mavericks’ minority owner Mark Cuban recently shared his thoughts on the controversial trade of Luka Doncic with none other than Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. During their conversation at an event on Friday, Cuban posed a unique question to Gates, drawing a parallel to a hypothetical scenario involving a trade of operating systems.
Cuban asked,
“If after you left Microsoft, you found out that Steve Ballmer traded Windows 11—like, the new hot operating system—for Windows 10, the Hall of Fame but older operating system, what would you do?”
Gates responded humorously,
“I might have to hide from the press.”
Mark Cuban jokes with Bill Gates about the Mavericks trading Luka Doncic:
“If after you left the company, they traded Microsoft 11 for Microsoft 10… what would you do?” 💀
(via @persources) pic.twitter.com/CrCYdokSJL
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) February 8, 2025
This exchange highlighted Cuban’s frustration and disbelief over the trade, which saw Doncic traded to the Los Angeles Lakers for veteran Anthony Davis.
Cuban has long been vocal about his unwavering loyalty to Doncic. In 2020, he famously stated that he would rather divorce his wife than trade Doncic, showcasing his deep commitment to keeping the Slovenian prodigy in Dallas. The recent trade, which Cuban was reportedly unaware of until moments before it was announced, has left him and many fans feeling betrayed.
With Nico Harrison at the helm as General Manager and the Adelson family now controlling ownership, the Mavericks are entering a new era. The decision to trade Doncic was driven by concerns over his conditioning and durability, as well as a desire to bolster the team’s championship prospects with Davis.
The trade has sparked a wave of protests from Mavericks fans, who feel that the team has given away a generational talent. As the Mavericks navigate this transition, the challenge will be to rebuild trust with their fanbase and prove that the trade was a step in the right direction.
Cuban’s humorous analogy to Gates underscores the gravity of the situation while providing a moment of levity amidst the turmoil.
