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[Saba Sports News] A rival NBA owner didn’t hold back when taking a shot at the Dallas Mavericks over their decision to trade Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta made the remark during a recent event celebrating the Houston Cougars’ college basketball season. While speaking about a meeting he had with President Trump and the Prime Minister of Italy, Fertitta veered off-topic to throw shade at the Mavericks.
“I was in the White House, in the Oval Office, with the Prime Minister of Italy and the President last Thursday, and we talked about the Houston Cougars, I can promise you, for at least a minute and a half. Then we talked about that dumba– Luka Doncic trade that Dallas did,” Fertitta said.
Given that the Rockets and Mavericks are both Texas-based and share the same division, some might question the appropriateness of Fertitta’s jab. Still, Fertitta has a history of making bold public statements—and he’s far from the only one criticizing the Mavs for the controversial move. If anything, he’s just more direct about it.
With Houston tying up their first-round playoff series against the Warriors and boasting a promising young core, the Rockets have reason to gloat. Meanwhile, Dallas stumbled out in the play-in tournament after dealing away their franchise cornerstone in February. The Mavericks’ aging roster faces an uncertain future, while the Rockets look poised for a sustained run.
Fertitta, who is reportedly in line for a role in the Trump administration, may soon be stepping back from NBA ownership. That could explain why he’s especially unfiltered these days.