President Trump delivered a rally-style speech at the Republican National Committee midterm convention. He addressed various topics including oil, Iran, immigration, and the economy. He also discussed the NBA trade involving Luka Dončić, which sent the superstar guard from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers last year.

“I must tell you, I don’t understand the trade. That trade is not good,” he stated at the American Airlines Center, home of the Dallas Mavericks.

Trump further remarked, “It’s not going to go down as the greatest trade in the history of sports. It might go down as the worst trade in the history of sports.” He referred to the Boston Red Sox’s historical decision to trade Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees over a century ago as a potentially bigger mistake.

He jested about reversing the transaction, expressing his understanding of deal-making, before shifting focus to U.S. oil production and Iran.

The trade last year saw the Mavericks exchange Dončić and two other players for Anthony Davis and a 2029 first-round draft pick. This transaction drew criticism from Dallas fans who voiced disapproval of trading away Dončić, the franchise’s key player then aged 27.

In a January 2026 NBA game, Luka Dončić is seen playing for the Lakers against the Chicago Bulls, highlighting his continued career success despite leaving Dallas.

The Mavericks organization is primarily owned by the family of Miriam Adelson, a GOP megadonor with close ties to Trump.

Trump has previously used his platform to comment on sports issues. He criticized the NFL’s kickoff rules and expressed dissatisfaction with quarterback Shedeur Sanders not being picked earlier in the NFL draft, calling the decision foolish. Sanders was eventually selected by the Cleveland Browns later in the draft.

Trump also requested FIFA to reconsider its suspension of U.S. forward Folarin Balogun during the World Cup. The organization reversed the suspension, and Trump noted he did not instruct FIFA to make this decision.