Here is what Skin Wade is claiming:
When the Mavs did not offer JB a 4yrs/$55M deal last summer (because the new management/Cuban didn't see him as a long term solution with Luka) they gambled on being able to trade him at the TDL. They lost that gamble badly and knew that he was functionally gone after they failed to trade him.
This makes sense of Rick Brunson's frustration with DAL. And I am sure Donnie heading out the door added a bunch of fuel to the fire.
When the Mavs did not offer JB a 4yrs/$55M deal last summer (because the new management/Cuban didn't see him as a long term solution with Luka) they gambled on being able to trade him at the TDL. They lost that gamble badly and knew that he was functionally gone after they failed to trade him.
This makes sense of Rick Brunson's frustration with DAL. And I am sure Donnie heading out the door added a bunch of fuel to the fire.