The Mavericks' shocking trade of star forward Luka Doncic (77) has sparked conspiracy theories about the team owner's push to expand casino gaming in Texas. (Dallas Mavericks via AP)

When the news broke on social media late Saturday night that the Dallas Mavericks traded transcendent superstar forward Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, I spent several minutes groggily staring at my phone, mouth agape, trying to figure out if I was duped by an NBA parody news account.

This transaction blindsided fans, sportswriters and apparently even the Mavericks’ own head coach. What possibly could have motivated Mavs’ owner Miriam Adelson and her general manager to give up Doncic in exchange for a lesser star, center Anthony Davis?

Allow me to don my tinfoil hat for a moment.

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There's a plausible argument to be made that the trade had less to do with basketball, which Adelson doesn’t seem to have strong emotional investment in, and everything to do with where her biggest business investments are: gambling.

Adelson’s late husband Sheldon Adelson built the Las Vegas Sands gambling empire, which she now controls.

If Adelson had her way, every Texan over 21 would be able to bet good money — at casinos she owns — that the Lakers will finish higher than her team in the standings.

After everyone realized the Mavericks actually were dumb enough to trade a top 3 player and perennial MVP candidate for the oft-injured Davis, the betting markets responded accordingly. One year removed from losing in the NBA finals to the Boston Celtics, the Mavericks’ championship odds suddenly plummeted over the weekend. The Lakers, on the other hand, who can now pair Doncic alongside another superstar forward in the ageless LeBron James, are a hot ticket.

Adelson, however, has not been able to get Texans a piece of the betting action, even after

© Houston Chronicle