A huge new report offers some insight into why the Dallas Mavericks soured on young superstar Luka Doncic and shockingly traded him on Saturday night.
There have been many stunning trades during the NBA’s long history. However, the Mavericks out-of-left-field decision to trade top star Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers late on Saturday evening stunned basketball fans around the world.
Related: Winners, Losers from stunning Luka Doncic trade between Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks
There had been no rumors about a potential trade, and most reports pointed to Dallas making a move before next week’s deadline to bolster the roster around him. Furthermore, instead of taking offers from around the league, the Mavericks kept the decision secret and hyperfocused on making Anthony Davis the big piece they received back in the deal.
Following the news, fans and analysts of the sport have been speculating on why the Dallas Mavericks would give up on an MVP-level talent in his mid-20s. Well, on Sunday afternoon, veteran NBA insider Marc Stein looked to shed some new light on the stunning turn of events.
- Luka Doncic stats (2024-25): 28.1 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 7.8 APG, 2.0 SPG 35% 3PT
Dallas Mavericks grew tired of Luka Doncic’s lack of dedication off the court?
Stein claims that the belief around the NBA was that the club and the five-time All-Star were headed to agreeing on a record-setting new five-year, $350 million extension this summer. However, “trepidation about signing Dončić to that sort of contract had actually begun building quietly in recent months.”
Decision-makers inside the organization allegedly had concerns about “Doncic’s conditioning, his ability to stay healthy, and his off-court commitment to those pursuits.” There were also internal issues with how the currently injured young superstar “manages his weight and diet.” A concern of many NBA pundits for years.
- Luka Doncic contract: Five years, $215 million
The NBA insider also added that the former Dallas Mavericks lottery pick never requested a trade and “was completely floored when informed of the deal.” Team President Nico Harrison also had the full support of new majority owner Patrick Dumont to make the shocking move. And “the Mavericks did not make Dončić available to interested teams for the richest possible haul of draft picks.”
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