Luka Doncic confronted numerous scrutiny throughout his time with the Mavericks, and it genuinely upset him.
Luka Doncic is now not a Dallas Mavericks star. Even writing these phrases appears weird. A participant who appeared destined to be a lifelong Maverick like Dirk Nowitzki was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers this weekend.
The Lakers pulled off a large coup, particularly as they landed Doncic for a really low worth. A lot so, that Invoice Simmons blasted the Mavericks for agreeing to surrender Luka for this worth.
The Mavericks have been frightened about Luka’s well being. As such, they didn’t wish to pay Doncic the $345 million supermax.
In consequence, Luka Doncic loses out on $116 million in future earnings. However given how the Mavericks handled him over the previous few years, he would possibly consider it as effectively spent.
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Tim MacMahon and Ramona Shelburne gave some perception into the connection between Luka Doncic and the Mavericks.
They famous that Mavericks GM Nico Harrison all the time had doubts about Luka Doncic. His dangerous habits brought on numerous concern amongst these within the franchise.
“Whereas he admired Doncic’s expertise, spirit, and competitiveness, group sources stated, Harrison had extra doubts about Doncic than others within the group… The Mavericks’ frustrations with Doncic’s habits on and off the court docket have been well-known in league circles.”
Clearly, Harrison didn’t have a powerful relationship with Luka. And the commerce this weekend mainly confirmed he didn’t see him because the face of the franchise.
However how did Luka Doncic really feel concerning the Mavericks’ making strikes round him? It seems, not effectively.
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In actual fact, issues bought so tense that the Mavericks entrance workplace took issues into their very own fingers. The Mavs changed a number of employees members that Luka Doncic preferred. Doncic remarked that the group appeared to eliminate individuals he likes.
“If Doncic wasn’t going to vary his methods, the Mavericks figured they’d prod him by making adjustments round him.”
“In August 2023, the group fired former director of participant well being and efficiency Casey Smith, who has since been employed by Jalen Brunson‘s New York Knicks.”
“After final season, the Mavs fired energy coach Jeremy Holsopple and handbook therapist Casey Spangler.”
“All three had been with the group since earlier than Doncic was drafted and had robust relationships with him. ‘They eliminate all people I like,’ Doncic griped in latest months, one supply stated.”
Issues weren’t all rosy behind the scenes between Doncic and the Mavericks. Maybe a contemporary begin with the Lakers is strictly what Doncic wants.
