Kendrick Perkins has shared a controversial take on Luka Doncic’s stint with the Dallas Mavericks.
The Slovenian was picked by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2018 Draft, but was traded to the Mavericks in a move that has since been discussed many times around the league.
His impact was instant with the Dallas Mavericks as he put up big numbers in the rookie season to win the ROY award over Trae Young in 2018.
The entire city got behind him and the Mavericks started to make several deep playoff runs, including the NBA Finals in 2024.
Just a few months after making it to the Finals, Nico Harrison decided to trade the franchise star, which led to him receiving a lot of criticism.
Luka Doncic’s move to the LA Lakers seemed to be going well until the playoffs where he seemed fatigued and question marks started to be raised on his conditioning.
He has been spotted working on his body in the offseason and a big campaign is expected from him next year.
Discussing his conditioning on ‘The Road Trippin’ podcast, former NBA player Perkins blamed the Mavs and also Mark Cuban for spoiling the player by catering to all his needs.
Doncic spent the first seven years of his career in Dallas under the ownership of Cuban, who sold his stake in the team last year.
Perkins revealed that the new ownership saw how the players were getting treated and decided to make changes in the way things were done.
“Can we put a little blame on the Dallas Mavericks,” said Perkins.
“Mark Cuban is one of the like when it comes down to players, I don’t know any owners that has special relationships or cater to players more than Mark Cuban.”
He went on to add: “Luka has been pacified since he got to the Dallas Mavericks. He came there, he put up big numbers, like Mark Cuban has a history of pacifying players, like catering to them in different ways.
“It’s facts like he could have got spoiled and all of a sudden they sell the team, new ownership group Nico Harrison, they like, ‘F___ this,’ I’m just throwing it out there.”
Doncic is playing alongside LeBron James, who is one of the best players in the NBA.
The LA Lakers duo started off their run well, but the team met a difficult opponent in the Minnesota Timberwolves during the playoffs.
Many expect James’ conditioning and work during the offseason to inspire Luka Doncic.
However, Jefferson, who is a former player, disagreed with the idea of Doncic needing any influence to work on himself.
“Nothing’s gonna change Luka but Luka,” said Jefferson, “He’s been a professional athlete since he was 15, his father was a professional athlete.”
Jefferson also went on to say: “He started next to Dirk Nowitzki as one of the most consistent franchises in Dallas Mavericks.
“He’s been around Bron now for an entire season, he knows what it takes. So why hasn’t he? So who’s going to be the next influence.”
