It’s still crazy to think that in a blink of an eye, Luka Doncic isn’t a Dallas Maverick anymore.
Luka Doncic, who carried the franchise for seven years which includes an epic NBA Finals run in 2024, has been generally deemed untouchable for his generational traits and top-tier caliber that sees him regarded one of the best players in the world.
But in a unforeseen circumstance, the Dallas Mavericks pulled the trigger, cutting their ties with the superstar in a stunning mega deal that saw the departure of Anthony Davis from the Los Angeles Lakers.
This move prompted backlash amongst the Mavericks fanbase, not helped by Davis sustaining an injury in his first game. And as the franchise offered dubious reasons why they ended their run with Doncic, several experts and pundits responded with criticism, downplaying the questions surrounding the Slovenian star.
While general manager Nico Harrison relatively endured all of the public flak which includes a subtle jab from Mark Cuban, Doncic’s departure from Dallas came amid approval from Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont.
Dumont himself made the call by approving Harrison’s decision to ship Doncic to Los Angeles. And in his first public statement since the deal, he boldly defended the Dallas general manager for the trade, hinting Luka was a poor fit due to a perceived lack of conditioning and commitment, prompting LeBron James to subtly hit out.
Former NBA star Chandler Parsons believes Dumont has a lack of insight when it comes to Doncic, pointing out he has only been in his role since 2023. He believes he has been influenced by Nico Harrison.
“I think it’s a little strange, right? He’s obviously new to the NBA business. He’s mega successful in other aspects. He’s a casino, real estate mobile who married into the Adelman family, and he knows his stuff. This is a whole new world for him,” the former NBA star told Run It Back.
“And clearly he’s got a voice in his head, which clearly, I think that we all know it’s Nico, and he hasn’t been here that long to kind of have this opinion on Luka. And I really don’t think this narrative is fair for Luka.
“Look at the success he’s had, look at the numbers he has put up the accolades he’s received in just a short six year window. He’s done everything, took them to the Western Conference Finals, to the Finals, has kind of rebuilt this team post Dirk era.
“So I did think his comments were a little a little strange and and he hasn’t been there as much as other people have to even know this information.”
As part of the Adelson family consortium, Dumont took on a lead decision-making role on Mavericks after a reported $3.5 billion buyout.
When the Mavericks made it to the 2024 NBA Finals, Dumont himself accepted the Oscar Robertson Trophy after Doncic led the way for the entire team to win the Western Conference Finals against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
It’s truly interesting that Dumont himself saw how Doncic led the Mavericks team in just his first season in the office. And after a few months have passed, they are now heading in a different direction.
“He hasn’t spent much time in Dallas from the moment he kind of took over the team, so I thought this was a little weird,” Parsons added. “I didn’t love it.
“I don’t like them kind of kicking Luka on the way out, everything he’s done for this franchise, and how people quickly forget they were in the Finals last year.”
