The Dallas Mavericks have courted controversy with the way they have handled trading away their star player.
Trading away Luka Doncic has become as much a PR nightmare for the Dallas Mavericks as it is as much a potential sporting catastrophe.
Time will tell, but the way the Mavericks have tried to explain away their decision has only resulted in shade being sent in Luka Doncic’s direction.
Luka Doncic has insisted he will take the ‘high road’, and do his talking on the court, posting a triple-double in his first game against the Mavs.
The latest ‘hit piece’ against Luka Doncic came via The Athletic, with it claimed the Mavericks had concerns over his unhealthy habits, including drinking.
These leaks certainly did not come from the LA Lakers side, with it claimed members of the Mavs’ leadership had concerns.
Veteran NBA reporter Rachel Nichols has criticized the team, arguing even if they are right, it looks back, and they would simply need to wait it out, and in worst case scenario, could backfire even more.
She posted on X: “I don’t get why the Mavs are sharing this stuff. If Dallas is right and Luka’s habits eventually cost the Lakers, there’ll be plenty of chances to sit back with all the I told you so’s.
“But if Luka wins a title in LA, all this talk is gonna make Dallas look even worse. Say less.”
The relations between Lakers and Mavericks players have only been respectful, in contrast to the shade thrown at Luka Doncic.
ESPN report new Mavs leader Kyrie Irving has stayed in regular contact with Doncic and has been concerned for him.
He commented: “I don’t think he expected the change, and I think that’s probably what leads to him feeling his emotions even more so in a deeper way. Rejection, I think that’s a strong word… but sometimes it can feel like that.”
The pair embraced on the court before tip-off on February 26, before facing off in a game played with the right spirit, with the Lakers coming out on top.
