Luka Doncic was eligible to sign a five-year, $345 million supermax extension with the Dallas Mavericks this offseason, and according to ESPN, he fully expected to commit to the franchise long-term.
Doncic had not indicated that he was considering a departure, a sentiment reinforced by his recent purchase of a home in the Dallas area.
Despite this, internal concerns within the Mavericks organization reportedly influenced their shocking decision to trade the superstar to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Some decision-makers were said to be just as worried about Doncic signing the hefty extension as they were about him leaving, leading them to reconsider their plans with the Slovenian sensation.
While team owner Mark Cuban and franchise icon Dirk Nowitzki reportedly favored retaining Doncic, General Manager Nico Harrison held a different view.
He had greater doubts about the player’s long-term fit and was pivotal in pushing for the trade.
Head coach Jason Kidd also frequently voiced concerns, both publicly and directly to Doncic, regarding his conditioning, weight management, and persistent disputes with game officials.
Patrick Dumont, an influential executive with the Mavericks, saw the deal as a strategic move that would safeguard the team’s financial flexibility over the coming years.
Dumont trusted Harrison’s judgment about the trade package, which featured Anthony Davis as the centerpiece of the return.
When reached for comment by ESPN, Cuban declined, simply stating, “It’s not my team anymore.”
However, a source close to the organization firmly dismissed the idea that Cuban would have willingly let go of Doncic: “No way Mark would ever trade Luka. It wouldn’t even be a conversation.”
Mavericks Were As Afraid Of Luka Doncic Signing Supermax As They Were Him Declining It https://t.co/L5uxu4078P
— RealGM (@RealGM) February 4, 2025
