When the Dallas Mavericks traded for Luka Doncic’s draft rights again in 2018, the expectation was that he could be a Mav for all times. With Dirk Nowitzki on his manner out throughout that season, the stage was set for Doncic to take his place because the face of the franchise and hopefully deliver a championship again to town.
That each one got here to a screeching halt when Doncic was shockingly traded to the Los Angeles Lakers on a random February evening. No discover, no rumors, no commerce request. It was probably the most surprising transfer in NBA historical past. Doncic was distraught on the transfer, reportedly feeling a way of betrayal, and it took him awhile to recover from it.
The Mavericks’ rationale (or Nico Harrison’s) for buying and selling away the celebrity was that they had been involved about Doncic’s potential to remain wholesome and in peak form all through the period of his profession. This was even though Doncic simply led them to the NBA Finals and has been one of many NBA’s greatest playoff performers.
Since then, Doncic has acclimated as a Laker, entering into the most effective form of his profession and returning to his MVP-level type. Despite the fact that Doncic did signal an extension with LA this previous summer season, Harrison’s firing left the door open for an intriguing chance.
The Mavericks could also be working to lure Luka Doncic again
Doncic has been on the document stating that he wished to be a Mav for all times. He wished to spend his profession with one workforce and comply with the trail of Nowitzki earlier than him. He wished to deliver a championship again to town and put down roots there along with his household.
Harrison took that likelihood away from him, however he was fired final month, and all the dangerous PR that got here from the Doncic commerce in Dallas is slowly fading away. They had been the epicenter of the basketball world for the final 9 months, for all the improper causes, and it was due to Harrison’s inexplicable determination.
Doncic and Harrison additionally reportedly didn’t have the most effective relationship, as Harrison refused to accommodate Doncic and the truth that he was the celebrity participant. Stress had been constructing between the 2, even earlier than the commerce.
The Mavs might have a pathway to finally bringing Doncic again
The one factor in regards to the NBA is that this: by no means say by no means. Doncic could have signed a three-year pact with the Lakers and has acknowledged that he’s glad that LA is his residence, however the Mavericks had been his past love, and he has unfinished enterprise with that franchise.
We now have seen one thing comparable occur within the league earlier than. LeBron James left Cleveland again in 2010 for Miami, solely to return 4 years later and win a championship with the franchise in 2016.
Dallas is prone to reset their roster round Cooper Flagg very quickly, and with Harrison gone and Mark Cuban seemingly again answerable for basketball operations, a return to the Mavs for Doncic could possibly be one thing we see down the road. Fences would undoubtedly should be mended, however don’t be stunned if the previous prodigal son needs to return sooner or later.
