34.9 minutes per game, 47% 2-point success, 34.8% 3-point accuracy, 74.8% free throws, 8.7 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 1.2 steals, 28.6 points. Patrick Dumont, Dallas Mavericks chief, accused a player with these stats as more or less being «lazy». The talk is, of course, about the Luka Doncic trade to Los Angeles. The talk is about a player that has become a magnet for fans. The talk is about a player who dictates the odds of the top Asian and European bookmakers when he shows up on the court. And that player has been called «lazy». Personally, I do not believe that explanation for a minute.
Nothing but awards for «lazy» Doncic
The protagonist of our today’s discussion is just 26 years old and has already been playing at the highest levels for 10 years, starting his professional career at the age of 16 years, two months and two days. Typically, he is a 1.98 m (6’ 6’’) point/shooting guard that has featured at Real Madrid for 3 years and at Dallas Mavericks for the last 7. And now, he will appear with the colors of Los Angeles Lakers.
We have already listed the average numbers of his career at the NBA. Let’s add the 5 times that he has been selected for the NBA all-star game, and the 5 times that he has been included in the All-NBA First Team. If those are not yet enough, let’s add the Rookie of the Year and the NBA All-Rookie First Team of 2019 and the scoring champion of 2024. We will not list the 24 other awards that he has received during his tenure in the European courts. Calling that player «lazy» is not just erroneous.
Not to mention that the trade was announced right after Doncic had managed 2 triple-double matches (against the Raptors and the Golden State Warriors) and surpassed legends of the likes of Wilt Chamberlain and James Harden in the list of all-time triple-double matches.
Strange things and controversies
The fact that it was the Mavs the ones to initiate the trade, an action that gave away three players in exchange for two and a first-round draft pick in 2029, the blindsiding of Doncic himself who was not told about the intention until the deal was completed, and the statements of general manager Nico Harrison who defended the decision with the moniker «defense wins championships», clearly say that the reason behind the whole thing was something entirely different than what we have been told. Not to mention that the Slovenian had purchased a house worth 15 million dollars in Dallas, just a week before his transfer.
Just on the 4th of February, Doncic went public with a criticism of his club stating that they were getting rid of all the people that he liked. And he was clearly unhappy about the issue.
It is an undeniable fact that Dallas administration has not treated the Slovenian well during the last few years. The word is that Nico Harrison has repeatedly criticized Doncic for his «bad habits». However, it would seem that the main concern was money. According to his contract, he was to receive 345 million dollars as a supermax bonus, while the transfer will also cost him another 116 million on agreed future earnings. The rumor is that the program was worried about Luka’s health, so they traded him to save the money that he was entitled to.
Will we ever learn the truth about Doncic trade to Los Angeles?
Probably not. Even if we do it will be a date for into the future. In hindsight, it is rather evident that Dallas Mavericks never felt that Luka Doncic was the face of the franchise. At first, they might have considered the Slovenian as a replacement for another legend, Dirk Nowitzki. However, Harrison and Doncic never saw each other eye to eye and never had the relationship they should. Which makes Dumont’s statement to the press a direct lie. And that is not fair for anyone. Not the rest of the players, not the fans and not those who look to open a betting account at the best betting software to make some money out of their matches.
