Image Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

“You shouldn’t be a part of Mavericks”- Dallas owner Patrick Dumont breaks silence on Luka Doncic trade

Luka Doncic averaged at 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists in 22 games this season with the Mavericks.

Image Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

The world wasn’t ready when NBA insider Shams Charania dropped a bombshell revealing that the Dallas Mavericks had decided to part ways with their star Luka Doncic. The Mavs, who are currently seeded on the eighth spot of the Western Conference standings with a 28-25 record, signed the Lakers’ big man Anthony Davis and Max Christie under the deal.

To part ways with a player like Doncic, who led the Mavs to their first NBA finals in 13 years during the 2023-24 season and brought many more such accolades, wasn’t something easy to digest. The 25-year-old was a teenage phenomenon during his stint with Europe’s professional league before making his way into the NBA.

Acquired as the third pick in the 2018 draft, Luka is easily one of the best young professionals in the league. He won the Rookie of the Year in his first season and made it to the All-NBA First Team in every year after that.

Moreover, the Slovenian became the sixth player in the history of the league to lead their franchise in points, rebounds and assists while reaching the NBA Finals last year.

Ever since Luka’s trade, several fans, pundits and experts came up with their own theories about what could lead to the Mavs trading their superstar. While some suggested that Dallas were worried about Luka’s health, others opined that there were a few clashes.

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Opinions were opinions until the franchise’s owner opened up about the shocking deal and indirectly hinted as to why the side decided to let go of one of the most promising players in the game. Making a startling remark about the trade,

Patrick Dumont said, “If you look at the greats in the league, the people you and I grew up with — Jordan, Bird, Kobe, Shaq — they worked really hard, everyday with a singular focus to win.”

He went on to take a dig at Luka and indirectly said that the 25-year-old, who averaged at 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists, despite only playing 22 games this season, lacks passion to win.

“And if you don’t have that, it doesn’t work… You shouldn’t be a part of the Dallas Mavericks,” Dumont added.

Mavs owner Patrick Dumont:

“If you look at the greats in the league, the people you and I grew up with — Jordan, Bird, Kobe, Shaq — they worked really hard, everyday with a singular focus to win. And if you don’t have that, it doesn’t work… You shouldn’t be apart of the Dallas… pic.twitter.com/SdrWnhF3pN
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) February 9, 2025

When will Luka Doncic make his Lakers debut?

The Los Angeles Lakers, seeded fifth in the Western Conference standings with a solid 31-19 record, are set to celebrate the debut of their newest signing.

The 25-year-old has been out of action with a calf injury since Christmas, but it seems that he is all set to make his debut, to join his idol, LeBron James. Doncic is likely to play for the side as they clash against the Utah Jazz on Monday, Feb. 9.

The Lakers are currently thriving, having recorded five consecutive wins, and winning nine out of the last ten games. In the last clash, they locked horns with the Indiana Pacers and took their rivals down 124-117.

Dallas Mavericks

Luka Doncic

Patrick Dumont

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.