Luka Doncic Reveals Trade Truth: ‘Nothing to Worry About!’
DALLAS — With the Dallas Mavericks having a disappointing season, there is naturally concern about how the direction of the franchise will be perceived by a superstar player like Luka Doncic.
After finishing with a 38-44 record, the Mavs finished outside of the play-in picture just one season after appearing in the Western Conference Finals. With a pivotal offseason ahead, they will need to make key changes around Doncic in order to get back into a competitive level.
There was a decision that came from management to prioritize draft positioning over pursuing the dwindling odds to qualify for the final play-in spot in the Western Conference. Doncic was not happy about that decision, but he was involved in the decision making process.
"I didn't like that decision," Doncic said of the Mavs' decision to tank. "That's it."
A recent report from ESPN's Tim MacMahon, who noted the aforementioned “fear,” there has been "extreme frustration" expressed from Doncic both publicly and privately. The report mentioned that if things do not improve soon, there could be a trade request coming as soon as the summer of 2024 and it would take "significant progress" to prevent such an outcome.
"I saw the report. I don't know who, somebody said that I was going to request a trade," Doncic said in response to the report. "It was funny because I didn't know that was true. I didn't say it."
What if things don't improve? Doncic expressed that he's happy and there's nothing to worry about as far as a trade request is concerned.
"I'm happy here," Doncic said. "There's nothing to worry [about]."
Doncic just concluded the first season of a five-year, $207 million supermax contract extension. He averaged 32.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.0 assists in 66 games this season, placing him with Michael Jordan as the only players in NBA history to average at least 32 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists in a season.
Public comments aside, the Mavs have no shortage of work ahead of themselves as far as roster construction is concerned. They have limited trade assets, plenty of negatively valued contracts, and both Kyrie Irving and Christian Wood are set to reach free agency. It remains to be seen where they selecting in the first round of the upcoming NBA Draft, but regardless, it's expected to be used in a trade.
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