The Dallas Mavericks–Luka Dončić feud is still going strong over two months after the blockbuster trade that sent the star to the Los Angeles Lakers. General manager Nico Harrison has been especially vocal, pointing to Dončić’s conditioning and defense as the main reasons for the superstar’s departure.
Luka Dončić’s Friend Is Fired Up Against the Mavericks
According to ESPN, Dončić’s camp is now pushing back to control the narrative. In an article from NBA insider Tim McMahon, the story highlights the tension in Dallas and the final days of Dončić’s time as a Maverick.
After finishing the 2023 season averaging 33.9 points, 9.8 assists, and 9.2 rebounds, while also becoming the first player in NBA history to lead a postseason in points, rebounds, assists, and steals, a friend of Dončić made it clear how he felt about the criticism.
“You don’t perform like that… if you’re a fat, drunk pig.”
It’s unclear if that language came directly from the Mavericks’ front office or was simply implied, but either way, it doesn’t reflect well on how Dončić was perceived behind closed doors.
The article also details Harrison’s frustration that Dončić gained 12 pounds during the preseason while recovering from a grade 1 hamstring strain. It also mentions the firing of several Mavericks trainers, including longtime staffer Casey Smith, who had spent 21 years with the franchise.
Harrison reportedly wanted to part ways with people he believed didn’t hold Dončić “accountable” — coincidentally, the same trainers he trusted most with his health.
Dončić’s camp has every reason to be upset with the report. Harrison and the Mavericks’ front office haven’t passed on a single opportunity to paint their former star in a negative light. At this point, Dallas comes off as bitter and stuck in the past while trying to sell a vision for the future.
Right now, Dončić and Dallas couldn’t be farther apart. After the trade, the Mavericks went 13-20, battled prolonged injuries to Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis, and ended the season with a blowout loss to the Memphis Grizzlies in the play-in tournament for the final playoff spot.
Dallas is now just the 11th team in NBA history to miss the playoffs after making an NBA Finals appearance and the first since the 2020 Golden State Warriors.
Meanwhile, Dončić and the Lakers are thriving. Since joining the purple and gold, he’s averaging 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists, helping Los Angeles secure the No. 3 seed in the loaded Western Conference. In Saturday’s Game 1 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Dončić played 40 minutes and dropped 37 points and eight assists.
Not bad for a guy who’s “out of shape.”