Dallas Mavericks has spent the past week and a half to try to justify Generation risk They took by shopping Luka Dončić to Los Angeles Lakers for a package of heading by Anthony Davis.

At night on the trade, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reported that Mavericks “were motivated” to move Dončić “because of his constant conditioning problems.” General Manager Nico Harrison told Brad Townsend of Dallas Morning News The fact that they came before a “turmoil” -dončić would have been eligible for a five-year extension worth more than $ 345 million in the summer-through to move him now.

The latest Salvo came with the permission of team governor Patrick Dumont, who quoted culture and work ethics as among his highest team building priorities in An interview with Townsend. It is difficult not to read between the lines in these comments after the trade he only greenlit.

“In my mind, how the law wins through focus, by having the right character, by having the right culture and having the right commitment to working as hard as possible to create a championship -winning result,” Dumont said. “And if you don’t, you will lose.”

“If you look at the greats in the league, the people you and I grew up with – (Michael) Jordan, (Larry) Bird, Kobe (Bryant), Shaq (O’Neal) – they worked really hard, every day, with a singular focus to win.

“That’s who we want. I’m unmatched on this. The whole organization knows this. This is how I work outside basketball. This is the only way to be competitive and win. If you want to take a holiday, do not with us. ”

The ironic thing is that when he got rid of a “problem”, the Mavericks inherited just another.

Luka anxiety

This trade was not the first time Dončic’s conditioning has come up as a problem. In December 2021, he told reporters “I know I have to do better” after TNT’s Reggie Miller criticized him for “ploding up and down the court.”

But even though he was not in top physical form, he had one of the biggest seasons in NBA history last year. Dončić is the only player ever to average At least 33.9 points, 9.8 assists and 9.2 returns during a whole season.

Dončić averaged 28.6 points, 7.6 returns and 7.3 assists during his six plus years with Mavericks. Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson is only player that ever matches These career brands. Dončić also led Mavericks to the NBA final last season and the Western Conference Finals during the 2021-22 season.

Although Mavericks had reason to be skeptical of Dončic’s long -term prospects, their handling of trade left much to be desired. Harrison exclusively negotiated With the Lakers because he wanted to hold trading calls Clandestine rather than carrying out an open bid war. Had he chosen the latter road, said a Western conference manager Howard Beck of the rings that Mav’s would probably have received “the greatest feature of the NBA history.”

MAVS has been bombarded by counter -reaction from annoyed fans since the trade. About 1,000 fans held an outdoor protest before Dalla’s first home game after the trade deadline, according to Longtime NBA Insider Marc Stein. MacMahon reported The fact that Harrison had been “exposed to death threats” and Mavericks increased his security presence at play as a result.

Trade can also stop being financially costly for Mavericks. Several fans told MacMahon That Mavericks offered repayments to fans who canceled seasonal tickets in the wake of Dončić trade.

Wfaa’s Paul Livengood Confirmed that at least one season ticket holder will receive a partial refund. Another season ticket holder told Alex Schiffer of the Front Office sports that he will receive a full refund for the games that remain on his package this year.

On Monday, several fans were thrown from Maverick’s loss to Sacramento Kings due to “violations of NBA’s Code of Conduct,” Reported MacMahon. Two fans were thrown out after holding up a poster that said “Fire Nico”, while two others were thrown out after entering a shouting match with former team governor Mark Cuban.

It got Matt Martinez from Mavs Moneyball to call Mavericks’a complete totalitarian regime. “It is safe to say that feelings remain raw For many Mav’s fans after Dončić trade.

The full Anthony Davis experience

During the first half of his debut in Dallas, Davis seemed prepared to motivate Harrisons Gargantuan Gamble. He picked up 24 points, 13 returns, five assists and three blocks, which made him to first player in the Play-by-Play era (since 1996-97) to meet these figures in one half.

Davis, however, suffered a non-contact lower-body injury late in the third quarter and is now expected to miss several weeks, according to MacMahon and ESPN’s Shams Charania. Fellow Center Daniel Gafford then got a right knee pollution in Monday’s loss to the kings who are expected to reject him for at least two weeksFurther depletion of Dallas’ Frontcourt depth.

Davis is a nine-time All-Star that has ended in the six best of MVP that voted three times and the top five of defensive players for the year who vote four times. He has been one of the most dominant stars in the last decade, and he helped Lakers win a championship 2019-20. But he has missed at least 25 matches for four of the last six seasons (including this one) due to a wide range of injuries.

If Mavericks were worried about Dončic’s reliability, investing in the often injured soon 32-year-old Davis seems to be a questionable game. It’s not like he will be much cheaper than Dončić in the coming seasons either.

Davis signed a three -year, $ 175.4 million maximum contract extension with Lakers in August 2023, which begins next season. He is estimated to earn $ 54.1 million 2025-26, $ 58.5 million 2026-27 and has an option for $ 62.8 million 2027-28. Dončić will earn $ 46.0 million next season and would have received $ 59.5 million 2026-27 if he had signed a Supermax extension.

Mavericks did not act Dončić because they went to commit 35% of the salary to a player. They spend almost the same thing on Davis to at least 2026-27. They just didn’t feel comfortable giving that amount to Dončić while they did with Davis.

If Davis and Kyrie Irving continue to lead Mavericks to a championship over the next few years, maybe fans will start forgive Harrison to buy Dončić. But if they avoid that goal while Dončić thrives as the latest in a long line of Lakers stars, he will be at a real risk of ending the city.

Unless otherwise stated, all statistics through Nba.comThe PbpstatsThe Cleaning the glass or Basket reference. All salary information via Spotrac and information about pay wages through Realgm. All odds via Fanderuel Sportsbook.

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