Luka Doncic is arguably the best young player in the entire NBA, and he proved that during the 2022 NBA Playoffs. The Slovenian has been in MVP conversations since his sophomore season and is now delivering on the biggest stage consistently. The entire league would love to have him, but he is a member of the Dallas Mavericks.
The Mavericks have taken some hits this offseason with the loss of their second offensive option in Jalen Brunson, who has had a very messy departure to the New York Knicks at the end of his 4-year rookie contract with the Mavericks. However, the Mavs are looking set for next year with the additions of JaVale McGee and Christian Wood.
With Dallas still not looking like a contender on paper, the question of whether Luka needs to leave Dallas to win will arise eventually. For now, Doncic has expressed his love for the city and the team that believed in him.
ICYMI
Luka Dončić… big Dallas guy. pic.twitter.com/ElRK384Bkt
— Luka Donkicks (@LukaDonkicks) July 11, 2022
“For me, it’s just being in Dallas. They drafted me, they believed in me. Just being out there. The city is amazing, the fans are amazing. I am really glad to be in Dallas, it’s my second home basically. I really enjoy it there.”
Doncic should’ve been the 1st pick in the 2018 Draft but fell to 3rd, with the Mavs going out of their way to trade for him with the Atlanta Hawks. While Trae Young went over to Atlanta along with a pick that became Cam Reddish, the Mavericks were more than happy with Luka.
He has grown with the team that has given him superstar treatment since day one. One of his mentors is Dirk Nowitzki, the same man that stayed with the Mavericks for 21 years as a player and continues to work with the team. Mark Cuban kept Dirk happy for years even when the Mavs were uncompetitive, and he’ll hope he can build the same relationship with Doncic.
