The Dallas Mavericks have shockingly fallen out of the play-in picture in the West over the last month, with injuries and bad roster decisions torpedoing the roster.
After losing to the Philadelphia 76ers last night, Luka Doncic was seen having an extensive conversation with Joel Embiid. This has prompted fans to speculate if Embiid was trying to recruit Luka to the 76ers.
Embiid recruiting Luka to Philly 👀pic.twitter.com/MpZ03h7p7H
— Michael K-B (@therealmikekb) March 30, 2023
One fan believed it was Luka recruiting Embiid to Dallas and not the other way around, “Luka is recruiting him. Doc Rivers is about to cost Embiid this MVP, and since they won’t win a chip, Embiid will be out.”
Luka is recruiting him.. Doc rivers is about to cost Embiid this MVP, and since they won’t win a chip, Embiid will be out..
— Yann (@yann20011960) March 30, 2023
A Mavs fan joked about his team, “Luka: Come save me from these bums. Embiid: I got you.
Luka: Come save me from these bums
Embiid: I got you
— Glen (@Glenjr1988) March 30, 2023
Another fan joked about Embiid coming to Dallas, “Luka Doncic & Joel Embiid having a long conversation about Embiid’s upcoming trade request to Dallas this summer. “I’ll help you guys get all the whistles,” said Embiid.”
Luka Doncic & Joel Embiid having a long conversation about Embiid's upcoming trade request to Dallas this summer.
"I'll help you guys get all the whistles," said Embiid. https://t.co/iuOk1TO5Xp pic.twitter.com/RRtCsIm3tt
— Panda Hank (@pandahank41) March 30, 2023
One fan used a classic Brian Windhorst meme to react to the situation, “Embiid recruiting Luka after the game.”
Embiid recruiting Luka after the game pic.twitter.com/zgbMumGIxW
— NBA Slime (@TerryFranconia) March 30, 2023
One fan took a shot at Nikola Jokic, a good friend of Luka’s, with this clip, “Luka wants to join Embiid, he knows he’s better than 15 in Denver.”
https://twitter.com/AidanDoc_/status/1641261987786027009
Another fan wanted Mark Cuban to see his superstar get recruited away, “Did Luka shake his head to going back to the locker room with Embiid? Blow this up so Cuban can see this.”
Did Luka shake his head to going back to the locker room with Embiid??? Blow this up so Cuban can see this https://t.co/54enB9XcA1
— Lex (@lexy_yass) March 30, 2023
Another fan said, “Luka Doncic and Joel Embiid were talking a little too long after the game.”
Luka Doncic and Joel Embiid were talking a little too long after the game. 🤔👀 pic.twitter.com/ZgKuZlrGED
— GOWIE (@DaKidGowie) March 30, 2023
Speculating on a Luka exit in the first year of his supermax contract is excessive. However, missing the playoffs this year may rear its ugly head in a year or two when Luka is on the final two years of his contract and may ask out given the Mavs’ inability to construct a contending roster around him.
Where Did It Go Wrong For Dallas?
Many people point to the Kyrie Irving trade as the reason the Mavericks may end up missing the playoffs after being in contention for the 4th seed when they traded for Irving. However, acquiring a star like Irving was needed for Dallas at some point regardless. Giving up Dorian Finney-Smith ended up having a much larger impact, but they could replace that impact in the summer.
Years of poor asset management left Dallas stranded for assets when it came to supplementing the trade for Irving with a smaller trade that could bring them some size and defense. The roster is not even competitive and the stars are being dragged down as a result. They would be better with just more defensive effort in the transition, something that Doncic may be the most liable for.
Missing the playoffs is a disaster-like situation that may see more players try and recruit Doncic in the future. If Luka is available, the entire league will make a move to acquire him, as he can change the hopes of any team in the league given what he has achieved in Dallas the last few seasons.
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