NBA insider Sam Amick appeared on FanDuel TV’s Run It Back, where he was asked about the Dallas Mavericks‘ reported concerns regarding Luka Doncic. Amick confirmed that the Mavericks were worried Doncic’s body would break down and added that the Los Angeles Lakers hope he will follow in LeBron James‘ footsteps.
“There’s very strong indications that that was a major factor for Dallas, and I think the two things go together,” Amick said. “Like the off-court habits with the physical concern. There is certainly a messaging and a narrative that Luka, five years from now, is going to fall apart physically.
“Now that is a hell of a thing to kind of put out there,” Amick continued. “And I’m certainly not the only reporter who has been told that. Guess what? Like time’s going to tell… let’s run this back, no pun intended, in five years and talk about what the Mavs said and see how Luka is looking in that Lakers jersey.”
“If I had to guess, it’s not going to age very well,” Amick added. “But absolutely, the nightlife, the drinking combined with the physical stuff… The Lakers are certainly hoping that Luka leans into LeBron and does pick up on his habits, does become more of that guy.”
Previously, NBA insider Shams Charania had reported that the Lakers wanted James to mentor Doncic to develop the right habits, on and off the court. There is, of course, no one better in the NBA to look up to in this regard, with the 40-year-old still dominating in his 22nd season.
If Doncic takes James’ advice to heart, the Mavericks’ prediction that his body will break down in five years will end up being inaccurate. It seemed like an outlandish projection, as it is, with the Slovenian not being an injury-prone player.
Doncic had played at least 60 games in each of his first six seasons in the NBA and took part in 70 of them in 2023-24. This 2024-25 season is really the first in which the 26-year-old has missed an extended period of time with an injury, but he could still end up playing over 50 games in it.
As Amick stated, this is not going to age well for the Mavericks. Trading away Doncic is likely going to go down as one of the worst decisions in NBA history. The Mavericks have alienated their fanbase with it, too, and it’s incredible how the mood has changed in Dallas less than a year after getting to the NBA Finals.
The Mavericks’ loss is the Lakers’ gain and the Doncic era has gotten off to a great start. The Lakers are currently on a six-game winning streak, and the five-time All-Star has found his feet at his new home as well.
Doncic is averaging 22.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 1.8 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game as a Laker and has already formed quite a connection with LeBron. These two have proven to be very difficult to slow down lately, and it’s scary to think that they’ll get even better as a duo over time.
Doncic and James will be in action next when the Lakers take on the New Orleans Pelicans at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday at 10:30 PM ET. Expect them to put on a show in that contest, too.
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