When the Dallas Mavericks traded for Luka Doncic’s draft rights back in 2018, the expectation was that he would be a Mav for life. With Dirk Nowitzki on his way out during that season, the stage was set for Doncic to take his place as the face of the franchise and hopefully bring a championship back to the city.
That all came to a screeching halt when Doncic was shockingly traded to the Los Angeles Lakers on a random February night. No notice, no rumors, no trade request. It was the most shocking move in NBA history. Doncic was distraught at the move, reportedly feeling a sense of betrayal, and it took him awhile to get over it.
The Mavericks’ rationale (or Nico Harrison’s) for trading away the superstar was that they were concerned about Doncic’s ability to stay healthy and in peak shape throughout the duration of his career. This was despite the fact that Doncic just led them to the NBA Finals and has been one of the NBA’s best playoff performers.
Since then, Doncic has acclimated as a Laker, getting into the best shape of his career and returning to his MVP-level form. Even though Doncic did sign an extension with LA this past summer, Harrison’s firing left the door open for an intriguing possibility.
The Mavericks may be working to lure Luka Doncic back
Doncic has been on the record stating that he wanted to be a Mav for life. He wanted to spend his career with one team and follow the path of Nowitzki before him. He wanted to bring a championship back to the city and put down roots there with his family.
Harrison took that chance away from him, but he was fired last month, and all of the bad PR that came from the Doncic trade in Dallas is slowly fading away. They were the epicenter of the basketball world for the last nine months, for all of the wrong reasons, and it was because of Harrison’s inexplicable decision.
Doncic and Harrison also reportedly did not have the best relationship, as Harrison refused to accommodate Doncic and the fact that he was the superstar player. Tension had been building between the two, even before the trade.
The Mavs could have a pathway to eventually bringing Doncic back
The one thing about the NBA is this: never say never. Doncic may have signed a three-year pact with the Lakers and has stated that he is happy that LA is his home, but the Mavericks were his first love, and he has unfinished business with that franchise.
We have seen something similar happen in the league before. LeBron James left Cleveland back in 2010 for Miami, only to return four years later and win a championship with the franchise in 2016.
Dallas is likely to reset their roster around Cooper Flagg very soon, and with Harrison gone and Mark Cuban seemingly back in charge of basketball operations, a return to the Mavs for Doncic could be something we see down the line. Fences would definitely have to be mended, but don’t be surprised if the former prodigal son wants to return in the future.
