Rumor: Mavericks Haven’t Leaked All Negative Stories About Luka Dončić

July 30, 2025

NBA, Lakers, Mavericks, Mavs, Luka Dončić — Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

The Dallas Mavericks haven’t leaked all the negative stories they have about Luka Dončić, according to NBA insider Marc J. Spears of ESPN.

The Mavericks, who traded Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers last season in February, leaked several tidbits to the media bashing Dončić’s work ethic, diet, weight and conditioning after the blockbuster trade went down.

Marc Spears on Luka:

“I think for Dallas…you heard a lot of negative things. There probably is a lot of stuff that they’re not saying. There are stories that I’ve heard that they’re not saying” pic.twitter.com/qv0Jswt3up

— Oh No He Didn’t (@ohnohedidnt24) July 29, 2025

Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison traded Dončić because he didn’t think the five-time All-Star took his diet and weight seriously. Harrison believes defense wins championships, which is why he targeted Anthony Davis in the Dončić trade.

Dončić suffered a serious calf injury on Christmas last season against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The NBA superstar rehabbed in Dallas with his medical team instead of traveling with the Mavericks on a long road trip, which didn’t sit well with Harrison.

One of the top players in the league, Dončić appeared in 422 games with the Mavericks. He averaged 28.6 points, 8.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists and made five All-Star teams and five All-NBA teams.

Dallas made the NBA Finals in 2024, losing to the Boston Celtics in five games.

Had he remained in Dallas, Dončić would have been eligible to sign a five-year, $345 million contract extension this offseason. The Mavericks were never going to offer Dončić that mega deal. In fact, Harrison would have tried to trade the global basketball icon this offseason had the Lakers deal not happened.

Dončić enters next season with career averages of 28.6 points, 8.6 rebounds and 8.2 assists with the Mavericks and Lakers. He’s third in NBA history in points per game, trailing only Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain.