Rival GMs Say Mavs Star Luka Doncic Not Going Anywhere

With the Mavericks being perhaps the most disappointing story in the NBA this season, the rumors about star guard Luka Doncic have already begun.

Namely, speculation suggests that Doncic will want out of Dallas — and soon.

In case you weren’t aware, the Mavericks didn’t make the playoffs. Oh, and they didn’t make the play-in tournament. Oh, and they looked pretty bad overall after the trade for star guard Kyrie Irving.

And now they’re being investigated by the league office for tanking.

So the only thing left to ponder is if Doncic just wants to move on. But according to rival executives who spoke to Sean Deveney of Heavy Sports, Doncic remains committed to the Mavs. For now.

“It is more just wishing than reality,” an Eastern Conference GM told Deveney about the possibility of Doncic wanting to leave Dallas. “But there is definitely a thought process of this happening eventually, and it being a matter of when and not if. But the truth is, we were saying that about (Giannis Antetokounmpo), too, and that certainly changed. Bradley Beal, guys like that—there is no reason to think that Luka is bolting for the door. Not yet, at least.”

A West executive told Deveney that when it comes to the idea of the Mavs opening the door to a potential Doncic deal … well, forget it.

“The Mavericks are not going there, and everyone knows it,” the West exec told Deveney. “There is just no way. The only way he can force a trade is to sit out like Ben Simmons did and anyone who knows anything about Luka knows he is not going to do that. There’s just no way.

“Anyone saying they’re going to trade him isn’t looking at the facts, or it is wishful thinking. Why trade him? You have him signed through 2027. This is not an issue until 2025 or 2026. That’s just the reality, the way the CBA is set up. He has not been in town long enough to start asking out.”

So, it’s been a bad season for the Mavs — and just one season after reaching the West Finals. But that doesn’t mean Doncic is on his way out. 

That said, the Mavs will have to avoid a repeat of this season if they want us to say the same thing about the face of the franchise at this time next year.