Luka Dončić’s father attacks Mavericks’ ‘hypocrisy’ after shock Lakers trade

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Luka Dončić thanked the city of Dallas after his trade to the Lakers was announced. Photograph: Jerome Miron/USA Today Sports

Luka Dončić’s father has lashed out at the Dallas Mavericks after the blockbuster trade that sent his son to the Los Angeles Lakers.

NBA fans were shocked over the weekend when news emerged of the trade that will send the 25-year-old to the Lakers, with Anthony Davis moving in the other direction to the Mavericks.

Related: The Luka Dončić-Anthony Davis trade is shocking, franchise-altering and bizarre

The trade came amid great secrecy with Dončić, Davis and LeBron James all reportedly in the dark about the move until news broke over the weekend. Reports have since indicated the Mavericks were unhappy with Dončić’s commitment to conditioning and his physical fitness. Dallas general manager Nico Harrison has said Dončić’s upcoming contract negotiations, as well as Davis’s superior defense also contributed to the trade.

In an interview with Arena Sport 1 in Dončić’s native Slovenia, his father, Sasa, voiced his displeasure with the way the Mavericks had handled the trade.

“I understand there comes a moment when you disagree with a certain philosophy,” Sasa Dončić said. “You don’t like this or that player, all good – I get it. But I think that exactly this secrecy, or should I say from some individuals, maybe even hypocrisy, this hurts me personally. Because I think that Luka absolutely doesn’t deserve this.”

The Mavericks are the only NBA team Dončić has ever played for. His brilliant offense helped lead the Mavs to the NBA finals last season, he has five All-NBA First Team selections and is widely acknowledged as one of the best players in the world.

Sasa Dončić pointed to his son’s performance last season when disputing reports – almost certainly originating from within the Mavericks – about his son’s lack of physical fitness.

“[Luka’s conditioning] wasn’t even a problem last year since, I am saying again, one individual said he’s not fit enough,” Sasa Dončić said. “That he played, I don’t know, 100 games – practically 40…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/luka-don-father-attacks-mavericks-185326980.html

Author : The Guardian

Publish date : 2025-02-03 18:53:00

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