Mavericks Fail Luka Doncic: Who’s to Blame for the Team’s Collapse?

The shortcomings of the Dallas Mavericks with Luka Doncic were apparent even before their team president, Nico Harrison, executed a critically maligned trade with the Los Angeles Lakers. By initiating trade discussions, Harrison was essentially admitting to his own mistakes, whether he recognized it or not.

Leading an NBA team may seem straightforward from the outside, yet success hinges crucially on two aspects: securing a superstar and effectively managing him.

The Mavericks had their superstar in Doncic but faltered in managing him. Despite Harrison’s enthusiasm for newly acquired Anthony Davis, it’s problematic given Davis’s age nearing 32 and his injury-prone career. Trading a 25-year-old Doncic for Davis raises questions.

In trading Doncic, Harrison was effectively signaling that Doncic was beyond the Mavericks’ guidance, be it about his fitness or defensive play. Despite reaching the NBA Finals previously, the Mavericks lost their grip on Doncic.

This responsibility falls squarely on their shoulders.

Was Doncic frequently out of shape? Yes. Did he seem to focus solely on offense and frequently complain about officiating? Indeed. Should he have improved defensively by now? Definitely.

However, owning a superstar means accepting the full package, not just enjoying the brilliance and bemoaning the flaws.

Harrison told ESPN, “Defense wins championships,” yet he paired Doncic with Kyrie Irving, who received only a single All-Defensive team vote throughout his career. This pairing hardly emphasized the franchise’s commitment to defense.

Managing stars is tricky because they typically have the upper hand over the organization, and they are well aware of it. Stars can dictate changes in coaching or force trades, often leaving the team in a lurch and leading to widespread organizational changes.

Despite these challenges, successful NBA teams usually find ways to handle these dynamics. They engage in tough conversations, build trust, involve the player’s close circle, and surround the star with a supportive and compatible team.

Effective management can involve everything from fostering personal relationships to strategic staffing and maintaining a roster that complements the star’s skills and upholds the team’s ethos.

Historically, losing superstars was often due to pushing them too hard. Nowadays, it’s more about leniency leading to lack of respect and control. Even elite franchises like the Heat have stumbled, as seen with their handling of stars like LeBron James and Jimmy Butler.

Even a well-regarded coach like Gregg Popovich faced challenges with stars like Kawhi Leonard, despite managing other situations adeptly.

Managing a superstar not only requires daily attention but also a nuanced approach to their personal and professional demands, which can range from staffing preferences to lifestyle accommodations.

The Mavericks had seven seasons to elevate Doncic’s game to its peak, with Harrison spending four of those years at the helm. Harrison stepped in as Rick Carlisle, the most successful coach in the team’s history, left for Indiana. Jason Kidd was brought in as Carlisle’s replacement. In late 2023, Mark Cuban, the long-time hands-on owner, sold his majority stake in the team, giving Harrison more authority with a clear mandate: Propel Luka to greatness.

The Mavericks arrived at a critical juncture that should never have been reached. Despite his conditioning and defensive issues, Doncic has consistently been first-team All-NBA for the past five seasons. While handling Doncic might be challenging, he was never beyond reach.

The team decided that the two most crucial figures around Doncic would be Kidd and Irving. Irving, an exceptional player, often becomes an easy target for criticism, but this situation isn’t about pointing fingers. If the goal was to transition Doncic from an offensive powerhouse to a two-way star, acquiring Irving was not the right move.

Kidd, a masterful tactician, will likely portray himself as a casualty of this failed trade. Whether that stance is justified is debatable. As Cuban would likely say, the NBA is a fiercely competitive environment. The Mavericks had their opportunity with Doncic, and they squandered it.