Luka Dončić stands as the linchpin for the Dallas Mavericks in their pursuit of a Western Conference playoff berth. However, while his exceptional talent propels the team, his style of play may deter some prospective players from joining the fold.
In a recent segment of The Hoop Collective Podcast, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon highlighted Dončić’s propensity for ball dominance, a trait that might dissuade certain players from considering Dallas as a destination:
“As great of a player as Luka is, and we just talked about him being one of four legit MVP candidates this year, he is as ball-dominant as any player in the league, and there are guys around the league, I’m sure you guys have both talked to players, who don’t necessarily want to play with Luka because of that.”
This sentiment appears to be gaining traction across the NBA. Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma disclosed to The Athletic’s Josh Robbins that Dallas had expressed interest in acquiring him before the trade deadline.
“There was a point in time, Dallas, they definitely did want me. Winger presented me with what the trade was and obviously didn’t want to trade me and kind of left the decision up to me a little bit and asked me what I wanted to do,” Kuzma said. “I told him I wanted to stay and continue to build something. And that was kind of the end of it.”
The specifics of the Mavericks’ offer to Washington remain undisclosed. However, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst suggested on NBA Today that it likely involved two first-round picks, eventually utilized in deals for Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington.
Kuzma’s decision does not necessarily imply reluctance to play alongside Dončić. Nevertheless, it’s unusual for a player without a formal no-trade clause to wield such influence, particularly in bypassing a playoff contender.
Windhorst previously voiced on 105.3 The Fan’s Shan and RJ show in June 2021 that some players may not relish the prospect of teaming up with Dončić, citing his perceived demeanor:
“He’s a great player but when you watch the Mavericks play, he’s barking at the coach, he’s barking at his teammates, he’s barking at the officials. He’s always barking about something,” Windhorst said. “He can really be an irritable guy.”
Max Strus echoed similar sentiments on the Road Trippin’ podcast in December 2022, suggesting that Dončić’s ball dominance might hinder teammates from finding their rhythm.
This dynamic could fuel a chicken-or-egg debate: Do the Mavericks lack marquee talent around Dončić, necessitating his extensive ball control, or does his style of play discourage top-tier players from joining the roster?
Jalen Brunson’s development into a key contributor after four seasons in Dallas is indicative of internal growth. Meanwhile, Kyrie Irving’s statistical output underscores the potential for high usage without sacrificing efficiency.
Dončić’s career-best averages in points (34.3), field-goal attempts (23.5), and assists (9.6) this season reflect his central role in the Mavericks’ success. Currently boasting a 31-23 record, they sit seventh in the Western Conference standings, just one game behind the New Orleans Pelicans and Phoenix Suns.
