Luka Doncic avoided mentioning the Mavericks organization in his farewell message Sunday, instead thanking fans and the Dallas community after being traded to the Lakers.
Doncic’s father, however, did not did not hold back when discussing the Mavericks and their handling of the blockbuster deal.
In an interview Sunday with Slovenian media network Arena Sport 1, Sasa Doncic accused the Mavericks of “hypocrisy” and criticized the “secrecy” with which they orchestrated the three-team trade that sent Luka to the Lakers and Anthony Davis to Dallas.
“I understand there comes a moment when you disagree with a certain philosophy,” Sasa Doncic said, as translated by Arena Sport. “You don’t like this or that player, all good — I get it.
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“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.”
Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison cited Davis’ superior defense as a reason for the trade, saying “defense wins championships,” while acknowledging that Doncic’s upcoming contractual situation also was a concern.
But sources told ESPN’s Tim MacMahon that constant concerns about Doncic’s conditioning were a major factor in the Mavericks’ decision to approach the Lakers about a trade. Doncic has played in only 22 games this season because of injuries, primarily a left calf strain that has sidelined him since Christmas Day.
Sources told MacMahon that there was extreme frustration throughout the organization about Doncic’s lackadaisical approach to diet and conditioning, which Mavs decision-makers believed negatively impacted his durability.
Sasa Doncic (right) accused the Mavericks of “secrecy” and “hypocrisy” in the way they handled his son’s trade out of Dallas. Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Sasa Doncic pointed to the Mavs’ 2023-24 season, when his son played in 70 regular-season contests and averaged 37.5 minutes per game, before playing in an additional 22 postseason games and averaging 40.9 minutes per game during Dallas’ run to the NBA Finals.
“(Luka’s conditioning) wasn’t even a problem last year since, I am saying again, one individual said he’s not fit enough,” Sasa said. “That he played, I don’t know, 100 games — practically 40 minutes with two or three players constantly on him.
“That he was beaten, and you say such things about him — I feel that this is very unfair from certain individuals. You traded him, stand by your actions but don’t look for excuses or alibis, that’s it.”
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Doncic said earlier Sunday in a message to the Dallas community that he “wanted so badly to bring you a championship” and that he thought he’d spend his career with the Mavericks.
“For a young kid from Slovenia coming to the U.S. for the first time, you made North Texas feel like home,” Doncic wrote in the message posted to social media. “In good times and bad, from injuries to the NBA Finals, your support never changed. Thank you not only for sharing my joy in our best moments, but also for lifting me up when I needed it most.”
Doncic was enormously popular in Dallas — and everywhere else. His No. 77 Mavericks jersey ranked eighth among best-sellers through NBAStore.com over the first half of the season. On Sunday night, some Doncic items remained for sale on the Mavs’ shopping site.
Mavericks fans gathered Sunday afternoon outside American Airlines Center in Dallas to protest the trade. The demonstrations included a mock funeral featuring multiple fans dressed as undertakers and carrying a coffin, one fan holding a sign that read “Worst Trade in NBA History,” and another fan leaving a sign that read “RIP Mavs.”
Fans gathered Sunday afternoon outside American Airlines Center in Dallas at a mock funeral to protest the Mavericks’ trade of Luka Doncic. Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Security workers were seen attempting to clean an area that had been vandalized by fans who left a profane message directed at Harrison.
Sasa Doncic echoed his son’s sentiments, saying Luka “respected Dallas a lot” and mentioned his charity work in the city.
“At least as I know, (Luka) sacrificed himself enormously — and even all the stories now that someone is releasing that he wants to apologize for the things that they’re doing,” Sasa said. “I feel like this is very unfair from some individuals because I know that Luka respected Dallas a lot. He respected the whole city, helped children.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
