(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
That’s a wrap on the Dallas Mavericks: their season ended on Friday night after a loss to the Chicago Bulls eliminated them from playoff contention.
This was a shocking fall for the team.
Just last season, they surprised everyone and made a run all the way to the Western Conference Finals.
This season, they didn’t even make the play-in games.
The terrible season has many people worried about what’s next for the team’s biggest star, Luka Doncic.
A new report from NBA writer Tim MacMahon says that sources inside the team “fear Luka Doncic could request a trade in the summer of 2024 if the team doesn’t improve significantly.”
Dallas Mavericks sources fear Luka Doncic could request a trade in summer 2024 if the team doesn’t improve significantly, per @espn_macmahon pic.twitter.com/4jwX3EPdPN
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 8, 2023
This is a worst-case scenario for fans of the Mavs, who have long been terrified that Doncic could request a trade and leave them without a phenomenal young talent and possible future MVP.
When MacMahon’s report hit the web, the response was enormous.
“They were just in WCF. What could have happened??” read one tweet.
That is a question that many people have because they can’t believe that the Mavericks fell so far in just one year.
They were just in WCF.
What could have happened??
— Garage Gameday Sports (@GamedayGarage) April 8, 2023
Other people can’t blame Doncic if he decides to part ways with Dallas.
But the cause of his displeasure is up for debate, with some blaming Kyrie Irving.
“He’s not happy, and honestly people can say what they want but he really only started this issue when Kyrie joined,” one user said, adding that Irving has “had issues anywhere he went.”
I mean I expect him too. He’s not happy, and honestly people can say what they want but he really only started this issue when Kyrie joined. I’m a Duke guy / Cavs but ever since LBJ era ended with him, he’s had issues anywhere he went.
— Steve Paris (@StevieParis2) April 8, 2023
There were many people critiquing the moves of the Mavericks, including the trade for Irving and giving up against the Bulls on Friday night.
*trades for Kyrie*
*team purposefully tanks against Bulls to miss playoffs*
Oh sh*t he might leave if we don’t improve the team and make him want to stay
Make it make sense
— GetWetSports (@GetWetSports) April 8, 2023
There were other Twitter users who recommended changes for the Mavericks to appease Doncic, including acquiring some big men instead of wing players and guards.
Mavericks need big men. They’re always focused on guards, wing players and stretch bigs. They really need Interior defenders, rebounders and inside scorers
— Black Prince (@That_Kid_B) April 8, 2023
And some people said that Doncic wouldn’t even wait until next summer, suggesting that his trade request could be coming in just a few weeks.
*summer 2023
— DTM (@dcohen817) April 8, 2023
If Doncic really does demand a trade – this summer or next – it’ll be shattering for the Mavericks.
Because of that, they will do whatever they can to make him happy and keep him Dallas.
The post Fans React To Today’s Luka Doncic Report appeared first on The Cold Wire.