The Los Angeles Lakers weren’t allowed to speak to Luka Doncic’s agent, Invoice Duffy, earlier than they traded for him on Saturday, sources inform The Athletic. As a result of the Lakers couldn’t gauge Doncic’s curiosity in remaining with the franchise long-term, they stored their 2031 first spherical pick of their commerce package deal. The Lakers felt buying and selling each of their accessible future first spherical picks was too dangerous with out an assurance from Doncic.
The Mavericks weighed that further choose towards the danger of the commerce falling aside after phrase of it unfold to Doncic with him doubtlessly changing into disgruntled within the course of. Dallas approached one different crew on a Doncic commerce for an additional star, however they solely engaged with the Lakers on critical negotiations.Â
Sources inform The Athletic that Doncic is “ecstatic” about becoming a member of the Mavericks. Doncic will probably be launched to the media on Tuesday morning. Doncic, nonetheless, needed to spend his total profession with the Mavericks, in response to sources. The Mavericks may have supplied Doncic a five-year, $345 million extension this offseason and by all accounts he would have signed it.
