NBA Writer Believes Luka Doncic Could Return To Dallas

NBA writer Lorenzo Almanza of FanSided’s The Smoking Cuban appears to believe that Luka Doncic could return to Dallas in the future, despite Doncic’s positive words about the Los Angeles Lakers. Nico Harrison and the Dallas Mavericks shocked the NBA last season when they traded Doncic to the Lakers for a key package that included Anthony Davis.

Most of the NBA world, especially Mavericks fans, expected Doncic, now 26, to be a Dallas Maverick for life. However, Harrison, 52, cited concerns over Doncic’s lack of conditioning and lack of defensive effort as the top two reasons behind the trade.

NBA Writer Believes Luka Doncic Could Return to Dallas

The Dallas Mavericks finished their Summer League slate last Friday, but the Mavericks headlines just keep on coming, despite the so-called lull period. Almanza appears to believe that Doncic could return to Dallas. Almanza acknowledged that it’s clear the Mavericks are set to begin a new era, but then stated that it’ll be a “hard concept” to turn the page on Doncic. Almanza added that Doncic was a “key cornerstone” of the franchise, as the latter helped the team advance to two Western Conference Finals appearances and one NBA Finals.

NBA Writer’s Reason

Harrison and the Dallas Mavericks’ trade left most fans stunned. But, according to Almanza, Doncic’s return to Dallas is possible after Damian Lillard’s return to Portland.

Almanza wrote in a recent article, “It’s clear there was some anger with the team and the direction they took … However, it’s possible a reunion might not be out of the picture. Just look at Damian Lillard. He recently made a splash in the NBA, returning to his former team, the Portland Trail Blazers, after being traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in 2023.”

Almanza’s opinion is nothing more than a point of view, so take it or leave it. Almanza appears to leave the door open toward a reunion between Doncic and the Mavericks, pointing to the possibility that things might not work out in Los Angeles.

Final Thoughts

Almanza is correct that one could never rule out a reunion, citing Lillard’s reunion with the Portland Trail Blazers. However, Doncic reuniting with the Dallas Mavericks is highly unlikely, as Doncic shared two months ago that he didn’t plan to return to Texas after he was allegedly forced out of Dallas.

Fast forward to the present. Doncic was a franchise — and generational — player in Dallas, and compared to Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki. Doncic was unexpectedly traded to Los Angeles just days after buying a new home in the Dallas area, despite no obvious indication that he wanted to leave the area.

“[To be known as] the guy that brought championships to the city,” Doncic said in a recent media appearance, with the motto “Compete. Win. Repeat.” For context, “the city” used to be Dallas, but Doncic’s loyalty appears to lie with the Purple and Gold now.

The Mavericks appear to be focused on the Cooper Flagg era. Flagg, 18, is one of the most significant players in the Mavericks’ history. Flagg possesses everything a team would want in a professional basketball player with his versatility, defense, offensive playmaking, and long-term success as a transformative player. Flagg’s rookie deal is reportedly $62.7 million over four years, with $28.3 million guaranteed in the first two years.