Report sheds light on Luka Doncic's trade from Mavericks to Lakers

More than two weeks after the Dallas Mavericks dealt superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, the NBA world is still coming to terms with the stunning trade.

However, a story published Monday by The Athletic's Christian Clark, Mike Vorkunov and Fred Katz on Mavericks GM Nico Harrison sheds new light on Dallas' reasons for the trade. 

Doncic was a wunderkind on the court, but he didn't fit the culture Dallas' organization wanted off the court. According to The Athletic, Harrison wanted Doncic to embrace the "Mamba mentality" of former Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant, who Harrison represented during his time with Nike.

Bryant was reknowned for his work ethic, discipline and deep commitment to staying in shape and improving his game. Doncic's lack of commitment to staying in shape, however, concerned the team. 

Per ESPN's Dave McMenamin's report from Feb. 2, the Mavericks "had significant frustration ... about Doncic's lack of discipline regarding his diet and conditioning, which team sources considered a major factor in his injury issues."

According to The Athletic, Harrison is a obsessed with nutrition and greets people by asking, "What did you eat today?"

The Athletic also reported it wasn't just Harrison who had a poor relationship with the Slovenian superstar. Former Mavericks executive Haralabos Voulgaris told The Athletic some in the front office were "terrified" of Doncic, who reportedly got preferential treatment that included dictating practice schedules. 

The state of the team's relationship with Doncic may explain Dallas' dismissal of director of player health and performance Casey Smith and other members of the training staff who Doncic liked. 

The Athletic also reported the organization never intended to offer Doncic a five-year, $345 million supermax contract extension despite the player's desire to remain with the team. 

Apparently, the team's relationship with the superstar was beyond repair, news that probably won't quell the anger of Dallas' fan base, which has reacted negatively to the trade.

The playing style of forward Anthony Davis, the main piece Dallas acquired in the trade for Doncic, meshes with Harrison's defensive-minded philosophy and the culture he wants the Mavericks to establish, per The Athletic. This won't be easy, however, as Davis is expected to miss multiple weeks after suffering a left abductor strain in his debut with the Mavericks on Feb. 8. 

The Mavericks (30-26) remain in the playoff hunt, but the Doncic trade aftershocks could rock this team far beyond this season. Dallas resumes play after the All-Star break on Friday against New Orleans.