Before the trade, Dallas Mavericks were concerned about Luka Doncic's lack of professionalism, particularly due to his reported habits of smoking hookah and drinking beer.
Current Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic has faced criticism regarding his conditioning and weight after leaving the Dallas Mavericks in a trade, even from the Mavs' majority owner.
The newest reports indicate that the team was concerned about Doncic's bad habits, including smoking hookah and drinking beer, as noted by Sam Amick of The Athletic.
"Make no mistake, the people who witnessed Doncic's last days in Dallas do not paint a flattering portrait of the 25-year-old's professionalism. They call him lazy," Amick reported. "They talk about the weight issues that were such a frequent frustration within their walls.
"They mention the social habits that The Athletic has reported on — such as a taste for beer and hookah — which have been a point of concern for NBA types since he was a 19-year-old star for Real Madrid who was entering the NBA Draft. They predict his basketball demise, highlighting a health history that, as some see it, will likely lead to catastrophe in the next five years or so."
The Mavs' worries about Luka's fitness reportedly played a major role in their decision to trade him. They were so concerned about his condition that they granted him additional time to regain form, officially attributing his five-game absence in November to a wrist injury.
After the trade, Doncic received harsh criticism from Mavericks majority owner Patrick Dumont, who suggested that Luka doesn't work as hard as other great players in the league.
"[Michael] Jordan, [Larry] Bird, Kobe [Bryant], Shaq[uille O'Neal] worked really hard every day, with a singular focus to win," he stated. "And if you don't have that, it doesn't work. And if you don't have that, you shouldn't be part of the Dallas Mavericks. ... If you want to take a vacation, don't do it with us."
Despite being eligible for a $345 million supermax extension this summer, The Athletic reports indicate that Dallas never intended to offer him that contract.
Since joining the LA Lakers, the 25-year-old Slovenian has averaged 19.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 7.0 assists, and 1.8 steals per game in five appearances.
His arrival has coincided with the Lakers' impressive run, as they have won nine of their last 11 games and currently sit fourth in the Western Conference with a 35-21 record.
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