Luka Doncic’s trade with La Lakers was one of the most shocking moves in NBA history.
Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison has been criticized for trading franchise superstar Luka Donsic.
It was a great deal from the perspective of La Lakers. It was a great deal as I was able to get players like Doncic by giving up on Anthony Davis.
The Slovenians got a big start in their lives in LA and immediately influenced JJ Redick’s team.
However, in the playoffs, Donsic appeared to be struggling on the defensive side of the floor as the Minnesota Timberwolves targeted him.
Doncic has already started working in the offseason, but former Miami Heat player Udonis Haslem says his lack of defensive ability and conditioning issues are the reasons why the Mavericks decided to trade him.
Doncic is one of the NBA’s best offensive players, earning over 30 points on any night.
However, since he was drafted by the NBA, his ability to defend has been questionable.
Haslem said Donsic’s defensive weakness could be a feature that divides the locker room, although other players are doing their best.
“I mean, we talked about all the praises of Luka and what he accomplished, but no one has the talent of Luka Donsic. No one can do it in the way that it is done.”
“So I’m going to get Luka in and get him to do what he’s doing, but I’m hoping that the other 15 guys will get it shape in his locker room. What example do I set up as a coach? That’s how your locker room started turning you.”
Mavericks had some deep runs into the playoffs, but Doncic’s defensive weaknesses were exposed in these games, and were greatly sacrificed by the team.
Nico Harrison also mentioned the “Defense Winning Championship” at a press conference that announced the deal.
“Why do we have to guard and defend, Luka has no guards, and that’s when you start to split up. And that’s when you see a team that says, “You can’t win like this guy, you have the talent as he is, we can’t win with this guy.”
Doncic’s offensive abilities take people to the arena, but it is essential that he is able to defend for his team.
The Lakers are aiming to win the championship, and if one of the stars can’t defend, it will be very difficult for them to succeed.
Rob Perinka has confirmed that the Lakers will continue significantly this offseason, but even so, Donsic will have to take responsibility for his own matchup.
He can’t afford to be targeted by his opponent, especially in the playoffs when the game is slow and all the shots are important, as it makes it difficult for the Lakers to help him.
Other young stars like Anthony Edwards and Shy Gilgauss Alexander show that they can defend well, but Donsic has yet to prove he can be trusted on that edge of the floor.
He looked good in his offseason workouts, and if that Donsic worked out, there could be a change in his defensive mindset, which would be a huge boost for the Lakers.