Part 6/8:
With Luka Dončić's recent struggles and the clamoring criticism regarding his fitness, fans have speculated whether the Mavericks were eager to move on. Anthony Davis was seen as a suitable replacement, despite his own injury history. The optics of trading a young superstar for a 32-year-old who has repeatedly struggled to stay on the court feels, at best, dubious.
Many fans are now questioning whether the intention was purely about player performance or hidden financial factors. Did the Mavericks wish to restructure their finances in light of his potential supermax contract? The narrative surrounding Dončić's wellness has only made these suspicions louder.