In addition to expressing optimism about Kristaps Porzingis‘ health and outlook for the coming season at the Mavericks‘ Media Day on Monday, head coach Rick Carlisle offered high praise for the team’s other cornerstone player.
“I wouldn’t trade [Luka] Doncic for anybody,” Carlisle said of the NBA’s reigning Rookie of the Year, per Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com (Twitter link). According to MacMahon, Carlisle also raved about Doncic’s ability to make the other four players on the floor better, comparing him to Hall-of-Famer Larry Bird.
Doncic, 20, immediately established himself as an impact player during his rookie season, averaging 21.2 PPG, 7.8 RPG, and 6.0 APG in 72 games (32.3 MPG) for the Mavs. He’s also on one of the league’s most favorable contracts for a star player, with three years and $25.9MM left on his rookie deal. That contract will likely be followed up with a long-term, maximum-salary extension similar to the one Porzingis received from the team this summer.
In other words, Carlisle won’t have to worry about his young star being traded for “anybody” anytime soon. As MacMahon relays (via Twitter), Doncic told reporters today that he’s prepared for the pressure of assuming Dirk Nowitzki‘s place as the face of the franchise in Dallas.
“I’ve had pressure since I was 16,” Doncic said. “I like pressure.”
Well you’re not trading him for most players bc of the salary matching. Since they own him for 7 more years why would they trade him for a better player like AD on 1 yr? You’re not trading him for anyone bc it doesnt make sense money and years wise 1st, talent second.
You got it backward there. Rocky
No, he is right and it’s the right way round too.
Doncic is more talented than anything lurking on Philadelphia bench, that’s for sure
Dallas or Portland should consider trading for Steven Adams.
Too much money.for Portland between McCollum, Whiteside, Lillard, and Nurkic
Why would Portland want another centre it already has Nurkic and Whiteside. Not to mention John Collins and Pau Gasol.
I think Denis Schroder and Steven Adams should both go to Charlotte for Nic Batum and Cody Zeller. With the Thunder also receiving a first round pick and 3 second round picks. The Salary’s match near perfectly and contract wise all players have 2 years deals
The Hornets get a team that might some what be competitive which will make Jordan happy. He gets Adams who would thrive getting more boards and points without Russ. Schroder would be a solid 6th man behind Rozier. These two give you a lot more production than Batum and Zeller would have.
Thunder get back pretty much they size contracts but take on a lot less production. In return they get to add to their collection of draft picks with a first and multiple seconds. Schroder leaving gives SGA and Paul more minutes at PG which is a bonus. The Thunder lose more games but that kinda helps give them better picks anyways.
Since when is John Collins on Portland?
Not gonna lie, it would be a great fit and they would undoubtedly matchup up with the super teams, however the reality is that John Collins still plays for the Hawks now, and into the foreseeable future
Also how does Adams and Shroeder make Charlotte competitive?
Let alone for 2 somewhat better players in Zeller and Batum
…. and a first rounder(likely lotto) as if that wasn’t absurd enough.
Just hilarious tbh
It would then be quite obvious that Cuban is trying to field an all white foreign team. But in all seriousness, I do like that idea: Adams to the Mavs not the forming of an all white foreign team.