Dallas Mavericks: Keeping Luka Doncic happy could be difficult in 2023-24

Keeping Luka Doncic could prove to be a tall task for the Dallas Mavericks. 

Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks will be looking to rebound heading into the 2023-24 NBA season. They made some notable offseason moves to make up for a disastrous end last season.

Doncic and Kyrie Irving will be in the spotlight anew. For the coming season, the Mavericks took some new faces in the mix. That list includes Grant Williams, Seth Curry, and Richaun Holmes.

However, there were also notable changes in the coaching staff as pointed out by Tim McMahon of ESPN on “The Hoop Collective” podcast. Casey Smith, the longtime athletic trainer of the Mavericks, has been demoted and this has allegedly drawn the ire of notable names.

And at the top of the list, you guessed it, is reportedly Luka Doncic.

Apparently, the Slovenian star has spent a great deal of time with Smith and the scribe suggests that this could be detrimental to the working relationship of Doncic and the Mavs.

Luka Doncic’s odd role

Aside from that, there was the decision of Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd on the team’s guard rotation. He mentioned that one of the Mavs first-round picks will probably be a starter after team practice last week, Sports Illustrated reported.

The 50-year-old mentor did not mention who although it will likely be either Dereck Lively II or Olivier-Maxence Prosper. So does this mean Doncic will be coming off the bench?

Kidd’s decision was believed to have been made due to the defensive issues the Mavs were facing. They are 24th in the league and losing Dorian Finney-Smith and Reggie Bullock may only make it worse.

Kidd may try to see who between Doncic and Irving will start. Unless something huge, like an injury to either player, is revealed, Kidd is likely to experiment in the early part of the coming season.

Luka Doncic-Kyrie Irving co-existence questions

Even before the Mavericks acquired Irving, the question of chemistry was in the air. Can the two superstar guards co-exist? Critics are still having a hard time believing that can happen or last.

For his part, Doncic is keeping the faith and remains confident it will work out.

"It takes time to do chemistry, especially on the court, so we didn’t have the whole training camp and then I mean the preseason too. So I think it’s going to be way better.”"

Given these two scenarios, it would be in the best interest of the Mavericks to be careful in handling its relationship with Luka Doncic.

The last thing that they want is to upset the 24-year-old guard, someone who has been making a big difference for the team but needs help.