The Dallas Mavericks just signed Luka Doncic to one of the largest extensions in NBA history. He’s proven to be a generational talent and the best part is that he’s still years away from reaching his prime.
Then again, it still feels like the Dallas Mavericks aren’t a true championship contender. They have some solid pieces around one of the league’s rising stars, but that’s just not enough in the Western Conference.
That’s why ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith took an in-depth look at their current status, pointing out why Kristaps Porzingis isn’t the right partner for him and calling outMark Cuban for not getting him another star.
Stephen A. Smith Says Kristaps Porzingis Is Jelous Of Luka Doncic
Smith said that Porzingis has a problem with Luka being ball-dominant and the face of the franchise, saying that – even if he’s healthy – that pairing isn’t going to work because of Kristaps’ jealousy:
“(He’s) somebody that is ultimately going to end up incredibly dissatisfied unless Mark Cuban and Jason Kidd to a lesser degree do something about it,” Smith said. “And that’s getting rid of Kristaps Porzingis and get him a big-time, bonafide, dependable number 2 because that’s really what this goes down to.”
Smith Calls Out The Mavs For Not Getting Free Agents
Smith then called out Mark Cuban and the franchise on their inability to land bonafide stars despite Dallas being a great sports city with no state income tax, citing that it could eventually draw Doncic away from the team:
“When you got a talent like Luka Doncic, it’s not just about to be respected, it’s also to be appreciated,” Smith added (…) “If you’re in the city of Dallas and you are Mark Cuban… It’s a great city, it’s a great state, no state income tax (…) there’s simply no excuse why you haven’t been able to get a free agent in a decade, it really isn’t.”
For now, Doncic will be tied to the organization and there’s no reason to think that he’ll leave any time soon. But he’s an emotional player and a great competitor, so this could eventually become an issue for him.
