Part 4/10:
Dumont’s decision to trade Dončić—who was considered a generational talent—marked a turning point. The public narrative suggested that the trade was influenced by internal disagreements over Luka's weight, playstyle, and availability. Yet, it was clear that the trade was, at least publicly, a move meant to reshape the team’s future, possibly for the better, though the results have been starkly different.
The Repercussions of the Dončić Trade
The Mavericks’ roster has undergone relentless change under Harrison’s aggressive approach. Since June 2021, they’ve executed 16 trades, frequently swapping key players to tailor the roster around Luka. Notably, very few players from the 2024 Western Conference Finals team remain on the current roster—Dwight Powell being one of the few.