The Luka Doncic trade saga continues to unfold, with new revelations adding layers to the controversial decision by the Dallas Mavericks. While many fans were shocked by the blockbuster trade that sent the 25-year-old superstar to the Los Angeles Lakers, reports suggest the Mavericks had growing concerns about Doncic’s fitness and conditioning.

According to internal team sources, Doncic’s weight reportedly climbed to 270 pounds, raising long-term durability concerns. However, some former teammates and analysts dispute this claim, questioning whether his on-court dominance outweighed any conditioning issues.

One of the most eye-opening allegations came from Haralabos Voulgaris, a former Mavericks executive who worked with the team from 2018 to 2021. Voulgaris revealed an incident where Doncic’s diet habits raised serious red flags.

“Imagine an athlete consuming that much sugar,” Voulgaris recalled, citing an instance where Doncic filled a thermos with lemonade and sweet tea. The ex-Mavs executive believed this excess sugar intake could be contributing to the team’s growing concerns about his weight.

Voulgaris even raised the issue with then-owner Mark Cuban, warning, “I know liquid calories are death.” However, his concerns were dismissed, and he was told to “stay in his lane,” according to The Athletic.

Now, with Cuban having sold his majority stake in the franchise, the team’s new front office, led by GM Nico Harrison, took a different stance. Harrison, known for his strict fitness approach, reportedly pushed for the move, believing Doncic’s conditioning issues could affect his longevity.

While Doncic’s skill and production were never in doubt, injuries may have tipped the scales in the Mavericks’ decision-making. Reports suggest that his November wrist injury was actually the team’s attempt to allow him to regain full fitness.

However, his ankle injury—which caused him to miss more than 60 games for the first time in his career—was likely the final straw. Harrison reportedly believed that Doncic’s weight and conditioning played a role in his frequent injuries, prompting the blockbuster trade for Anthony Davis.

However, not everyone in the Mavericks organization supported the decision. Cuban admitted it was difficult to swallow. Team governor Patrick Dumont reportedly laughed at the idea of trading their franchise star.

Still, it happened. And as it turns out, the issues with Doncic’s weight don’t seem to be holding up well.

Luka Doncic does not agree with reports about his weight

Don’t get it twisted. By appearance, Doncic doesn’t appear particularly chiseled. But as far as his impact on the game, the five-time All-NBA guard was masterful. He often did it all for the Dallas Mavericks and envisioned spending his career in that community. But in light of the reasons for his trade, he couldn’t hide his thoughts.

Luka Doncic felt the rumor about his weight gain was nothing but a “big motive” to send him away. Additionally, even some of his Laker teammates were bemused by how the Mavericks handled the situation. Dorian Finney-Smith, who spent time with Doncic on the Mavericks, said “If I’m putting up the type of numbers, maybe I need to be 270″.

Markieff Morris lost the conception of what basketball shape truly entails after being traded alongside Luka Doncic. Even though those issues may have existed, the Slovenian star boy was dropping video game numbers almost every night. Morris wondered, “I hear stuff about him not being in shape, but if you can go to an NBA game and get 30-15-10 like it’s nothing, then I don’t really know what shape is. I’m confused about that part”.

The only anecdote that would serve well for the Dallas Mavericks is time. So far in his two games with the Purple and Gold, Luka Doncic has looked a little sluggish. But that’s due to him coming off a major ankle injury and adjusting to a new system. Although defense is a glaring weakness in his game, a 6’8″ presence against a rival guard is never easy to get by.

Many who know Harrison assure that his decision wasn’t irrational solely based on his characteristics. He is said to be a calculated individual who won’t do something impulsive. But with the production, Doncic was providing and his success in the Mavericks, one would wonder whether trading him for Anthony Davis, who has been injury-prone in the past few seasons, was a great decision at all.

It does improve Dallas’ defense without question. But the dominant forward has already aggravated a past injury and will miss weeks of action. On the other hand, Luka Doncic is itching for action and preparing to slice any criticism that exists around his name.