Was Luka Doncic Traded for Drinking Beer and Smoking a Hookah?
Earlier this month, the Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, an NBA team owned by Las Vegas Sands billionaire Dr. Miriam Adelson and her son-in-law, Patrick Dumont. The trade shocked the professional basketball community and has since sparked numerous speculations regarding the reasons behind the Mavs’ decision to let go of their top player and team icon.
Casino.org reported on theories suggesting that Doncic’s homeland, Slovenia, and its recent choice to officially acknowledge the State of Palestine may have upset Adelson. Adelson is a strong advocate for the Israeli State and played a key role in encouraging President Donald Trump to move the Israeli Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in 2018.
A more probable explanation for Adelson and Dumont, along with Mavs General Manager Nico Harrison, choosing to trade the 25-year-old Doncic to the Lakers in exchange for veteran 32-year-old Anthony Davis was related to his fitness and lifestyle choices.
Beverage, Enjoyment of Tobacco
In May, a notorious video that circulated widely on social media after Dallas triumphed in the Western Conference Finals captured Michael Finley, the assistant GM and vice president of player personnel for the Mavs, snatching Doncic’s beer from his hand. Doncic nodded and grinned at the interception.
Just moments prior, Doncic received the MVP award for the Western Conference Finals, having averaged 32.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 8.2 assists in the series that the Mavs won 4-1. There are persistent whispers that Doncic’s preference for beer and smoking flavored tobacco from hookahs has raised ownership's doubts about his durability.
"Doncic drinks beer and smokes a hookah, neither of which is atypical for a 25-year-old. But those behaviors didn’t fit Harrison’s mold,” NBA insiders told The Atlantic.
Doncic dealt with weight concerns previously, even though he was the NBA scoring champion last year and is widely regarded as one of the league’s best players.
A five-time NBA All-Star and the 2019 NBA Rookie of the Year, Doncic was also ready for a supermax extension with the Mavs — a five-year deal worth $345 million. Once traded, Doncic can only seek a maximum five-year contract valued at $229 million.
Any team willing to sign Doncic until he turns 30 will likely continue to struggle with maintaining the superstar's fitness. As many individuals in their 30s and beyond are acutely aware, shedding pounds becomes increasingly challenging with age.
Adelson has invested a significant part of her wealth in supporting and managing the Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson Research Clinic in Las Vegas, which provides treatment for addiction. The Adelson Family Foundation aims to support the State of Israel and the Jewish community.
Doncic Rédemption
On Tuesday night, Doncic played against his former team for the first time dressed in purple and gold. He concluded the match with 19 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists, achieving a triple-double. He joins teammate LeBron James and Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook as the only players in NBA history to achieve a triple-double against every team.
The Lakers defeated the Mavericks 107-99. Los Angeles was almost a -400 favorite.
“I’m glad it’s over,” Doncic said of playing against his former teammates. “It was a lot of emotions and not much sleep.”
Davis continues to be out due to a groin injury. He is anticipated to return to the court in two weeks.
