Yet naturally now, with a bit of distance from the initial shock, you have begun to hear more of the whispers that the Mavericks had somehow concealed for months,” Stein wrote. “Whispers via league sources suggesting that Dallas’ decision-makers, most notably general manager Nico Harrison, no longer wanted Planet Mavericks to orbit around Dončić and had grown determined to trade him by this summer at the latest.”

Dončić was lambasted for his performance during the 2024 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics, specifically for his defense. However, the Mavericks were coming off their first appearance in the final round since winning the title in 2011.