The Dallas Mavericks will finish their Summer League play on Friday, as the team caught a glimpse of certain players. One player who has stood out this summer is Maxwell Lewis. The former Los Angeles Lakers wing led the team with 23 points on Wednesday. It was clear he had NBA experience, and his recent performance could potentially earn him a spot on the Mavs’ roster if he keeps the positive momentum rolling.
Just like Lewis, Cooper Flagg had a dominant Summer League performance. He dropped 31 points and shot 47.6 percent from the field in his second game, as Dallas had seen enough. The team shut him down for the summer, preserving his status for the regular season. So, it’s clear the Mavs are set to begin a new era. However, it’ll be a hard concept to turn the page on Luka Doncic.
If you recall, Doncic was the key cornerstone of the franchise. He helped the team advance to two Western Conference Final appearances. Doncic also helped the Mavs advance to the 2024 NBA Finals. Dallas, though, did the unthinkable and traded Doncic after he failed to meet Nico Harrison’s expectations. It’s a move that had fans flabbergasted and confused. It seemed that Doncic and the Mavericks were doomed forever.
So, is the Mavericks’ relationship with Doncic forever destroyed? Could there be a possibility that he returns to Dallas down the road? Was Justin Bieber right when he sang “Never Say Never?”
It’s hard to answer these questions. Doncic, I’m sure, feels some animosity towards the Mavs and Harrison. He, like everyone else, believed he would be a Maverick for life. It seemed he would be the player to replicate or exceed Dirk Nowitzki’s accolades. It was a trade that even took Doncic by storm. The former Mav admitted to throwing his phone as an act of frustration when he found out about the trade.
It’s clear there was some anger with the team and the direction they took. However, it’s possible a reunion might not be out of the picture. Just look at Damian Lillard. He recently made a splash in the NBA, returning to his former team, the Portland Trail Blazers, after being traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in 2023.
Originally, Portland traded Lillard because the two sides were headed in different directions. Portland was beginning a rebuilding phase after it traded Lillard’s former running mate, CJ McCollum, the year prior. Lillard, on the other hand, wanted to join a team where he could compete for an NBA Championship. So, he was sent to the Bucks, as he hoped to compete for a title.
However, Lillard’s tenure with the Bucks didn’t last long after injuries derailed his two seasons. He learned that things don’t always pan out the way you hope for. Now, Lillard gets a new start and opportunity in the place he once considered home.
This means that sometimes, players find a way back to their old stomping grounds. For instance, look at other players like Allen Iverson, who returned to Philadelphia for his final season, and Dwyane Wade, who also returned to his original team.
Basically, the door might not be shut for a Doncic-Mavericks reunion. Doncic is due for an extension with the Lakers this summer, and with it looking probable that he will sign it, the Mavericks would have to wait a long time before trying to bring Doncic home.
Secondly, Nico Harrison’s true intentions could play a factor. He mentioned at a press conference in April that Dallas is his current home. He elaborated on how he plans to finish out his contract and try to achieve his 3-4 year championship window. Harrison, however, did not respond to his plans for the 2028-29 season. This means eventually he could be on his way out. This is good news for Doncic if he were to make a return.
So, it’s possible Doncic could eventually find his way back to Dallas during the back half of his career. If things don’t work out well in Los Angeles, then that could be a positive sign for both parties. Plus, if Harrison continues to disappoint the fanbase or leaves after his contract, then this might also be a good thing.
If Damian Lillard taught us anything, it’s that you can never rule out a reunion. Sometimes players find a way back home. Nothing says this could work for Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks. Nothing is impossible in the NBA standards. Fans have seen crazy things before, and a Doncic return one day would top it all.
