NBA guru's newest Luka Doncic prediction twists knife further into Mavericks' side

In the 2023-24 season, Luka Doncic finished third in MVP voting, as he was a member of the Dallas Mavericks organization. He finished the season averaging a career-high 33.9 points per game and shot 38.2 percent from the 3-point line. Doncic trailed Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, receiving four first-place points in the NBA MVP voting.

Doncic, though, could break the MVP curse this upcoming season. NBA reporter Bill Simmons seems to believe the statement, as he predicts Doncic will get his first MVP award. Simmons spoke on Doncic's MVP case during his weekly podcast. His prediction makes sense. Doncic is suspected of being on a revenge tour this season, as he is out to prove the NBA world wrong, including Nico Harrison.

Last season, Harrison traded Doncic away because he felt the former Mavs' star didn't fit Dallas' plans. Some reasons he didn't fit the team's system were his conditioning issues and lack of defense. So, it's possible Doncic could make Simmons' vision come true and turn Harrison's disbelief into an achievement.

Luka Doncic winning MVP would be the final nail in the Mavericks' coffin

After the infamous trade, Doncic continued to show flashes of his old self. He averaged 28.2 points per game in 28 games with the Los Angeles Lakers. He had one of his best games against Dallas when he dropped a whooping 45 points on 70 percent shooting from the 3-point line. It was a game Mavs fans hoped to forget.

However, if Doncic does win his first MVP award this season, it would be another stab in the heart for Mavs fans. Simmons' prediction is something fans won't want to hear. Simply put, the silver lining is set in place for Doncic to receive the NBA's highest honor.

"I'm very excited for the Luka MVP," Simmons said. "I know we'll be talking about it all season, but Luka having never won the MVP and still being plus 380 on Fanduel when it feels like he would be the favorite for me."

Simmons and Zach Lowe went on to explain that they don't see a scenario where Doncic isn't "awesome" this season. Their belief is centered around Doncic's recent transformation. If you recall, Doncic was on the cover of Men's Health this summer. He looked in the best of his life, as he seemed toned and absolutely ripped.

Before the magazine cover, Doncic was already taking the necessary steps to get his body right. It was reported from people closest to him that he was starting a new way of life and taking the proper steps to transform his body.

Essentially, the fortune is calling for this season to be Doncic's MVP campaign, and Mavs fans likely prefer not to see that. If Doncic wins his first MVP award with the Lakers, it would further cause pain and division within a Dallas fanbase still mourning the loss of their former star.

Doncic recently had an interview with the Wall Street Journal outlining the blindsided move. He explained the pain he caused Dallas' fans, and that he was indifferent about the trade. In simple terms, he was meant to be a Dallas Maverick for life.

Yet, the reality is that Doncic is now a Laker. It's possible he could have one of his best seasons this year, meaning he might be in the running for MVP. This is a sight Mavs fans would hate to see, as it was always the vision to see Doncic get the award with Dallas. However, that dream is gone, and Doncic in a Laker's uniform might always hurt one way or another.