How can Dallas Mavericks avoid Kevin Durant situation with Luka Doncic?
By Tyler Watts
The Dallas Mavericks have a superstar in Luka Doncic, and he is about to start his five-year rookie max extension worth over $215 million. Getting his signature was a massive win for the team, but the landscape currently favors the players.
Ben Simmons held out with four years and $146 million left on his contract last season before getting traded to Brooklyn Nets. Now, Kevin Durant requested a trade with four years and $194 million left on his deal. Star players that want out get dealt, and often it is to the team of their choosing.
The Nets have a difficult decision to make. Do they trade one of the best players in the world for the best offer they can find or should Brooklyn wait to see if he shows up for training camp? Durant loves to play, so could the Nets keep him by just refusing to trade him? The Mavs want to avoid a similar situation with Luka Doncic, so what can they do to keep him happy in Dallas?
How can Dallas Mavericks avoid the Kevin Durant situation with Luka Doncic?
The Durant saga started from the moment he joined the Nets in 2019 with Kyrie Irving and DeAndre Jordan. Brooklyn gave KD a say in the team's decision-making from day one. The Nets changed coaches and hired Steve Nash because of his close relationship with Durant. Brooklyn has done everything KD asked, and the 34-year-old still wants out.
Here are three valuable lessons the Dallas Mavericks can learn from the current situation between Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets.