All signs point to Luka Doncic making decision that'll frustrate Mavericks fans

The Dallas Mavericks' season ended exactly one week as they lost to the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Finals, and now it's time to see how Nico Harrison responds.

Dallas' lack of a third scorer plagued them in the Finals, and the Mavs have to find a player who can take the load off of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving's shoulders when needed. No one else stepped up in the Finals, and that's a big reason that Boston won.

Doncic was excellent in the Finals despite his team losing in five games, but it seems like he may be about to make a decision that could frustrate Mavs fans.

All signs point to Luka Doncic playing for Slovenia in pre-Olympic qualifiers

Doncic has joined the Slovenian National Team to prepare for the pre-Olympic qualifiers, and although he is set to have his knee evaluated by the Slovenian team's medical staff, all signs are pointing to him playing in the pre-Olympic qualifiers.

Slovenia would have to win the pre-Olympic qualifier tournament in Greece to earn a spot in the Olympics, and although Dallas expected Doncic to play for Slovenia this summer, this decision has frustrated some Mavs fans.

You can't blame Doncic for wanting to represent his country which brings him so much happiness, but the fact that he could get injured is a scary risk. Doncic was battling injuries for the entire playoffs, including a knee sprain and a thoracic contusion which he had to get pain-killing injections for, and he barely had any time to rest before arriving to practice with the Slovenian National Team.

According to a report during the playoffs, Doncic would have been shut down for multiple weeks due to his injuries if it were the regular season. Doncic has gotten less than a week of rest before returning to the floor, and him staying healthy throughout the pre-Olympic qualifiers and the Olympics (if Slovenia makes it) will be crucial.

Last summer, Doncic's thigh injury from the previous summer was giving him problems during the FIBA World Cup, and if Doncic was as injured as reported during the playoffs, the pre-Olympic qualifiers will be risky for Doncic considering he was seemingly always reaggravating his various injuries during the playoffs.

Anyone who knows Doncic knew that he'd likely be suiting up for Slovenia, but this decision is a risk that many Mavs fans preferred not to see. Doncic looked to be walking gingerly when he first arrived, and only time tell how much better his knee injury is doing.

Doncic obviously isn't cleared to play yet, as the medical staff has to give him the green light, but it's obvious this is a priority for him.

For all the latest on Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks this offseason, stay tuned.