Mavericks star Luka Doncic is on cover of Sports Illustrated

The Dallas Mavericks are back for another season with superstar Luka Doncic at the helm. The 22-year-old’s goal is to win a championship this year after two straight first-round playoff exits. Doncic was fantastic in the 2021 postseason, including averaging over 35 points per game, but the Mavs need more from his supporting cast if they are going to go on a deep playoff run.

New head coach Jason Kidd will look to maximize both Luka and the team. He wants Doncic playing off the ball a bit more and trusting his teammates. The Hall of Fame point guard is also switching up the defense and hoping to get Kristaps Porzingis more involved. Fans will have to wait to see how it all shakes out.

Luka Doncic is one of the biggest stars in the NBA, and there was further proof this week as he graced the cover of Sports Illustrated with Trae Young. Let us take a look at the cover and a rundown of why those two players will be forever linked.

Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic is on cover of Sports Illustrated

The Mavs held the fifth pick in the 2018 NBA Draft and had to trade up to third overall to select Doncic. The cost was sending the fifth pick and their 2019 first-rounder to Atlanta. In the deal, the Hawks drafted Trae Young fifth overall and Cam Reddish a year later with the Mavericks selection. Here are Luka and Trae on the cover of Sports Illustrated this week.

The trade has turned out well for both sides. The 23-year-old Young is already an All-Star and led the Hawks to the Eastern Conference Finals last season. Luka Doncic is on pace to be the best player in the NBA, but Atlanta made a strong save by draft Young and getting a second exciting prospect in Cam Reddish.

It was awesome to see Luka Doncic on the cover of Sports Illustrated, and it is just the first of many honors for the Dallas Mavericks superstar this season. Stay tuned for plenty more on each and every one of them.