When you make the decision to trade the cornerstone of your franchise – a player just 25-years-old who has the potential to become an MVP, a champion and an all-time great – you better have the reasoning to back it up. 

It appears that Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison has that reasoning, revealing to The Athletic a series of issues surrounding his former point guard, Luka Doncic.

Earlier this month, Harrison sent shockwaves through the world of sports when he moved Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in a deal that brought back big man Anthony Davis in return.

While Davis got injured in his first game as a Mavs player, Doncic has been slowly acclimating himself to Los Angeles as the Lakers make a push for the playoffs.

Dallas, on the other hand, is just on the edge of the playoff picture – sitting ninth in the Western Conference.

It’s enough to make you wonder why the Mavericks would make this trade at all. It appears the answer has been given.

In his final days in Dallas, multiple people made remarks about Doncic’s lack of professionalism, with some branding him as ‘lazy’.

While the reported issues of his weight gain were present in the minds of Mavericks leadership, they also appeared to take issues with his social habits. Particularly, his fondness for beer and for smoking hookah were highlighted.

As The Athletic put it, Mavericks leadership predicted that Doncic was headed for ‘demise’ and believe that his health history ‘will likely lead to catastrophe in the next five years or so.’

In spite of these issues, Sam Amick – the writer of the article – says the majority of people he’s spoken with in the league believe that the Mavericks made a serious mistake.

One league source told The Athletic that when it comes to players who have transcendent talent coupled with ego management issues – specifically the likes of Allen Iverson, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird to name a few – that it becomes something ‘You manage’.

Doncic has certainly showed no significant signs of regression just yet. In five games, with the Lakers he’s averaged 19 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists.

That includes an inspired triple-double effort against the Mavericks on Tuesday night, where he dropped 19 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 assists along with three steals and two blocks – all in front of the man who traded him. 

Doncic and the Lakers next face the Minnesota Timberwolves at home this evening.