Dallas was very active at the trade deadline, leading many to speculate on the future of rookie sensation Luka Doncic. But Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle told reporters, including Dwain Price of Mavs.com, that he isn't going anywhere:
A reporter from Europe was asking Rick Carlisle a question today about the recent trades when Carlisle intervened and said: "We're not trading Luka." @dallasmavs
— Dwain Price (@DwainPrice) February 9, 2019
Dallas made two huge trade ahead the trade deadline. Last Friday they pulled off a blockbuster deal to acquire superstar Kristaps Porzingis, along with Tim Hardaway Jr. and Courtney Lee, in exchange for Dennis Smith Jr., DeAndre Jordan and Wesley Matthews.
Porzingis is still recovering from an ACL injury and has not played a game all season. However, Dallas plans to build around Porzingis and Donic long-term.
On Wednesday, Dallas traded Harrison Barnes to the Sacramento Kings for Justin Jackson and Zach Randolph. This move cleared quite a bit of cap space, which could potentially be used to pursue a marquee free agent next offseason.
All signs seem to point to the Mavericks gearing up for a 2019-20 run. Carlisle has now verbally committed to Doncic going forward, as one of the team's foundational pieces.
Doncic was drafted third overall in the 2018 draft by the Atlanta Hawks. He was immediately traded to Dallas in exchange for number five overall pick Trae Young and a 2019 protected first round pick.
Arguably this season's best rookie performer, the 19-year-old shooting guard has burst onto the scene. He has averaged 20.6 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.5 assists.
The Mavericks are currently 25-29 and four and a half games out of a playoff spot in the Western Conference. ESPN's BPI Playoff Odds give the team only a 3.6% chance of making the postseason this year. But with a core starting with Doncic and Porzingis, the future looks bright in Dallas.
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