Earlier this year, Anthony Davis shocked the NBA world by landing with the Dallas Mavericks in a blockbuster deal. While the move made sense for the Lakers, no one would have foreseen the Mavericks parting ways with their star guard. For AD however, the trade symbolized a fresh start, a chance to redefine the Mavericks’ identity around defense. The spotlight immediately shifted to Dallas’ front office, and questions began flying: Why sacrifice Luka for a much older defensive anchor?

At the time, the Mavericks’ leadership pointed to a new vision, one built on resilience and defense. General Manager Nico Harrison explained his reasoning with conviction, saying, “I believe that defense wins championships.” Behind the curtain, there were whispers of Luka’s conditioning struggles, long-term

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