Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA/AFP via Getty Images

Luka Doncic has had an extremely active offseason thus far. After losing to the Golden State Warriors in five games, Doncic returned to Slovenia to prepare for the two World Cup qualifying games against Croatia and Sweden. He’s subsequently spent a lot of time at Quai 54, the world’s largest streetball tournament held in Paris.

He’s also spent some time promoting Team Jordan and hanging out with fellow rising talent and division foe Zion Williamson.

Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA/AFP via Getty Images

Luka Doncic recently did an exclusive interview to MARCA in which he made some statements that, when translated from Spanish to English, lit up sections of the Mavericks social media world.

Some people were irritated by these two bits of a two-plus minute lengthy interview. First, when asked about Jalen Brunson’s departure and the entrance of JaVale McGee, Doncic’s translated reaction is intriguing: “Well, the market has only just begun, and I expect the bosses of Dallas to have more options to sign.” Let’s wait and watch what they do.”

Second, the interviewer inquired whether Doncic believes he can win a title in Dallas or whether he would be willing to go elsewhere. His translated statement was straightforward: “I do not intend to change my goal of remaining with and winning in Dallas.” Of course, nothing is certain in the future, but my proposal and I expect to prevail in Dallas.”

Doncic goes on to answer a slew of questions throughout the interview, which is well worth reading in its entirety. His initial statement about free agency barely getting started is largely incorrect. Free agency is almost done, and while the Mavericks may be waiting for the consequences from Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving trade requests, there isn’t much Dallas can do right now. And while it’s possible that the Mavericks might be better off without Jalen Brunson in the long run, they’re not a better club in the short term.

His second comment hits on one of two topics, depending on your fan perspective. The optimist interprets Doncic’s commitment to Dallas and desire to win here. The pessimist sees the elephant in the room, which Josh Bowe and I have been trying to address for years: team building around a generational superstar is difficult, the path to getting better narrows as expectations rise, and so few of Dallas’ roster moves since drafting Doncic and Brunson in 2018 have worked out.

As he begins the first year of his five-year contract deal (four years with a player option, to be exact), Doncic’s long-term future will become a more prominent topic of discussion, perhaps not in Dallas, but in the national media. The question of Doncic’s loyalty to Dallas is a self-fulfilling prophecy that can be averted if the Mavericks continue to improve and become consistent NBA title challengers.

Dallas took a giant step forward in 2022, reaching the Western Conference Finals. The off-season thus far has served as a reminder of how difficult it is to become and remain a contender, and Doncic’s remarks, even in the middle of a light interview, should serve as a reminder that the work of a front office blessed with generational talent is never done.