In the early aftermath of the bombshell Luka Dončić-Anthony Davis trade, which saw many fans calling for Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison's head, the prevailing narrative was that Dallas traded away its franchise cornerstone due to concerns regarding his weight and overall health. There was also chatter that the front office didn't believe he would sign a supermax extension—rumors Dončić himself has shut down—but the leaks coming from inside the team suggested the 25-year-old's fitness was the main issue.
History will determine whether Harrison made the right move in the long run—but in the short term, the Mavs are struggling big time while the Lakers are finding a rhythym. Even as he continues his recovery from a calf injury, Dončić does not at all look like a player who is woefully out of shape and very much like the future face of his new team.
