Luka Doncic is Damaged Goods and There is Proof

The Dallas Mavericks’ decision to trade Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis shocked the NBA world. But beneath the surface, the move reflects a harsh reality that many seem to be ignoring: recurring injuries, particularly to Doncic’s calves, and serious concerns about his long-term durability are likely what pushed Dallas to cut ties with their franchise star ASAP.

I decided to do some research after reporter Chris Fedor claimed that “sources” revealed Mavericks allegedly felt that Luka Doncic could become the next Joel Embiid in terms of a high paid superstar who is scarcely available or always hurt due to lower leg injuries.

Let’s break down the proof I think shows that Mavericks viewed Doncic as “damaged goods”, and why they bet on Anthony Davis instead. Lakers fans definitely aren’t going to like this one, so be warned if you are part of Lakers nation.

The First Calf Injury in 2022: A Warning Sign

On April 15, 2022, Doncic suffered his first major calf strain during a playoff game against the Utah Jazz. The injury sparked immediate panic.

Reports indicated the Mavericks had “significant concern” about the severity of the strain, with Doncic later spotted in a walking boot. While he returned in time for the next playoff round, the incident likely planted seeds of doubt. Keep in mind he wasn’t even overweight at the time.

Calf strains are notoriously tricky. They linger, weaken the muscle, and increase the risk of re-injury—like a rubber band stretched too thin.

For Doncic, whose game relies on explosive albeit slow drives and stop-and-go agility, a compromised calf was a red flag. Yet, this was just the beginning.

The Second Calf Injury: October 2023

Fast-forward to October 20, 2023. Doncic strained his calf again, this time while representing Slovenia in an Olympic qualifier vs Real Madrid.

He played just five minutes before exiting, and Mavericks coach Jason Kidd declined to provide a timeline for his return. The repetition of the same injury hinted at a troubling pattern.

Imagine a car with a faulty engine. Fix it once, and you might trust it. Fix it twice, and you start eyeing the warranty. For the Mavericks, Doncic’s recurring calf issues were becoming a mechanical flaw they couldn’t ignore.

Luka Doncic Couldn’t Even Do Layups Without Leg Pain 7 Months Ago

Now before I get into his third calf injury, we have to look back to the 2024 Olympic qualifiers 7 months ago.

During a game some people noticed that Luka Doncic seemed to wince in pain just doing routine layups, which showed that calf was still bothering him months before the third calf injury happened.

Now this could just be coincidence, but the video showing him grimacing in pain while doing routine layups was taken down just a few days before the trade was announced.

All that is left now is the thumbnail from the video, which doesn’t show the incident, which is why I just screenshotted the reddit thread, but you can see what the title says.

The Third Calf Injury: October 2024

Before the 2024-25 season even began, Doncic suffered another calf strain during training camp on October 2, 2024. The Mavericks announced he’d be re-evaluated after one week, but the injury sidelined him for some weeks.

By this point, Dallas’ medical staff likely had to confront an uncomfortable truth: Doncic’s calves were a ticking time bomb.

The human body isn’t built to endure repeated trauma to the same area.

Each strain weakens the muscle fibers, leaving scar tissue that’s less flexible and more prone to tearing.

For a player carrying excess weight—Doncic’s reported 260+ pounds—the stress on his lower legs became unsustainable.

Couple that with the fact that months before this injury he was still in pain during basic layups.

The Fourth Calf Injury: December 2024

On Christmas Day 2024, disaster struck again. During a game against Minnesota, Doncic partially ruptured his calf muscle, a gruesome injury visible on replay. He hasn’t played since. This wasn’t just another setback—it was a breaking point.

This one was so bad that Luka had to use a scooter just to get around since he couldn’t put any weight on that leg.

After the latest calf injury, The Mavericks’ front office realized they were staring at a worst-case scenario: a max-contract superstar with a body betraying him.

When you take into account reporter Chris Fedor claiming that “sources” said Mavericks management feared Doncic’s injuries would mirror Joel Embiid’s career—a superstar perpetually sidelined by lower-body issues, the trade starts to make sense for the Mavs, and explains why they were seemingly desperate to get rid of Luka.

Luka’s Conditioning, Weight, and the Achilles Domino Effect

Calf injuries don’t exist in isolation. The calf muscle connects directly to the Achilles tendon, and repeated strains dramatically increase the risk of an Achilles tear.

Kevin Durant’s 2019 Achilles rupture, which followed a calf strain, serves as a haunting precedent. For Doncic, the equation was even riskier:

Weight concerns: Doncic’s weight reportedly ballooned to the “high 260s” this season, far above his listed 230 pounds. Excess weight amplifies stress on joints and muscles, turning every cut and jump into a high-impact event.

Conditioning struggles: Mavericks staff had long voiced frustration over Doncic’s fitness. In 2020, he admitted, “I’m not in my best shape.” By 2024, his conditioning issues were deemed severe enough to influence the franchise’s trajectory.

Combine a heavy frame with compromised calves, and you have a recipe for disaster. Each step risked a catastrophic injury, and Dallas wasn’t willing to gamble $345 million on that uncertainty. I wouldn’t either if I was billionaire NBA owner.

Why Anthony Davis Made Sense for Dallas

Trading a 25-year-old phenom for a 32-year-old big man seems counterintuitive. But the Mavericks’ calculus was straightforward:

Availability over upside: Davis has missed 21+ games in three of the past five seasons, but he’s still more durable than Doncic right now. Last season Davis play in 76 out of 82 games. He has also played more games than Doncic this season. Dallas prioritized short-term contention, banking on Davis’ defensive prowess to anchor their roster.

Financial flexibility: Doncic’s looming supermax extension would have hamstrung the Mavericks’ cap sheet. By acquiring Davis, they avoid committing to a long-term deal for an injury-prone star. Some might say that AD is injury prone, but he isn’t injury the same body part over and over again, and isn’t out of shape.

Defensive identity: GM Nico Harrison emphasized that “defense wins championships.” Davis, a former Defensive Player of the Year, aligns with that vision more than Doncic, whose defensive effort has long been criticized. Doncic’s horrendous defense is one of the main reasons they lost in the finals last season.

The Verdict: A Risky Gamble That Will Likely Pay Off

I don’t think Mavericks traded Luka Doncic because they stopped believing in his talent. I strongly believe they traded him because they stopped believing in his body.

Like a sports car with a failing transmission, Doncic’s recurring calf injuries and conditioning woes made him a liability—a player one misstep away from derailing the franchise.

Meanwhile, Anthony Davis represents stability. He’s older, yes, but his skill set complements Kyrie Irving better than Doncic’s ball-dominant style.

If Davis stays healthy, Dallas could contend immediately. If Doncic’s body breaks down in Los Angeles, the Lakers will inherit the problem Dallas foresaw.

Injuries are the great equalizer in sports. For the Mavericks, avoiding the next Joel Embiid—a superstar shackled by injuries—was worth the price of losing a generational talent. Only time will tell if they were right.

Mavericks might be crying now, but I believe they will be laughing later when they realize that Lakers were actually on the losing end of this trade.

In about 3 years or less, I think it will be clear that Mavs won this trade.