Fansided

Mavericks are smart to rest Luka Doncic for Summer League

By Rucker Haringey

BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 21: Luka Doncic talks with media after being selected third overall during the 2018 NBA Draft on June 21, 2018 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michelle Farsi/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 21: Luka Doncic talks with media after being selected third overall during the 2018 NBA Draft on June 21, 2018 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michelle Farsi/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

It would be fun to watch Luka Doncic play in Summer League, but the Dallas Mavericks are smart to hold him out of the preseason competition.

When the Mavericks made the decision to send a 2019 first round pick to Atlanta to make sure they could draft Luka Doncic, it was clear they want him to be a big part of their future. Unfortunately for fans of summer basketball, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reports the Mavericks won’t send their Slovenian sensation to play in the Las Vegas Summer League.

That’s selfishly disappointing for neutral fans, but it’s absolutely the right call for the team. Doncic has already played 61 games for Real Madrid this season. Add in his international appearances and the number shoots up near 90. Very simply, he needs some rest this summer.

Rick Carlisle and company need to be much more concerned about getting Doncic ready for the regular season. He should slot immediately into the Dallas starting lineup alongside Dennis Smith, Jr., Harrison Barnes, Dirk Nowitzki, Wesley Matthews and a center the team signs via free agency. Dallas officials have high hopes that group can contend for a playoff berth.

That might be overly optimistic, but it doesn’t change the fact that rushing Doncic would be foolish. He’s put a ton of basketball miles on his body this year. Adding a few Summer League appearances would only put him at risk of injury. That could derail his 2018-19 season before it ever begins.

Next: 30 best NBA poster dunks of all time

The other thing Dallas should be doing with Doncic this summer is working on his conditioning. It’s easy to look at his body and conclude that he isn’t in great shape. His athletic shortcomings could be greatly reduced by losing weight and adding some functional muscle. The Mavericks understand his time would be much better spent with the team’s training staff instead of proving he can play alongside other rookies.

NBA fans will need to wait until the preseason to get their first real look at Luka Doncic, but the Mavericks deserve credit for exercising patience here. Doncic doesn’t need more games, he just needs access to rest and the Mavericks’ team of sports scientists.

Home/Dallas Mavericks