Months after the blockbuster trade that sent Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green is coming to the defense of Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison, whose role in the deal has made him one of the most scrutinized figures in Dallas sports history.

Green addressed the situation on Threads, questioning if Dončić would have the same level of motivation had he remained in Dallas.

“Does Luka have that same fire if not traded from Dallas? Nico can be right [in] his thinking and end up wrong in the end because he doesn’t play the game, and Luka is one of the greatest talents we have seen. But it doesn’t just mean [expletive] on Nico either,” Green wrote.

Draymond Green’s Perspective: “Don’t Pile On”

The comment comes as Harrison faces backlash from Mavericks fans and widespread criticism across the league. The trade sent shockwaves through the NBA. Dončić, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris were dealt to the Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round pick in a three-team deal involving Utah.

The Mavericks’ front office, led by Harrison, expressed concern about Dončić’s conditioning, diet, and commitment to team-led training. Dončić expressed his desire to play for Dallas his whole NBA career, but the organization’s version of events involved uncertainty about whether he would sign a long-term extension. This uncertainty, combined with a desire to build a more defensively sound roster, led to the controversial decision.

Many fans and analysts labeled the trade as one of the worst in league history. “FIRE NICO!” chants broke out during home games, and criticism continued after the Mavericks landed the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, given the communicated goal of the trade was to win a championship in the short term.

While acknowledging Dončić’s greatness, Green previously emphasized that team executives often make tough calls with long-term logic in mind, even if public perception turns against them. He suggested Harrison’s rationale was understandable, even if the trade favors the Lakers.

“Luka is looking like rookie Luka all over again,” Green wrote on Threads. “The trade has created that hunger again, it seems!”

Green has never shied away from expressing his opinion, and his comments stood out as one of the few defenses of Harrison amid overwhelming criticism.

Luka Dončić’s Offseason Work

Since arriving in Los Angeles, Luka Dončić has looked every bit the Lakers’ franchise centerpiece, averaging 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game. But it’s the transformation off the court that’s drawn equal attention. Appearing on the cover of Men’s Health, Dončić revealed a leaner, more defined frame and detailed a rigorous summer training program that could shape one of the most important seasons of his career.

“Just visually, I would say my whole body looks better,” Dončić said. “I think I did a great job in the summer—just being ready.”

That work began shortly after the Lakers’ first-round playoff exit. Within a day, Dončić texted his manager to initiate his offseason regimen. He committed to a grueling training plan built around intermittent fasting, resistance-based circuits, and a reshaped diet focused on protein and recovery for four months. He often began his mornings fasted, training for 90 minutes on a private court in Croatia alongside longtime trainer Anže Maček.

The workouts were intense—combining trap-bar deadlifts, landmine presses, band-resisted layups, and conditioning intervals—with barely any breaks. Dončić’s physique changed accordingly, but the effort wasn’t just about appearance. As physiotherapist Javier Barrio noted, Dončić’s core athletic strength—eccentric force, or the ability to decelerate quickly—was already elite. This summer, he focused on building around that asset while strengthening his foundation.

“Not everything is jumping high,” Dončić said. “I think I’m very athletic in other stuff. Balancing, controlling my body, what I do when I stop, slowing down.”

Still just 26, Dončić had long drawn criticism for his conditioning despite producing at an All-NBA level. This summer, he sought to quiet those critiques through consistency and structure, working closely with “Team Luka,” a trio of wellness specialists he assembled in 2023. They introduced strength routines, refined his nutrition, and, for the first time in years, ordered him to take a whole month away from basketball to let his body fully recover.

By early July, Dončić was back on court—and by all accounts, thriving. Draymond Green, who competed against Dončić this summer during EuroBasket qualifiers, highlighted the benefits of his international play and offseason focus.

“Also, the perfect year to go win his first MVP award,” Green wrote on Threads. “Going right from Euros to training camp. Will already be in basketball shape and can hit the ground running!”

That may be the point. Whether or not Dončić becomes the MVP this season, he’s positioned himself to compete for one—physically and mentally. He said: “This year, with my team, I think we did a huge step. But this is just the start, you know. I need to keep going. Can’t stop.”

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