And Carlisle's apparent determination to make Smith miserable during their brief time as teammates was appalling to Doncic, several former players and staffers told ESPN. It might not have been a basketball fit, but Doncic and Smith had formed a bond. Seven months later, Smith was traded to the New York Knicks, an afterthought in a deal that brought Kristaps Porzingis midway through Doncic's rookie season. He had wanted the Mavs to draft guard Donovan Mitchell, and had completely soured on Smith midway through his rookie campaign. The Mavs knew Doncic would need to be the primary ball handler to fulfill his immense potential, and they didn't believe Smith, who they had determined was a high-usage, ball-dominant guard with a suspect jumper, could complement him.Ĭarlisle, for his part, doubted Smith could be a productive NBA starter, team sources said. While a friendship blossomed in Dallas' newly formed backcourt, coach Rick Carlisle and the front office were planning to blow it up, sources involved with the franchise's decision-making said, never really believing the duo had staying power. Along with soon-to-retire legend Dirk Nowitzki, the young lottery picks were the players featured on billboards around the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. Doncic and Smith posed together during media day, smiling for pictures they were promoted heavily on the team's website. ![]() The Mavs were quick to market their new guard tandem. If one was spotted during a Mavs road trip, chances are the other would be there too, along with young swingman Dorian Finney-Smith. They lived in the same apartment building and had spent hours playing video games together. Smith, whom the team had drafted ninth a year prior, had shown Doncic around the city and invited the new guy into his social circle. had become fast friends after the Dallas Mavericks selected the teenager from Slovenia third overall in the 2018 NBA draft. Luka Doncic and Rick Carlisle: The dissolution of their relationship what comes next for the Dallas Mavericks ![]() You have reached a degraded version of because you're using an unsupported version of Internet Explorer.įor a complete experience, please upgrade or use a supported browser
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