The level of cope among Dallas Mavericks fans is almost admirable. After watching their organization scorn Luka Doncic in the one of the most shocking blockbusters that NBA history has ever seen, they are clinging to the hope of him returning like that iconic scene from Dumb and Dumber.
Doncic's future with the Los Angeles Lakers is not secure beyond doubt by any means. Rob Pelinka and the front office have just cause to believe they put their best foot forward to invite Luka to sign another extension with the Lakers. However, as Tim MacMahon pointed out on The Hoop Collective, that will not stop rival teams from gearing themselves up for the possibility of him hitting free agency.
2028 could be the summer in which Doncic becomes an unrestricted free agent, if he declines his player option for 2028-29. It does not seem likely now, given how much the Lakers have invested into building a team around Luka. That being said, disappointing on-court results could change that.
Of all the teams dreaming about snagging Doncic up in that potential free agency window, the Mavericks should not be one of them. Key figureheads in the blockbuster trade like Nico Harrison and Jason Kidd might be gone, but the ownership group that signed off on the deal is still there.
Why would Doncic reward them for their transgressions so soon after the feelings of hurt?
Luka Doncic spurning Lakers for Mavericks in 2028 is a ludicrous thought
Time and time again the NBA teaches us that anything can happen. Fair enough. This hypothetical might be where the line is drawn on that idea.
Everyone knows Doncic loved Dallas. That much is fair to grant. He cried during his first return back to the city, and the obvious part is that Luka never wanted to leave in the first place.
That does not mean the Slovenian superstar will bolt to return at the first real opportunity. There might be love for the fans and the city. There should be no such feelings toward the Adelson and Dumont families.
Despite that, Mavericks fans are doing their best to sell themselves on the idea. Even their writers are inviting that conversation. Will Miller of The Smoking Cuban certainly did.
"Another playoff exit in the first or second round, [and] Doncic could easily become discontent and halt future extension talks. This would give the Mavericks a prime opportunity to lure him back to Dallas in the summer of 2028," Miller wrote.
The first part of that sentiment is understandable. It is the second half that walks a fine line between tragically optimistic and willfully misguided, given all that has been discussed.
Broken hearts heal over time, but that does not mean going back to your ex is a good idea. It usually isn't. This is one of those cases.
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