Luka Doncic’s father calls out Mavericks after Lakers trade

Luka Doncic avoided mentioning the Mavericks organization in his farewell message Sunday, instead thanking fans and the Dallas community after being traded to the Lakers.

Doncic’s father, however, did not hold back when discussing the Mavericks and their handling of the blockbuster deal.

In an interview Sunday with Slovenian media network Arena Sport 1, Sasa Doncic accused the Mavericks of “hypocrisy” and criticized the “secrecy” with which they orchestrated the three-team trade that sent Luka to the Lakers and Anthony Davis to Dallas.

“I understand there comes a moment when you disagree with a certain philosophy,” Sasa Doncic said, as translated by Arena Sport. “You don’t like this or that player, all good — I get it.

“But I think that exactly this secrecy, or should I say from some individuals, maybe even hypocrisy, this hurts me personally. Because I think that Luka absolutely doesn’t deserve this.”

Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison cited Davis’ superior defense as a reason for the trade, saying “defense wins championships,” while acknowledging that Doncic’s upcoming contractual situation also was a concern.

But sources told ESPN’s Tim MacMahon that constant concerns about Doncic’s conditioning were a major factor in the Mavericks’ decision to approach the Lakers about a trade. Doncic has played in only 22 games this season because of injuries, primarily a left calf strain that has sidelined him since Christmas Day.

Sources told MacMahon that there was extreme frustration throughout the organization about Doncic’s lackadaisical approach to diet and conditioning, which Mavs decision-makers believed negatively impacted his durability.

Sasa Doncic pointed to the Mavs’ 2023-24 season, when his son played in 70 regular-season contests and averaged 37.5 minutes per game, before playing in an additional 22 postseason games and averaging 40.9 minutes per game during Dallas’ run to the NBA Finals.

“[Luka’s conditioning] wasn’t even a problem last year since, I am saying again, one individual said he’s not fit enough,” Sasa said. “That he played, I don’t know, 100 games — practically 40 minutes with two or three players constantly on him.

“That he was beaten, and you say such things about him — I feel that this is very unfair from certain individuals. You traded him, stand by your…