LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — The Dallas Mavericks, who acquired Slovenian guard Luka Doncic in an NBA draft-day trade, don’t yet know if the 19-year-old star will be available for summer league play.
“He has not participated in a live practice yet because he needs to have his buyout completed with Real Madrid, he needs a FIBA letter of clearance, he needs a physical and he needs to sign his contract,” Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said on Thursday before the team departed for the summer league in Las Vegas.
“We’re getting close to getting those things done, but we’re not there yet and he has not had a live practice yet. But he will be in Vegas.”
The Mavs arrived in Las Vegas late Thursday and were scheduled to play their first game against the Phoenix Suns on Friday.
The Mavericks made a big move back in June to acquire Doncic, who was drafted third overall by the Atlanta Hawks who traded him to Dallas for fifth overall pick Trae Young and a future first round selection.
While Mavs fans are eager to see Doncic on court, Carlisle noted that he’s had no time to rest at the end of a triumphant EuroLeague season.
He was named Most Valuable Player of the EuroLeague Final 4 while leading Real Madrid to the title on June 19 and flew to New York the next day for the NBA draft.
One day later, he was headed to Dallas, then went back to Europe to gather his belongings for a return to Texas.
“He is going to continue to ramp up his work load and there remains a possibility that he could play (in summer league),” Carlisle said in comments posted on the team’s website. But to what percentage I could guarantee that, I just can’t… remember, this guy just got done playing 10 days ago or whatever it is.”
© Agence France-Presse
