Sands Exec Says Doncic Was Poor ‘Character’ Fit for Mavs

Posted on: February 10, 2025, 01:57h. 

Last updated on: February 10, 2025, 02:13h.

Todd Shriber @etfgodfather Read More
Expertise: Financial, Gaming Business, Mergers and Acquisitions.
  • Dallas Mavericks Governor Patrick Dumont mentioned Luka Doncic’s work ethic as justification for trading the star
  • The Sands executive said he wants hard-working, character-first players on the team
  • He reiterated the franchise will remain in Dallas

In his first interview since the trade that rocked the basketball world, Dallas Mavericks Governor Patrick Dumont criticized Luka Doncic’s work habits while implying the superstar was a poor cultural fit for a team attempting to win a championship.

Dumont
Dallas Mavericks Governor and Las Vegas Sands President Patrick Dumont mentioned Luka Doncic’s work ethic as a reason for trading the superstar. (Image: YouTube)

In an interview with the Dallas Morning News, Dumont, who’s also the president and chief financial officer of Las Vegas Sands, implied Doncic’s dedication to his craft wasn’t where it needed to be and is below that of NBA legends.

“If you look at the greats in the league, the people you and I grew up with — [Michael] Jordan, [Larry] Bird, Kobe [Bryant], Shaq [O’Neal] — they worked really hard, every day, with a singular focus to win,” Dumont told the paper. “And if you don’t have that, it doesn’t work. And if you don’t have that, you shouldn’t be part of the Dallas Mavericks.”

Longtime fans of the Los Angeles Lakers — the team to which Doncic was traded — might take issue with Dumont including O’Neal on his list of dedicated NBA superstars. While Shaq and Bryant teamed up to win three consecutive championships, Bryant was famously critical of O’Neal’s off-season work habits. In a 2019 interview, Bryant said he would have had 12 championship rings had O’Neal “been in the gym more.”

Dumont Roils Mavs Fans

Dumont took the role of governor of the Mavericks when his family and his mother-in-law Dr. Miriam Adelson combined to buy 77% of the team in late 2023.

The Sands executive appears to be irking fans in Dallas by trading away a star player who turns 26 years old later this month, and with the team just months removed from an appearance in the NBA finals. His comments on Doncic to the Morning News were skewered by fans and some members of national sports media.

“In my mind, the way teams win is by focus, by having the right character, by having the right culture, and having the right dedication to work as hard as possible to create a championship-winning outcome,” said Dumont in the interview.

Doncic has been assailed for being a poor defender and perhaps not taking care of his body and diet in the off-season, but he was also named All-NBA first team for five consecutive seasons.

Dumont Reiterates Mavs Staying in Dallas

In the wake of the Doncic trade, Dumont is currently lacking fans in Dallas. Add to that, the transaction stirred speculation that he’s eyeing a move of the team to Las Vegas — something he said is not going to happen.

There is no question in that. That is the answer, unequivocally. The Dallas Mavericks are the Dallas Mavericks and they will be in Dallas,” the Sands executive told the Morning News.

On the issue of the Mavericks staying in Dallas, Dumont is telling the truth because the team is worth more than it would be in Las Vegas, and Sands is attempting to bring casino hotels to Texas.