The Wonder Boy: Luka Doncic and the Curse of Greatness

ESPN’s Tim MacMahon goes behind the scenes of Luka Dončic’s years with the Dallas Mavericks--before his trade to the Lakers stunned the basketball world--telling the story of a franchise’s quest to build a championship team around a prodigy.

In 2018, the Dallas Mavericks landed the most hyped prospect in basketball history--teenaged Luka Doncic. With The Wonder Boy, MacMahon takes us beyond the highlights to the madness that ensues as the Mavericks try to avoid blowing their golden opportunity. From the internal power struggles in owner Mark Cuban’s front office during the early years of Doncic’s career, to the new regime’s effort to earn Doncic’s loyalty and put the ruthless competitor in position to win, readers will learn never-before-reported details about the saga’s biggest moments, including:

-The blockbuster deal for Kristaps Porzingis that blew up in the Mavs’ faces
-The divorces with coach Rick Carlisle and GM Donnie Nelson
-Jalen Brunson’s exit after a run to the Western Conference finals
-The new pairing with the mercurial Kyrie Irving
-The improbable journey to the 2024 Finals

As the clock ticks on the Mavs’ quest to win it all with their irreplaceable young star, The Wonder Boy pulls back the curtain on a dilemma every NBA team would love to have.

Tim MacMahon reports on the NBA for ESPN. A native of Dallas, he’s followed the Mavs for decades and currently covers the team.