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Luka Doncic had 'tension' with Rick Carlisle?
Apparently there was tension between Luka Doncic and Rick Carlisle in Dallas. Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Mavericks' Luka Doncic had 'tension' with Rick Carlisle?

The latest twist in the ongoing saga involving the Dallas Mavericks was head coach Rick Carlisle confirming he won't return to the organization after 13 seasons. 

While Carlisle explained in a statement sent to ESPN stepping away "was solely my decision," Adrian Wojnarowski and Tim MacMahon of the Worldwide Leader report "tension between Carlisle and 22-year-old superstar Luka Doncic had increasingly become concerning within the Mavs organization" leading up to Thursday's development. "Doncic showed up Carlisle several times this season, such as making animated gestures on the court when he disagreed with a decision or yelling at Carlisle in front of assistant coaches and teammates," they noted. 

Carlisle's exit came one day after the Mavericks officially parted ways with general manager Donnie Nelson after 24 seasons. MacMahon previously reported owner Mark Cuban fired Nelson this past Sunday, but Cuban had nothing but praise for who is now his former head coach. 

"I truly love Rick Carlisle," Cuban said to ESPN. "He was not only a good coach but also a friend and a confidant. Our relationship was so much more than basketball. And I know that won't ever change." 

Doncic is allegedly close with Mavericks assistant coach Jamahl Mosley and recently said Mosley has "got the things that are needed for a head coach." Earlier this month, Doncic suggested he will sign the supermax extension worth an estimated $201.5 million with Dallas this summer. 

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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