The Wonder Boy

ESPN's Tim MacMahon examines the pressure of building around a prodigy in the NBA, through the prism of the Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic.

The Wonder Boy chronicles Doncic's journey from the most hyped European teen prospect in basketball history to a generational NBA star—and all the madness that ensues as the Mavericks attempt to avoid blowing the golden opportunity of having a young, perennial MVP candidate as the franchise centrepiece. The book digs behind the scenes of the drama and dysfunction in Dallas during the early years of Doncic's career, when owner Mark Cuban's front office focused as much on internal power struggles as actually improving the basketball team. It covers the new regime's effort to earn Doncic's loyalty, which requires putting the ruthless competitor in position to win.

Readers will learn never-before-reported details about the blockbuster deal for Kristaps Porzingis that blew up in the Mavs' faces, the divorces with coach Rick Carlisle and GM Donnie Nelson, the series of mistakes that led to Jalen Brunson leaving after a run to the Western Conference finals, the new pairing with mercurial Kyrie Irving, roster moves that could have been made, and much more.

As the clock ticks on the Mavs' search for a co-star, The Wonder Boy dives into how the Mavericks have handled a dilemma every NBA team would love to have.