Luka to the Lakers for AD. 
NBA/Pro/International Basketball
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I can understand trading Luka if you don’t think he will resign with the Mavs. It’s probably smart to do it. Thunder made a great trade when they dealt Paul George for a young SGA and multiple 1st rounders.
But to only get back an over the hill AD, Max Christie, and one 1st rounder seems like a terrible return for a 25 year old superstar. Mavs should have gotten way more back. Don’t see this helping either team in the short term, but the Lakers certainly get a franchise piece to build around post LeBron
But to only get back an over the hill AD, Max Christie, and one 1st rounder seems like a terrible return for a 25 year old superstar. Mavs should have gotten way more back. Don’t see this helping either team in the short term, but the Lakers certainly get a franchise piece to build around post LeBron
WHAT THE HECK
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Apparently this was not about not being able to re-sign him and was done for basketball reasons? I'm at a loss.
In fact, apparently the kind of deal he could have gotten by re-signing with the Mavs is no longer available to him so he is out a lot of $$$. Seems like he would have re-signed but the Mavs didn't want to pay him that much.
It’s certainly possible to believe Luka will be closer to James Harden as he ages, than the best player in the league given his body. And Harden isn’t a guy you supermax if you want to win a title.
But even if you think that, I still have to believe Luka is worth more than what the Mavs got as far as future assets
Also, why wouldn't you shop him to the whole league to get the best return? Why only target the Lakers as a trade partner?
I think the only reason is they must believe AD is the missing piece to being a contender this year or next year, and there’s not another current elite player out there that would be traded.
Kyrie/Klay/PJ/AD/Lively. That’s a pretty good starting 5. But it’s really old and really only a 2 year max window. If reports that Luka is 270 pounds are true, then the Mavs probably think they have a better chance with a 2 way playing AD, and Kyrie initiating offense, than running it back again with Luka.
I see lot of casual NBA fans thinking this is the worst NBA trade in history, but you gotta look at what the Mavs have been with Luka. They did have a run last year as a 5th seed, but prior to that they were never really an elite team. They were good, and that was with super elite Luka. If Luka declines faster than other players (and he’s been a pro since basically 13 years old), then maybe the Mavs see it as not only trying something different in the short term, but getting off a guy they weren’t gonna pay 350 million too anyway
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OrangeBlue98
Iowa is not in a great spot right now (LvilleILL1)
- Des Moines, IA
I could honestly see a number of teams looking at Luka's on-court attitude and conditioning issues and thinking to themselves "Not worth the risk of a move like that". But the Lakers certainly have a history of making moves that seem to defy normal basketball and sports business logic.
When he's on top of his game, Luka is amazing. But he hasn't had a lot of time the last couple of years where he's been at the top of his game. I absolutely think the issues around his conditioning are legit. If Luka is really 260 to 270 (and looking at him, I think that is true), he probably needs to lose a good 20-30 pounds. He doesn't have to look like a magazine cover model, but that extra weight cannot be any good for his lower body joints and muscles. Maybe being with someone like LeBron who obviously understands what it means to be a professional could be good for Luka.
I hardly think AD is over the hill — 31 years old, 9th in scoring, 6th in rebounds and 3rd in blocks). Reportedly Doncic does little in the way of conditioning, so while he may be younger than AD, is he taking care of body well enough to have 10 great years left?
Not saying I would have made the trade, but if you have legitimate concerns about potential health going forward do you want to sign him to super max deal? I guess Mavs decided no.
A lot of good insights here.
I definitely agree it seems that the Mav’s decided they can win NOW with Kyrie and AD being the missing link. Big gamble giving up the best player in the NBA.
The constant conditioning issues (mostly a lack of discipline when it comes to diet and conditioning) were reportedly part of the reason the Mavs made the trade.
The Luka Doncic Trade Is the Dumbest NBA Move I’ve Ever Seen
There’s no living this one down. In a trade that makes zero basketball sense and will go down in NBA infamy, the Dallas Mavericks are sending prime Luka to the Los Angeles Lakers. For real.
www.theringer.com
TentakilRex
- Land O Insects between Quincy-Macomb-Jacksonville
**** Nico Harrison!
He is nothing but knockoff Jerry Krause!
He is nothing but knockoff Jerry Krause!
Bulls tank at least starting to begin:
My reaction to the Luka trade
How are you not shaking down a team for a boatload of firsts? Getting only ONE first round pick and a soon-to-be 32 year old injury prone Anthony Davis for a 25 year old superstar not even in his prime yet is GM malpractice. Nico Harrison is giving Jerry Jones a run for his money, and at least Jerry might have the excuse of being senile.
How are you not shaking down a team for a boatload of firsts? Getting only ONE first round pick and a soon-to-be 32 year old injury prone Anthony Davis for a 25 year old superstar not even in his prime yet is GM malpractice. Nico Harrison is giving Jerry Jones a run for his money, and at least Jerry might have the excuse of being senile.
LeBron is still under contract for next season...are you suggesting they brought in Doncic just to punt on this season and the next?
They're clearly intending on contending now, and then of course building around Luka once LeBron moves on. I imagine they'll be active at the deadline. Still an uphill battle of course.
They need to trade Austin Reaves for a big. He and Luka are redundant.
I’d say Luka and LeBron are redundant, they both need to be primary ball handlers initiating the offense.The difference is a little better D from LeBron and better shooting by Luka, but in the end, a wash on the scoreboard.
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