Will Luka end up on the Lakers?

Braswell10 · 03-03-2024, 08:03 PM

Look, I’m not saying it will happen, but the Mavs are going nowhere fast, and the Lakers unlock 3 more tradeable first round picks next year.

Mavs just lost to the Embiid-less 76ers and Luka is doing everything he can to try to make up for the high school defense being played. He is averaging 35/10/9 on the season and shooting the best percentages of his career.

Luka and the Mavs eerily remind me of Lebrons first stint in Cleveland.

Is Luka destined to be in purple and gold, or could someone like the Thunder scoop him up with their treasure trove of picks?

What say you?

drobfan8 · 03-03-2024, 08:08 PM

I think Luka is more of an MJ than a LeBron that will bail.

He probably believes he's so good that he can win with anyone. Compared to LeBron that didn't have that dog in him.

He may eventually ask out. I would have thought we would have heard that by now if he was that kind of guy.

At some point the Mavs need to build a team around him that can contend.

I wouldn't put it past him to beat a top seed in the Playoffs though.

Braswell10 · 03-03-2024, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drobfan8

I think Luka is more of an MJ than a LeBron that will bail.

He probably believes he's so good that he can win with anyone. Compared to LeBron that didn't have that dog in him.

He may eventually ask out. I would have thought we would have heard that by now if he was that kind of guy.

At some point the Mavs need to build a team around him that can contend.

I wouldn't put it past him to beat a top seed in the Playoffs though.

Thats fair, it would be cool to see him stick it out with the Mavs, I just dont think the supporting cast is good enough. Their bench is atrocious and they play the worst defense out of the actual playoff teams in the league.

Luka will stop them from getting good draft picks, and they dont really have any other assets or good young players. I am sure as this goes on, Luka will put more and more pressure on the Mavs.

JustinVerlander07 · 03-03-2024, 08:17 PM

Even if Luka soon asks out. 3 1sts and the swaps with no great young player doesn't cut it.

hermanotarjeta · 03-03-2024, 08:29 PM

I really hope he stays, it's rare nowadays that any great player remains with a single team their entire career and being able to do that is quite an accomplishment. It's better for fans and for the NBA product, and I think those players tend to get more respect over the years.

I see Zion ending up on the Lakers.

rhigh2390 · 03-03-2024, 08:40 PM

I'd much rather see the Mavs actually build a team around him and him be a Mav for life, but I agree with the OP that it's going to be tough with their cap situation.

Yankees2020 · 03-03-2024, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hermanotarjeta

I really hope he stays, it's rare nowadays that any great player remains with a single team their entire career and being able to do that is quite an accomplishment. It's better for fans and for the NBA product, and I think those players tend to get more respect over the years.

I see Zion ending up on the Lakers.

Try to take a shot at Lebron without telling me that you're trying to take a shot at Lebron every chance you get. Smh

JustinVerlander07 · 03-03-2024, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yankees2020

Try to take a shot at Lebron without telling me that you're trying to take a shot at Lebron every chance you get. Smh

Cam is this you with an alt account??

rhigh2390 · 03-03-2024, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustinVerlander07

Cam is this you with an alt account??

Haha NYFANCAM... The old days of Blowout

Yankees2020 · 03-03-2024, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustinVerlander07

Cam is this you with an alt account??

Don't insult me and associate me with a random person who isn't a legend.

JustinVerlander07 · 03-03-2024, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yankees2020

Don't insult me and associate me with a random person who isn't a legend.

NYFanCam!

JustinVerlander07 · 03-03-2024, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhigh2390

Haha NYFANCAM... The old days of Blowout

I mean...4 year old account with not many posts...Yankee fan, LeBron fan (not a Lakers fan!). If I could find a Cowboys fanboy post I would be 100% positive.

Yankees2020 · 03-03-2024, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustinVerlander07

I mean...4 year old account with not many posts...Yankee fan, LeBron fan (not a Lakers fan!). If I could find a Cowboys fanboy post I would be 100% positive.

lol you're out of your damn mind! GO EAGLES!!!!!!!!! We "them girls"

smh

cardsin47 · 03-03-2024, 09:01 PM

I picked ‘Mavs 4 life’
Cuban can afford him at any stage of his career / contract, and already said in an interview if he had to pick between Luka and his wife….. he’d have bad news for his wife.

mfw13 · 03-03-2024, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Braswell10

Thats fair, it would be cool to see him stick it out with the Mavs, I just dont think the supporting cast is good enough. Their bench is atrocious and they play the worst defense out of the actual playoff teams in the league.

Luka will stop them from getting good draft picks, and they dont really have any other assets or good young players. I am sure as this goes on, Luka will put more and more pressure on the Mavs.

The things is, a lot of that bad defense is LUKA playing bad defense (or simply not making the effort). Similar to Harden, Trae, and Dame.

When the star player you're trying to build around is flawed, it's hard to build around them, because they're actually part of the problem.

Braswell10 · 03-03-2024, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhigh2390

I'd much rather see the Mavs actually build a team around him and him be a Mav for life, but I agree with the OP that it's going to be tough with their cap situation.

Realistically, they would have to get rid of Kyrie and then THJ's contract. Even then, they will only ever be able to manage a two player top heavy team with no pieces around them.

Not impossible, but I just dont see Mark Cuban making gutsy moves. Still cant believe they let Brunson walk.

Braswell10 · 03-03-2024, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfw13

The things is, a lot of that bad defense is LUKA playing bad defense (or simply not making the effort). Similar to Harden, Trae, and Dame.

When the star player you're trying to build around is flawed, it's hard to build around them, because they're actually part of the problem.

I agree he isnt a good defender, but the rest of his game is so elite, you should be able to build a team around him that can defend.

The mavs problem is, they literally do not have one guy known for any semblance of defense. It was DFS, but they traded him away.

blackbears86 · 03-03-2024, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfw13

The things is, a lot of that bad defense is LUKA playing bad defense (or simply not making the effort). Similar to Harden, Trae, and Dame.

When the star player you're trying to build around is flawed, it's hard to build around them, because they're actually part of the problem.

This is a good point and one Luka fans ignore (me being one) I love the guy, but he gives zero effort on defense. Plus, showing up 20 pounds overweight after every off season doesn't set much of an example.

The above being said, him on Denver with Jokic would be awesome.

anusinha · 03-03-2024, 10:13 PM

Mavs are like the Angels, top heavy team with a heavy handed owner not developing any surrounding young talent for decades on in. And then sending their few decent young players away so they can bring in old washed up guys.

mfw13 · 03-03-2024, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Braswell10

I agree he isnt a good defender, but the rest of his game is so elite, you should be able to build a team around him that can defend.

In the regular season, maybe.

In the playoffs, no.

Over the course of a 7-game series, the good coaches figure out how to attack the other team's weakest link, which for the Mavs is going to be Luka's defense.

The Warriors in the 2022 Conference Finals were a great example of this....they went at Luka relentlessly, and he got so worn down trying to play defense that he was much less effective on offense.

Schocktown · 03-04-2024, 08:50 AM

If Luka ever decided to leave then you should know that him and the Joker would love to team up. The Joker is loyal to Denver so he isn't going anywhere and this could likely only happen via free agency.

BostonNut · 03-04-2024, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustinVerlander07

I mean...4 year old account with not many posts...Yankee fan, LeBron fan (not a Lakers fan!). If I could find a Cowboys fanboy post I would be 100% positive.

Wonder if he is a Tar Heels fan...

JustinVerlander07 · 03-04-2024, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BostonNut

Wonder if he is a Tar Heels fan...

His sig with denouncing Jordan for LeBron too! So clearly Cam.

towerymt · 03-04-2024, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cardsin47

I picked ‘Mavs 4 life’
Cuban can afford him at any stage of his career / contract, and already said in an interview if he had to pick between Luka and his wife….. he’d have bad news for his wife.

*Miriam Adelson

Cuban is poor. But he could have afforded anyone anytime, too.

The question is why Luka would want to stay with the Mavs.

pcptrade · 03-04-2024, 03:41 PM

I would love to see some "lala" signatures instead of "lulu" from Luka

View Poll Results: Where will Luka end up
Luka is a Laker	3	6.82%
Luka & Shai time	1	2.27%
Mavs 4 life	23	52.27%
Some other team	16	36.36%
He retires early because the league is too easy	1	2.27%
Voters: 44. You may not vote on this poll

03-03-2024, 08:03 PM	#1
Braswell10 Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Florida Posts: 9,469 o7star	Will Luka end up on the Lakers? Look, I’m not saying it will happen, but the Mavs are going nowhere fast, and the Lakers unlock 3 more tradeable first round picks next year. Mavs just lost to the Embiid-less 76ers and Luka is doing everything he can to try to make up for the high school defense being played. He is averaging 35/10/9 on the season and shooting the best percentages of his career. Luka and the Mavs eerily remind me of Lebrons first stint in Cleveland. Is Luka destined to be in purple and gold, or could someone like the Thunder scoop him up with their treasure trove of picks? What say you?

03-03-2024, 08:08 PM	#2
drobfan8 Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 17,778 drobfan8 drobfan8	I think Luka is more of an MJ than a LeBron that will bail. He probably believes he's so good that he can win with anyone. Compared to LeBron that didn't have that dog in him. He may eventually ask out. I would have thought we would have heard that by now if he was that kind of guy. At some point the Mavs need to build a team around him that can contend. I wouldn't put it past him to beat a top seed in the Playoffs though. __________________ Wanted, 03/04 Exquisite Base Gold Tim Duncan and 05/06 Exquisite Base Gold /25 Michael Jordan

03-03-2024, 08:17 PM	#4
JustinVerlander07 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: michigan Posts: 16,545 gladdyontherise gladdyontherise	Even if Luka soon asks out. 3 1sts and the swaps with no great young player doesn't cut it. __________________ Dan LeFevour PC 214/299 "Cavs in 7. Write it down"

03-03-2024, 08:40 PM	#6
rhigh2390 Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 10,633	I'd much rather see the Mavs actually build a team around him and him be a Mav for life, but I agree with the OP that it's going to be tough with their cap situation. __________________ Jerry, it's L.A..... Nobody leaves. MJ Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/152884306@N08/albums Bulls Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/145799131@N08/albums

03-03-2024, 08:29 PM	#5
hermanotarjeta Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 20,216	I really hope he stays, it's rare nowadays that any great player remains with a single team their entire career and being able to do that is quite an accomplishment. It's better for fans and for the NBA product, and I think those players tend to get more respect over the years. I see Zion ending up on the Lakers.

03-03-2024, 09:01 PM	#14
cardsin47 Member Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Westminster, MD Posts: 8,761 cardsin47	I picked ‘Mavs 4 life’ Cuban can afford him at any stage of his career / contract, and already said in an interview if he had to pick between Luka and his wife….. he’d have bad news for his wife. __________________ @cardsin47 is Steve Meyer ~ #WaxReturns! PC Gem Mint Factory Sealed 5-Sport Active Player RC & Prospect SCARCE Hobby/ HTA Jumbo/ Retail/ Blaster/ Mega Boxes! ~Trout! Soto! JROD! Wemby! Luka! Mahomes! McDavid! Bedard! Erling!~

03-03-2024, 10:13 PM	#19
anusinha Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 13,340	Mavs are like the Angels, top heavy team with a heavy handed owner not developing any surrounding young talent for decades on in. And then sending their few decent young players away so they can bring in old washed up guys.

03-04-2024, 08:50 AM	#21
Schocktown Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 684	If Luka ever decided to leave then you should know that him and the Joker would love to team up. The Joker is loyal to Denver so he isn't going anywhere and this could likely only happen via free agency.

03-04-2024, 03:41 PM	#25
pcptrade Member Join Date: Jun 2018 Posts: 7,630	I would love to see some "lala" signatures instead of "lulu" from Luka __________________ Jealousy is a form of hatred built on Insecurity. It's the unhappy and insecure people who show hatred, jealousy and try to bring others down. Instagram:icollector23, Flickr:https://www.flickr.com/photos/144335251@N08/albums