Luka traded to the Lakers

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by 2010GBPackers

I can see them fighting for the 3-5 seed both years. I'm not saying this makes them the favorites in the West, but I also don't think this sinks their chances at another WCF.

It's clear that the Mavs (who know everything about him after a 7-year marriage) have major reservations about the guy. And it's funny that so many people who overlook that fact are so "shocked" by this trade. When an NBA team trades a 25-year-old superstar, my first thought isn't "what idiots!", my first thought is, "what do they know that no one else does?"

So you think the situation is so bad that the Mavs felt this was such a great deal for them that it wasn’t even worth discussing with another team? Interesting.

[bigjbasketball]

Originally Posted by Gem10collection

bad trade but is Luka just another James Harden, Westbrook, Dame in Portland, Beal on the Wizards, etc etc etc?

Doesn’t Luka already have a leg up on those guys since he took his team to the Finals last year?

[Bosoxfan5990]

Originally Posted by Asian62150

According to Shams, the Mavs specifically targeted AD and said he was the one player they would take for Luka. I have a hard time believing that they're dumb if they wouldn't have taken Wemby for Luka but it's almost unrealistic for that deal to happen because of salaries.

I don't think many other teams knew though bc if they did, it would have gotten out somehow, someway. This deal pretty much blindsided everyone, including the players involved.

It's just such a wild trade.

If I was a Mavs fan, I would seriously be questioning my fandom right now.

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by Bosoxfan5990

It's just such a wild trade.

If I was a Mavs fan, I would seriously be questioning my fandom right now.

They all are. It’s a complete meltdown everywhere.

[Bosoxfan5990]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

They all are. It’s a complete meltdown everywhere.

I don't blame them. If the Celtics pulled something like this, I would seriously be questioning what the hell they were doing.

[dani0100]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

They all are. It’s a complete meltdown everywhere.

There are no Mavs fans. Only Luka fans.

[Chris P]

Originally Posted by SaveMeTheGum

I've been saying for years -- Luka is an all-time talent, but doesn't take basketball seriously. He's out of shape, and that leads to breaking down and injuries. He could go down as a top 5 ever, but he just doesn't care.

Sorry this whole he doesn't care stuff amd he doesn't take basketball seriously narrative is complete nonsense.

[itsbaytime]

Originally Posted by PKIPP

I still wouldn’t have traded Luka. But like if you look at Dallas, everyone in their starting lineup production has basically doubled since Luka has been out (kyrie only up like 1 point). They’re playing team basketball and have a better record without Luka. Imagine you’re that kind of team and then the injured fat guy who reeks or entitlement and whines all day and plays “let me cook” ball comes back and now you’re touching the ball every 3 possessions.

Again, I still wouldn’t have done it. But I can understand it. AD will be a very nice addition.


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The Mave are 42-57 without Luka lifetime and 13-14 this year. Not sure how they are "better"??

[Chris P]

Originally Posted by dani0100

There are no Mavs fans. Only Luka fans.

Thats not true at all

[AwesomeBrian]

Originally Posted by solt0131

Maybe LeBron is going back to Cleveland?

Oh please God no!

[Gem10collection]

Originally Posted by bigjbasketball

Doesn’t Luka already have a leg up on those guys since he took his team to the Finals last year?

Sure, but those guys were also making deep runs into the playoffs (Harden) and were winning MVP's along the way. I even remember Beal put up a plus 30pt season and people were talking about him as being "on the rise" and "elite" - Beal???!!! lol

Who knows? Luka might win one this year with LBJ and that's a wrap. Orrr, LBJ retires after this year and Luka continues to be an injury prone, out of shape, ball dominant, one man show, and the Lakers go back to being an NBA afterthought as they were for many years before Lebron came into town.

[mc1]

Originally Posted by Gem10collection

Sure, but those guys were also making deep runs into the playoffs (Harden) and were winning MVP's along the way. I even remember Beal put up a plus 30pt season and people were talking about him as being "on the rise" and "elite" - Beal???!!! lol

Who knows? Luka might win one this year with LBJ and that's a wrap. Orrr, LBJ retires after this year and Luka continues to be an injury prone, out of shape, ball dominant, one man show, and the Lakers go back to being an NBA afterthought as they were for many years before Lebron came into town.

After Durant left, Westbrook and OKC never got out of the 1st round. When Beal was in his prime their best run was a 7 game series in 2017 vs Boston, in the 2nd round (conf semi). Did not get out of the 1st or make the playoff other years.

Harden and the Rockets could not get past the Super Team Warriors, then again, nobody in the West could.

[2010GBPackers]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

So you think the situation is so bad that the Mavs felt this was such a great deal for them that it wasn’t even worth discussing with another team? Interesting.

Well, you'd have to show me the other possibilities but I'm not sure there were any. Folks are acting as though Dallas could have traded him anywhere, which in theory they could have, but it also means the team trading for him would want to be in a position to sign him long-term. So if you're, say, the Pistons or Suns or Magic, you'd have to give up multiple first-rounders and your star player for a year-and-a-half (best-case scenario) of Luka. Does that sound like something a GM is willing to do? I don't think so.

The truth is, there are very few teams Luka would sign long-term with, so the trade partners were pretty slim.

Shouldn't Luka fans be ecstatic about him moving to the Lakers? If I were a Luka fan, I would be. Everyone's focusing on how "dumb" the Mavs are in all of this, but so what? Luka will now have a franchise that has shown, over decades, to acquire generational talent and win championships. Luka fans should be on cloud nine right now.

This also means there's going to be tremendous pressure on him to get it done.

[Gem10collection]

Originally Posted by mc1

After Durant left, Westbrook and OKC never got out of the 1st round. When Beal was in his prime their best run was a 7 game series in 2017 vs Boston, in the 2nd round (conf semi). Did not get out of the 1st or make the playoff other years.

Harden and the Rockets could not get past the Super Team Warriors, then again, nobody in the West could.

Yeah, but those guys didn't have prime Kyrie - walking 90,50,40 - on their team. And Dame did make it to the western conf finals. At this point point were splitting hairs. I just wonder if 5 years from now we will put Luka in the same category as all those other guys.

[StevieScheffler]

Originally Posted by Chris P

I'm sorry I'm not writing him off as not a champion yet when he literally was in the Finals last year. You act like Luka's done nothing in the playoffs. His career isn't over.

I'm not writing him off either. You can't write off anybody who is 25. We think of pro athletes like fully formed adults when in reality you change a lot in your 20s and 30s. My view is just what I see right now, but I think one of 2 things will happen in terms of Luka's career now:

1. He feels devestated, humiliated, and most of all widly angry about this trade. He geuninel idolizes Lebron and Lebron geuniely wants to mentor him like the son he wish he always had, and Luka sees upclose what a Champion level existence looks like. All of this personally fuels Luka to grow and change and he finally wins a championship as the actual leader of a team.

2. He feels the same as above but it quickly goes away (except whenever he plays the Mavs). He idolizes Lebron but not enough to listen to him, and Lebron doens't have the time to mentor a brat. Luka stays the same as he is now, a perennial NBA Finals contenders whose career will ultimately look like more like Charles Barkely than Jordan/Bird/Lebron. In this scenario he can still win a chip on the Lakers but it won't be solely because of him in a GOAT way.

Either way, those future prop bets on Luka scoring 100 pts in a game but the Lakers losing will be fun

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by 2010GBPackers

Well, you'd have to show me the other possibilities but I'm not sure there were any.

If the 29 other teams view your star player as unavailable, and you initiate discussions with just one team, how would there exist any other possibilities?

[Gem10collection]

Originally Posted by StevieScheffler

I'm not writing him off either. You can't write off anybody who is 25. We think of pro athletes like fully formed adults when in reality you change a lot in your 20s and 30s. My view is just what I see right now, but I think one of 2 things will happen in terms of Luka's career now:

1. He feels devestated, humiliated, and most of all widly angry about this trade. He geuninel idolizes Lebron and Lebron geuniely wants to mentor him like the son he wish he always had, and Luka sees upclose what a Champion level existence looks like. All of this personally fuels Luka to grow and change and he finally wins a championship as the actual leader of a team.

2. He feels the same as above but it quickly goes away (except whenever he plays the Mavs). He idolizes Lebron but not enough to listen to him, and Lebron doens't have the time to mentor a brat. Luka stays the same as he is now, a perennial NBA Finals contenders whose career will ultimately look like more like Charles Barkely than Jordan/Bird/Lebron. In this scenario he can still win a chip on the Lakers but it won't be solely because of him in a GOAT way.

Either way, those future prop bets on Luka scoring 100 pts in a game but the Lakers losing will be fun

very balanced and well said.

[NBAicons]

Originally Posted by SaveMeTheGum

I've been saying for years -- Luka is an all-time talent, but doesn't take basketball seriously. He's out of shape, and that leads to breaking down and injuries. He could go down as a top 5 ever, but he just doesn't care.

I was with you until the part highlighted in red, which is beyond insane.

[mc1]

Originally Posted by Gem10collection

Yeah, but those guys didn't have prime Kyrie - walking 90,50,40 - on their team. And Dame did make it to the western conf finals. At this point point were splitting hairs. I just wonder if 5 years from now we will put Luka in the same category as all those other guys.

I just think there is a vast difference between Luka/Harden and Westbrook/Lillard. Specifically their overall playoff accomplishments as the top player.

Originally Posted by NBAicons

I was with you until the part highlighted in red, which is beyond insane.

I think he is saying Luka COULD be top 5 all-time, not that he is.

[hermanotarjeta]

Originally Posted by jcardstore

Silver called in a favor. Needed the ratings boost I guess

They could have called like 20 other teams and gotten 10x back. It’s a completely confusing deal

Total blunder by the Mavs front office

In the short term I’m not sure it makes the Mavs worse, it actually probably makes them a little more competitive in a playoff series against OKC but still…

My thoughts also.

The nba is really struggling and they need to stay relevant.

[NBAicons]

Originally Posted by mc1

I think he is saying Luka COULD be top 5 all-time, not that he is.

Of course that's what he's saying. And that's ridiculous.

[NBAicons]

Originally Posted by hermanotarjeta

My thoughts also.

The nba is really struggling and they need to stay relevant.

Agree with both of you guys.

[escapegoat]

to those who believe Silver played a role in orchestrating this, im asking myself what sort of guarantees could the mavs FO and/or owner have gotten to do this trade and accept the whole fanbases backlash?

i’m on the fence on the truth behind the why’s, but i sure hope the future docu on this is unfiltered!

[cardozo]

Originally Posted by mc1

I just think there is a vast difference between Luka/Harden and Westbrook/Lillard. Specifically their overall playoff accomplishments as the top player.



I think he is saying Luka COULD be top 5 all-time, not that he is.

Is and could be are both laughable at this point.

[mc1]

Originally Posted by cardozo

Is and could be are both laughable at this point.

Completely disagree on “could” being laughable. There is a huge gap between both. I guess it just depends on how much people think he could improve his defense, improve his conditioning.