Luka traded to the Lakers

[rhigh2390]

Only teams that I put with the Lakers right now are OKC and possibly Denver. And LA isn't even done making moves yet. #5 and #1 for Luka looking pretty good right about now.

[coltsnsox07]

I heard on the radio they said Luka is up to 270, I wonder if that's true and who they heard it from.

[rms13]

Originally Posted by coltsnsox07

I heard on the radio they said Luka is up to 270, I wonder if that's true and who they heard it from.

Supposedly leaked from Mavs front office. He's 270, they have concerns about his conditioning, commitment and they don't think he's a championship player.

The more analysts I listen to today the more I'm convinced the league made this happen to set the Lakers up with their star for the next 10+ years as Lebron is coming to an end. There are no basketball or money related excuses that make any sense. The two GMs are best friends and Mavs didn't talk to any other teams.

I was listening to Verno and he speculated the Mavs front office think they lost the Finals last year because Luka was gassed and couldn't play defense. And they really think swapping AD and having a better defensive team makes them a contender right now more then Luka does. But reality is the only reason they were in the Finals was because of Luka. He carried that team and he was hurt all post season and still played every game and big minutes and still averaged like 30 pts and triple double all playoffs. Nothing makes sense.

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by yiguiri2002

AD isn't on the same level as Tatum?

Nope.

[RKH916]

Originally Posted by StevieScheffler

I think what's getting underreported is the relationshiop between Nico Harrison and Rob Pelinka. Just like in real life, people tend to do business with people they like/trust, even bad business. And these two go back two decades.

It's like that with a lot of headscractching trades in all sports: they happened because both parties liked/trusted each other and would rather do bad or sub-optimal business with each other than deal with pepole they don't like/know.

People also can get taken advantage of by friends though. And cousins. And most of all their friend's cousin.

Lakers have committed highway robbery multiple times

Kwame Brown for Pau Gasol, anybody? Stern literally had to step in to veto the CP3 move. Contrary to that situation, I can't help but shake the feeling that league orchestrators set this trade up. National Basketball Entertainment

[JWBlue]

Is 270 lb Luka still a stud though?

This is a guy looking for a max contract and can't be in shape?

What happens when he is paid?

[rms13]

Originally Posted by JWBlue

Is 270 lb Luka still a stud though?

They have said the same thing about Joker for years. He does nothing in the off season. Comes into the season fat and out of shape. Still performs. Plays himself into shape in time for the playoffs. And Joker keeps winning MVPs. I'd give Luka the benefit of the doubt since he has done nothing but dominate when he's on the court.

[Bosoxfan5990]

Originally Posted by JWBlue

Is 270 lb Luka still a stud though?

This is a guy looking for a max contract and can't be in shape?

What happens when he is paid?

Pablo Sandoval.

[asujbl]

Nets turned 34-year-old Kevin Durant into:

Cam Johnson
Ziaire Williams
2023 PHX first
2025 PHX first
2025 NYK first
2025 MIL first
2027 PHX first
2027 NYK first
2028 PHX first swap
2028 NYK first swap
2029 PHX first
2029 NYK first
2031 NYK first
2025 BKN second
2028 MIL second
2029 MIL second
2030 DAL second

Mavericks turned 25-year-old Luka Doncic into:

Anthony Davis
Max Christie
2029 LAL first

That's unfathomable.

[KhalDrogo]

Luka thanks everyone except Cuban, the Mavs organization, and anyone else associated with them. LOL.

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by asujbl

Nets turned 34-year-old Kevin Durant into:

Cam Johnson
Ziaire Williams
2023 PHX first
2025 PHX first
2025 NYK first
2025 MIL first
2027 PHX first
2027 NYK first
2028 PHX first swap
2028 NYK first swap
2029 PHX first
2029 NYK first
2031 NYK first
2025 BKN second
2028 MIL second
2029 MIL second
2030 DAL second

Mavericks turned 25-year-old Luka Doncic into:

Anthony Davis
Max Christie
2029 LAL first

That's unfathomable.

It helped that the Suns and Mavs are both incompetent.

[TimBuckTwo]

MONEY !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[2010GBPackers]

I dunno, something's off.

Whether there's some truth to the league inserting itself to facilitate this, or the Lakers wanting to force LeBron out, or whether there's more to Finley taking the beer out of Luka's hand after the WCF, something's up.

[yiguiri2002]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

Nope.

What exactly has Tatum done that would put him above AD? The only reason Tatum has made more 1st team All-NBA teams is because of the structure (2 G, 2 F, 1 C)

[packman80]

You think Dallas picked up the phone to MKE and asked about a Giannis and Luka trade?

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by yiguiri2002

What exactly has Tatum done that would put him above AD? The only reason Tatum has made more 1st team All-NBA teams is because of the structure (2 G, 2 F, 1 C)

Seems like you’re stuck in the past. Look at what I said again. This is about today.

[tjforce]

Originally Posted by 2010GBPackers

I dunno, something's off.

Whether there's some truth to the league inserting itself to facilitate this, or the Lakers wanting to force LeBron out, or whether there's more to Finley taking the beer out of Luka's hand after the WCF, something's up.

It's clear as day that the Mavericks think there is something wrong with Luka (outside of his basketball ability) that makes him someone they don't want to build around.

It could be his fitness, his maturity, his desire for the game, his attitude. who knows. But they certainly don't think he's the NBA's next top 10 all time guy like a lot of people seem to.

[RKH916]

Originally Posted by tjforce

It's clear as day that the Mavericks think there is something wrong with Luka (outside of his basketball ability) that makes him someone they don't want to build around.

It could be his fitness, his maturity, his desire for the game, his attitude. who knows. But they certainly don't think he's the NBA's next top 10 all time guy like a lot of people seem to.

I love Luka, but I saw/see him as a one ring guy. A generational talent with a few character flaws that would prevent him from being what he otherwise could have. I recognize the same things that others do: a sometimes chitty attitude and a seeming reluctance to take himself to new heights from a physical perspective, and perhaps even talent (he could be a better shooter than he is).

Irrespective of this, the trade still makes little sense. And in terms of revenue generation, the financial motivation may also be questionable (supermax vs. revenue generation lost)

[yiguiri2002]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

Seems like you’re stuck in the past. Look at what I said again. This is about today.

OK. What has Tatum done this season to be considered on another level compared to AD? He started great but has cooled off. They both look like All-NBA players and Top 10 players.

Originally Posted by tjforce

It's clear as day that the Mavericks think there is something wrong with Luka (outside of his basketball ability) that makes him someone they don't want to build around.

It could be his fitness, his maturity, his desire for the game, his attitude. who knows. But they certainly don't think he's the NBA's next top 10 all time guy like a lot of people seem to.

I think that's clear now. But most of the league feels differently. Why not take advantage of that?

[rms13]

Originally Posted by tjforce

It's clear as day that the Mavericks think there is something wrong with Luka (outside of his basketball ability) that makes him someone they don't want to build around.

It could be his fitness, his maturity, his desire for the game, his attitude. who knows. But they certainly don't think he's the NBA's next top 10 all time guy like a lot of people seem to.

That's what the media is saying the front office said. All of those things. But he's not even 26 and he's averaged 67 games per year, 35 minutes per game and 28.1/8.7/8.3 over his career. He's put the entire team on his back every year in the play offs including single handedly dragging them into the Finals last year. There is nothing on the court that suggests anything that is coming out about him. Yes he'll never play good defense and he obviously follows the Jokic school of conditioning but it's worked out fine for Jokic and I'm sure it will for Luka . And I'm sure he'll get into the best shape of his life playing and working out with Lebron. He seems like a guy that cares about winning by the way he plays. And if he now gets guidance from one of the best to ever do it every day I'm sure he'll go to the next level. The only thing that would make sense is if the Mavs know something about some sort of injury that could turn him into Zion, Embiid or the Ball Bros and all of the sudden be playing 40-50 games a year for the rest of his career.

I still think the league wants to make sure the Lakers are relevant for another 10+ years after Lebron retires. There is nothing else that makes sense unless the Mavs really believe they just sold high on a lemon and the meaningful part of Luka's career is already over.

[rats60]

Originally Posted by packman80

You think Dallas picked up the phone to MKE and asked about a Giannis and Luka trade?

It is possible. We know the Mavs called someone and were shut down.

[Vinny407]

I’ve been a die hard basketball fan for 30+ years and this was the first time a trade laterally stopped me in my tracks. I just stood there confused for a minute and I’m a Magic fan with no horse in the race. Flabbergasting.

[Asian62150]

Originally Posted by rats60

It is possible. We know the Mavs called someone and were shut down.

Nico says he only spoke to the Lakers.

I don't know why you want to double down on that, but that's what he said.

[ninjacookies]

https://www.foxsports.com/nba/luka-d...layer-injuries

Chronic lower body injuries are a death knell for players with existing weight concerns. Source: my guy.

Dallas could have obviously done better just by simply waiting and fielding offers, but this seems more like a power move based off sheer spite. Lulu just missed out on an even bigger bag, and Dallas got the big they wanted (obviously the best available big as all the other ones are immovable).

That said, keep the lines open, Jeanie. The job is not done.

[JohnnyHatesJazz]

Originally Posted by ninjacookies

https://www.foxsports.com/nba/luka-d...layer-injuries

Chronic lower body injuries are a death knell for players with existing weight concerns. Source: my guy.

Dallas could have obviously done better just by simply waiting and fielding offers, but this seems more like a power move based off sheer spite. Lulu just missed out on an even bigger bag, and Dallas got the big they wanted (obviously the best available big as all the other ones are immovable).

That said, keep the lines open, Jeanie. The job is not done.

Lmao. 😂