Lakers acquiring Luca for AD

[itzsoweezee]

Spare a thought for Anthony Davis though.

He's being kicked out of the door by the team he threw away his supermax for.
He's going to a team that is rightly being viewed as a laughing stock by everyone in the NBA, their own players included.
He'll play in front of a crowd that's going to boo the fuck out of everyone there.
He'll play for a coach who probably wants to shoot the GM.
His legacy will be that he's been the bad part of the worst trade in NBA history.

And they're supposed to be a contender as well. I bet the camaraderie is going to be awesome.

AD waived his trade kicker, so he seems not to have a problem with it

[vy65]

Holy shit how the fuck is this dude a GM?

[baseline bum]

I hate conspiracies, but just imagine Mavs falling off the playoffs and winning the Flagg lottery with like 1.5% chance.

Sorry man Doncic is one of the alltime greats, I don't think Cooper's ceiling much less expected value reaches Doncic's actual value.

[scott]

That's exactly what Magic said, tbf. :lol

Imagine if Pop traded Wemby for Greta Thunberg or some shit and had a press conference where he said "I'm a fucking 76 year old stroke victim, you guys think I give a fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck?"

[TimDunkem]

Even if all the justifications were true - Luka is out of shape, Luka has an attitude problem, Luka is always hurt, Luka wants to leave, you don't want to pay him, you are prioritizing defense, you love Anthony Davis, etc, etc - this trade still doesn't make sense.

They only got one first rounder in return and shipped him to the Lakers of all teams without calling anyone else.

There is more going on here.

[LeBowen]

Imagine if Pop traded Wemby for Greta Thunberg or some shit and had a press conference where he said "I'm a fucking 76 year old stroke victim, you guys think I give a fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck?"

That's not what we do here. :pop:

Our front office is all the way on the other side of loyalty spectrum.
Mavs trade their second best player ever behind his back while we PATFO sees Keldon as a core player because he's a great guy. :lol

[Mugen]

It's 100% understandable. I mean if the Spurs traded Wemby out of nowhere without any trade demand for say Brunson I'd just quit being a fan of the team.

I'd quit the NBA immediately if this happened tbh.

The absolutely dick kick that Mavs fans got yesterday is probably the worst I can remember in all of sports.

Imagine your GM and ownership group trading away your generational franchise player to a rival out of nowhere, getting an all time shit return, then trying to gaslight you that it's because he was a fat alcoholic :lol

[Floyd Pacquiao]

For our sake let’s hope luka does have a drinking and eating problem and is done by 29. He already can’t stay healthy.

[RodNIc91]

Nico just admitted live that: Luka never asked to be traded. Never indicated he would not sign a supermax and that LA was the only team he called.

Unreal

Any other FO would get fired for this IMHO.

[tbdog]

Even if all the justifications were true - Luka is out of shape, Luka has an attitude problem, Luka is always hurt, Luka wants to leave, you don't want to pay him, you are prioritizing defense, you love Anthony Davis, etc, etc - this trade still doesn't make sense.

They only got one first rounder in return and shipped him to the Lakers of all teams without calling anyone else.

There is more going on here.

Fat, out of shape Luka, took them to the finals with one leg.

[vy65]

The Mavs reddit is top-rated Michellin restaurant tier of tastiness ...

[baseline bum]

Interesting scenario since you mentioned the number 1 pick. Do you think that some teams would give up the number 1 pick if they were offered Luka for it?

If the Spurs got the #1 pick I'd trade it in a second for Doncic.

[vy65]

The Mavs reddit is top-rated Michellin restaurant tier of tastiness ...


Seriously fuck these dogshit owners. Do not give them your money. Do not go to the games. Billionaires ruin damn near everything they touch all in the name of hoarding as much wealth as humanly possible because they are vapid, insatiable, inhuman monsters.

I want to puke. You can blame Nico if you want but he got the directive to trade Luka from up top. Adelsons can get fucking bent as far as I’m concerned, these grotesque sociopaths can fuck off back to Vegas. Thanks for ruining another thing I loved.


I have been a fan of this team since I was 10 years old. I am 29 now. I legitimately don't think I can be a fan of this team anymore if this is real and I thought there was nothing that could have ever changed that.

Edit: I am done. This is literally the worst trade of all time. It will be talked about for the rest of the history of the sport, especially if Luka goes on to win multiple championships. The dude has top 5 player of all time potential and we just traded him away for almost as little value as we could have possibly gotten. I absolutely cannot fathom this. I have to watch my favorite fucking player terrorize the League for years on the fucking Lakers of all teams. I just can't be a fan of this team anymore.


You want Christmas Day games? Forget it. People watched because of Luka. You want marquee national broadcasts? Say goodbye to that too. People watched because of Luka. You want a presence on the expanding global stage? You have little to no international draw now.

If this was because a couple billionaires didn’t want to pay a supermax contract they’re about to witness their excess merchandise and revenue stream completely vanish. Great job guys. Truly truly truly great work.

Yeah, you’ll still make money, I’m sure some people will still buy the tickets that are now going to understandably depreciate in value. But my god, the price of not retaining Luka is going to haunt you.

[LeBowen]

Wright should call Harrison before the drugs wear off and offer him Devin in exchange for Washington+Klay.
Who knows, maybe Harrison thinks Devin is the secondary creator they need.

[TimDunkem]

Fat, out of shape Luka, took them to the finals with one leg.

And they only got 1 first rounder. :lol

[baseline bum]

I still think the funniest thing about this is how do you trade your generational star when you don't even control your own drafts? Charlotte has the 2027 DAL pick (top 2 protected), OKC has the 2028 DAL pick unprotected, HOU has the 2029 DAL pick unprotected or they can take the 2029 PHX pick and swap their own pick with DAL in 2029 unprotected, and the Spurs can swap with DAL in 2030 unprotected. These are going to be fucking lottery picks if Davis plays his normal half the season.

[Jordan Jackson]

Dirk couldn’t help Luka but somehow LeBron will? Good luck with that.

People don’t change.

[DPG21920]

Any other FO would get fired for this IMHO.

Truly unbelievable and I cannot believe new ownership signed off on this? How is that possible. I can understand Nico to a degree, but ownership said “sure thing!”

[scott]

Vegas is widely considered to get an expansion team... but the Adelson's don't automatically get to own the rights to that. I wonder if they'll try to short-circuit the process and move the team to LV, and then let the NBA award an expansion team to Dallas.

At this point, Mavericks fans might prefer that.

[Dod01]

Stern literally vetoed prime Chris Paul to the Lakers for a trade semi similar to this.

Yeah, of course he did. But you forget all of the other crooked shit he did, like rigging games for the Lakers to make the Finals in 2000, 2002, 2008. Letting the Lakers get away with .4 in 2004.

Also, the gift wrapping of Pau for some used tires, etc. I think by the time Stern vetoed the Chris Paul trade, he knew had pushed his luck far enough with all the other crooked rigging and shady trades that he finally realized that he had to do something good and not bail out the Lakers yet again.

[timtonymanu]

That Mavs GM probably getting death threats and doxxed shortly.

[jjspur]

Its a safe bet that Nico Harrison will not win NBA GM of the year.

[Tyronn Lue]

Just the league trying to keep the money machine in LA churning out profit before Lebron calls it.

[LeBowen]

Luka Dončić dad: With this trade, hypocrisy (from Mavs organization) hurts me personally. I think Luka absolutely did not deserve this. I know he sacrificed a lot. I know Luka really respected Dallas. He respected the whole city, he helped children and it was not a problem for him to go to hospitals and charity events. He played 100 games last season for like 40 minutes per game, constantly being doubled... I feel it's really unfair from certain people from Dallas"

Nico Harrison is obviously unaware of the level of pettiness and grudges Eastern Europeans can hold.
Luka is going to murder them every single game from now on until he retires.

[Tyronn Lue]

That Mavs GM probably getting death threats and doxxed shortly.
How do you dox a GM when everyone knows who he is and his address is easy to find?

[timtonymanu]

How do you dox a GM when everyone knows who he is and his address is easy to find?

If that’s the case, then people will be outside his house protesting.

[KingKev]

After seeing Nico’s presser I definitely see Dallas’ POV in moving him but feel like they should have gotten more in return.

[Mal]

Fat, out of shape Luka, took them to the finals with one leg.

And they now questioning him? They litterally surrounded him and Kyrie with 3&D players. They signed corpses of Klay to stand in the corner waiting to pass from Doncic. Like what the fuck are they doing.

[cool cat]

Everyone shitting on fat San Antonio yet it was Houston that created Fat Harden and Dallas with Fat Luka.

[Raven]

Imagine your GM coming out and plainly saying "I don't give a fuck past the next few years because I won't be here" :lol

does he really expect his house not to get bombed? :lol

[NASpurs]

Everyone shitting on fat San Antonio yet it was Houston that created Fat Harden and Dallas with Fat Luka.

Wemby is immune to our advances. We're trying though.

*In before Porker

[Mal]

Mavs have a game right now, and it`s going same as this trade

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

Mavs have a game right now, and it`s going same as this trade

Think we might see the first time a coach does a seppuku on a basketball court?

[Dod01]

Yeah after hearing the press conference, Nico Harrison is a huge piece of shit for this. This trade was clearly a collusion to help the Lakers. He should never show his face in Dallas again.

[Mal]

Think we might see the first time a coach does a seppuku on a basketball court?

The started some dudes named Kelley and Prosper. We may see seppuku as highlight from this one

[DAF86]

Are the new Mavs' owners and/or Nico Harrison Lakers' fans by any chance? Does anybody have that info?

[Dod01]

"Rob and I were able to have intense conversations" etc etc.. "It started with a coffee" etc etc.... "We were able to keep it between us" etc etc... "It started with "would you?" "Oh I don't know, would I?" Etc etc... There's no buttering this up. Nico fucked over Dallas and intended to help his friend Rob Pelinka and the Lakers as a whole. This is some fucked up shit.

[Strategic]

Be funny if Luka told the lakers there’s no way he’ll sign an extension.

[tbdog]

Luka would have gotten the biggest package in history, even if he came back from an acl surgery.

[Mal]

Championship does not start with being dropped 50 in a quater

[CGD]

Yeah after hearing the press conference, Nico Harrison is a huge piece of shit for this. This trade was clearly a collusion to help the Lakers. He should never show his face in Dallas again.

Yup, I’m sure he’ll get fired after this season when they get bounced in round one, only to land a consultant gig with the Lakers.

[vy65]

1886147205414654231

:lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao

[baseline bum]

Mavs have a game right now, and it`s going same as this trade

It's too bad it's not a home game. God is that going to be some shit when they return home.

[Mal]

It's too bad it's not a home game. God is that going to be some shit when they return home.

Live from the stands would be prime PPV

[ace3g]

https://x.com/ESPNLosAngeles/status/1886097252709474736

[dbestpro]

In the end the Mavs made out better as a team.

[ace3g]

8:48 - 2nd





1
2
3
4
T


DAL
19
7


26


CLE
50
10


60

[vy65]

8:48 - 2nd





1
2
3
4
T


DAL
19
7


26


CLE
50
10


60







:lmao

[Raven]

It's too bad it's not a home game. God is that going to be some shit when they return home.

will be an instant classic

[vy65]

I was there for the manu foul on dirk. This catharsis has been 20 years in the making

[Raven]

legit never heard of Olivier-Maxence Prosper, todays dallas starter (https://www.nba.com/player/1641765/)

[Raven]

D wins championships... dallas on track to allow 200 points or something

[Spurminator]

Any other FO would get fired for this IMHO.

Dude no other FO would be ALLOWED to do this, they'd pitch it to ownership and the owners would ask if they were high.

[vy65]

There’s a 2028 Dal/Okc pick swap??

:lmao

[Dod01]

"Rob and I were able to have intense conversations" etc etc.. "It started with a coffee" etc etc.... "We were able to keep it between us" etc etc... "It started with "would you?" "Oh I don't know, would I?" Etc etc... There's no buttering this up. Nico fucked over Dallas and intended to help his friend Rob Pelinka and the Lakers as a whole. This is some fucked up shit.

[CGD]

1886147205414654231

:lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao

Damn i feel for them. This is 10x worse than nephew.

[jeebus]

imo who knew all those shitty spurstalk trade ideas of yesteryear were ahead of their time. "Austin Day, Jeff Errors, and a first for Lebron".

[vy65]

Cavs going for 90 in the first half

[Spurminator]

Cavs -15.5 is the easiest bet I've ever made.

[Raven]

91 POINTS HALF :spin

[vy65]

91 points in a half. Nico broke the Mavs.

:lmao

[Gandalf]

There’s a 2028 Dal/Okc pick swap??

:lmao

The trade was already too stupid (not shopping him around for the best deal; this is collusion, just like the Pau Gasol trade back in the day).

That’s before factoring in that Davis is brittle, and as a big, his issues will only get worse. In 2027, he (and most of the Mavs’ best players) will be on the decline—and they owe the following first-round picks:

2027 top-2 protected to Charlotte;

2028 unprotected swap to OKC;

2029 unprotected pick to Houston; and

2030 unprotected swap to SA.

This trade burned Dallas’ future to the ground for no good reason, when they could (and should) have gotten so much more. First Pau to the Lakers for nothing collusion. Then Luka to the Lakers for nothing collusion. Don’t be shocked if we trade Wemby to the Lakers for a bag of Doritos in two years. Fans need to revolt against the NBA and the Lakers. Boycott every Mavericks game and Lakers game.

[scott]

Luka definitely doing the 2+1

https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_fullsize/plain/did:plc:qiremdlklmnvhcpcgbesspfq/bafkreian6yad34xp3ss5htl3frgbs4eomlug4u3k5xyqv4dzx v7dqqomtq@jpeg

[itzsoweezee]

Now who is going to gift the lakers a starting center? Mitchell Robinson for a 2030 2nd rounder sounds about right

[BatManu20]

There’s a 2028 Dal/Okc pick swap??

:lmao

• OKC owns a Mavs 2028 1st Round Pick Swap.
• Rockets own a Mavs 2029 1st Round Pick Swap.
• Spurs own a Mavs 2031 1st Round Pick Swap.

[LeBowen]

This is exactly why this trade has no chance of working.
It's not 2k, these are actual human beings, you can't just fuck everyone over and think the atmosphere won't become toxic.
I bet that by the end of the season not a single player will want to be there. Not because the roster is bad, but because it's just a horrible environment to be in.

Kidd should've hit Harrison with a chair during that press conference and walked out, tbh. :lol

[vy65]

The trade was already too stupid (not shopping him around for the best deal; this is collusion, just like the Pau Gasol trade back in the day).

That’s before factoring in that Davis is brittle, and as a big, his issues will only get worse. In 2027, he (and most of the Mavs’ best players) will be on the decline—and they owe the following first-round picks:

2027 top-2 protected to Charlotte;

2028 unprotected swap to OKC;

2029 unprotected pick to Houston; and

2030 unprotected swap to SA.

This trade burned Dallas’ future to the ground for no good reason, when they could (and should) have gotten so much more. First Pau to the Lakers for nothing collusion. Then Luka to the Lakers for nothing collusion. Don’t be shocked if we trade Wemby to the Lakers for a bag of Doritos in two years. Fans need to revolt against the NBA and the Lakers. Boycott every Mavericks game and Lakers game.

I don’t pretend to understand this trade. It’s like Nico intentionally set the mavs franchise on fire.

That said, we didn’t send Kawhi to the Clippers or Lakers. So I’m not that worried.

[scott]

If the NBA were the WWE, and during the Press Conference Nico hit JKidd with a chair and ripped off his shirt to reveal a Kobe jersey underneath... this would all make sense. That's the closest I can come to any logical justification

[Pauleta14]

You are completely delusional.

You need to learn about argumentation :lol

If the only thing u can do is go at people rather than use ARGUMENTS

[Raven]

If the NBA were the WWE, and during the Press Conference Nico hit JKidd with a chair and ripped off his shirt to reveal a Kobe jersey underneath... this would all make sense. That's the closest I can come to any logical justification
:lol

[Gandalf]

I don’t pretend to understand this trade. It’s like Nico intentionally set the mavs franchise on fire.

That said, we didn’t send Kawhi to the Clippers or Lakers. So I’m not that worried.

True - but even if they don’t control every team, they control enough to steal championships they shouldn’t. How is this latest trade fair for teams like the Thunder, etc., who built the right way, and now have to fight through the NBA-pet Lakers and their one-sided franchise-player ‘gifts’?

[scott]

NBA record is 186 points. Cavs should go for it.

[vy65]

1886096407670452652

Today is such a great day.

[LeBowen]

I don’t pretend to understand this trade. It’s like Nico intentionally set the mavs franchise on fire.

That said, we didn’t send Kawhi to the Clippers or Lakers. So I’m not that worried.

If we go with Harrison's retarded assumption that AD is a better fit than Luka, they still had to get at least a couple more FRPs and Reaves because Lakers have tradeable picks.

AD surely wouldn't have accepted the trade (waived his kicker) if he wasn't going to be moved to PF.
But then their roster doesn't really work. They have no ball movement, Kyrie is not a floor general, he's a scorer.

Kyrie and Dinwiddie are the only legit ballhandlers left, just can't work.
Klay is too slow to play guard, looks like Christie/Grimes at SG, Exum and Hardy probably get traded.
Klay/Naji at SF.
AD/Washington PF.
Lively/Gafford C.

They need a triple threat scorer now, but everyone will just fleece them even more in a trade.
Washington seems like the odd man out if AD is the PF, I hope we can get him, would be a perfect fit next to Wemby.

Kyrie has a player option this summer, wouldn't surpise me if he dips, tbh.

[scott]

I do love how this trade has united SpursTalk. It's nice to have common ground and be able to revel in the idiocy of the Mavericks.

[spurraider21]

https://preview.redd.it/this-trade-comparison-makes-it-worse-v0-ahdffznmkrge1.jpeg?auto=webp&5d957cabWatch Ainge inexplicably gift them Walker Kessler for a SRP now cause fuck it, why not?

1886119786381508877
AD for Reaves and a 1st

[lefty]

wont be suprised if lakers trade knect or reeves for a legit center.Maybe kessler or poeltl or something.


1886096407670452652

Today is such a great day.

Americans and their life priorities…

SPOOOOOOKKKRTS

[spurraider21]

1886090738720457062

:lmao
did you really get Centel'd?

[RC_Drunkford]

I do love how this trade has united SpursTalk. It's nice to have common ground and be able to revel in the idiocy of the Mavericks.

well it‘s easy to unite on this one. The whole world thinks it’s stupid except for the Mavs GM

[vy65]

1885940779589439751

[lefty20]

1885960832216928287

Some of us mfs would be on suicide watch if Wright fumbled this bad.

[vy65]

did you really get Centel'd?

Maybe, but I’m choosing to believe that’s real.

[Maddog]

The trade was already too stupid (not shopping him around for the best deal; this is collusion, just like the Pau Gasol trade back in the day).

That’s before factoring in that Davis is brittle, and as a big, his issues will only get worse. In 2027, he (and most of the Mavs’ best players) will be on the decline—and they owe the following first-round picks:

2027 top-2 protected to Charlotte;

2028 unprotected swap to OKC;

2029 unprotected pick to Houston; and

2030 unprotected swap to SA.

This trade burned Dallas’ future to the ground for no good reason, when they could (and should) have gotten so much more. First Pau to the Lakers for nothing collusion. Then Luka to the Lakers for nothing collusion. Don’t be shocked if we trade Wemby to the Lakers for a bag of Doritos in two years. Fans need to revolt against the NBA and the Lakers. Boycott every Mavericks game and Lakers game.

geez
I tried to wrap my head around this looking at as Mavs try for a couple years, then rebuild.
It was a weak explanation
But now they have no future and really an outside chance of conference finals

[LeBowen]

https://x.com/jeskeets/status/1886155595138429326

:lmao

Props to that guy for staying professional, I would've told the ownership to fuck themselves.
A little haggard :lmao

[scott]

Largest defeat in NBA history is 73 points. Let's do it Cavs.

[vy65]

1886112514984845818

[Mal]

There is difference on the scoreboard for people that cant math

[scott]

Fuck Klay... but I kind of feel bad for Klay. He just got rug pulled harder than Trumpcoin owners

[djohn2oo8]

JKidd looks fucking despondent :lol
:lol

[TD 21]

- As ludicrous as this trade is, seeing too much of Doncic being portrayed as some sort of victim and Davis not as the current top 10/all-time top 50 player he is.

- Washington is crucial because Davis will have to still play at least some C and close at it.

- Reaves is superfluous now offensively and untenable defensively, yet given James' age and the fact that they have enough assets leftover to acquire a starting C, he probably stays.

[itzsoweezee]

You need to learn about argumentation :lol

If the only thing u can do is go at people rather than use ARGUMENTS

There’s no point arguing with delusional people. I also don’t argue with flat earthers either.

[Fat Brandon Bass]

This just proves the NBA is 100% rigged IMO. Either to keep pumping up the Lakers or get the Mavericks to Vegas, or both.

Not even the biggest retard in the world would trade a superstar entering his prime that just led you to the Finals for a post-30 injury prone, borderline all-star and a back of chips when they could have gotten way more. There's no other explanation. They literally just traded a 10 year window of building around a superstar for 1-2 years of a second round ceiling. Anybody who is a general fan of the NBA should be pissed.

[weeks]

nba viewership is down across the board, the league needs the lakers to be popular. i'm only surprised it took this long for them to make a basketball move

[Tyronn Lue]

No one knows what's going on between Luka and the front office and given the shit with Jimmy Butler in Miami, perhaps Mavs management wants to curtail the "who blinks first" shit. You never know. It's not the worst thing in the world to have Anthony Davis. From a branding perspective, there's going to be some hurt feelings and team loyalty issues. However if AD does well with them it won't take long for fans to move on from Luka, unless he shits on them on the regular.

[Tyronn Lue]

nba viewership is down across the board, the league needs the lakers to be popular. i'm only surprised it took this long for them to make a basketball move
I've been surprised weekly that Joker is still in Denver.

[djohn2oo8]

Luka can no longer get the Supermax correct?

[CorrectCrusader]

Luka can no longer get the Supermax correct?

Correct

[mo7888]

I've been surprised weekly that Joker is still in Denver.

Maybe they'll trade him to Boston for Porzingis and a 1st and the league can recreate the LAL BOSTON rivalry.

[CorrectCrusader]

I've been surprised weekly that Joker is still in Denver.

Psst, lakers need a center

[Tyronn Lue]

Psst, lakers need a center
Wouldn't that be a stinker?

[lefty20]

1886086959828730198

[Tyronn Lue]

Luka can no longer get the Supermax correct?
He's out of little Mogadishu, he can recover in endorsements.

[CGD]

Now who is going to gift the lakers a starting center? Mitchell Robinson for a 2030 2nd rounder sounds about right

Top 55 protected, naturally

[Dod01]

This would be different if AD was 26 or 27, but the dude is 32 and made of Easter eggs. Luka not even in his prime yet either.

[itzsoweezee]

There is no rational explanation for this. At least not one if we’re operating under the premise that the NBA is a competitive sports league and not just scripted entertainment.

Under the new tv deal, local fan interest has never meant less to a team’s bottom line. They’re all getting richer, regardless of the outcome on the court. So maybe, fans assuming that these teams are actually competing against each other is a dumb assumption. All the fans are suckers, I guess

[Obstructed_View]

So after a day to think on this, it makes even less fucking sense than it did before.

After the way they lost in the finals, Klay was the perfect free agent signing. He has something to prove, has tons of playoff experience and will punish teams for doubling.

On Luka.

The statement from the Mavs sounds like the congressman explaining why he did the opposite of what you elected him to do.

I'm not fully invested in the NBA anymore. Tbh I would not follow the sport if Victor hadn't gone to SA. But even so, this trade puts a knot in my stomach. Either it's collusion or Dallas will win the lottery. Either way it badly wounded the last of the legitimacy the league had.

[Dex]

I do love how this trade has united SpursTalk. It's nice to have common ground and be able to revel in the idiocy of the Mavericks.

The only issue is...this benefits the fucking Lakers.

https://media4.giphy.com/media/3oEjHCWdU7F4hkcudy/giphy.gif?cid=6c09b952tz5s8ytffu1jdfhkup4vjyxhomip ilcd2zqzegjk&ep=v1_internal_gif_by_id&rid=giphy.gif&ct=g

[Pauleta14]

There’s no point arguing with delusional people. I also don’t argue with flat earthers either.

You're saying so much about yourself unwittingly it's hilarious... :lol

Keep doing you

[ace3g]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Gi0UfgUWoAAMxju?format=jpg&name=large

[Pauleta14]

Some of you should listen to the hoops collective podcast to maybe add some nuance and/or agnosticism to their theories.

The amount of simplistic and conspiracy theories scenario are astounding.

[CGD]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Gi0UfgUWoAAMxju?format=jpg&name=large

Man now I just feel bad for them.

[tonight...you]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Gi0UfgUWoAAMxju?format=jpg&name=large
Good for him for getting a good writer to put this together.
Worth every penny.

[ace3g]

https://x.com/TheSteinLine/status/1886200694492774557

[ace3g]

https://x.com/MikeAScotto/status/1886201757388141055

[100%duncan]

I was there for the manu foul on dirk. This catharsis has been 20 years in the making

Yep this is 1000x worse than that. Hell this is worse than 6 or maybe it's been to long for me to remember the pain? I'd honestly quit being a fan of basketball.

[Manu-of-steel]

A Lively-AD pairing will be a terror on defense, and that is what AD wants, a center to play with him. AD can play ala KG on his latter years. BUT, Luka is top 5 player, this deal really smells fishy

[Raven]

A Lively-AD pairing will be a terror on defense, and that is what AD wants, a center to play with him. AD can play ala KG on his latter years. BUT, Luka is top 5 player, this deal really smells fiahy

yeah, i don't think so

[100%duncan]

Obviously apples to oranges but yesterday until today was like when the world got news of Kobe dying. Everybody just stopped doing what they were doing.

[Mal]

A Lively-AD pairing will be a terror on defense, and that is what AD wants, a center to play with him. AD can play ala KG on his latter years. BUT, Luka is top 5 player, this deal really smells fiahy

You dont trade Luka Doncic to pair Lively with anybody

[Ice009]

You dont trade Luka Doncic to pair Lively with anybody

lol people trying to make sense of this trade, come up with reasons why it was done.

[sfernald]

Based on this trade a Wemby for Chet, a 2029 top 3 protected first and Ajay Mitchell should be a very fair trade!

[Dod01]

Lakers have now stold: Magic Johnson (didn't he threaten to hold out if he wasn't drafted by the Lakers or something?), Kareem, Shaquille O' Neal, Kobe Bryant (draft hold out), Paul Gasol (rigged trade), Lebron (does he count), and now Luka (rigged trade).

[baseline bum]

Yep this is 1000x worse than that. Hell this is worse than 6 or maybe it's been to long for me to remember the pain? I'd honestly quit being a fan of basketball.

This has to be way worse than 6 for Mavs fans. I mean could you image the Spurs trading Tim Duncan to the Sonics for Gary Payton?

[100%duncan]

This has to be way worse than 6 for Mavs fans. I mean could you image the Spurs trading Tim Duncan to the Sonics for Gary Payton?

It's hard to find similar trade scenarios. I'm trying to explain to my older sister who isn't involved anymore, I said imagine trading KD in 2012 for Dwight Howard. Still not as crazy as this.

[baseline bum]

It's hard to find similar trade scenarios. I'm trying to explain to my older sister who isn't involved anymore, I said imagine trading KD in 2012 for Dwight Howard. Still not as crazy as this.

Feel like Duncan for Payton was the best comparison I could think of involving Spurs players. Payton a legend but at the tail end of his prime while Tim an all time great at the beginning of his prime.

[SpursBills]

Like trading Wembanyama for Jalen Brunson in a couple years citing Wemby’s ‘inability to put on muscle, making him more susceptible to injury from the physicality of post play’

[MannyIsGod]

No, I'm acting like it doesn't have a zero-percent success rate.


No, that's not what you did. You made assertions about WHY they traded him that are detached from reality and rely on you assuming a whole hell of a lot in order to make it a plausible narrative so that you could be critical of people who want the Spurs to make a more active approach to building a team around Wemby. You implied that this was an inevitable outcome that you saw coming a year ago which is just bullshit man.

I definitely agree there is a chance this is a good move but the likelihood of that outcome is so much smaller than the likelyhood that this is a bad move. Having a non zero chance a move works out doesn't make that move good in any shape or way so why is that a relevant point here? How many times has trading a top 3 25 year old player been the best move for a team to take? Never and definitely not for such a shitty return.



Nah, I think you guys are having a tumor waved under your nose and are pretending you can't smell it.

But yes, I did firmly have this stance last year as well. Yes, all titles are legitimate, and if Dallas would've won, they would've had every right to hang that banner. But running the table against a young team like OKC and a shitty team like Minnesota (and an perpetually injured team like LAC) isn't exactly something that requires a legit contender. It's like how Rockets fans pat themselves on the back for almost winning a third game against the Warriors in 2019 while ignoring the West was basically decimated that year.

A top 3 player who is 25 in the NBA may have work ethic issues and may not be perfect, but that hast not stopped him from being a TOP 3 player in the NBA! Calling it an obvious tumor is ridiculous! There's nothin obvious about this which is why the sentiment is that this is this is the most shocking trade in NBA history. Dude, I know how you are but claiming this was obvious in any way is absolutely ridiculous even for you.

[SouthernFried]

Kyrie will work better with AD

[Chomag]

Well, I know it's not really a high bar but can we safely say that we don't have the most retarded FO in the league now?

That counts for something at least.

Brian Wright is saved!

[baseline bum]

Zollins + Tre Jones to CHI

[MannyIsGod]

Lebron can just resign last with his bird rights - can't he? He doesn't actually factor into this? And that's assuming he is even back. Lakers may be doing this not as a Lebron-Luka pairing, but a complete reset with Luka as their new centerpiece.

Sure, but that has to be before other cap moves becaue his cap hold is going to be absolutely huge. So they can't wait to resign him to open up more space.

But yeah, the latter point is my main point. I think this makes it harder for them to keep Lebron much longer.

[scott]

Sure, but that has to be before other cap moves becaue his cap hold is going to be absolutely huge. So they can't wait to resign him to open up more space.

But yeah, the latter point is my main point. I think this makes it harder for them to keep Lebron much longer.

My brother. We got the Fox. I no longer give 2 fucks about Dallas or the Lakers :lol

[MannyIsGod]

It’s super fucking weird. I’m not one to think there’s collusion, but this is so fucking weird that it’s making we question things. Just utterly bizarre.

Yeah, I definitely believe they are just idiots rather than there was some NBA conspiracy to get him to the Lakers, but I can understand why people are thinking conspiracy to some extent because the trade is just so fucking stupid and out of left field.

[spursistan]

I'd quit the NBA immediately if this happened tbh.

The absolutely dick kick that Mavs fans got yesterday is probably the worst I can remember in all of sports.

Imagine your GM and ownership group trading away your generational franchise player to a rival out of nowhere, getting an all time shit return, then trying to gaslight you that it's because he was a fat alcoholic :lol
I follow soccer where stars movement between elite franchises/rivals happens more often and I genuinely can't remember an instance like this in the last 15-20 years (@ Brazil (https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=14466) lefty (https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=6896) DAF86 any cases ?). This like Barcelona swapping peak Messi for Real Madrid Benzema in 2012-13. Stuff that would probably cause a civil war/unrest in Spain/Catalonia :lol

[DAF86]

I follow soccer where stars movement between elite franchises/rivals happens more often and I genuinely can't remember an instance like this in the last 15-20 years (@ Brazil (https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=14466) lefty (https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=6896) DAF86 any cases ?). This like Barcelona swapping peak Messi for Real Madrid Benzema in 2012-13. Stuff that would probably cause a civil war/unrest in Spain/Catalonia :lol

In soccer there are no trades, just buys. One that comes to mind is Real Madrid buying Figo fresh off his Golden Ball win from Barcelona. Or PSG buying Neymar. Still it doesn't compare to this because the selling team has no say in the matter when there's a buyout clause.

[spurraider21]

It's hard to find similar trade scenarios. I'm trying to explain to my older sister who isn't involved anymore, I said imagine trading KD in 2012 for Dwight Howard. Still not as crazy as this.
if she follows football tell her it would be like the Bengals trading Jamarr Chase for Mike Evans and a 2nd

[OldMan88]

https://babylonbee.com/news/hungover-mark-cuban-wakes-up-hoping-he-didnt-make-any-dumb-basketball-trades-last-night

Hehe

[NASpurs]

1886279686822728034

[scott]

Been checking Cuban's twitter feed since this went down to see his reaction... hasn't tweeted since :lol

[spursistan]

24 hours later and this still doesn't make sense. I understand you are not getting Wemby, Jokic, SGA Giannis.. But How the fuck have they not put a call for guys like Banchero, Amen Thompson, Chet (+picks)? :lol

[spurraider21]

24 hours later and this still doesn't make sense. I understand you are not getting Wemby, Jokic, SGA Giannis.. But How the fuck have they not put a call for guys like Banchero, Amen Thompson, Chet (+picks)? :lol
if they really insisted on a defensive anchor at least try Mobley lol

[DAF86]

24 hours later and this still doesn't make sense. I understand you are not getting Wemby, Jokic, SGA Giannis.. But How the fuck have they not put a call for guys like Banchero, Amen Thompson, Chet (+picks)? :lol

Man, I think I would have died from Vessels pops overdose if I were a Mavs fan. So fucking retarded, it doesn't even compute. :lol

Mavs could have literally gotten any player they wanted (aisde from maybe 4 or 5 guys) and a shitload of picks.

[Obstructed_View]

Wait until Luka gets on those steroids Lebron discovered in Miami. He will average a quad double.

[024]

I mean AD is a top 10 player in the league and the best 2 way big who is maybe only surpassed by Wemby. So it's not like the Mavs traded Luka for Kwame Brown or anything. But to voluntarily cut down your championship window by 6-7 years is definitely something. Especially relying on an injury prone big who can rapidly decline after a couple years. Not to mention Kyrie and Thompson possibly looking to jump ship. The Adelsons really destroyed the Mavs for the fanbase so they can add the tens of millions in luxury tax money to their billions.

[SouthernFried]

Dallas won this trade, IMHO.

Not enough ball for Luca and Lebron to play together.

AD doesn't have to play the 5 now all the time. Kyrie can become full time PG and not have to compete for ball handling with Luca. Kyrie is going to explode. KD can become full Time 4th not always having to guard Centers. His playing is going to get better and he will get more rest.

Dallas won this one. Perfect fit.

[tbdog]

Dallas won this trade, IMHO.

Not enough ball for Luca and Lebron to play together.

AD doesn't have to play the 5 now all the time. Kyrie can become full time PG and not have to compete for ball handling with Luca. Kyrie is going to explode. KD can become full Time 4th not always having to guard Centers. His playing is going to get better and he will get more rest.

Dallas won this one. Perfect fit.

If AD was 25 years, maybe. But I still wouldn't do it. Luka has a chance at being the best pg in nba history. Dallas may never have a better player while I'm still alive.

[baseline bum]

Dallas won this trade, IMHO.

Not enough ball for Luca and Lebron to play together.

AD doesn't have to play the 5 now all the time. Kyrie can become full time PG and not have to compete for ball handling with Luca. Kyrie is going to explode. KD can become full Time 4th not always having to guard Centers. His playing is going to get better and he will get more rest.

Dallas won this one. Perfect fit.

Dallas doesn't control any of their firsts 2027 through 2030, which wouldn't have been a big deal with Luka there leading them to picks in the mid 20s so that no one would use those swaps they got from Dallas. But with Davis nearing the end of his prime those trades are really gonna hurt, especially 2029 where they owe the Rockets either their unprotected first or an unprotected swap and 2030 when they owe the Spurs an unprotected swap. Charlotte gets their 27 (top 2 protected) while OKC gets their 28 swap unprotected.

Dallas should have at least gotten two first plus Reaves in addition to Davis to gift the Lakers Doncic. Guys who can carry a team to the Finals in a brutal west aren't easy to come by.

[Obstructed_View]

Saw the press conference. Jason Kidd looks like he got mugged in the middle of the night. This GM of the Mavs will work for the Lakers in two years. Whoever signed off on this trade from ownership is not a basketball person.

The Dallas Mavericks got looted.

[Obstructed_View]

If AD was 25 years, maybe. But I still wouldn't do it. Luka has a chance at being the best pg in nba history. Dallas may never have a better player while I'm still alive.
A better player may not exist on this planet.

[vy65]

1886211634097746331

[vy65]

I’m not one for conspiracy theories, but that press conference was inexplicable. As was the fact that there was no diligence for the trade. I can confidently say that there is a fuckton we don’t know, which makes theories like the legalize Texas gambling one more than just pure fantasy

[RC_Drunkford]

does this trade mean that a lot more players will ask for a no-trade clause?

[mo7888]

https://babylonbee.com/news/hungover-mark-cuban-wakes-up-hoping-he-didnt-make-any-dumb-basketball-trades-last-night

Hehe

:rollin

[Pero]

Dallas won this trade, IMHO.

Not enough ball for Luca and Lebron to play together.

AD doesn't have to play the 5 now all the time. Kyrie can become full time PG and not have to compete for ball handling with Luca. Kyrie is going to explode. KD can become full Time 4th not always having to guard Centers. His playing is going to get better and he will get more rest.

Dallas won this one. Perfect fit.

Short term I can see it but Kyrie is not a point guard, all they have for a PG is a washed up Dinwiddie. Team was built for Luka not AD. Psychological impact also remains to be seen. We'll see in the next few days if the Mavs make any more moves. If they don't, it would give more credence to the Adelsons conspiracy theory

[Spurminator]

The Case Against Eternal, Binding Loyalty (https://substack.com/app-link/post?publication_id=509299&post_id=156373208&utm_source=post-email-title&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=false&r=3xy2wv&token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjoyMzg0MTU5MzUsInBvc3RfaWQiOjE1 NjM3MzIwOCwiaWF0IjoxNzM4NTk1NjIyLCJleHAiOjE3NDExOD c2MjIsImlzcyI6InB1Yi01MDkyOTkiLCJzdWIiOiJwb3N0LXJl YWN0aW9uIn0.KPhsai3eoBWWyaeLrCuge6sxJjXZ3SjOrqLJi1 dIGK4)

Bob Sturm, The Athletic

First, an apology. Once again, as I often will, I changed my plans for this morning. Today was supposed to be a look at the new-look Mavericks with the new pieces in place to imagine where this journey will take us next.But when I read the room (the one big enough to fit the entire basketball planet), I see the clear truth: nobody wants to hear that right now. Instead, I would like to offer you the ramblings of a madman. I might definitely ramble on below, and yes, I am still pretty mad.

The room is not prepared to move on at this moment. We are still shaken. We are staggering, and it isn’t starting to feel better.

This wasn’t a trade that just happened. The Stars made a trade this weekend, and we can safely call that “just a trade” because that is what it was.

No, what the Mavericks have just done to this city is different. They have nuked a generation of loyalists in a way that almost feels like they have no idea what they just did. This was a catastrophic incident from within the organization that requires plenty of healing.

You don’t need to take my word for it, probably. I am guessing you have been walking around in the same dazed posture as everyone else. If not, you know someone who is. You could not focus yesterday. You could not understand it. In fact, you probably did what I did on many occasions in the last 24 hours. You will be sitting there, you will be quiet, and then you will just say out loud to nobody in particular, “I just don’t understand this.”

It just doesn’t make any sense.

Listening to Nico Harrison yesterday (https://substack.com/redirect/cbab6d9c-24d8-42ac-93e0-8d16136f29d3?j=eyJ1IjoiM3h5Mnd2In0.2BXDW4iFmCqIm-fyZoF0p8ZfstiD6YWsbYN5kOoghiE) did not help this. He claimed full responsibility for this move and you do wonder if he has any idea what he has done.

He insisted during this press conference the following:



He didn’t talk to any teams but the Lakers about a deal.
He believes this is a move that makes them better now.
Jason Kidd did not know about this deal.
Luka Dončić – nor his people – have ever indicated a wish to leave Dallas.


Now, I covered a fair amount of this yesterday, but those four points can each individually make you insane. To put those four factors together suggests malpractice at levels we have never seen before.
So, there was no long and thorough organizational consensus reached that convinced the team they must do this? They did not reach the level of an untenable relationship that only had one final maneuver to make? When Jason Kidd is sitting next to Nico during this claim, Kidd absolutely has the 1,000-yard stare of someone who really wishes you had checked more with him (but I readily admit that perhaps I am projecting a bit too much onto Kidd).

The new owners are probably normal new owners in that they are used to being powerful and decisive, but this is not their field of expertise. Heck, they might have only bought the franchise because they were growing their gaming dominance again and needed a foothold in Texas. Logically, they try to trust those they have in place who know basketball and therefore probably nodded as Nico explained why he needed to trade the face of the franchise, took a deep breath, and said, “We trust your judgment,” before going back to whatever they normally do.

The judgment was probably based on a few things that are annoying about Luka. Let’s pause here for a moment and acknowledge this important point. He does have some annoying traits and characteristics. He has proven to be stubborn in these ways, and this city’s basketball fans have been quick to defend him at every turn because he is ours. It’s completely normal to realize how rare it is to have a rare talent in our city.

At times, he has been allowed to do things his way because everyone has been so accommodating to him that we wondered if the team had the guts to ever call him out on those shortcomings—or if he is allowed to do whatever he wants because everyone is scared of him leaving someday. We have listed quite a few of these faults over the years in this very space—how he needs to decide that he can be an even better version of himself and will need to do that if he wants to ultimately win it all. Playing more committed defense, being in tip-top shape, not losing his mind constantly at officials, etc., etc.

But at its core are two vital things. The first is that it is completely normal for an athlete to have to learn through his own experience that he isn’t always right. Humans always think they are the smartest person in the room, and Luka is no different. He never experienced failure in his life, and failure is an amazing teacher in how you can be better. Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash both verified it took them about a decade into their careers to start changing their habits because they realized they must in order to maximize their potential.

The second thing is even more important. That is, to the best of our knowledge (and we have quite a bit from connections and conversations), there is no evidence that Luka Dončić had any plans to ever try to leave Dallas, despite his considerable power. For years, this has been feared, but there is plenty of reason to believe that this next group of players—who might be called “the post-player-empowerment era”—has learned from the constant franchise-hopping of the last generation’s LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, Kyrie Irving, etc., that all that glitters is not gold. Switching teams does not bring happiness after all, and maybe making one franchise yours forever is where it’s at. So, as Steph Curry showed, and now Jokić, Giannis, and Luka seem to be showing too, maybe the one-franchise model is more fulfilling for the best of the best?

It seemed like these guys would say, “If you want to play with me, you need to come to my city.” Their branding almost appeared to be in conjunction with their franchise. They have a home, and as co-operator of the franchise, you must understand that players of that rare level have no desire to go meet you in Miami or Los Angeles anymore. The destination franchise will never be as accommodating as Denver, Milwaukee, or Dallas. Why? Because the destination franchises won’t ever truly love you. They will use you for as long as they can and then move on to the next one. They even know it. The Lakers are a hotel for famous people. Meanwhile, those franchises that knew you at age 18 have you in their hearts. They share that space with nobody. They are thankful and grateful—and probably too forgiving. You can leave trash everywhere on the floor, and they will quickly pick it up rather than say something to you about where the trash can is.

For Luka to be traded away without ever forcing the issue is the most disconcerting thing about all of this. And it basically leads me to the biggest point of it all today—I realize that just calling one team, the Lakers, and also really thinking Anthony Davis makes you more likely to win a title than Luka Dončić are both insane ideas, but I just want to spend this essay on what is really on my mind.


I don’t think the people in charge have any idea what they have just done.

I think Nico Harrison believes he just made a basketball trade, and that makes it like the other ones he has done. I think that means he believes he needed to keep it a secret and only tell those who need to be told. I think he expects everything to blow over in a few days and for us to trust his judgment.

I think the owners trust their basketball guy because what else are they supposed to do?

And I think everyone else in the organization is doing what you would expect of people who are employees for leadership they don’t actually agree with—they are putting on a brave face and hoping they know what they are doing.

It might just be a perfect storm. A first-time GM gets on a heater with trades, and everyone starts telling him he is great at this stuff. I swear, every trade you make is a good one! How are you so good at this?
Then, Mark Cuban sells the controlling shares of power, so Nico goes from bouncing his plans off Mark to bouncing his plans off somewhat indifferent new ownership that might have zero basketball opinions. In effect, the safety net of cross-examinations in internal meetings has become… nobody?

So, the heater, the team success, the lack of internal meetings and league intelligence as to the market, and the growing annoyance with Luka’s habits in certain sectors all combine to create this belief that Dončić may not even be needed around here anymore?

I realize the preceding paragraph included a lot of leaps. I do. But here is where the rubber meets the road for us.

Here on the outside, we only know one thing: we love our guy. Why? Because he is ours, and organically, it was easy. But let us not forget that you, the franchise, asked us to love him, too. You pushed him in front of us as the leader of this entire operation and reminded us of all of his conquests. Before long, it didn’t matter if someone was paid to love him or was paying to love him. Luka was the most loved present-day athlete in this city by about 100 miles. There is no second place. Micah Parsons and Corey Seager are awesome, and we are lucky to have them, but come on. It isn’t close. There are 10 jerseys for every one. There is just no comparison.

So, you can trade our guy, I suppose, but you better understand what you are doing and consider carefully that there is no way to undo what you are about to do. You better make sure you have exhausted all the half-measures before you go to the full measures. You better think this through.

Because if you don’t, you are going to quickly realize this is not at all like trading away Tim Hardaway, Grant Williams, or Dorian Finney-Smith.

If you make this trade, you are going to crush people. I mean, you will ruin their week. You will ruin their love of their team. You will drive away your biggest supporters. They won’t even care what you get back and they will absolutely not move on once you play a few games.

Luka Doncic made this city care. He made them feel alive inside. That moment in Game 2 in Minnesota was just last May 25th (https://substack.com/redirect/e0a69c20-288e-4ffe-bb1b-dafc4f667c74?j=eyJ1IjoiM3h5Mnd2In0.2BXDW4iFmCqIm-fyZoF0p8ZfstiD6YWsbYN5kOoghiE) and when that happened, we were sure he was the chosen one.

But we have seen it so many times that it changed the verbiage in this city. What was once, “Do you want to go see the Mavericks tonight?” became, “Let’s go see Luka!” He was the franchise, and they were him. New people—like Nico—were hired to help Luka. New players were acquired to fit around Luka. This project was about conquering, and we knew who the leader and hero was. Now, we just needed to figure out the perfect supporting pieces.

And the crazy thing? It was all happening. The additions were all working, and all they needed was a bit more time. They were in the NBA Finals eight months ago.

EIGHT MONTHS.

We are sports fans. I preach about loyalty and the scourge of bandwagon jumping and front-running. I believe that your teams are your teams, and that journey is beautiful, painful, and rewarding. I have a team logo tattoo on my right arm. I am never going to forget what teams make me feel.

I also know that most players would never dream of getting a team logo tattoo. Instead, they get a league logo all the time because they know that the league is their home, but the teams don’t truly love them back. A team might employ them for a short time and then discard them. They work for the league and will accept a job wherever it leads. Some genuinely love their clubs, but at the end of the day, we die-hard fans will never meet a player who loves our team as much as we do. It isn’t their fault, nor is it ours. But they will play for a team for six or seven years if they’re lucky, while we will love our teams for 70 years. It’s just different.

But days like yesterday remind us that fans can lose their love for a team—especially young fans. When a young fan finds out that his favorite player was sent away for less-than-convincing reasons to a mortal enemy, he is going to wonder why he has to side with those who hurt him. His favorite hero is still on TV, but in different colors. His hero is smiling again. His hero still makes him happy. He is jumping ship.

It hurts to admit it, but that kid isn’t wrong, is he? Is loyalty to a team really about buying all the nonsense they sell? Is it about supporting the wrong moves just because we like the colors? Is it about realizing that this only happened because a first-time GM and a first-time owner made a mistake in judgment—and nobody was there to tell them that you cannot un-fire the nukes once they have been launched?

Over the last several weeks, many of you readers have been openly contemplating the case for fan loyalty and being a die-hard when your leaders let you down over and over with their hubris and incompetence. Usually, this has been a Jerry Jones question, and it truly is incredible how the Mavericks were able to push the Cowboys aside for that title of incompetence this time.

I suppose the only consolation is that Nico Harrison can be fired for his mistake once the owners figure out what he has done. I would also suggest that he will not be the GM in 12 months if this goes as I suspect it might. The owners will make him a sacrificial lamb to attempt to buy back our favor, but it might be too late to buy back a team in deep contention—or a once-in-a-lifetime iconic superstar who landed in Dallas. Looking at the ages, the assets, and the likely moves going forward, this feels like the Mavericks have taken a massive step backward when it felt like they were so close to the top. Nobody thinks this can be survived.

I just think this comes down to naïve leadership thinking Luka Dončić was just another player and, by definition, just another asset. (Yes, I have seen the Las Vegas theories, but I will use Occam’s razor here and tell you I don’t buy that at all.) Just another number on a spreadsheet that can be flipped or deleted whenever and to whomever.

“We will get another player, and the plebes will keep buying our stuff.”

Instead, I think we believe that they just did irreparable damage to a franchise that was mostly loved by its public. They just took the heart out of the body. For many, it seems they went from being an important part of people’s lives to just a basketball franchise that happens to exist inside the city limits.

Make no mistake. This is not a trade. This is an assault on your own loyalists—a move on a magnitude that reminds us of the end of Jimmy Johnson’s tenure as Cowboys head coach just two months after the Super Bowl in Atlanta, or the Edmonton Oilers sending Wayne Gretzky away three months after lifting the Stanley Cup. Now, yes, those two had won their last moment, and I admit that Gretzky had an entire nation in tears (which, technically, is more than Luka can say), but this is just flat-out unthinkable.

Dončić is 25 years old, and he is now a Los Angeles Laker—most likely for the rest of his elite years.

But I am more interested in the tens of thousands who tell me they will never feel as in love with or as passionate about the Mavericks ever again. I generally don’t believe in breakups with our teams, but I also don’t believe in trading the best player unless you have a very clear explanation. And they did not.

We are so loyal. We are so forgiving. But sometimes, we just want to know that our teams understand the role we play in their world. They say they do, but do they? Have they ever felt what it is like to truly piss people off to this extent? Do they know what a real fan boycott would actually feel like? They just gutted a lot of people, and this one feels like it might be permanent for many of them. Time will tell.

I am going to end these ramblings with something I said to myself all day yesterday:

“I just don’t think they realize what they have done.”

And when they do, it will be way too late to fix any of it. The damage has been done.

[Gagnrath]

The rejected trade offer must've been for Giannis.

Considering that Nico was after a win-now elite 2 way big, no other player makes sense.


Joel Embeib maybe....

[SpursBills]

Nico Harrison was actually a very good GM who has historically made excellent moves the last 3 years to get the Mavs out a jam. He was extracting value from pretty much every trade that he made - drafting Lively for Cason Wallace, getting PJ Washington for next to nothing, bringing in Kyrie, signing Klay. For a guy who spent the last 3 years building around Luka, for him to suddenly trade Luka for a star that doesn't fit his roster for less than market value makes no sense. He could have easily asked for, for example Franz Wagner, Jonathan Isaac, and 4-5 unprotected 1st rounders, which gives you essentially equivalent short term value compared to AD alone with much more long term value and the Magic would have auto-accepted. The only explanations are a) he has some kind of new-onset medical condition that affects his reasoning, or b) the decision wasn't actually his to make.

Given everything swirling around regarding the Adelsons, gambling, casinos, and threatening a move to Vegas, I think it is more likely than not that his hand was forced and he is just the fall guy. If that is the case, it significantly damages the integrity of the NBA in general, and also potentially makes the Mavericks an interesting target for other teams. One running theory is that the Adelsons are basically trying to make the Mavericks as dysfunctional as possible to intentionally crater fan support facilitate a move to Vegas and/or get their casino approved in Texas. If that's the case, I wonder if Dallas basically becomes a looting ground for every other team - like can the Magic try and get Kyrie to give them some much needed shot creation?

[Ice009]

Man, I can't imagine how crushed Dallas fans are. Is this is enough to lose even some your most die hard fan/s.

[LeBowen]

[Goldsberry] The Luka Dončić deal originally included multiple first-round picks, Dalton Knecht, and more, but was chiseled down after Rob Pelinka was able to convince Nico Harrison that taking on Luka Dončić was a big risk due to his weight and injury history.


Nothing to see here, league integrity is still intact.

[Obstructed_View]

There are four untradeable players in the NBA. The Mavs just gave one of them away. I'm not convinced that a single person with basketball knowledge and loyalty to the Mavs was involved in this trade.

[Spurminator]

Given everything swirling around regarding the Adelsons, gambling, casinos, and threatening a move to Vegas, I think it is more likely than not that his hand was forced and he is just the fall guy. If that is the case, it significantly damages the integrity of the NBA in general, and also potentially makes the Mavericks an interesting target for other teams. One running theory is that the Adelsons are basically trying to make the Mavericks as dysfunctional as possible to intentionally crater fan support facilitate a move to Vegas and/or get their casino approved in Texas. If that's the case, I wonder if Dallas basically becomes a looting ground for every other team - like can the Magic try and get Kyrie to give them some much needed shot creation?

The only reason I have trouble buying the "crater the team" theory is that the Mavs COULD have made an even worse trade that didn't bring back a current All-NBA player.

Otherwise I agree, Nico had to have had his hand forced recently, whether because of future plans for the team's location, or because ownership simply refused to pay Luka the supermax.

[vy65]

The only reason I have trouble buying the "crater the team" theory is that the Mavs COULD have made an even worse trade that didn't bring back a current All-NBA player.

Otherwise I agree, Nico had to have had his hand forced recently, whether because of future plans for the team's location, or because ownership simply refused to pay Luka the supermax.

I'm not sure what I believe, yet, but just to play devil's advocate here:

-Trading for AD puts some kind of veneer of legitimacy on the trade. There are some pundits who are saying the trade makes the Mavs better in the near term.
-The league is already feeling some concerns over anti-competitive activities on the part of its players, e.g., Rozier. They don't need a front office visibly kamakizi'ing their future. AD helps combat that appearance, somewhat.
-If the trade were worse, it would invite Silver to potentially veto the deal.
-The trade provides something of a runway into obsolescence in 3-5 years. By that time, the screaming should have died down somewhat.

[Mal]

The only reason I have trouble buying the "crater the team" theory is that the Mavs COULD have made an even worse trade that didn't bring back a current All-NBA player.

Otherwise I agree, Nico had to have had his hand forced recently, whether because of future plans for the team's location, or because ownership simply refused to pay Luka the supermax.

How much money would expansion team needs to pay to be NBA ? 2 billions in cash ? Maybe its cheaper to buy a team, plummet its value, move the team and rebuild value. Just thinking out loude

[Spurminator]

I'm not sure what I believe, yet, but just to play devil's advocate here:

-Trading for AD puts some kind of veneer of legitimacy on the trade. There are some pundits who are saying the trade makes the Mavs better in the near term.
-The league is already feeling some concerns over anti-competitive activities on the part of its players, e.g., Rozier. They don't need a front office visibly kamakizi'ing their future. AD helps combat that appearance, somewhat.
-If the trade were worse, it would invite Silver to potentially veto the deal.
-The trade provides something of a runway into obsolescence in 3-5 years. By that time, the screaming should have died down somewhat.

Totally. I'm basically in wait and see mode at this point. If this was the plan then I hope those assholes do move to Las Vegas. Wouldn't be long before Dallas gets an expansion franchise and hopefully the owners of the new team won't be some of the worst people on the planet.

[vy65]

That Sturm article is fucking devastating ... I fucking love it

[Spurminator]

How much money would expansion team needs to pay to be NBA ? 2 billions in cash ? Maybe its cheaper to buy a team, plummet its value, move the team and rebuild value. Just thinking out loude

To be clear I'm fully on the "Mavs ownership's #1 priority is a new arena and casino, whether that's in Dallas or Las Vegas" train. But they'll still make more money getting that done in Dallas.

They're not basketball people, so maybe on the surface they believe this actually does put them in a better position to win now, and we're dealing with incompetence vs. malice.

[vy65]

Nico Harrison was actually a very good GM who has historically made excellent moves the last 3 years to get the Mavs out a jam. He was extracting value from pretty much every trade that he made - drafting Lively for Cason Wallace, getting PJ Washington for next to nothing, bringing in Kyrie, signing Klay. For a guy who spent the last 3 years building around Luka, for him to suddenly trade Luka for a star that doesn't fit his roster for less than market value makes no sense. He could have easily asked for, for example Franz Wagner, Jonathan Isaac, and 4-5 unprotected 1st rounders, which gives you essentially equivalent short term value compared to AD alone with much more long term value and the Magic would have auto-accepted. The only explanations are a) he has some kind of new-onset medical condition that affects his reasoning, or b) the decision wasn't actually his to make.

Given everything swirling around regarding the Adelsons, gambling, casinos, and threatening a move to Vegas, I think it is more likely than not that his hand was forced and he is just the fall guy. If that is the case, it significantly damages the integrity of the NBA in general, and also potentially makes the Mavericks an interesting target for other teams. One running theory is that the Adelsons are basically trying to make the Mavericks as dysfunctional as possible to intentionally crater fan support facilitate a move to Vegas and/or get their casino approved in Texas. If that's the case, I wonder if Dallas basically becomes a looting ground for every other team - like can the Magic try and get Kyrie to give them some much needed shot creation?

I was thinking about it this morning. If you want a defense-minded big, why don't you call Memphis (JJJ) or Orlando (Paolo) or Minnesota (Gobert). I'd think each of those three could offer better packages than the Lakers.

The narrative has been that the Mavs wanted to avoid a circus caused by open bidding - but the alternative that they're living through now has to be worse? They were going to alienate fans either way by trading Luka - but making a clandestine deal with your buddy is worse than the scrutiny you'd get from putting Luka on the block. And, if you got JJJ and Bane or Paolo and Jonathan Issac and Anthony Black and a boatload of picks, that's going to go much farther in healing the rift with the fans than a soon-to-be 32 year old Anthony Davis. The diligence, or really lack there of, will never make sense to me.

[Mal]

To be clear I'm fully on the "Mavs ownership's #1 priority is a new arena and casino, whether that's in Dallas or Las Vegas" train. But they'll still make more money getting that done in Dallas.

They're not basketball people, so maybe on the surface they believe this actually does put them in a better position to win now, and we're dealing with incompetence vs. malice.

I dont buy it. The new owners had this team for almost 2 years, they had to watch Luka doing his things multiple times. You dont have to be basketball expert to wanting to keep this guy.

[ginobilized]

Very odd and potentially risky move for both Dallas and the Lakers.

The ancillary next move seems to me like it would be LeBron.
Luka and LeBron don't seem like a workable tandem. Does LeBron get traded next or ask for a trade?
Is Golden State his next destination?


Ideally both teams slide and this helps the Spurs get into the play-in this season.

[lefty]

:lol

https://x.com/duolingo/status/1886441986636284227

[Spurminator]

I dont buy it. The new owners had this team for almost 2 years, they had to watch Luka doing his things multiple times. You dont have to be basketball expert to wanting to keep this guy.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but Stephen A Smith made a decent point this weekend. Nico Harrison is used to being around obsessively motivated athletes who work their asses off in the offseason and even between games to be in peak condition. Someone like that might look at Doncic as an underachiever who doesn't have the mindset to continue being elite into his late 20's. (Not saying he's right, just trying to get into Nico's head.)

So if Nico has the ear of new Mavs ownership, and that's the perspective he's bringing (along with explaining the financial realities of what it's going to taker to keep Luka after next year), I can see where they might be persuaded that this is a good move.

[RC_Drunkford]

1886444402312139174

[RC_Drunkford]

Fat Doncic put up 30/8/8 who cares if he eats donuts? There's no argument that can justify this shit. I know the Mavs are our rivals, but I really feel sorry for those fans. That's some next level sabotage that makes you stop being a fan. I hope nobody shows up to any Mavs home games this season.

[scott]

Damn... just saw that Luka closed on a $15MM house in Dallas LAST WEEK

Holy shit, how much does Nico Harrison hate Luka Doncic?

I am roughly connected with some people pretty high up at Nike, going to see them in a few months... I'm looking forward to asking about Nico.

[Seventyniner]

I wonder how much of this was Nico balking at the looming supermax.

If it was a big factor, the existence of the supermax has become contrary to its purpose, which was to let teams more easily hold onto their elite level players that they drafted.

[Mugen]

1886444402312139174

:lmao

[Mr. Body]

To be clear I'm fully on the "Mavs ownership's #1 priority is a new arena and casino, whether that's in Dallas or Las Vegas" train. But they'll still make more money getting that done in Dallas.

They're not basketball people, so maybe on the surface they believe this actually does put them in a better position to win now, and we're dealing with incompetence vs. malice.

The Adelsons are scorched earth people. How dare the peons sort of people. Support genocide sort of people. Give enormous money to destroy our government and country sort of people.

Tanking some stupid sports franchise because they're mad the state leg won't give them casinos is par for the course for these goblins.

[Pero]

Damn... just saw that Luka closed on a $15MM house in Dallas LAST WEEK

Holy shit, how much does Nico Harrison hate Luka Doncic?

I am roughly connected with some people pretty high up at Nike, going to see them in a few months... I'm looking forward to asking about Nico.

This article indicates Luka wasn't part of the vision Harrison had for the team (can't read the whole things because it's behind a paywall): https://digginbasketball.substack.com/p/the-day-after-luka-doncic-trade


... A person close to the situation described this trade as the ultimate Harrison power trip, calling him a power-hungry man. Another observer said Harrison removed anyone who held a different view. ... But what’s clear is that there is a Nico vision, and Dončić might be the last—and by far the biggest—piece that didn’t fit into it. There is a well-documented list of people close to Dončić who have left or were forced out since Harrison took over. ...

[Maddog]

This article indicates Luka wasn't part of the vision Harrison had for the team (can't read the whole things because it's behind a paywall): https://digginbasketball.substack.com/p/the-day-after-luka-doncic-trade

I wonder if he'll be the second GM done in by Luka (not in the usual way)

[TD 21]

Very odd and potentially risky move for both Dallas and the Lakers.

The ancillary next move seems to me like it would be LeBron.
Luka and LeBron don't seem like a workable tandem. Does LeBron get traded next or ask for a trade?
Is Golden State his next destination?


Ideally both teams slide and this helps the Spurs get into the play-in this season.

I know it's media's wet dream, but why would James leave an MVP caliber player, in a place he's comfortable, to uproot to a dead end situation?

It's a similar story with Durant, minus the MVP caliber player part. If push comes to shove with him, Rockets, Thunder, Spurs make sense.

[ambchang]

It’s been a few days and still can’t over how shocking this is. NBA related news wise, other than kobe losing vs the mountain jordan retiring the first time, and magic getting HIV, I can think of anything this shocking. Maybe Reggie Lewis death, Len bias OD, or bobby Phils crash?

[scott]

Circling back around for my good friend MannyIsGod.

If the Lakers can just make it through next season, they'll only have 6 players and $86MM under contract in the summer of 2026. I'd have to imagine Lebron retiring by then, but who knows. None of the cap holds going into that offseason are worth hanging on to, the Lakers likely renounce them all and go wild that offseason. Of course, at assumes Luka doesn't opt out and walk himself :lol (I don't think this will happen, for the record).

My guess is that the Lakers look to hodge podge a team together next season with lots of 1-year vet deals and then go into the Summer of 2026 with Max Cap Space. I hope the market completely dries out on them and they're left with no FA's to chase, no matching salary to send out, and no draft picks to lean on. Let Luka play his prime in a barren wasteland of a team in LA.

[tbdog]

So much shit has come out of this. The big one was that Lakers wouldn't put the 2031 first on the table because Harrison denied Lakers permission to speak to Luka's agent to gauge his desire to stay with the Lakers long term. So they refused to add the pick and Harrison agreed. He really didn't want it being leaked at all costs. It's blatant malpractice.

[MannyIsGod]

My brother. We got the Fox. I no longer give 2 fucks about Dallas or the Lakers :lol

FYI, When you sent this I had been multitasking while reading this thread and didn't know about the trade until you replied. lol. Thanks.

[scott]

FYI, When you sent this I had been multitasking while reading this thread and didn't know about the trade until you replied. lol. Thanks.

I know man, I was just messing with you

[MannyIsGod]

Man, I can't imagine how crushed Dallas fans are. Is this is enough to lose even some your most die hard fan/s.

If the Spurs did that with Wemby I'd be done with them TBH. What the Mavs did is brutal af to their own fans.

[Obstructed_View]

Diversity hire. The NBA needed someone with brain damage to run a franchise.

[Mugen]

It's certainly a choice to leak nothing but damning hit pieces on your franchise guy after he basically carried the organization since he got drafted.

I'm not really sure how that benefits the Mavs org in the long term besides looking petty AF on top of incompetent tbh

[vy65]

1886517355708133493

MavFan need to quit on their organization en masse. This is not ok.

[scott]

1886517355708133493

MavFan need to quit on their organization en masse. This is not ok.

Damn, that's actually veto worthy and might be even worth potential sanctions and a ban against both Harrison and Pelinka. This is going to be fascinating.

[vy65]

Damn, that's actually veto worthy and might be even worth potential sanctions and a ban against both Harrison and Pelinka. This is going to be fascinating.

I’ve been thinking about this. It’s been about 48 hours and nothing has been said by Silver or the league.

As far as substance, this looks dirty as fuck. No open bidding. Not informing JKidd. Not informing Luka’s agent. Not informing ownership until a deal was in place. Not giving Pelinka full access, letting him whittle the package down.

But all that being said, I don’t think the league does anything. It’s not like they traded Luka for Zollins and Bran Ham. Nico can argue that he feels like he got good value, did what’s best for the franchise, and the league has to defer to his judgment. I don’t know the principled response to that that wouldn’t also set some kind of precedent.

[LeBowen]

I’ve been thinking about this. It’s been about 48 hours and nothing has been said by Silver or the league.

As far as substance, this looks dirty as fuck. No open bidding. Not informing JKidd. Not informing Luka’s agent. Not informing ownership until a deal was in place. Not giving Pelinka full access, letting him whittle the package down.

But all that being said, I don’t think the league does anything. It’s not like they traded Luka for Zollins and Bran Ham. Nico can argue that he feels like he got good value, did what’s best for the franchise, and the league has to defer to his judgment. I don’t know the principled response to that that wouldn’t also set some kind of precedent.

League didn't do shit when those scumbag bought the Mavs, why would they care about a single trade, no matter how ridiculous it is?
Traded a player averaging 28/8/8 for a player averaging 26/12/3 while being one of the best defenders in the league.

Unless they can prove some kind of tampering, nothing will happen.
I'm sure lizard Silver is estatic about Lakers getting a generational superstar.

Trades have already been verified by the league.

[vy65]

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/43676830/how-stunning-luka-doncic-anthony-davis-trade-came-together-los-angeles-lakers-dallas-mavericks

This is fucking nuts. They traded him because he was overweight? What the actual fuck.

[Obstructed_View]

So in two years, Nico is working for the Lakers and the Mavs are in Vegas.

[Obstructed_View]

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/43676830/how-stunning-luka-doncic-anthony-davis-trade-came-together-los-angeles-lakers-dallas-mavericks

This is fucking nuts. They traded him because he was overweight? What the actual fuck.
So...he is overweight. But he's 25. He's, at worst, the third best player on the planet. He does shit that is fucking magical.

And the fans here LOVE HIM. If there is a player more loved by his fanbase...like...ever, I can't think of it.

This is like Mitch Kupchak announcing he traded Kobe to Denver for Mutombo.

[Spurminator]

Honestly surprised Ainge didn't pull out of the deal when he found out. I assume he had the right to do that once he knew what the deal he was helping to make happen. Surely he's not so gung-ho about Jalen Hood-Schiafino and two 2nd rounders that he couldn't figure out a way to replicate a similar deal without giving the fucking Lakers a lifeline into the 2030's.

[Tyronn Lue]

Surely Nico doesn't do this trade without ownership approval.

[Tyronn Lue]

So in two years, Nico is working for the Lakers and the Mavs are in Vegas.
Just shows the league is not competitive, it's Storage Wars with a basketball.

[Obstructed_View]

Nico can argue that he feels like he got good value,

But...he really can't. Nobody believes that.

[Obstructed_View]

Surely Nico doesn't do this trade without ownership approval.

The guy making the decisions is the owner's son in law. Does he even know anything about basketball? Does he even live in Dallas?

[Obstructed_View]

I make fun of Luka for being a pudgy ass. I have fucked with and trolled Mavs fans for three decades now, but this fucking trade makes me sad. Even Mono doesn't deserve this. I've never seen a team fuck their fanbase like this. This should be a scandal that ruins the NBA, and I'm not sure why it isn't.

[NickiRasgo]

Really feel bad about the Mavs' fans. They weren't even given a chance to go into process and of all the teams, it's the Lakers

[Tyronn Lue]

The guy making the decisions is the owner's son in law. Does he even know anything about basketball? Does he even live in Dallas?
I'd think he'd know who the face of the franchise is, and trading that piece wouldn't be something you do during a piss break at lunch.

[Obstructed_View]

Really feel bad about the Mavs' fans. They weren't even given a chance to go into process and of all the teams, it's the Lakers
And it's the corpse of AD? Because...they value defense?

God damn, dude. They went to the finals last year. They needed three point shooting. They signed Klay, the perfect free agent for a title run.

I mean...shit. Just...

[scott]

Honestly surprised Ainge didn't pull out of the deal when he found out. I assume he had the right to do that once he knew what the deal he was helping to make happen. Surely he's not so gung-ho about Jalen Hood-Schiafino and two 2nd rounders that he couldn't figure out a way to replicate a similar deal without giving the fucking Lakers a lifeline into the 2030's.

While effectively devaluing the LAL pick that Ainge currently owns

[Obstructed_View]

I'd think he'd know who the face of the franchise is, and trading that piece wouldn't be something you do during a piss break at lunch.
Clearly they know it's something you do without telling ANYONE. The Lakers offered a better deal but Dallas didn't want Luka's agent to get wind of the deal before it was done. Late on a Saturday. This has the same vibes as the Colts moving to Indianapolis.

[vy65]

It’s really strange Silver ain’t said or done shit - especially when there are questions about the leagues legitimacy with the whole Scary Terry situation.

[Tyronn Lue]

What happened to "basketball reasons"? and why is LA always involved in shady shit like this? They almost had Chris Paul for what.. ?

[Obstructed_View]

It’s really strange Silver ain’t said or done shit - especially when there are questions about the leagues legitimacy with the whole Scary Terry situation.
What has he ever said or done? He's the NBA's little gay house pet.

[RC_Drunkford]

It’s been a few days and still can’t over how shocking this is. NBA related news wise, other than kobe losing vs the mountain jordan retiring the first time, and magic getting HIV, I can think of anything this shocking. Maybe Reggie Lewis death, Len bias OD, or bobby Phils crash?

Magic never had HIV. The whole thing was a scam

[RC_Drunkford]

1886606842089853070

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Gi432R6XgAAHpQX?format=jpg&name=small

[mystargtr34]

D Wade gonna end up getting mugged by Silvers mongs if he keeps talkin out of pocket even if it’s the truth.

[RC_Drunkford]

1886588344563360184

[KingKev]

^ and so it begins

We manifested Fox for Zollins and 3 Branham’s so I’m not complaining but next time you see a Laker fan post a ridiculously stupid trade recommendation and think “that guy is a fking moron” be nice because one day they might actually get Wemby for 2 firsts and Austin Reeves. Getting spooky out here.

[ffadicted]

1886588344563360184

No way this is too comical lmao

[spurraider21]

What happened to "basketball reasons"? and why is LA always involved in shady shit like this? They almost had Chris Paul for what.. ?
basketball reasons was a thing because at the time the NBA owned the hornets. so stern vetoing the trade was effectively the same as a team owner killing a trade saying he's not signing off on it

[Pero]

Watched the LA press conference and damn, Pelinka talking about trust while Luka is sitting right next to him. That's some psycho level shit. Dude's clearly heartbroken.
And LOL I thought I saw Luka's brief killer look when he was asked about Nico. He'd probably kill him if he could.

[CGD]

1886588344563360184

Glassman gonna glass

[RC_Drunkford]

damn man, Mavs fans just made a gofundme for Anti-Nico and Adelson Billboards all over Dallas. I feel sorry for these fans

https://www.gofundme.com/f/dallas-deserves-better-antinico-adelson-billboards?attribution_id=sl:6a15e5b1-fca4-4350-b72d-c2c45e0f7151&lang=en_US&utm_campaign=man_ss_icons&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link

[RC_Drunkford]

https://i.redd.it/u1s1qace55he1.jpeg

:lmao

[Brazil]

I follow soccer where stars movement between elite franchises/rivals happens more often and I genuinely can't remember an instance like this in the last 15-20 years (@ Brazil (https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=14466) lefty (https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=6896) DAF86 (https://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=11102) any cases ?). This like Barcelona swapping peak Messi for Real Madrid Benzema in 2012-13. Stuff that would probably cause a civil war/unrest in Spain/Catalonia :lol

neymar to psg is the closest one I can think of, before that figo to Madrid was quite controversial also but yeah dat trade is wild

[Brazil]

damn man, Mavs fans just made a gofundme for Anti-Nico and Adelson Billboards all over Dallas. I feel sorry for these fans

https://www.gofundme.com/f/dallas-deserves-better-antinico-adelson-billboards?attribution_id=sl:6a15e5b1-fca4-4350-b72d-c2c45e0f7151&lang=en_US&utm_campaign=man_ss_icons&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link

sorry for the fans ? Fuck the mavs and theirs fans tbh

[benefactor]

https://i.redd.it/u1s1qace55he1.jpeg

:lmao
:lol...really?

[Obstructed_View]

Mark Cuban bought the team from super-rich assholes who don't know anything about basketball. Then he apparently sold the team to super-rich assholes who don't know anything about basketball.

[Pauleta14]

neymar to psg is the closest one I can think of, before that figo to Madrid was quite controversial also but yeah dat trade is wild

I'd say Messi to PSG

Neymar was bought, when Messi was stolen bc Barca couldn't afford him. It seemed absurd at the start of the summer then ... it happened out of nowhere one day

[scott]

Predicting it now: Nico Harrison is fired by the end of the season after the massive backlash. I saw the Mavericks are having offer folks refunds on their season tickets based on the backlash

[slick'81]

Lol mavs

[z0sa]

Just got to the Finals, trade away your top 5 NBA player who led the way to that Finals berth, pikachu surprised face when your fans are stunned and angry

[spursparker9]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Em_gfr3KtU

:lol

15:36 mark. Reporter asked Luka on feeling towards Mavs GM and what was Luka's reaction that Mavs GM suggested that there was concerns that Luka might not sign his supermax extension for Mavs.

:lol Mavs gonna get dropped 70 points by Luka

btw how did Pelinka kept a straight poker face for the whole press conference :lol

[Dod01]

^ I don't think Nico Harrison even cares if he gets "fired". This was simply a collusion between two buddies as well as the NBA to bail out the Lakers. Several in the media like Windhorst are trying to cover for the Lakers by making statements like "oH this trade was such an insult by the Mavs toward Luka". Oh, give me a break.

[vy65]

I fucking hate NBA Centel

[Spurminator]

Predicting it now: Nico Harrison is fired by the end of the season after the massive backlash. I saw the Mavericks are having offer folks refunds on their season tickets based on the backlash

The Mavs denied this. I have received no such offer.

[Spurminator]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Em_gfr3KtU

:lol

15:36 mark. Reporter asked Luka on feeling towards Mavs GM and what was Luka's reaction that Mavs GM suggested that there was concerns that Luka might not sign his supermax extension for Mavs.

:lol Mavs gonna get dropped 70 points by Luka

btw how did Pelinka kept a straight poker face for the whole press conference :lol

What a fucking stupid question that was. The concern was never that Luka was going to sign a supermax, the concern was whether the Mavs were going to want to even offer it.

[scott]

The Mavs denied this. I have received no such offer.

Have you cancelled? Seems like that is the trigger point.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/43696015/fans-say-mavericks-offering-refunds-luka-doncic-trade

[spursparker9]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2qDgkI6TQY

[heyheymymy]

It says Adelson bought the majority share of Mavs in 2021 for 3.5 billion but that Mark Cuban is actually still there just as a minority owner now. Mark's silence on the issue is deafening.

[Ice009]

I just watched this, was just about to post it. Seems that Luka's body language wasn't too thrilled to be there. Holding the jersey low, seemed to be in mourning about the trade. Man, Nico really fucked up. Doesn't seem like he wanted out at all, yet they traded him anyway.
I wonder if that leaves the door open to him possibly leaving the Lakers. He shouldn't be there IMO. Even if he wanted to leave the Mavs, I don't think the Lakers were the team he would have wanted to go to. Maybe he'll get over it, though, and end up liking it there. I guess we'll see.

Having said that, once he gets over it, I think he will eviscerate the Mavs in their matchups.

[mystargtr34]

Luka doesn’t strike me as a guy who wants the limelight or necessarily the biggest market like LA or NY.

Whether that’s enough to drive him out of LA I’m not sure.

[Ice009]

Luka doesn’t strike me as a guy who wants the limelight or necessarily the biggest market like LA or NY.

Whether that’s enough to drive him out of LA I’m not sure.

Have to see how it goes. If he plays well, the team does well, and the fans adore him, I don't see him leaving. Conversely, if the team is playing poorly, and if he's out injured for any extended time, they may start turning on him, and then in that scenario I can see him leaving as he didn't ask to be there in the first place.

[Russo21]

Won't be surprised if Luca ends up in Denver with Jokic when he's a free agent in the summer of 2026. League would be in trouble. Hope he doesn't re-up with the Lakers

[exstatic]

Have to see how it goes. If he plays well, the team does well, and the fans adore him, I don't see him leaving. Conversely, if the team is playing poorly, and if he's out injured for any extended time, they may start turning on him, and then in that scenario I can see him leaving as he didn't ask to be there in the first place.

They’re going to lose a lot of games,because they were pretty bad defensively before, and then they traded away their All D center.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

If Luka left them in FA nothing would be funnier

[Ice009]

If Luka left them in FA nothing would be funnier

Well, that body language expert seems to say it looks he's not sure about it at all. Early days, though, as he hasn't gotten on the court yet. I can easily see him having no problem to leave if he doesn't like it there. He didn't ask to be there, so if they're not winning or don't treat him well, I think it will be easy for him to up and leave (of course I would like nothing more than for him to get out of there). I hope he does well, just not in LA. They fleeced the Mavericks and IMO neither franchise deserves to come out well from this trade, so I'd be happier for him if he leaves and has a great career elsewhere. I'd probably be a bigger fan of his if he didn't play for the Mavericks or Lakers.

During that draft, I watched him a bit in Europe leading up to it (I hardly ever do that - watch European basketball, but I'd heard good things about him so I was curious to see if he's the real deal) and after I watching him a bit, I thought he might be as good as a prime Manu and was hoping the Spurs could try and trade Kawhi for whatever pick it takes to be able to draft him (I wasn't sure the Spurs thought the same, but it seems like they did). After his first season or two, he ended up being even better than I thought he'd be.

[Pero]

Funny AI video of Jokic commenting on the trade. :lol


https://www.youtube.com/shorts/8u4l-LAEaEw

[poopbox]

Well, that body language expert seems to say it looks he's not sure about it at all. Early days, though, as he hasn't gotten on the court yet. I can easily see him having no problem to leave if he doesn't like it there. He didn't ask to be there, so if they're not winning or don't treat him well, I think it will be easy for him to up and leave (of course I would like nothing more than for him to get out of there). I hope he does well, just not in LA. They fleeced the Mavericks and IMO neither franchise deserves to come out well from this trade, so I'd be happier for him if he leaves and has a great career elsewhere. I'd probably be a bigger fan of his if he didn't play for the Mavericks or Lakers.

During that draft, I watched him a bit in Europe leading up to it (I hardly ever do that - watch European basketball, but I'd heard good things about him so I was curious to see if he's the real deal) and after I watching him a bit, I thought he might be as good as a prime Manu and was hoping the Spurs could try and trade Kawhi for whatever pick it takes to be able to draft him (I wasn't sure the Spurs thought the same, but it seems like they did). After his first season or two, he ended up being even better than I thought he'd be.

Main reason why I could see him legit leaving, and why the Lakers kept one of their picks. Generally speaking people who don't want to be at a a place tend to leave said place regardless of how "good" it is.

[Spurminator]

Luka doesn’t strike me as a guy who wants the limelight or necessarily the biggest market like LA or NY.

He played for Real Madrid as a teenager.

He won't be partying out on Sunset Strip in all likelihood but from a sports perspective, I don't see the limelight being any issue for him.

[Spurminator]

Have you cancelled? Seems like that is the trigger point.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/43696015/fans-say-mavericks-offering-refunds-luka-doncic-trade

I thought I got a notification on my phone yesterday that the Mavs denied the refund claims, but now I can't find any article confirming that, so it's possible I misread something.

I won't be asking for a refund, I hate the trade but I'm very interested to see how it all plays out.

[ambchang]

Predicting it now: Nico Harrison is fired by the end of the season after the massive backlash. I saw the Mavericks are having offer folks refunds on their season tickets based on the backlash

I’d be really surprised if Nico has not already been compensated for this already. I’m sure it’s the owners orders because there is no way a person with any knowledge in basketball will accept, let alone initiated, this trade.

As for refunds, I’d say unlikely because they have shown they don’t give a crap about the fan base bad on $. They ain’t giving up anything. They are moving to Vegas.

[LeBowen]

Not even the supermax excuse is valid.
It's not like they'd save $350M and not get anyone else, look at AD's contract.
Luka missed out on $120M over 5 years.
He'd surely generate $24M extra revenue for the ownership each year with all the merchandise, sponsorships and higher ticket prices.
Mavs had a 20 year sellout streak which is about to be broken and the arena will stay half-empty unless they singificantly reduce ticket prices.

[KobesAchilles]

If I’m Luka I’m making demand after demand to Lakers GM. The Lakers are gonna suck this year and a 40 year old LeBron on a max deal ain’t gonna help Luka. I’m putting my foot down and saying get me some real help or I’m playing with Jokic. Bc the Lakers are a joke of an organization right now even with Luka. They have no starting 1 or 3. Washed LeBron at 4 and no starting 5. This team needs a lot of help and I ain’t waiting for it.