Lakers acquiring Luca for AD

[Ice009]

Has he said he wants to play with Jokic? That'd be an insane pairing to see.

[scott]

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.

Would be hilarious if Luka forced LeBron out of LA

[spurraider21]

1886243840212029540

[Pauleta14]

If Luka left them in FA nothing would be funnier

Once he realizes all the advantages, whether it's the refs or the ability to get any free agents or become even more a media darling or the Lakers fanbase who'll make u a god...

Taxes aside, there's no more privileged place to play basketball than the Lakers.

No way he leaves.

[Pauleta14]

Would be hilarious if Luka forced LeBron out of LA

It's more Luka who'll force Lebron out of the Lakers.

[ismael-robert]

Did this guy just repeat exactly what Scott said?

[daslicer]

Once he realizes all the advantages, whether it's the refs or the ability to get any free agents or become even more a media darling or the Lakers fanbase who'll make u a god...

Taxes aside, there's no more privileged place to play basketball than the Lakers.

No way he leaves.

Agreed that's exactly what's going to happen. He's hurt and emotional right now about the betrayal but give it a few months and he will get over it once he sees how great living in LA is and all the perks, he gets being a Laker.

[mystargtr34]

The more I think about this the more I think the owners (Adeldon-Dumont) were the ones that told Nico trade Luka and take the fall.

Nico has made some great moves the last 2 years there is no way he’s dumb enough to trade Luka for AD.

Heard the owners want a new arena and casino resort and they are trying to tank the Mavs as leverage. Could also be some shady sideways shit between them and Silver.

[ambchang]

The more I think about this the more I think the owners (Adeldon-Dumont) were the ones that told Nico trade Luka and take the fall.

Nico has made some great moves the last 2 years there is no way he’s dumb enough to trade Luka for AD.

Heard the owners want a new arena and casino resort and they are trying to tank the Mavs as leverage. Could also be some shady sideways shit between them and Silver.

I’d say the owners forcing this is pretty much a given. There is no way any basketball person would’ve traded Luka for Davis due to basketball reasons. This is purely a financial decision and those owners appear to be specifically the types of money hungry psychopaths who’s screw over a supportive fan base for a few extra dollars.

Silver has turned the league into a money making machine at the expense of the integrity of the game, and ironically, it will be the reason for the downfall of the league.

As much as people disliked stern, he kept a tight ship, had clear boundaries on how much the game can be tampered with, and a clear vision of where the league should go. Silver had none of that, all he sees is money, and will destroy the game for casuals as long as he can earn another dollar.

He created a league with too much money floating around are now attracting the type of snake owners that will run the league to the ground. He is more than happy to comply because it will further help funnel players to big markets.

[Mr. Body]

I’d say the owners forcing this is pretty much a given. There is no way any basketball person would’ve traded Luka for Davis due to basketball reasons. This is purely a financial decision and those owners appear to be specifically the types of money hungry psychopaths who’s screw over a supportive fan base for a few extra dollars.

Silver has turned the league into a money making machine at the expense of the integrity of the game, and ironically, it will be the reason for the downfall of the league.

As much as people disliked stern, he kept a tight ship, had clear boundaries on how much the game can be tampered with, and a clear vision of where the league should go. Silver had none of that, all he sees is money, and will destroy the game for casuals as long as he can earn another dollar.

He created a league with too much money floating around are now attracting the type of snake owners that will run the league to the ground. He is more than happy to comply because it will further help funnel players to big markets.

I mean David Stern stole the Sonics from Seattle on behalf of his billionaire asshole friend.

[ambchang]

I mean David Stern stole the Sonics from Seattle on behalf of his billionaire asshole friend.

That’s for meth money though. Not to help the lakers.

[ambchang]

Magic never had HIV. The whole thing was a scam

Man this conspiracy I gotta hear.

[lefty]

I fucking hate NBA Centel
:lol I love it tbh

And now fucking Elon Musk wants to label parody accounts

Fuck this frustrated psychopath tbh

[lefty]

Man this conspiracy I gotta hear.. I have a few crazy ones :lol

The league told Detroit to throw the series vs Boston in 87 so they would give them 2 titles later. It’s the only explanation to Zeke’s retarded turnover .

Same thing with Miami in 2011

Or Magic making way too many weird mistakes in 84

[Spurminator]

I’d say the owners forcing this is pretty much a given. There is no way any basketball person would’ve traded Luka for Davis due to basketball reasons. This is purely a financial decision and those owners appear to be specifically the types of money hungry psychopaths who’s screw over a supportive fan base for a few extra dollars.

Given the realities of AD's contract vs. Luka's, and considering merch sales, ticket sales, etc., AD doesn't really save them much money vs. Luka at the Supermax.

Unless you believe the NBA would allow a move from the 4th largest media market to the 40th, I don't think this is part of a conspiracy to move the team. And even if it could work that way, if the idea was to make the Mavs worse, I think they do a package that doesn't net them back a top 20, All-NBA player plus another starter.

I've come around on this just being Nico (and perhaps Kidd) souring on Luka being more important than the team. I still don't think it was the right move, but I do buy that it was a basketball/culture move in a situation where the owners are not basketball people (therefore not as likely to see the business and local ramifications of dealing a local hero.)

[Russ]

Magic never had HIV. The whole thing was a scam

Even RFK Jr. is blushing.

:bobo

[ambchang]

Given the realities of AD's contract vs. Luka's, and considering merch sales, ticket sales, etc., AD doesn't really save them much money vs. Luka at the Supermax.

Unless you believe the NBA would allow a move from the 4th largest media market to the 40th, I don't think this is part of a conspiracy to move the team. And even if it could work that way, if the idea was to make the Mavs worse, I think they do a package that doesn't net them back a top 20, All-NBA player plus another starter.

I've come around on this just being Nico (and perhaps Kidd) souring on Luka being more important than the team. I still don't think it was the right move, but I do buy that it was a basketball/culture move in a situation where the owners are not basketball people (therefore not as likely to see the business and local ramifications of dealing a local hero.)

The thing about Vegas is that if they have a team and built a casino to host the Mavs, the team will be worth billions more than any other team. The stream of revenue from gambling and entertainment will be insane, with an nba team as an attraction.

For example, the golden knights is a newer team in the nhl, and yet it has the 8th highest revenue in the league, behind only big markets and Canadian teams. They pretty much double the last placed team the Arizona coyotes, despite similar locales.

If the Mavs do move to Vegas, the league will expand and get another team in Dallas in no time. But that hosting an nba team in a casino/entertainment complex idea will make silver salivate.

[Obstructed_View]

The lesson from this is: Don't let your wife near Rob Pelinka. Nico should have woken up last Sunday wondering where his panties went. He still thinks this was a collaboration between him and his friend.

This is championship-level grooming.

[John B]

Once he realizes all the advantages, whether it's the refs or the ability to get any free agents or become even more a media darling or the Lakers fanbase who'll make u a god...

Taxes aside, there's no more privileged place to play basketball than the Lakers.

No way he leaves.

Except you’re in the shadow of greatness like Kobe who was the epitome of work ethic. If the Lakers are not winning and Luka shows to work (or not show at work) overweight, goodluck with all the eyes on him and his weight.

[Pauleta14]

Except you’re in the shadow of greatness like Kobe who was the epitome of work ethic. If the Lakers are not winning and Luka shows to work (or not show at work) overweight, goodluck with all the eyes on him and his weight.

- Have you heard of Magic's work ethic? ^^

- Luka is a talented stat padder and will always have an army to defend the undefendable, it's always been the case and it'll be even worse in LA with crazy fans, for ex some genuinely think kobe is the real Goat (:lol)

- If he fails it'll be bc of Rob Pelinka as usual or the insufficiencies of the roster. It was already the case when Kobe was playing a horrible selfish basketball (prior to Phil Jackson's return).

- LA needs Luka more than the other way around, especially with Lebron on the way out. LA has the same issue as any large cities with so much stuff to do they need a special figure that goes beyond the sport and can generate interest from the "casuals". There are very few players that can fill that need today, Luka Wemby and maybe Giannis, not even Jokic (not the personality for LA). (FYI that's why PSG paid so much to get Neymar at some point or Messi later)

[ambchang]

- Have you heard of Magic's work ethic? ^^

- Luka is a talented stat padder and will always have an army to defend the undefendable, it's always been the case and it'll be even worse in LA with crazy fans, for ex some genuinely think kobe is the real Goat (:lol)

- If he fails it'll be bc of Rob Pelinka as usual or the insufficiencies of the roster. It was already the case when Kobe was playing a horrible selfish basketball (prior to Phil Jackson's return).

- LA needs Luka more than the other way around, especially with Lebron on the way out. LA has the same issue as any large cities with so much stuff to do they need a special figure that goes beyond the sport and can generate interest from the "casuals". There are very few players that can fill that need today, Luka Wemby and maybe Giannis, not even Jokic (not the personality for LA). (FYI that's why PSG paid so much to get Neymar at some point or Messi later)

Magic was actually famous for his work ethic. Riley hated the magic nickname because it implies magic didn’t work for it, which wasn’t the case.

[vy65]

1887682108870500734

[Mal]

AD with 26/16/7 after 3q, and he is injured again

[BatManu20]

AD went off in the 1st half and then suffered a non-contact injury in the 3rd quarter. The full AD experience in one game.

[Obstructed_View]

Street Clothes.

[Ice009]

Darn, he's definitely a great player that I would probably take over Luka if they were the same age as I love defense and he's also good on offense, but darn, the injuries make me pause. If they traded Luka due to being out of shape physically, they traded for the wrong guy.

Also, what was Sean Elliott on about during the broadcast? He said the trade for Mark Williams was rescinded?

[Pero]

Darn, he's definitely a great player that I would probably take over Luka if they were the same age as I love defense and he's also good on offense, but darn, the injuries make me pause. If they traded Luka due to being out of shape physically, they traded for the wrong guy.

Also, what was Sean Elliott on about during the broadcast? He said the trade for Mark Williams was rescinded?
Yeah, apparently he failed the physical. That's going to be ackward for the almost traded players...

[Ice009]

Darn, that sucks. I remember a few fans here during his draft were interested in him, but mentioned he has an injury history. I wonder why he failed it/what issues came up?

I'm curious to see what Gilbert Arenas has to say about this as he talked a lot of trash about Dalton Knecht on his way out. lol.

[z0sa]

Was always the problem with AD. He's one of the best - when he's healthy. Which is essentially never.

I'd rather Donutcic because he's at least got a few good years ahead of him when he's mostly healthy, if still a fatass.

[cd021]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQjqoYOAecQ&ab_channel=FASTBREAK :lol

[Tyronn Lue]

Yeah, apparently he failed the physical. That's going to be ackward for the almost traded players...
I think they know the game by now though, come deadline someone will get traded. When you're making millions even as a 3rd or 4th option, even off the bench, you're basically your own company. It's weird.

[itzsoweezee]

lol at this dumbfuck:

Dumont added:
If you look at the greats in the league, the people you and I grew up with — [Michael] Jordan, [Larry] Bird, Kobe [Bryant], Shaq [O'Neal] — they worked really hard, every day, with a singular focus to win. And if you don't have that, it doesn't work. And if you don't have that, you shouldn't be part of the Dallas Mavericks. That's who we want. I'm unwavering on this. The entire organization knows this. This is how I operate outside of basketball. This is the only way to be competitive and win. If you want to take a vacation, don't do it with us.

[Ice009]

Who's this Dumont guy? Sounds like he doesn't know much about the NBA. Shaq was not a hard worker and certainly not every day. I don't know anything about Larry Bird. Did he have a good work ethic? Weren't players in the 80s doing coke, drinking beer etc. Jordan was out gambling. Kobe's the only guy on that list I know for sure was a hard worker day in day out.

[itzsoweezee]

Who's this Dumont guy? Sounds like he doesn't know much about the NBA. Shaq was not a hard worker and certainly not every day. I don't know anything about Larry Bird. Did he have a good work ethic? Weren't players in the 80s doing coke, drinking beer etc. Jordan was out gambling. Kobe's the only guy on that list I know for sure was a hard worker day in day out.

Mavs owner and governor

[Ice009]

Mavs owner and governor

Thanks. How has this guy got that job? He seems to know nothing about some of those players he listed. Also, he's not the majority owner, is he? Didn't Mark Cuban sell to a casino mob?
And is governor just another term for owner? I haven't really heard that term used for NBA.

[Spurminator]

Thanks. How has this guy got that job? He seems to know nothing about some of those players he listed. Also, he's not the majority owner, is he? Didn't Mark Cuban sell to a casino mob?
And is governor just another term for owner? I haven't really heard that term used for NBA.

He is Miriam Adelson's (casino mob boss) son in law.

[Ice009]

He is Miriam Adelson's (casino mob boss) son in law.

Ahh OK, darn, so he's as high up as it gets then and has the authority. Pretty poor evaluation for their trade. These guys are just making themselves look worse and worse every time they open their mouths.

[SPURt]

Never been much for the Mavs, but respected the hell out of Dirk and enjoyed the ring against the Heatles. What ownership is doing here are echos of Donald Sterling sprinkled in with Vivek Ranadive. The fact the Lakers benefited from the incompetence makes it worse.

[z0sa]

Never been much for the Mavs, but respected the hell out of Dirk and enjoyed the ring against the Heatles. What ownership is doing here are echos of Donald Sterling sprinkled in with Vivek Ranadive. The fact the Lakers benefited from the incompetence makes it worse.

Yeah, it's particularly egregious to make a trade that has literally any chance at all of making a conference competitor better.

When that competitor is the Lakers, you can reeeaaaallllyyyy just go fuck yourself.

[Dod01]

"Anthony Davis out multiple weeks with adductor strain" - Shams

[Ice009]

Wow, you're joking. I thought he'd be day to day when he left the game the other day. Man, that guy's body fucking sucks. Great player, but man, Dallas fans must be going off right about now.

[Spurs Homer]

Trade a top 3 player in his prime for a porcelain china doll and not even call any other team just to check if they can beat that deal-
i mean what could go wrong?

china doll is going to dominate and stay healthy for 10 years at least….oh wait!

[ffadicted]

"Anthony Davis out multiple weeks with adductor strain" - Shams

I expected this to happen someday, but the very first game? LOL This is just too fuckin comical.

[Dod01]

Wow, you're joking. I thought he'd be day to day when he left the game the other day. Man, that guy's body fucking sucks. Great player, but man, Dallas fans must be going off right about now.


Trade a top 3 player in his prime for a porcelain china doll and not even call any other team just to check if they can beat that deal-
i mean what could go wrong?

china doll is going to dominate and stay healthy for 10 years at least….oh wait!


I expected this to happen someday, but the very first game? LOL This is just too fuckin comical.

The most crooked deal in NBA history, maybe even all of sports, bar none.

[Ice009]

I expected this to happen someday, but the very first game? LOL This is just too fuckin comical.

The very first game after he proclaimed in the first quarter he's here (he must have been saying "I'm here" to the Dallas medical staff). LOL. This is some shit. You couldn't even script this, it'd be too unbelievable.


The most crooked deal in NBA history, maybe even all of sports, bar none.

Yep, like I said, if you scripted this trade, it wouldn't be believable, but here we are.

[LkrFan]

I guess we won't have to worry about the Lakers sniping Wemby when Luka is making $50 mil a year.

:lol

[LkrFan]

Yeah, it's particularly egregious to make a trade that has literally any chance at all of making a conference competitor better.

When that competitor is the Lakers, you can reeeaaaallllyyyy just go fuck yourself.

:lol

[LkrFan]

I smell tampering all over again…

never underestimate a corrupt franchise like the kunts in l.a.

:lol

[LkrFan]

1885930691386364043

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GV1wVE7WMAAPlTz.jpg

270lbs huh? :lol

[LkrFan]

This has to be it

Yup. Lakers would have cap space for a max player det year. At least the Mavs didn't lose him for nothing tbh. :lol

[ChumpDumper]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GV1wVE7WMAAPlTz.jpg

270lbs huh? :lolLooks pretty doughy tbh.

1887347849333010822

https://x.com/ClutchPoints/status/1887347849333010822

[scott]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GV1wVE7WMAAPlTz.jpg

270lbs huh? :lol

Maybe he was showing up to weigh-ins in Harden's fat suit to under the radar push a trade :lol

[ChumpDumper]

I concede. 16-bit Doncic has slimming black pixels.

:lol the wish logo

[LkrFan]

Maybe he was showing up to weigh-ins in Harden's fat suit to under the radar push a trade :lol

:rollin :lmao :rollin

[Gagnrath]

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.
No they traded him because they (the owners as a group) don't want supermax contracts, if you trade the guy that kills the supermax.

[Obstructed_View]

If the Mavericks can demonstrably save money by wrecking their franchise to save the supermax then the whole league has a problem. The Spurs certainly have no chance of surviving after re-signing Victor.

[daslicer]

If the Mavericks can demonstrably save money by wrecking their franchise to save the supermax then the whole league has a problem. The Spurs certainly have no chance of surviving after re-signing Victor.

In my eyes the supermax was the worst thing ever created. The dumbest idea ever because it makes it hard to build a team that can be title contenders for a long period of time. Due to supermax most teams will have a short window to contend and that will be it.

[Ice009]

In my eyes the supermax was the worst thing ever created. The dumbest idea ever because it makes it hard to build a team that can be title contenders for a long period of time. Due to supermax most teams will have a short window to contend and that will be it.

They need to change it and come up with something else. I agreed that they needed an incentive for a player to want to stay with his original team that drafted him instead of bolting to a bigger market if it's a small market team, but this was a bad solution from the start. You could put in a lot of hard work (draft and develop some really great players) and build a title contender, but then it's all wrecked with that supermax.

Do you guys think the Spurs were not going to offer Kawhi the supermax even if he wanted to stay? Looking back at in now, I don't think they were going to due to his knee issue.

[tbdog]

In my eyes the supermax was the worst thing ever created. The dumbest idea ever because it makes it hard to build a team that can be title contenders for a long period of time. Due to supermax most teams will have a short window to contend and that will be it.

Yes, but it was to fix players going to big markets, because the only team that can offer that supermax is usually the team that drafted him. So if Wemby didn't want to to stay in SA and wanted Lakers instead, most agents would tell him to take the supermax and a year later, we will get you to LA. SA still gets to do the trade and don't lose him for nothing, which is crippling. I honestly think the difference between the supermax and max shouldn't count against the tax.

[Dverde]

I think the supermax should be tied to playing for the team that offered it. They trade you and you lose it. Players union would fight this with all their might.

[Ice009]

Yes, but it was to fix players going to big markets, because the only team that can offer that supermax is usually the team that drafted him. So if Wemby didn't want to to stay in SA and wanted Lakers instead, most agents would tell him to take the supermax and a year later, we will get you to LA. SA still gets to do the trade and don't lose him for nothing, which is crippling. I honestly think the difference between the supermax and max shouldn't count against the tax.


I think the supermax should be tied to playing for the team that offered it. They trade you and you lose it. Players union would fight this with all their might.

Both good ideas IMO.

[RC_Drunkford]

:lmao Mavs

1888773535163699622

[cd98]

No they traded him because they (the owners as a group) don't want supermax contracts, if you trade the guy that kills the supermax.

That's brilliant. You don't want to pay him the max so you send him to a Western Conference rival that gets to sign him for less than the supermax and then he can remind you of why he is worth the supermax for the next 10 years.

[mo7888]

That's brilliant. You don't want to pay him the max so you send him to a Western Conference rival that gets to sign him for less than the supermax and then he can remind you of why he is worth the supermax for the next 10 years.

I think youre going to see more of this in the future, with one exception, teams will trade young stars for other young stars to avoid each team paying the Supermax. Ant for Shai types of deals. It'll save both teams money.

I doubt you see young stars traded for old brittle stars again after this fiasco.

[Dverde]

:lmao Mavs

1888773535163699622

Now the Lakers winning the LOB would be the apex of losing a trade.

[exstatic]

Now the Lakers winning the LOB would be the apex of losing a trade.

Zero chance of that. They’ll honestly be doing well to even be competitive in the second round against OKC or Memphis. If they slip to 6th, Denver may take them out in the opening round. Jokic has had a vendetta against LeBron since being left to the last selection in the ASG.

[scott]

They need to change it and come up with something else. I agreed that they needed an incentive for a player to want to stay with his original team that drafted him instead of bolting to a bigger market if it's a small market team, but this was a bad solution from the start. You could put in a lot of hard work (draft and develop some really great players) and build a title contender, but then it's all wrecked with that supermax.

Do you guys think the Spurs were not going to offer Kawhi the supermax even if he wanted to stay? Looking back at in now, I don't think they were going to due to his knee issue.

I think there are two fixes they should immediately make:

1) A SuperMax (both the vet and rookie SuperMax's) only counts as a regular max against the cap *if* you were the team that signed him to the SuperMax (this goes with #2, below). If you trade for a SuperMax player, the whole thing counts against your cap.

2) Allow a SuperMax even if you've been traded. I suspect that the Players Association is kicking themselves pretty hard over this right now, as one of their members just lost a bunch of money by being traded. The players aren't going to want this to become a trend.

#2 is obviously good for the players but #1 aids in team construction and has less of a punishing effect for retaining your own star players. Teams should like it, but Adam Silver may not because he probably views movement of star players as good for the league.

[Ice009]

Zero chance of that. They’ll honestly be doing well to even be competitive in the second round against OKC or Memphis. If they slip to 6th, Denver may take them out in the opening round. Jokic has had a vendetta against LeBron since being left to the last selection in the ASG.

What year was this where he picked him last?

[exstatic]

What year was this where he picked him last?

Don’t honestly remember, but it was fairly recently. If you find a YouTube, you can hear Jokic mutter something to the effect of “you’ll pay for that”, and he’s been as good as his word. Jokic has made it his mission to punk the Lakers.

[ambchang]

In my eyes the supermax was the worst thing ever created. The dumbest idea ever because it makes it hard to build a team that can be title contenders for a long period of time. Due to supermax most teams will have a short window to contend and that will be it.

My thought was that as the intention. The league had to do something to breakup those lebron super teams or those warriors dynasties. A bit of luck or a large market will have an even bigger advantage over the smaller market teams because they have the local markets and the associated revenues to just keep buying titles.

Jordan’s GOAT status will stay safe forever.

[Dod01]

Man, I can't believe my eyes that a deal like this even happened. Nico Harrison, Rob Pelinka, Mavs FO, and Adam Silver are such pieces of shit to blatantly rig this for and to save the Lakers. Man, just so blatant. Unbelievable.

[Dod01]

This makes the Pau Gasol trade in 2008 look like the Grizzlies ripped off the Lakers, even though that trade was so blatantly crooked as well in favor of LA. That's how downright evil this deal was.

[scott]

Mavs kicked a dude out of the stadium tonight who had a "FIRE NICO" sign. Soft ass franchise.

[Obstructed_View]

Watching the pregame with Pelinka sitting there with a shit-eating grin, knowing it's too late to do anything about it. What. A. Screwing.

I don't think the GM of the Mavs will ever be safe in public again. Like I'm pretty sure someone is going to take his ass out.

[Obstructed_View]

This makes the Pau Gasol trade in 2008 look like the Grizzlies ripped off the Lakers, even though that trade was so blatantly crooked as well in favor of LA. That's how downright evil this deal was.
Yeah it doesn't seem as bad now because Marc Gasol became a really good player for the Grizzlies.

[slick'81]

Dallas is straight retarded to do that deal for an even more injury prone softie


https://youtu.be/kl-Ep2wzvWw?si=EmlHQ4YGZHTXnMGH

[BatManu20]

Mavs kicked a dude out of the stadium tonight who had a "FIRE NICO" sign. Soft ass franchise.

Insane. Softest thing I've ever seen. They've become the most unlikable franchise in the league overnight thanks to Nico's dumbass and their new trash-bag ownership group. They kicked out other fans who were holding signs and I know last game they kicked out a number of fans wearing "Fire Nico" t-shirts. Crazy.

1889174293889646747

[ambchang]

For someone who supports trump in the tune of $100m, I thought the ownership group would support free speech.

[Dod01]

Yeah it doesn't seem as bad now because Marc Gasol became a really good player for the Grizzlies.

True. Though they didn't know what Marc Gasol was going to be. The trade was still 100% lopsided/crooked in favor of the Lakers.

[exstatic]

Watching the pregame with Pelinka sitting there with a shit-eating grin, knowing it's too late to do anything about it. What. A. Screwing.

I don't think the GM of the Mavs will ever be safe in public again. Like I'm pretty sure someone is going to take his ass out.

They only fucked up one thing. Should have done the deal this summer when all of the season tix were locked in and committed. There will be such a mass dumping of Mavs season tickets it will be audible.

[Dod01]

For someone who supports trump in the tune of $100m, I thought the ownership group would support free speech.

Republicans don't actually support free speech at all. We're only a month into Trump's second presidency, and it's 100% clear that Project 2025 is off to the races, something that Trump claimed during his campaign over and over again that he had zero knowledge of.

All of his hires and his early orders clearly show he was lying through his demonic, sociopathic teeth. The closer Project 2025 gets to accomplishing all of their agendas, it's going to be 10× worse than the supposed censorship that the far-left was accused of, which was mostly trying to prevent medical misinformation as well as, bigotry from the right-wing, etc.

[lefty20]

Joel Embeib maybe....

T'was indeed Giannis.

1889374917910733222

[scott]

The videos of security removing people from Mavs games for any kind of "Fire Nico" or "Luka Doncic" chant is wild. What a far cry from MFFL. It's going to get worse there I imagine.

If we somehow made the Play-In, I think it will be at the expense of the Mavs and the Suns. Only 2 games back in the loss column to each. Too bad we completely shit the bed against CHA and ORL

[tonight...you]

The videos of security removing people from Mavs games for any kind of "Fire Nico" or "Luka Doncic" chant is wild. What a far cry from MFFL. It's going to get worse there I imagine.

If we somehow made the Play-In, I think it will be at the expense of the Mavs and the Suns. Only 2 games back in the loss column to each. Too bad we completely shit the bed against CHA and ORL
Que sera, sera...
Whatever will be, will be.



Now I want to watch an old Pink Panther movie and watch that gorgeous princess, or duchess singing: The money, kilos gone.... That's que sera-aaaaa-aaaaa.

[quentin_compson]

Que sera, sera...
Whatever will be, will be.



Now I want to watch an old Pink Panther movie and watch that gorgeous princess, or duchess singing: The money, kilos gone.... That's que sera-aaaaa-aaaaa.

You mean Claudia Cardinale?

[exstatic]

Insane. Softest thing I've ever seen. They've become the most unlikable franchise in the league overnight thanks to Nico's dumbass and their new trash-bag ownership group. They kicked out other fans who were holding signs and I know last game they kicked out a number of fans wearing "Fire Nico" t-shirts. Crazy.

1889174293889646747

I’d say that’s your real culprit. Worse than that idiot in OKC who traded Harden for pennies on the dollar over going into the first level of luxury tax. These fools don’t realize that wonder players don’t grow on trees, and that if you have one, you need to hang onto him like Grim Death, not trade them.

[SpurSpike]

Supposedly Spurs were going after Nico Harrison to be part of their front office back in 2021...

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/nico-harrison-s-timeline-nike-nearly-a-spur-mavericks-savant-all-time-gm-thanos/ar-AA1yQCm8 (https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/nico-harrison-s-timeline-nike-nearly-a-spur-mavericks-savant-all-time-gm-thanos/ar-AA1yQCm8)

[RC_Drunkford]

we dodged a bullet there. He would've traded Wemby for Street Clothes

[tonight...you]

You mean Claudia Cardinale?
Yes! Thank you!

[Ocotillo]

we dodged a bullet there. He would've traded Wemby for Street Clothes

I wonder. He seemed to be doing a pretty good job with the Mavs until this, and it appears this was imposed on him by ownership

[RC_Drunkford]

I wonder. He seemed to be doing a pretty good job with the Mavs until this, and it appears this was imposed on him by ownership

the way it sounds to me that was 100% him and ownership was on board with the deal

[SpurSpike]

From what I understand ownership wasn't going to pay Luka the max so that part is on them but the trade for AD was on Nico, he could have done better even with the bad situation he was in. Just a complete failure from top to bottom.

[Obstructed_View]

Republicans don't actually support free speech at all. We're only a month into Trump's second presidency, and it's 100% clear that Project 2025 is off to the races, something that Trump claimed during his campaign over and over again that he had zero knowledge of.

All of his hires and his early orders clearly show he was lying through his demonic, sociopathic teeth. The closer Project 2025 gets to accomplishing all of their agendas, it's going to be 10× worse than the supposed censorship that the far-left was accused of, which was mostly trying to prevent medical misinformation as well as, bigotry from the right-wing, etc.

Faggot: the political forum is downstairs. Go there or shut up.

[KobesAchilles]

Imagine trading for a guy nicknamed: street clothes and then immediately afterwords that player lives up to the name :lol

[daslicer]

we dodged a bullet there. He would've traded Wemby for Street Clothes

Nico would have traded Victor for Hachimura and 2 second round draft picks and would have considered that a steal. Nico would have said "Victor despite being talented he's not the type of bigman that wins you titles. He doesn't have the post-up game of a Duncan, Shaq, Olaujuwon and refuses to get on a weight lifting program to increase his size. With Rui we get a great low post defender and a great value with two second round draft picks that can help build our team into a title contender."

[Seventyniner]

Imagine trading for a guy nicknamed: street clothes and then immediately afterwords that player lives up to the name :lol

The best nickname I saw for him was DNP-AD.

[Strategic]

T'was indeed Giannis.

1889374917910733222 These owners covering for each other’s screw ups. I can be told anything about this deal, but I’m slanted towards the league being involved in Luka’s landing spot.

[Dod01]

Faggot: the political forum is downstairs. Go there or shut up.

Hey faggot, you don't own this forum bitch.

[kht]

Trading Luka for Giannis makes zero sense. No guarantees either of them re-signs unless it's a Kawhi year and they win the title. Luka + Dame?

[Teamduncan21]

Republicans don't actually support free speech at all. We're only a month into Trump's second presidency, and it's 100% clear that Project 2025 is off to the races, something that Trump claimed during his campaign over and over again that he had zero knowledge of.

All of his hires and his early orders clearly show he was lying through his demonic, sociopathic teeth. The closer Project 2025 gets to accomplishing all of their agendas, it's going to be 10× worse than the supposed censorship that the far-left was accused of, which was mostly trying to prevent medical misinformation as well as, bigotry from the right-wing, etc.

What does that have to do with censorship? It's just random complaint. Seems you are mixing lying with censorship.

[spursistan]

Mind-boggling is the sheer stupidity and level of 'out of touch' of the Mavericks brass.. And they keep doubling down :lmao

Mavs Film Room 🐴🎥 on X: " TIM_cato said on @DLLS_Mavs that Mavs CEO Rick Welts compared the Luka Dončić trade to the his former team Warriors trading Monta Ellis for Andrew Bogut in 2012. Unbelievably out of touch." / X (https://x.com/MavsFilmRoom/status/1912196717040312613)

[Obstructed_View]

You guys know that I have zero love for the Mavericks, but I'm an NBA fan, and I've been living in north Texas for thirty years, and this trade wounds me. (:lol It Still Hurts)

Luka is, at worst, a top three player, even out of shape. He was a part of this town in a way nobody has been since maybe Staubach. He loves Dallas and loves the fans.

They went to the finals last year and picked up the perfect free agent for them with Klay. Then traded for a dude whose nickname is Street Clothes. They solved a problem for Lebron and gave LA a superstar for the next ten years.

So much gaslighting. That fucking GM got money from Nike or the Buss family or something to fleece that inbred retard they put in charge of the team. It's impossible not to see. Fuck the NBA for going along with it.

[scott]

Must see TV on Monday as Nico Harrison will host an end of season press conference.

It will undoubtedly be a shit show... but at least Nico has the courage to do one of these... where is Brian Wright?

[Mr. Body]

Must see TV on Monday as Nico Harrison will host an end of season press conference.

It will undoubtedly be a shit show... but at least Nico has the courage to do one of these... where is Brian Wright?

Why would Wright have a press conference?

[exstatic]

Why would Wright have a press conference?

He’s in rare form today. Maybe the manic part of his cycle….

[scott]

He’s in rare form today. Maybe the manic part of his cycle….

Lots of GMs and teams do end-of-season press conferences. The Spurs get us E-N puff pieces on the Power of Friendship.

You and Tweedle Dum are on your typical form though.

Maybe Brian Wright doesn't want to have a press conference so that former players won't sever ties with the franchise if he gets a question about Pop.

[scott]

Utah Jazz GM Justin Zanik end of season press conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8DSfeA1wO0

Atlanta Hawks GM Landry Fields end of season press conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azcxLnzIkyc

Washington Wizards GM Will Dawkins end of season press conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlqGQdMBoho

Nets GM Sean Marks and HC Jordi Fernandez end of season press conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIjtm5Bz-cI

Sixers GM Daryl Morey and HC Nick Nurse end of season press conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvpWmMsgmKw

Raptors GM Masai Ujiri end of season press conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoye9gqJmmg

Suns owner Mat Ishbia end of season press conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TL6gpa1gc4Y

Blazers GM Joe Cronin and HC Chauncy Billips end of season press conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzMka6zWPQ8

Bulls GM Arturas Karnisovas end of season press conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wq2rypLpqRc

The only GMs who HAVEN'T had end of season press conferences: the two that got fired (SAC and NOP), the Hornets, and Brian Wright :lol

"Why would we expect our team to do standard shit teams do?"

[exstatic]

Utah Jazz GM Justin Zanik end of season press conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8DSfeA1wO0

Atlanta Hawks GM Landry Fields end of season press conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azcxLnzIkyc

Washington Wizards GM Will Dawkins end of season press conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlqGQdMBoho

Nets GM Sean Marks and HC Jordi Fernandez end of season press conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIjtm5Bz-cI

Sixers GM Daryl Morey and HC Nick Nurse end of season press conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvpWmMsgmKw

Raptors GM Masai Ujiri end of season press conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoye9gqJmmg

Suns owner Mat Ishbia end of season press conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TL6gpa1gc4Y

Blazers GM Joe Cronin and HC Chauncy Billips end of season press conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzMka6zWPQ8

Bulls GM Arturas Karnisovas end of season press conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wq2rypLpqRc

The only GMs who HAVEN'T had end of season press conferences: the two that got fired (SAC and NOP), the Hornets, and Brian Wright :lol

"Why would we expect our team to do standard shit teams do?"

I’m not wrong about the manic part, tho…

[Mr. Body]

I'm sure the Spurs guys will have a press conference when there needs to be one closer to the draft.

And I'm not sure what you're whining about, like Wright has some splaining to do. He drafted the ROY and did what you guys have been begging him to do forever and got a second star via trade. Yet you're still griping.

[scott]

I’m not wrong about the manic part, tho…

You see due diligence (that takes all of 3 minutes) as mania. That does explain the complete lack of it you put in, at least.

[Arguendo]

You guys know that I have zero love for the Mavericks, but I'm an NBA fan, and I've been living in north Texas for thirty years, and this trade wounds me. (:lol It Still Hurts)

Luka is, at worst, a top three player, even out of shape. He was a part of this town in a way nobody has been since maybe Staubach. He loves Dallas and loves the fans.

They went to the finals last year and picked up the perfect free agent for them with Klay. Then traded for a dude whose nickname is Street Clothes. They solved a problem for Lebron and gave LA a superstar for the next ten years.

So much gaslighting. That fucking GM got money from Nike or the Buss family or something to fleece that inbred retard they put in charge of the team. It's impossible not to see. Fuck the NBA for going along with it.
Seconded. I've been in central Dallas for 15 years. Its hard to overstate how much Luka appeared to love the city and how much the fans loved him. There wasn't a question he was a life-long Mavs who'd have a statute next to Dirk.
On court, Luka has had an all-time start, 5 straight NBA1 and Top10 MVP in 6 yrs, 3 Top 5 MVP- he was already an HOFer at 25. He has already had a objectively better career than AD. He carried that team to the finals with multiple injuries.
The only thing I've heard that makes any sense is the Las Vegas/casino connection of the new owners + them being pissed for TX not passing gambling- basically the plot of Major League
.
Bill Simmons has been talking for 2 years about NBA plans for 2 new expansion teams, to Seattle and LV. NBA wanted a sale for $6Billion so they could charge $6billion each both those new franchises. Boston sold for $6.1billion. The Adelson's developed the Strip in Vegas, built the Venetian, Palazo, and the Sphere. They were the driving force for the Raiders Stadium in Vegas, although sold out before the move. They still own a lot of real estate in Vegas and have all of the connections and money.

Idea is tank fan/political sentiment/sour the milk with this ownership group. Make a roster so bad no one cares they leave, pull the Browns/Ravens= move to Vegas, take a new name, likely up the value of the franchise in the process, build a new SOTA stadium and gaming facility in Vegas.

New franchises become the Sonics and the Mavs. Get the history. Mavs fans don't care because the roster is terrible, they hate the owners, get a new start with better short-term prospects- clean cap and asset. Vegas Adelson's likely increase the franchise value, get to go home, and get a new stadium. Win-win. But Luka had to go. Had to be plausible enough (HOF, multi-time and reigning all-NBA) but not good enough to actually do anything. AD was perfect. Good resume, elite two-way, but will definitely get hurt, more fragile than Mr. Glass and couldn't lead the Pels to the Playoffs in his prime. Than just good lucky Kyrie got hurt playing 40mpg w/o Luka.

Nothing else makes close to sense, no one is that incompetent. They didn't even maximize the value with the Lakers. Reaves, Knecht, the '30 swap, and the '31 1st had to be included to even consider trading Luka coming off an impressive finals run and a 19-11 start. This has to be basketballs Major League moment.

[ChumpDumper]

Seconded. I've been in central Dallas for 15 years. Its hard to overstate how much Luka appeared to love the city and how much the fans loved him. There wasn't a question he was a life-long Mavs who'd have a statute next to Dirk.
On court, Luka has had an all-time start, 5 straight NBA1 and Top10 MVP in 6 yrs, 3 Top 5 MVP- he was already an HOFer at 25. He has already had a objectively better career than AD. He carried that team to the finals with multiple injuries.
The only thing I've heard that makes any sense is the Las Vegas/casino connection of the new owners + them being pissed for TX not passing gambling- basically the plot of Major League
.
Bill Simmons has been talking for 2 years about NBA plans for 2 new expansion teams, to Seattle and LV. NBA wanted a sale for $6Billion so they could charge $6billion each both those new franchises. Boston sold for $6.1billion. The Adelson's developed the Strip in Vegas, built the Venetian, Palazo, and the Sphere. They were the driving force for the Raiders Stadium in Vegas, although sold out before the move. They still own a lot of real estate in Vegas and have all of the connections and money.

Idea is tank fan/political sentiment/sour the milk with this ownership group. Make a roster so bad no one cares they leave, pull the Browns/Ravens= move to Vegas, take a new name, likely up the value of the franchise in the process, build a new SOTA stadium and gaming facility in Vegas.

New franchises become the Sonics and the Mavs. Get the history. Mavs fans don't care because the roster is terrible, they hate the owners, get a new start with better short-term prospects- clean cap and asset. Vegas Adelson's likely increase the franchise value, get to go home, and get a new stadium. Win-win. But Luka had to go. Had to be plausible enough (HOF, multi-time and reigning all-NBA) but not good enough to actually do anything. AD was perfect. Good resume, elite two-way, but will definitely get hurt, more fragile than Mr. Glass and couldn't lead the Pels to the Playoffs in his prime. Than just good lucky Kyrie got hurt playing 40mpg w/o Luka.

Nothing else makes close to sense, no one is that incompetent. They didn't even maximize the value with the Lakers. Reaves, Knecht, the '30 swap, and the '31 1st had to be included to even consider trading Luka coming off an impressive finals run and a 19-11 start. This has to be basketballs Major League moment.Nah, they're planning on moving to Irving.

[scott]

Seconded. I've been in central Dallas for 15 years. Its hard to overstate how much Luka appeared to love the city and how much the fans loved him. There wasn't a question he was a life-long Mavs who'd have a statute next to Dirk.
On court, Luka has had an all-time start, 5 straight NBA1 and Top10 MVP in 6 yrs, 3 Top 5 MVP- he was already an HOFer at 25. He has already had a objectively better career than AD. He carried that team to the finals with multiple injuries.
The only thing I've heard that makes any sense is the Las Vegas/casino connection of the new owners + them being pissed for TX not passing gambling- basically the plot of Major League
.
Bill Simmons has been talking for 2 years about NBA plans for 2 new expansion teams, to Seattle and LV. NBA wanted a sale for $6Billion so they could charge $6billion each both those new franchises. Boston sold for $6.1billion. The Adelson's developed the Strip in Vegas, built the Venetian, Palazo, and the Sphere. They were the driving force for the Raiders Stadium in Vegas, although sold out before the move. They still own a lot of real estate in Vegas and have all of the connections and money.

Idea is tank fan/political sentiment/sour the milk with this ownership group. Make a roster so bad no one cares they leave, pull the Browns/Ravens= move to Vegas, take a new name, likely up the value of the franchise in the process, build a new SOTA stadium and gaming facility in Vegas.

New franchises become the Sonics and the Mavs. Get the history. Mavs fans don't care because the roster is terrible, they hate the owners, get a new start with better short-term prospects- clean cap and asset. Vegas Adelson's likely increase the franchise value, get to go home, and get a new stadium. Win-win. But Luka had to go. Had to be plausible enough (HOF, multi-time and reigning all-NBA) but not good enough to actually do anything. AD was perfect. Good resume, elite two-way, but will definitely get hurt, more fragile than Mr. Glass and couldn't lead the Pels to the Playoffs in his prime. Than just good lucky Kyrie got hurt playing 40mpg w/o Luka.

Nothing else makes close to sense, no one is that incompetent. They didn't even maximize the value with the Lakers. Reaves, Knecht, the '30 swap, and the '31 1st had to be included to even consider trading Luka coming off an impressive finals run and a 19-11 start. This has to be basketballs Major League moment.

Have always suspected there might be a slight chance that acquiring the Mavericks was an attempt to shortcut the process of getting an expansion team in Las Vegas, which will be a costly expansion (possibly as high as $5B expansion fee). Instead, buy the Mavericks for $3.5B and jump ahead of all the competition for the expansion rights.

I don’t think this is likely to be the true motivations… but that idea always creeps into the back of my mind.

[mystargtr34]

Luka had some good thoughts on the state of the lakers roster

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIp2Q8gMkKv/?igsh=MTF5MXh2eWFhaGg5YQ==

[lefty]

Luka had some good thoughts on the state of the lakers roster

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIp2Q8gMkKv/?igsh=MTF5MXh2eWFhaGg5YQ==

Thank you KENAN


AI voicies though :lol

[Mr. Body]

Seconded. I've been in central Dallas for 15 years. Its hard to overstate how much Luka appeared to love the city and how much the fans loved him. There wasn't a question he was a life-long Mavs who'd have a statute next to Dirk.
On court, Luka has had an all-time start, 5 straight NBA1 and Top10 MVP in 6 yrs, 3 Top 5 MVP- he was already an HOFer at 25. He has already had a objectively better career than AD. He carried that team to the finals with multiple injuries.
The only thing I've heard that makes any sense is the Las Vegas/casino connection of the new owners + them being pissed for TX not passing gambling- basically the plot of Major League
.
Bill Simmons has been talking for 2 years about NBA plans for 2 new expansion teams, to Seattle and LV. NBA wanted a sale for $6Billion so they could charge $6billion each both those new franchises. Boston sold for $6.1billion. The Adelson's developed the Strip in Vegas, built the Venetian, Palazo, and the Sphere. They were the driving force for the Raiders Stadium in Vegas, although sold out before the move. They still own a lot of real estate in Vegas and have all of the connections and money.

Idea is tank fan/political sentiment/sour the milk with this ownership group. Make a roster so bad no one cares they leave, pull the Browns/Ravens= move to Vegas, take a new name, likely up the value of the franchise in the process, build a new SOTA stadium and gaming facility in Vegas.

New franchises become the Sonics and the Mavs. Get the history. Mavs fans don't care because the roster is terrible, they hate the owners, get a new start with better short-term prospects- clean cap and asset. Vegas Adelson's likely increase the franchise value, get to go home, and get a new stadium. Win-win. But Luka had to go. Had to be plausible enough (HOF, multi-time and reigning all-NBA) but not good enough to actually do anything. AD was perfect. Good resume, elite two-way, but will definitely get hurt, more fragile than Mr. Glass and couldn't lead the Pels to the Playoffs in his prime. Than just good lucky Kyrie got hurt playing 40mpg w/o Luka.

Nothing else makes close to sense, no one is that incompetent. They didn't even maximize the value with the Lakers. Reaves, Knecht, the '30 swap, and the '31 1st had to be included to even consider trading Luka coming off an impressive finals run and a 19-11 start. This has to be basketballs Major League moment.

There are thoughts, too, that they're getting favors from the NBA brass for gifting a superstar to the Lakers as LBJ wanes, making ESPN and other national taste makers happy. If they gift Luka to the Lakers, there's even less urge to peer at them for what they're doing to the Mavs. It's not like the league cares a lot about the Dallas market. They're certainly not the Cowboys.

Nico is an easy scapegoat. Everyone laughs at him and wonders how he hasn't been fired, but he was simply doing what he was asked to do. He's going to be set, the Adelsons will move the Mavs to Vegas, the Lakers will build a team around Doncic, and Doncic will get more attention in the biggest market.

[scott]

Tim McMahon, who has obviously spent decades building relationships in and around the Mavericks, has a really detailed story on the events leading up to the Luka trade. It's a worthy read for those with an ESPN+ subscription.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/44704219/inside-end-luka-doncic-era-dallas-mavericks

Harrison sounds about as out of touch as Ishbia's "there are 26 teams who would trade places with us" comment. The story paints a picture of Nico as someone who just wants to be surrounded by yes-men, doing whatever he can to oust anyone who challenges him.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

Wild press conference by Nico Harrison with delusional quotes galore.

He’s legit insane.

[scott]

Wild press conference by Nico Harrison with delusional quotes galore.

He’s legit insane.

Is a link up yet? This is must see TV.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

Is a link up yet? This is must see TV.

Don’t have a link to the full thing but just skimmed through at least 10 nba reddit threads with quotes from it.

[Ice009]

When was this Nico press conference? Just now? Do you have any links to one of those reddit threads I can check out?

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

When was this Nico press conference? Just now? Do you have any links to one of those reddit threads I can check out?

https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/comments/1k4khb3/nico_harrison_on_the_backlash_to_trading_luka/

There are many but this quote takes the cake.

[scott]

Here is the entire press conference (reminder for the Tweedles, end-of-season press conferences is a normal thing that almost every team does):


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qe__jiM4SA0

[Ice009]

https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/comments/1k4khb3/nico_harrison_on_the_backlash_to_trading_luka/

There are many but this quote takes the cake.

Yeah, there is something wrong with Nico Harrison. If this is the guy that fucked up Steph Curry's Nike recruiting pitch, why would the Dallas Mavericks think he's the right guy to be their GM. This guy is out of touch.

Since he used to work for Nike, shouldn't he know about marketing if that was his previous job? If that was his expertise, then he should know just how important Luka is to the fanbase, and how important he also is from a marketing standpoint. I just don't buy any of this BS.

[scott]

Locked on Mavs reporter flat out asked Nico "why shouldn't you be fired?" :lol

Anyone in the Spurs media would instantly be blackballed

[scott]

Just Nico's body language and the way he is holding his pen in this press conference signals to me that he knows he fucked up and is on thin ice but he has to continue to tow the line and defend what he did.

I'm only a few minutes in, but the way he has short and clearly prepared responses to these questions (which honestly, were kind of obvious that these were the questions he'd get) also signals that the team is waking up to the fact that they are viewed among fans and around the league as jokes. This is the kind of press conference that politicians have right before they resign :lol

[scott]

Honestly, listening to this guy I'm shocked any team hired him to be a GM. Never heard anyone in his position speak with less confidence and authority. It wouldn't surprise me if all the people in the organization call him Nico Cuckleson behind his back.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

Yeah he knew what the questions would be like and you’d think he would have consulted with PRs and prepared some politically correct answers but he clearly hasn’t. He’s a walking PR disaster.

[Ice009]

Even I want Nico fired and I am not a Mavs fan to say the least. Normally I don't mind them being down due to being a rival, but man, this guy really screwed them over.

[scott]

1914388549085888567

[Mr. Body]

It's impossible that he traded Luka without ownership knowledge or input. He's covering for them.

[scott]

Another banger Nico quote to close the press conference:

"I'm sorry, I'm not capable of looking at the worst case scenario"

Imagine admitting that you are incapable of asking and thinking about the basic question of "what does this look if it doesn't work" :lol

Another line from earlier in the press conference was "I rule by faith, not by fear"

This guy operates under the assumption that if you just hope for the best, good things will happen. Unbelievable that anyone with this level of organizational responsibility would truly take this kind of approach.

I used to operate under the assumption that NBA front offices had a basic level of competence. I'm now going to completely abandon this assumption.

Related back to the Spurs... I think this is largely why the Spurs haven't had an end-of-season press conference. They don't want to have to face an endless barrage of questions about Pop, when perhaps they haven't been able to fully flesh out their plan yet. There is more downside than upside to sitting in front of the press and talking about that situation. I expect more specifically tailored stories to come out via the E-N for the Spurs to control the message this offseason.

[Ice009]

People that are mentioning that the NBA wanted it to make the Lakers stronger/up the ratings or some conspiracy with the Adelsons, what about the other rumors that they tried to trade him for Anthony Edwards and Giannis? If those rumors are true, then the Mavs just wanted to move on from him and at least they tried to trade for better/great players that weren't a downgrade.
Maybe Nico got desperate and went with the Lakers when he shouldn't have. He scraped the bottom of the barrel with that trade. If he really did try for Edwards or Giannis, he should have just stopped there and left it. The Lakers trade shouldn't have been made under no circumstance.

[mo7888]

1914388549085888567

I wonder how much AD would bring at this point in time?

[Seventyniner]

This guy operates under the assumption that if you just hope for the best, good things will happen. Unbelievable that anyone with this level of organizational responsibility would truly take this kind of approach.

A vibecoder who got Peter Principle'd well beyond his competence?

[baseline bum]

1914388549085888567

Shouldn't be surprised the owner that picked Trump president to run her country would pick another incompetent shitbrains in Nico to run her team.

[DAF86]

1914388549085888567

O'connor is being dumb here. There's no way Nico traded Luka aways without the aproval of ownership. They can't fire a guy for doing something they agreed on.

[exstatic]

O'connor is being dumb here. There's no way Nico traded Luka aways without the aproval of ownership. They can't fire a guy for doing something they agreed on.

They can absolutely fire him, and make him the fall guy.

[spurraider21]

At this point i think it has to be the consensus view that this wasnt a legitimate, good faith effort by Nico to improve the outlook of the Mavs. the actual motive is still something of a mystery

- did ownership compel Nico to trade him, assure him that they wont fire him for the outlook, but are forcing him to face the media as though he is solely responsible?
- did he do this as a favor to pelinka/nike?
- was the league involved?

i think its one of those 3 in orders of decreasing likelihood. but people like o'connor making these takes are operating under the assumption that Nico was actually trying to do the right thing, which is completely unfathomable at this point

[Ice009]

I'm not trying to defend Nico, but has it been confirmed that they offer Donic to the Wolves for AE and the Bucks for Giannis? If so, that does make it look like he tried to do a good trade. If the Lakers trade was like his 3rd or 4th option, then he should be held accountable and fired. If the Wolves and Bucks said "no", he should have just left it there. That is, if it was all his own decision to trade him.

If those rumors are BS about AE and Giannis, and the Lakers are THE only team he spoke to, then it's definitely shady as sh#$ and orchestrated by someone other than himself.

[scott]

O'connor is being dumb here. There's no way Nico traded Luka aways without the aproval of ownership. They can't fire a guy for doing something they agreed on.

I don't think they're trying to sell anyone on the idea that he did it without approval. In the Press Conference, there is a question where a reporter says (paraphrasing) "You said when you first brought this idea to Patrick Dumont, he laughed at you..." and then Nico clarifies and says (again, paraphrasing) "It was more like a chuckle... and then I told Patrick the vision and got his buy in"

So, certainly they can fire him over this even if they agreed. Nico sold them an idea, and now after public backlash they've realized it was a stupid fucking idea and Nico takes the fall. Happens all the time and there is nothing stopping them from doing it, but it does make them look like bad people to work for which may or may not impact their ability to hire a quality replacement (but money talks here a lot of times).

Nico also says in the press conference that this isn't something that he was instructed to do, that Dumont is a "good boss" who lets his employees do their jobs. Of course, Nico can be lying about this because he's been instructed to take the fall for this.

He also repeatedly absolves Jason Kidd for this, saying he only told Kidd after it was done and that it was all him in that regard, because he "knows what kind of players JKidd likes". I wonder how Kidd feels about this. Once Kidd is eventually done with the Mavs, it will be really interesting to hear his take. You know it's the first thing he'll be asked, even if it's 5 years from now, unless the Kyrie/AD Mavs win a chip (which I doubt).

Also of note for Spurs fans... sounds like Kyrie/Klay/PJ/AD/Lively is Nico's dream vision for the team. Doesn't at all sound like they'll be looking to move PJ anytime soon like some folks have theorized.

[itzsoweezee]

I'm not trying to defend Nico, but has it been confirmed that they offer Donic to the Wolves for AE and the Bucks for Giannis? If so, that does make it look like he tried to do a good trade. If the Lakers trade was like his 3rd or 4th option, then he should be held accountable and fired. If the Wolves and Bucks said "no", he should have just left it there. That is, if it was all his own decision to trade him.

If those rumors are BS about AE and Giannis, and the Lakers are THE only team he spoke to, then it's definitely shady as sh#$ and orchestrated by someone other than himself.

He didn’t even extract everything he could out of the lakersof he left a draft pick on the table, for example. No Austin reeves.

He’s just an incredible incompetent GM. It is hilarious how bad this guy fucked up. If the Lakers flame out in the first round, everything about this situation will be hilarious. I’m thankful for Nico Harrison and the incredibly dumb owners that own the mavs

[mo7888]

They can absolutely fire him, and make him the fall guy.

Absolutely...and then next guy can have enough latitude to move AD (who might ask for a trade anyway) for draft picks.

[DAF86]

They can absolutely fire him, and make him the fall guy.

I know, then Nico can come out and just say that the Luka trade was all ownership's idea.

[Dod01]

In the end, this trade was simply a collusion by all parties involved to help the Los Angeles Lakers. It's pretty damn head scratching just how much in plain sight that this trade happened.

I mean the league pretty much just said "eh, fuck it, fuck em (to anybody who would notice)." Just insane. It essentially wasn't very subtle at all.

[Ice009]

In the end, this trade was simply a collusion by all parties involved to help the Los Angeles Lakers. It's pretty damn head scratching just how much in plain sight that this trade happened.

I mean the league pretty much just said "eh, fuck it, fuck em (to anybody who would notice)." Just insane. It essentially wasn't very subtle at all.

The thing I keep saying/asking is if he tried to trade for AE and Giannis first (has it been confirmed that he tried to trade for these guys?), then it doesn't seem like collusion to me. Maybe he got desperate after being turned down and didn't try and fleece the Lakers for him. It seems like the Lakers took advantage of his as they could probably smell the desperation a mile off. Like Itzsoweezee said, he didn't extract what he could from the Lakers, and that is what makes it seem crazier.

[Dod01]

The thing I keep saying/asking is if he tried to trade for AE and Giannis first (has it been confirmed that he tried to trade for these guys?), then it doesn't seem like collusion to me. Maybe he got desperate after being turned down and didn't try and fleece the Lakers for him. It seems like the Lakers took advantage of his as they could probably smell the desperation a mile off. Like Itzsoweezee said, he didn't extract what he could from the Lakers, and that is what makes it seem crazier.

Although that's possible (that Dallas/Nico tried to trade for legit superstars in Giannis and AE), I'm very willing to bet that all of that is damage control and lip service to make it seem like it was an honest attemp to make an honest trade.

But again, it is possible that they tried to trade for a superstar in return for Luka, but I really doubt it.

Too much between the lines and writings on the wall that this was just the traditional every decade steal a superstar from another team for the Lakers.

[Dod01]

And I don't buy for a second that Luka was "startled" by this, or that the trade "hurt his feelings", because "Dallas was home to him". He wanted to go L.A. He wasn't hurt by this trade very much, if at all, imo.

I mean, it's normal that Luka might've felt ,"Eh, I'll miss Dallas a bit" but still wanted to end up in L.A. It's normal as a human to miss something a little even after you want out, etc.

I also wouldn't doubt if he knew about the trade all along. Despite it's size, Dallas and it's metro area isn't a true big media market like Los Angeles, Boston, Golden State, Chicago, Miami, etc.

Dallas isn't one of the cool teams like the above cities I just mentioned. The NBA and ESPN refused to market Dallas that way. It's the same thing with the Spurs, despite their historic run. The NBA and ESPN weren't having any of it.

And Dallas as a market is still riding on the coatails of the success of the 90's Cowboys dynasty. Tons of present day Dallas Cowboy fans are holdovers and or children/grandchildren of holdovers from that era. I'm one of em, lol.

All of this and just plain old wanting to rig a trade that would set up the Lakers for the future are why the league stole Luka out of Dallas, and put him in Los Angeles.

[scott]

This Press Conference actually gives Mavs ownership a perfect opportunity to save some face.

You go to Nico, offer him a severance agreement whereby he has to stick with this story that it was his idea, and they fire him and weave some story with the fans that they were led astray by Nico.

Nico collects big paychecks, eventually goes to work for Pelinka like he apparently really wants anyway

[Ice009]

Yeah, very possible it was BS and lip service that they tried to trade for a legit Superstar, but that is why I keep asking if it was ever confirmed.

You think Luka wanted out of Dallas and wanted to go to LA?

[Dod01]

Yeah, very possible it was BS and lip service that they tried to trade for a legit Superstar, but that is why I keep asking if it was ever confirmed.

You think Luka wanted out of Dallas and wanted to go to LA?

Hard to confirm that 100% in my opinion. I don't know for sure if he went to the Dallas FO and ignited everything, but at minimum, when they told him that he was being shipped to LA, he had no problems with it all, if he didn't know about it all along.

[exstatic]

I know, then Nico can come out and just say that the Luka trade was all ownership's idea.

He won’t though, or he’ll never work in the NBA again.

[exstatic]

Hard to confirm that 100% in my opinion. I don't know for sure if he went to the Dallas FO and ignited everything, but at minimum, when they told him that he was being shipped to LA, he had no problems with it all, if he didn't know about it all along.

He lost a huge amount of extension money by being traded away from Dallas, the team that drafted him. I doubt he was fine with it.

[Dod01]

He lost a huge amount of extension money by being traded away from Dallas, the team that drafted him. I doubt he was fine with it.

Sorry, I don't buy that he wasn't fine with it. I trust my instincts. There's no way to know if you're right or I'm right though, so agree to disagree. There's so many other perks and other things that will make up for the extension money he will "lose", especially after he wins a championship there after a patented Lakers' 30 4th quarter freethrows. The championship won't necessarily come this season of course. I hope it never happens, though, lol.

[Dod01]

He lost a huge amount of extension money by being traded away from Dallas, the team that drafted him. I doubt he was fine with it.

I'm sure you're not a young kid anymore, so you should know there can be times in life where you might be like, "Yeah, I'd rather lose some money there, then do this or that". Luka still has and will still command a f*** load of money being in LA.

Especially in Luka's position, he will not miss that money, he will easily make that up simply being in LA and especially if he wins a chip there, which is always easier to do on the Lakers because they get the calls from the refs.

I highly doubt Luka doesn't chip there in the next few years at minimum. I hope I'm wrong because I hate the Lakers, lol, but that make up money is coming for Luka.

[DAF86]

He won’t though, or he’ll never work in the NBA again.

If he doesn't, he won't work in the NBA again either, tbh. :lol

[Dod01]

But hey exstatic, in the end you kever know, you could be right that he could've been upset about the money lost, but I just doubt he was and indeed was happy to end up on the Lakers

[Dod01]

Double pot roast

[exstatic]

But hey exstatic, in the end you kever know, you could be right that he could've been upset about the money lost, but I just doubt he was and indeed was happy to end up on the Lakers

Yes, please let me go to a team with nearly Zero other talent, and a 90 year old star.

[Dod01]

Yes, please let me go to a team with nearly Zero other talent, and a 90 year old star.

I get it ex, I'm a legit outsider on this forum, (as evident from the mysterious banning of my other account (even though there are posters here still posting no problem, despite many of them posting some absolute fucked up shit in the past)) but you're still using faulty logic, imo.

You keep forgetting that he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, not the Charlotte Hornets. Luka may eventually regret or become disgruntled in LA, if he doesn't win a chip (the refs can only do so much, they need at least a decent team to rig the game for, imo), but I have no doubts whatsoever that he was happy to be traded to, as well as is currently happy to be in LA.

Wemby was also very happy to be picked by the Spurs, despite them being a crap team with years needed to field even a playoff contender. Where they go of course will matter if they are cool with the trade, draft, etc.

[buttsR4rebounding]

While Doncic may not have a problem ending up in LA there is no way he wasn’t pissed at the timing. Missing out on SupetMax money is real kick to his fat-padded nuts. I have to go with Ex on this one.

[Dod01]

While Doncic may not have a problem ending up in LA there is no way he wasn’t pissed at the timing. Missing out on SupetMax money is real kick to his fat-padded nuts. I have to go with Ex on this one.

Still disagree, but :lol @ the bolded.

[ambchang]

The thing I keep saying/asking is if he tried to trade for AE and Giannis first (has it been confirmed that he tried to trade for these guys?), then it doesn't seem like collusion to me. Maybe he got desperate after being turned down and didn't try and fleece the Lakers for him. It seems like the Lakers took advantage of his as they could probably smell the desperation a mile off. Like Itzsoweezee said, he didn't extract what he could from the Lakers, and that is what makes it seem crazier.

From what I recalled Nico flat out said he talked to nobody else but pelinka because he wants to keep this under wraps. Those ant Giannis stories came out after the entire thing blew up in his face.

[ambchang]

I get it ex, I'm a legit outsider on this forum, (as evident from the mysterious banning of my other account (even though there are posters here still posting no problem, despite many of them posting some absolute fucked up shit in the past)) but you're still using faulty logic, imo.

You keep forgetting that he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, not the Charlotte Hornets. Luka may eventually regret or become disgruntled in LA, if he doesn't win a chip (the refs can only do so much, they need at least a decent team to rig the game for, imo), but I have no doubts whatsoever that he was happy to be traded to, as well as is currently happy to be in LA.

Wemby was also very happy to be picked by the Spurs, despite them being a crap team with years needed to field even a playoff contender. Where they go of course will matter if they are cool with the trade, draft, etc.

Doncic has stated multiple times that he didn’t want to leave Dallas and was perfectly content there. He just went to the finals, was treated like a god there and up for a super max.

He was visibly distraught after being traded and just slowly started to accept being in LA after a few months. He basically destroyed his phone after getting news that he was traded due to frustrations so that isn’t anywhere close to being ok with the trade at all.

You can stick to your gut instincts and label everything that came out contrary to that as fake, but multiple independent sources, quotes from Luka and his camp, even his body language after the trade, are consistent with him having no input in the trade and that his preference is to stay in Dallas.

Not every single superstar wants to go to the Lakers. Duncan didn’t back in the day, Dirk never did, Garnett didn’t want to be traded from the wolves but relented, curry didn’t sign there nor did he ever shown a wish to, nephew chose the clippers even he wanted to go home, Jokic didn't (not sure now that his buddy is there), Giannis, Lillard, the list goes on. Some players just want to ball and win titles and the prospect of being part of a circus doesn’t appeal to them.

[Obstructed_View]

Luka did not anticipate a trade. Luka loves Dallas and would have played the next fifteen years there if he could.

Dallas talked to nobody else. The Giannis story is spin and came out later.

Ownership and management could possibly be so detached from the fanbase that they didn't know how much Luka is loved, but that sounds like spin as well.

If word had gotten out from Luka's people, a competing team, or even someone in the Mavs organization, public outcry would have stopped the trade in its tracks. Hard to claim you didn't know how important he was when you sacrificed so much in the name of secrecy.

The "money isn't everything" argument works for some situations. Luka lost out on 116 million dollars. This is not one of them.

[KobesAchilles]

:lol at anyone who thinks Luka wanted out of Dallas. Even if you dismiss the fact that Luka himself has said numerous times he had no idea about the trade until it happened and all the other reports that he was blindsided by the trade. Your “gut” is missing the most obvious sign that Dallas traded Luka w/o asking him.

Dallas has leaked to everyone that Luka is a fat, out of shape locker room cancer who never took the game of basketball seriously. I mean they went into overdrive to assassinate his character. Nico has been blasting Luka every chanxe
he can get and the organization literally said that Luka is such an out of shape diva that he won’t even last 5 years playing. If Luka wanted out, Dallas would’ve leaked that to the media in a heartbeat. They also would’ve said that they gave Luka a heads up instead of swerving away from the multiple questions if Luka knew about it. They aren’t protecting Luka at all. They’re in self preservation mode bc they and the world know they fucked up.

It’s a simple case of cheap ownership getting rid of a player instead of paying that player.

[Raven]

It's not the ownership, it's all nico. He wanted to be in charge and overrated his role players. That's all there is to it. Ownership just didn't want to bother getting rid of a gm.

[exstatic]

It's not the ownership, it's all nico. He wanted to be in charge and overrated his role players. That's all there is to it. Ownership just didn't want to bother getting rid of a gm.

That is so completely wrong. It was all ownership not wanting to pay him.

[Arguendo]

He lost a huge amount of extension money by being traded away from Dallas, the team that drafted him. I doubt he was fine with it.
Not just the extension money, the extra state income tax @ 14.4%. I've done the math before, don't remember exactly, but it was like 8.2% playing for one of those Cali Teams vs the Texas teams. That's a huge net difference, although he will may $10s of millions more in endorsements, maybe $100s because playing in LA vs SF greatly opens up the asian rim endorsements.
Just so people realize the magnitude-
Dallas supermax= $345M over 5 yrs, $69M avg, about $52M net after 24% Fed taxes
Lakers max= $229M over 4 yrs, $57.25M avg, about $43.51 after Fed, $39.9M after state
That trade cost him $12M/yr, although he will make up a good chunk on his next contract/assuming health, he won't make up the time value of money or the $3.5M/yr

[Arguendo]

That is so completely wrong. It was all ownership not wanting to pay him.
Non sequitur- you don't buy control of an NBA team for $3.5B to avoid paying Max salaries to all-time players.
There's a salary floor. If this is your argument, you still pay Luka, you just don't pay anyone else. This isn't the 2000's Oakland A's, they're gonna have to pay someone, you'd rather that someone be a guy that generates revenue. Luka generates revenue, on-court and in merchandise around the world.
"Not wanting to pay him" doesn't hold water unless they were convinced he was Albert Belle/Bo Jackson/someone who wouldn't be able to stay on the court AND that the contract would be unmovable. No way it'd be unmovable, his size+passing+shooting+resume guarantees he will always movable during that contract life. A 31y/o Bradley Beal making a higher % of the cap was traded for Butler before Beal veto'd it. Luka won't have a no-trade. Luka would have always been movable with that supermax. Not to mention, these contracts are insured in cases like Belle and Bo. It couldn't possibly have been about not paying, not with a salary floor.

[R. DeMurre]

The big problem with the trade is that even if you could somehow justify trading Doncic using concerns of his attitude, conditioning, future health, and a super max as justifications, you still didn't get the best deal for him. The notion that Nico didn't want negative attention if news of Luka's availability got out is pretty silly, considering how much negative attention he'll be getting for the next decade there. I'm still convinced that a lot of it was a general personality clash. Nico is a buttoned-down, tidy West Point guy who said recently in an interview that "God has my back." I think he looked at Luka and saw a tattooed European heathen who drank beer and smoked hookah, and was repulsed. Just my guess. Nico seems like a tightly wound neat freak, and I'm just getting the vibe of a Military dude looking at a hippie (or Euro anarchist, hahaha) and not liking what he sees.

[itzsoweezee]

The big problem with the trade is that even if you could somehow justify trading Doncic using concerns of his attitude, conditioning, future health, and a super max as justifications, you still didn't get the best deal for him.

Exactly. Nico could have had reasons to trade Luka. But absolutely gifting him for pennies on the dollar is indefensible. That franchise is fucked for a decade only because Nico thinks he’s smarter than everyone else.

[Ice009]

The big problem with the trade is that even if you could somehow justify trading Doncic using concerns of his attitude, conditioning, future health, and a super max as justifications, you still didn't get the best deal for him. The notion that Nico didn't want negative attention if news of Luka's availability got out is pretty silly, considering how much negative attention he'll be getting for the next decade there. I'm still convinced that a lot of it was a general personality clash. Nico is a buttoned-down, tidy West Point guy who said recently in an interview that "God has my back." I think he looked at Luka and saw a tattooed European heathen who drank beer and smoked hookah, and was repulsed. Just my guess. Nico seems like a tightly wound neat freak, and I'm just getting the vibe of a Military dude looking at a hippie (or Euro anarchist, hahaha) and not liking what he sees.

Nice post. Could very well have played into it as I'm sure he's also used to being around Kobe (seeing him working hard and being super professional when it came to training and preparing for basketball). He very well could have been put off by Luka's off the court stuff - lack of training, lack of preparation, lack of taking care of his body, maybe doesn't have the best diet? Having said that, I don't know how hard Luka works or what his diet is, so I can't fully comment on that unless I know more details of what he was doing in Dallas to prepare himself for the season and his maintenance during the season.

[Obstructed_View]

Exactly. Nico could have had reasons to trade Luka. But absolutely gifting him for pennies on the dollar is indefensible. That franchise is fucked for a decade only because Nico thinks he’s smarter than everyone else.
It's just a coincidence that Nico has ties to Pelinka and Nike and that Luka's new shoe hit the day the Mavs played the Lakers.

Nothing to see here. It was incompetence, not malice.

[RC_Drunkford]

Yeah, there is something wrong with Nico Harrison. If this is the guy that fucked up Steph Curry's Nike recruiting pitch, why would the Dallas Mavericks think he's the right guy to be their GM. This guy is out of touch.

Since he used to work for Nike, shouldn't he know about marketing if that was his previous job? If that was his expertise, then he should know just how important Luka is to the fanbase, and how important he also is from a marketing standpoint. I just don't buy any of this BS.


Shouldn't be surprised the owner that picked Trump president to run her country would pick another incompetent shitbrains in Nico to run her team.


He didn’t even extract everything he could out of the lakersof he left a draft pick on the table, for example. No Austin reeves.

He’s just an incredible incompetent GM. It is hilarious how bad this guy fucked up. If the Lakers flame out in the first round, everything about this situation will be hilarious. I’m thankful for Nico Harrison and the incredibly dumb owners that own the mavs


Well apparently the Spurs tried to hire Nico as a GM three times, so they are as dumb as the Mavs. We dodged a bullet by being lucky.

[exstatic]

The dirty lowdown…

link: Nico is an out of control maniac who needs to be fired (https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/44704219/inside-end-luka-doncic-era-dallas-mavericks)

[Ice009]

Well apparently the Spurs tried to hire Nico as a GM three times, so they are as dumb as the Mavs. We dodged a bullet by being lucky.

I did actually post that a week or two ago that the Spurs tried to hire him on at least 3 separate occasions (I wonder what year/s it was?). No one commented. Pretty crazy that the Spurs wanted him. What has he actually done to warrant that kind of attention, though?

[TD 21]

Exactly. Nico could have had reasons to trade Luka. But absolutely gifting him for pennies on the dollar is indefensible. That franchise is fucked for a decade only because Nico thinks he’s smarter than everyone else.

A decision of this magnitude doesn't get made without, if not the behest of ownership, then minimally the approval. Harrison is the fall guy for a collaborative effort, including the PR nightmare.

To be clear, he's far from blameless for not maxing out the return (should have been Reaves and the Lakers second unprotected 1st, with Gafford going the other way).

Their MAGA owners seem to know little to nothing about the league, so I don't think they knew the caliber of asset they had at their disposal and just decided they weren't Doncic fans and didn't want to pay his looming $345M extension.

[scott]

I did actually post that a week or two ago that the Spurs tried to hire him on at least 3 separate occasions (I wonder what year/s it was?). No one commented. Pretty crazy that the Spurs wanted him. What has he actually done to warrant that kind of attention, though?

Well, he comes across as a complete and utter cuck, so maybe that was the appeal for the Spurs. Someone who RC and Pop could control but hang out there to take the blame for everything.

[Ice009]

lol. Yeah, maybe ;). I don't see the appeal on why these teams have wanted him for their GM jobs.

[itzsoweezee]

A decision of this magnitude doesn't get made without, if not the behest of ownership, then minimally the approval. Harrison is the fall guy for a collaborative effort, including the PR nightmare.

To be clear, he's far from blameless for not maxing out the return (should have been Reaves and the Lakers second unprotected 1st, with Gafford going the other way).

Their MAGA owners seem to know little to nothing about the league, so I don't think they knew the caliber of asset they had at their disposal and just decided they weren't Doncic fans and didn't want to pay his looming $345M extension.

What is the theory here that this was an ownership decision (contrary to all of the reporting and common sense) rather than the GM’s decision? To save money? Luka’s would-be supermax is tiny compared to the hundreds of millions of dollars the mavs will lose due to them becoming irrelevant for the next decade, especially when you factor in the loss in the value of the franchise.

[Mr. Body]

What is the theory here that this was an ownership decision (contrary to all of the reporting and common sense) rather than the GM’s decision? To save money? Luka’s would-be supermax is tiny compared to the hundreds of millions of dollars the mavs will lose due to them becoming irrelevant for the next decade, especially when you factor in the loss in the value of the franchise.

Theory is it was to grease the wheels with the league front office for a move to Vegas, where they want to be. Get Luca to the golden franchise Lakers and they probably hated Luca anyway for being all foreign and shit.

[itzsoweezee]

Theory is it was to grease the wheels with the league front office for a move to Vegas, where they want to be. Get Luca to the golden franchise Lakers and they probably hated Luca anyway for being all foreign and shit.

I mean, even the move to Vegas part of this theory is stupid. Why would any professional team move from a really big market like Dallas, to a really small market like Las Vegas? All of this stuff is so dumb.


It’s obvious that Nico didn’t like Luka, or Luka’s people. Nico knew AD really well. He traded a guy he didn’t like for a guy he does like. No need to resort to these conspiracy theories at this point. Just read the article coming out now about the mavericks. Nico even ostracized Dirk’s people.

[DAF86]

I mean, even the move to Vegas part of this theory is stupid. Why would any professional team move from a really big market like Dallas, to a really small market like Las Vegas? All of this stuff is so dumb.


It’s obvious that Nico didn’t like Luka, or Luka’s people. Nico knew AD really well. He traded a guy he didn’t like for a guy he does like. No need to resort to these conspiracy theories at this point. Just read the article coming out now about the mavericks. Nico even ostracized Dirk’s people.

Apparently because the Mavs new owners have business in Las Vegas and getting an NBA team there would make them richer. I don't know if it's that impossible to believe. This trade is so bad that a conspiracy theory like this makes more sense to me than an NBA GM trading Luka Doncic for basketball reasons, or even worse, because he didn't like him, and owners being like "yeah, the dude is a douche, get rid of him. No biggie".

[weeks]

Silver wants to improve the ratings and the Lakers are the go-to boys for the commish
he doesn't want them to have a star five years in the future - he needs it now
the rest is mostly theater

[quentin_compson]

Well, "the league" is really the owners/board of governors, isn't it? And the NBA comissioner is their employee. I just don't see how it would be in the best interest of the other 28 franchises/owners for the Mavs to basically gift Doncic to the Lakers.

[ambchang]

I mean, even the move to Vegas part of this theory is stupid. Why would any professional team move from a really big market like Dallas, to a really small market like Las Vegas? All of this stuff is so dumb.


It’s obvious that Nico didn’t like Luka, or Luka’s people. Nico knew AD really well. He traded a guy he didn’t like for a guy he does like. No need to resort to these conspiracy theories at this point. Just read the article coming out now about the mavericks. Nico even ostracized Dirk’s people.

Theory is that having a professional team having a home arena with gambling facilities will pull in billions and billions in revenue. It’s not a basketball decision but a financial one. Mavs will then just be part of a gigantic entertainment complex.

[TD 21]

What is the theory here that this was an ownership decision (contrary to all of the reporting and common sense) rather than the GM’s decision? To save money? Luka’s would-be supermax is tiny compared to the hundreds of millions of dollars the mavs will lose due to them becoming irrelevant for the next decade, especially when you factor in the loss in the value of the franchise.

The theory is that, while Harrison may have had the impetus, it wasn't a unilateral decision on his part. Despite all the predictable hit pieces, it'd be naive to think he was the lone gunman here.

I agree with the rest, but again, by the sounds of things, their owners don't know much about sports and may have just decided they weren't paying someone they didn't like/respect that much money.

[Obstructed_View]

Well, "the league" is really the owners/board of governors, isn't it? And the NBA comissioner is their employee. I just don't see how it would be in the best interest of the other 28 franchises/owners for the Mavs to basically gift Doncic to the Lakers.
Lakers vs Lakers - David Stern

[spursistan]

There is a non zero chance Doncic doesn't resign with the Lakers. Some weird all around vibes there..

https://x.com/TheDunkCentral/status/1918386469925699718

[exstatic]

There is a non zero chance Doncic doesn't resign with the Lakers. Some weird all around vibes there..

https://x.com/TheDunkCentral/status/1918386469925699718

He already lost a shit ton of money by being traded and losing the SuperMax. He might be willing to take a small haircut to find a team that is a better fit than the TOSB and weak supporting cast in LA.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

If Doncic doesn't extend in the summer then suddenly clearing up cap space for 2026 will become very important for some teams. I doubt it though. He's going to get everything he wants in LA. He can sign a 3+1 deal and make up some of the lost money on his 10-year vet contract after that.

LeBron is just being his usual passive aggressive diva crying for even more help. He'll re-sign too.

[Obstructed_View]

Luka can make up the money he lost just being in LA , as long as you don't count taxes.

[RC_Drunkford]

LeBron's gonna hop back on the Cavs bandwagon now that they are contending

[exstatic]

Luka can make up the money he lost just being in LA , as long as you don't count taxes.

The money is one factor, but that Laker team is going to be mid for a long time, and without assets to improve. He’ll have a number of different basketball fits to analyze and evaluate, as a lot of teams have cleared cap for 2026.

[timtonymanu]

LeBron's gonna hop back on the Cavs bandwagon now that they are contending

Only if he can take a role player role. He's no longer fit to be a #1 or even a #2. The top players on the Cavs are better than him at this point.

[exstatic]

It would be funny if LeBron wanted to go back to Cleveland, and Gilbert says “Nah, we good”, paying him back in spades for 2010.

[vy65]

Here's a brutal thought experiment for Mavs fans: what if they held onto Luka this season and then traded him for Giannis?

[Raven]

There is a non zero chance Doncic doesn't resign with the Lakers. Some weird all around vibes there..

https://x.com/TheDunkCentral/status/1918386469925699718

Luka is a winner. There is a 50/50 chance he resigns, he knows he will never win a title with the lakers. The roster is simply empty.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

Here's a brutal thought experiment for Mavs fans: what if they held onto Luka this season and then traded him for Giannis?

Luka on an expiring, having lost his supermax and incredibly unlikely to re-sign, has little value to the Bucks. They wouldn't have done it.

[mo7888]

Here's a brutal thought experiment for Mavs fans: what if they held onto Luka this season and then traded him for Giannis?

Well, if we're doing thought experiments. What if Mav ownership fires Nico and publicly says it's for trading away Luka and convinces Luka to come back to Dallas as a FA?

[Ice009]

Well, if we're doing thought experiments. What if Mav ownership fires Nico and publicly says it's for trading away Luka and convinces Luka to come back to Dallas as a FA?

Yeah, I don't think he'd come crawling back after they did that to him.

Also, was last year's Dallas team lucky to make the finals? IMO they were. I think if it wasn't for the Spurs beating Denver to screw up their seeding in that late season game, they wouldn't have beaten the Nuggets. I think they overachieved a bit and probably shouldn't have made the finals.
I also think the Wolves maybe underperformed a bit due to their inexperience, and those first 3 games of the series were close (4th was close too but Wolves won that one), could have gone either way. Minnesota could have easily won the first two games and even the two games in Dallas were close. Only the 5th game was a blowout, but I guess the Wolves lost confidence by then.

[exstatic]

Luka on an expiring, having lost his supermax and incredibly unlikely to re-sign, has little value to the Bucks. They wouldn't have done it.

I think Luka could do an extend and trade with a team he wanted to go to in August.

[mo7888]

Yeah, I don't think he'd come crawling back after they did that to him.

Also, was last year's Dallas team lucky to make the finals? IMO they were. I think if it wasn't for the Spurs beating Denver to screw up their seeding in that late season game, they wouldn't have beaten the Nuggets. I think they overachieved a bit and probably shouldn't have made the finals.
I also think the Wolves maybe underperformed a bit due to their inexperience, and those first 3 games of the series were close (4th was close too but Wolves won that one), could have gone either way. Minnesota could have easily won the first two games and even the two games in Dallas were close. Only the 5th game was a blowout, but I guess the Wolves lost confidence by then.

I don't think he goes back either, just like I don't think the other 'thought experiment' could reasonably happen either.

[mo7888]

I think Luka could do an extend and trade with a team he wanted to go to in August.

OK, in that scenario, what would we offer? It would be a huge package.

[exstatic]

OK, in that scenario, what would we offer? It would be a huge package.

We already have to pay Fox his bag in August. Doubt SA is up for another big contract with Wemby being extension eligible next summer. Luka is also a Harden class defender, one of our glaring weaknesses, and not something we need to add to.

[mo7888]

We already have to pay Fox his bag in August. Doubt SA is up for another big contract with Wemby being extension eligible next summer. Luka is also a Harden class defender, one of our glaring weaknesses, and not something we need to add to.

That's more than likely correct. Personally, I'd build a package around Fox (which I know isn't in our FO DNA) an pair wemby, Luka and Castle together and sign Tyus Jones.