Lakers acquiring Luca for AD

[$pursDynasty]

I never saw this coming. I am not sure if it makes them better. Per ESPN.

[John B]

Is this for real?

[TimDunkem]

Is this for real?

Yes

[jehawk81]

Is this for real?

ESPN just posted it ��

[Obstructed_View]

I was wondering if this was April 1 and not Feb 1.

[spursgu]

:lol Mavericks :lol

It just had to be the Lakers though.

[tbdog]

for 1 pick. 1 pick? It has to be fake. Has to be.

[BatManu20]

Dallas just traded a top-5 basketball player in the world who is only 25 years old for an aging AD and a FRP... Absolutely insane. Fuck the Mavericks for this.

[John B]

AD is great IF healthy and that’s a big IF. No way I’d take that trade. I’d give everybody except Wemby including Castle, damn.

[100%duncan]

Wtf Cuban is actually retarded

[spurs1990]

Finally James gets some help

[baseline bum]

I never saw this coming. I am not sure if it makes them better. Per ESPN.

You don't know if getting Doncic makes the Lakers better? :lol

[The Truth #6]

Why would Dallas do this?

[timtonymanu]

Dallas just traded a top-5 basketball player in the world who is only 25 years old for an aging AD and a FRP... Absolutely insane. Fuck the Mavericks for this.

Lakers get to stay relevant after Lebron retires. The league is happy. AD is still a very good player but they just gave away an MVP for him. WTF is Cuban thinking?

[baseline bum]

Wtf Cuban is actually retarded

Cuban's gone, Miriam Adelson owns the team. Yeah that shitbag Adelson.

[mystargtr34]

Surely this was Luka demanding out and telling the Mavs he’s opting out in 26 and signing with LA as a FA.

Forced the Mavs hand.

[szkorhetz]

This can't be real.
Luka's value shall be much higher than this.

[Wu36]

Dallas doesn’t do that for no reason. Is lebron headed to gsw?

[Robz4000]

:lol people were telling me LA wasnt a destination just a few days ago in the Fox thread

[SupremeGuy]

I thought people were just trolling... lol wtf this is real?

[GAustex]

Luke prolly wanted out

[GAustex]

Surely this was Luka demanding out and telling the Mavs he’s opting out in 26 and signing with LA as a FA.

Forced the Mavs hand.

Rat u beat me to it

[Obstructed_View]

Why would Dallas do this?
They are playing great without Luca and Lively is out for a while. There has to be more that happened behind the scenes. If Fatty isn't sticking to his rehab they might have decided he isn't worth a giant contract.

[scott]

Keith Smith on the front office show saying Luka did not ask to be traded, the Mavericks did this on their own. Mavericks APPROACHED THE LAKERS with this.

One of the dumbest, most offsided trades in history... wtf are the Mavericks thinking?

[KDKSpurs24]

I was wondering if this was April 1 and not Feb 1.

[tbdog]

Imagine Spurs trading Wemby for AD and that package and acting like this won't cause an outrage on all fanbases across the country. It's so dodgy. There was no rumours of Luka being peed off. Look at the leaks surrounding Fox. Look at the Leonard situation years ago. There are whispers everywhere. You got a generational talent, they just went to the finals. Oh lets trade him for an aging big man and one, just one first round pick.

[100%duncan]

Cuban's gone, Miriam Adelson owns the team. Yeah that shitbag Adelson.

Yeah whoever they are are fucking retarded. I cant wrap my head around this bullshit

[CorrectCrusader]

LMFAO MAVS FANS DOWN BAD!!!!!!

This is the worst trade in NBA history.

[scott]

Mavs GM: "I believe defense wins championships" and thats why they made this trade :lol :lol :lol holy shit

That DAL31 swap just got suuuuuuuper juicy

LOL MAVS

[tbdog]

Mavs GM
"I believe that defense wins championships," Mavs general manager Nico Harrison told ESPN's Dave McMenamin regarding his motivation to trade Doncic for Davis. "I believe that getting an All-Defensive center and an All-NBA player with a defensive mindset gives us a better chance. We're built to win now and in the future."

[MannyIsGod]

This is fucking insane. I was upset because surely the Spurs could have beat this package but it seems like Dallas did this to themselves? What the actual fuck? I don't think it makes either team better but this obviously extends the Lakers competitiveness.

[NASpurs]

Keith Smith on the front office show saying Luka did not ask to be traded, the Mavericks did this on their own. Mavericks APPROACHED THE LAKERS with this.

One of the dumbest, most offsided trades in history... wtf are the Mavericks thinking?

First thing I thought of was that Luka asked to be traded. The MAVS did this? WTF

[scott]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4P2KM2aMuo

[lefty20]

1885924886562193766

Why did the Mavs not start a bidding war?

Spurs would've def given up Castle + 5 unprotected picks.

I'm sure other teams could've offered something better than that Lakers haul.

[scott]

This is fucking insane. I was upset because surely the Spurs could have beat this package but it seems like Dallas did this to themselves? What the actual fuck? I don't think it makes either team better but this obviously extends the Lakers competitiveness.

How would the Spurs have beat this package? By trading Wemby?

Mavs GM saying this is absolutely a win now move.

[scott]

YouTube link above is Live. NBA Front Office show is high quality content, recommend tuning in.

[John B]

Just wait till waivers all ring chasers going to the Lakers

[AusSpur]

Mavs GM

Love that quote knowing how much David bitches about playing center

[szkorhetz]

LMFAO MAVS FANS DOWN BAD!!!!!!

This is the worst trade in NBA history.
Nope. We made that trade.

[rankingtear]

NBA and Silver gotta be involved.

[z0sa]

You'd have to go back to Bill Russell being traded for a night at the Icecapades for a worse exchange.

[mystargtr34]

I still think this is all about Luka not signing an extension. He has a player option end of next season. Lakers have max space on summer of 26. I think he told the Mavs he’s not signing the max extension.

[itzsoweezee]

Hahaha. Dallas is such a shitty organization. Giving away one of the most valuable players in the league for a bag of chips. Absolute morons

[MannyIsGod]

How would the Spurs have beat this package? By trading Wemby?

Mavs GM saying this is absolutely a win now move.

This is win now like me buying a gun is a revolution. Saying it doesn't make it so. Spurs could have definitely offered a better package because if you're trading one of the best players in the NBA for a dude thats old and oft injured you're not going to win now. I get that Dallas doesn't see it that way but considering they thought this trade was a good idea I think I feel ok thinking they don't know what the fuck they are doing.

[Obstructed_View]

How many titles do the Mavs have to win for this not to be the worst trade ever?

[Leetonidas]

:lmao Dallas Mavericks wtf

Fucking RETARDED front office

[MannyIsGod]

1885924886562193766

Why did the Mavs not start a bidding war?

Spurs would've def given up Castle + 5 unprotected picks.

I'm sure other teams could've offered something better than that Lakers haul.

THey didn't do it because they wanted AD specifically because they are fucking stupid.

[itzsoweezee]

I still think this is all about Luka not signing an extension. He has a player option end of next season. Lakers have max space on summer of 26. I think he told the Mavs he’s not signing the max extension.

If that’s the case, they could have done much better. Dallas has no future now. They gave it up for a very mediocre present.

[Robz4000]

Keith Smith on the front office show saying Luka did not ask to be traded, the Mavericks did this on their own. Mavericks APPROACHED THE LAKERS with this.

One of the dumbest, most offsided trades in history... wtf are the Mavericks thinking?

Jesus fucking Christ if that's true.

[MannyIsGod]

I get that Luka doesn't play good defense but HE TOOK THAT SHITTY TEAM TO THE FINALS.

[Leetonidas]

This is one the most hilarious and all time worst self inflicted wounds ever. Seriously what the fucking fuck :lol

[Dverde]

Good lord at least ask for Reeves and Davis :lol

[tim_duncan_fan]

What the fuuuuuuuuck?

[RC_Drunkford]

I still think this is all about Luka not signing an extension. He has a player option end of next season. Lakers have max space on summer of 26. I think he told the Mavs he’s not signing the max extension.

he‘s not super max eligible anymore by being traded. Makes no sense

[scott]

This is win now like me buying a gun is a revolution. Saying it doesn't make it so. Spurs could have definitely offered a better package because if you're trading one of the best players in the NBA for a dude thats old and oft injured you're not going to win now. I get that Dallas doesn't see it that way but considering they thought this trade was a good idea I think I feel ok thinking they don't know what the fuck they are doing.

Look man, I'm not saying what Dallas did was smart... but they took AD and a single FRP. They clearly didn't want FRPs, we had no shot in this... this is like when the old lady down the street sells her dead husband's 1981 Porsche 911 Turbo in the garage for $1500. Yeah, you would have paid more... but that old lady didn't ask anyone else and she had her mind set on selling it for $1500 to the first person she called :lol

[baseline bum]

Yeah whoever they are are fucking retarded. I cant wrap my head around this bullshit

All Adelson gives a shit about it legalizing gambling in Texas.

[Mugen]

The Lakers are the luckiest franchise of all time tbh :lol

[spursistan]

Something really fishy about this trade, tbh. It smells like league just want Lebron to go out with story book ending while in the process they secure their pet franchise for the next decade..

[Spurminator]

They are playing great without Luca and Lively is out for a while. There has to be more that happened behind the scenes. If Fatty isn't sticking to his rehab they might have decided he isn't worth a giant contract.

They are most definitely not playing "great" without Luka.

[cutewizard]

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/43659380/sources-mavericks-trading-doncic-lakers-anthony-davis

[NickiRasgo]

Stupid Mavs. Lakers won't win anytime soon but their future is secured.

[scott]

Someone posted the other day that the Lakers hadn't made a rape-the-other-team trade in years... well, time to reset that clock back to zero.

[cutewizard]

Could be the start of a series of shocking trades as teams strive to adapt to this dynamic set of events

Meanwhile, when Luca plays.....interesting to watch him and LeBron with their respective ball-dominant tendencies

[Spurminator]

They jacked my Mavs season tickets up 30% this season and now they pull this shit. LOL fuck this franchise

[scott]

I also don't understand the Lakers in the short run now... but they'll be able to figure it out eventually. But right now their team is also going to be a mess.

This is the kind of trade people suggest on Reddit and get roasted for :lol

[NASpurs]

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

[MannyIsGod]

Look man, I'm not saying what Dallas did was smart... but they took AD and a single FRP. They clearly didn't want FRPs, we had no shot in this... this is like when the old lady down the street sells her dead husband's 1981 Porsche 911 Turbo in the garage for $1500. Yeah, you would have paid more... but that old lady didn't ask anyone else and she had her mind set on selling it for $1500 to the first person she called :lol

I think if you'll reread my first post that was my point though. lol At first I was upset, but then it became obvious they weren't making a rational decision.

[z0sa]

Why's it gotta be the fuckin' Lakers, man.

[cutewizard]

Doncic is talented .....

But ....there is something lacking in him.....

Just an intuition......something crucial.....

Like ....if I was the Greek commander I wouldn't recruit him against Troy......hmmm

[timtonymanu]

I also don't understand the Lakers in the short run now... but they'll be able to figure it out eventually. But right now their team is also going to be a mess.

This is the kind of trade people suggest on Reddit and get roasted for :lol

Well no one can bitch about the potential Fox trade now cause it’s still better than what the Mavs just did.

[BatManu20]

Reached out to 3 different buddies who are all Mavs fans and they're all sick and extremely pissed (As they should be). This is insane. Fucking Lakers ALWAYS get rewarded with bullshit like this. Ridiculous.

[cutewizard]

It doesn't matter

Wemby is the megastar of this generation

The Spurs are blessed,

[mystargtr34]

Seeing more details on ESPN about how the Mavs were pissed with Luka’s weight and fatness and how his calf stains are due to his conditioning.

Maybe this is more similar to the Spurs-Kawhi fiasco where spurs didn’t want to commit super max money with Kawhi’s knee issues.

The difference is the Mavs got AD and the Spurs got Jacob Portal and DePression.

[scott]

Front Office show saying that Mavs and Luka had been discussing the SuperMax extension this summer, and the GM pulled an audible.

Wonder if the owner said "bitch no way I'm writing that check"

[SupremeGuy]

Someone posted the other day that the Lakers hadn't made a rape-the-other-team trade in years... well, time to reset that clock back to zero.Seriously how the fuck is this even legal? lol I feel like I'm watching Dallas get raped.

[BatManu20]

Doncic is talented .....

But ....there is something lacking in him.....

Just an intuition......something crucial.....

Like ....if I was the Greek commander I wouldn't recruit him against Troy......hmmm

He led the Mavs to the NBA Finals just last year... at 25 years old. He's a top-5 player in the world. He's fine. It's the Mavs Front Office that is lacking a brain.

[MannyIsGod]

Why's it gotta be the fuckin' Lakers, man.

honestly worth it to watch the Mavs get absolutely fucked.

[scott]

I think if you'll reread my first post that was my point though. lol At first I was upset, but then it became obvious they weren't making a rational decision.

Yeah... that's what I'm saying... we could have beat that package if we were dealing with a rational other party... but the Mavericks clearly were not acting rational. They wanted Luka for AD, for some completely unfathomable reason.

[lefty20]

1885930096898322560

[mystargtr34]

Apparently Luka was eligible for 5/$345M super max this off-season.

What’s the max he can sign now? 5/$229M according to Bobby Marks.

That’s a massive FU by the Mavs to Luka if this is really their doing.

[scott]

Did the Mavericks appoint Jerry Jones GM? That's the only explanation here.

[scott]

Apparently Luka was eligible for 5/$345M super max this off-season.

What’s the max he can sign now? 5/$229M according to Bobby Marks.

That’s a massive FU by the Mavs to Luka if this is really their doing.

Yeah, Luka just lost $120MM in salary... but he might make an extra $500MM in endorsements.

[100%duncan]

EVEN IF you have concerns about his health, conditioning, future health and conditioning, you DONT trade a top 3 player in the world. Especially someone who hasn’t shown any indication of wanting out. Holy fucking shit.

[MannyIsGod]

Seeing more details on ESPN about how the Mavs were pissed with Luka’s weight and fatness and how his calf stains are due to his conditioning.

Maybe this is more similar to the Spurs-Kawhi fiasco where spurs didn’t want to commit super max money with Kawhi’s knee issues.

The difference is the Mavs got AD and the Spurs got Jacob Portal and DePression.

The Mavs are just saying what they need to say. Their front office got Kyrie and let Brunson walk for nothing. They've failed Luka so far so blaming Luka after he carried that fucking team to the finals is insane. Yeah, Luka has issues but he's still a top 5 player in the NBA.

[mystargtr34]

Tim MacMahon jumping all over this talking about Luka weight issues :lol those two have some history.

[Spurminator]

Front Office show saying that Mavs and Luka had been discussing the SuperMax extension this summer, and the GM pulled an audible.

Wonder if the owner said "bitch no way I'm writing that check"

People love to clown Cuban but no way he would've let this happen if he was still majority owner.

[Russ]

He led the Mavs to the NBA Finals just last year... at 25 years old. He's a top-5 player in the world. He's fine. It's the Mavs Front Office that is lacking a brain.

They know Luka better than anyone.

[mystargtr34]

The Mavs are just saying what they need to say. Their front office got Kyrie and let Brunson walk for nothing. They've failed Luka so far so blaming Luka after he carried that fucking team to the finals is insane. Yeah, Luka has issues but he's still a top 5 player in the NBA.

I agree I think Luka is arguably the second best player in the league after Jokic when it comes to playoff time.

[scott]

Sucks for the company that offers to pay for a replacement if the jersey of your favorite player gets traded :lol

[lefty20]

Yeah, Luka just lost $120MM in salary... but he might make an extra $500MM in endorsements.

Yeah, but it means another W for the Lakers in this trade.

FUCK!

[RC_Drunkford]

Somebody better check on Pop. He might suffer another stroke when he hears this.

[Spurminator]

Put all of your money on Luka MVP next season.

[Spurs Homer]

Fuck the lakers…

now watch the espn kunts lobby for wemby to join luka in la la land….

[NASpurs]

Somebody better check on Pop. He might suffer another stroke when he hears this.

Pop's on the phone right now calling Silver to stop this trade a la the Chris Paul to the Lakers trade due to the Mavs FO being retarded and obviously impaired.

[SupremeGuy]

There has to be some underlying health issue, right? Or are the mavs really this fucking retarded?

[Dod01]

I'm almost not even shocked about this. With how everything is going with Trump and the mass brainwashing by him and the right-wing. It really feels like a weird reality all-around.

[Dverde]

Mavs fans are shook. It’s like Luka overdosed or something. It’s the trade, the return, the other team. At least get a second offer wtf

[NASpurs]

Not suspicious at all.

1885923869602562203

[scott]

Adam Silver has the chance to do the funniest thing ever and CP3-veto this trade.

[Spurs Homer]

I smell tampering all over again…

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

[Mr. Body]

Not suspicious at all.

1885923869602562203

The world's just outright corrupt at this point.

[Kurik]

Not suspicious at all.

1885923869602562203


Sounds like Nico is a future Laker.

[SupremeGuy]

WTF do the lakers have on the Mavs GM tbh?

[SupremeGuy]

If Silver doesn't veto this trade... lol oh man this shit smells like shit fuck the mavs

[Ginobili2Duncan]

Unbelievable trade for the Lakers. This is more suspect than the 2002 WCF

[Dod01]

Not suspicious at all.

1885923869602562203

And there it is. Smh.

[scott]

This is like if we traded Wemby for Embiid and a single FRP :lol

What a fucking sham

[Fizziksman]

Price of trading for other players has gone down. No way other teams can pretend they can try to ask more than what the Mavs got for Luka

[Robz4000]

Absolutely rigged.

[KDKSpurs24]

I understand what this means for the Lakers future and how this was a dumb move by the Mavs but it seems like a lot of y’all here don’t realize from a complete basketball team standpoint that when both teams are healthy, the Mavs will probably be a better team than the Lakers. AD cleaned up a lot on defense. Now their defense is about to be garbage. Lebron and Luka have to take turns off ball while Kyrie and AD will fit seamlessly. Mavs are a more complete team at least this year.

[scott]

I understand what this means for the Lakers future and how this was a dumb move by the Mavs but it seems like a lot of y’all here don’t realize from a complete basketball team standpoint that when both teams are healthy, the Mavs will probably be a better team than the Lakers. AD cleaned up a lot on defense. Now their defense is about to be garbage. Lebron and Luka have to take turns off ball while Kyrie and AD will fit seamlessly. Mavs are a more complete team at least this year.

Short run, yes... but long-run, Lakers will figure out how to build around Luka.

Shams reporting that Lebron didn't know, and that Luka is stunned by this.

AD is waiving his trade kicker for this.

[NASpurs]

I understand what this means for the Lakers future and how this was a dumb move by the Mavs but it seems like a lot of y’all here don’t realize from a complete basketball team standpoint that when both teams are healthy, the Mavs will probably be a better team than the Lakers. AD cleaned up a lot on defense. Now their defense is about to be garbage. Lebron and Luka have to take turns off ball while Kyrie and AD will fit seamlessly. Mavs are a more complete team at least this year.

It's going to be embarrassing when the Lakers make the playoffs and we don't.

[lefty20]

I understand what this means for the Lakers future and how this was a dumb move by the Mavs but it seems like a lot of y’all here don’t realize from a complete basketball team standpoint that when both teams are healthy, the Mavs will probably be a better team than the Lakers. AD cleaned up a lot on defense. Now their defense is about to be garbage. Lebron and Luka have to take turns off ball while Kyrie and AD will fit seamlessly. Mavs are a more complete team at least this year.

Lakers pretty much punting this season.

Mavs have to Chip this year to even begin to justify this trade, tbh.

[Bruno]

When I saw Shams tweet, I was sure his account has been hacked.

What a crazy trade. WTF Dallas is doing? There must have things that have happened behind the scene because you can't explained that trade with public knowledge.

[scott]

Imagine being Nico Harrison, seeing how OKC is dominating the West, remembering how you beat them last year, and thinking "I think trading Luka for AD is the move we need to make"

[Fizziksman]

are the Mavs being positioned to move to Vegas? Fan morale pretty much has to be all time low.

[mystargtr34]

And a healthy Mavs team would have beat OKC again in the playoffs 😂

[heyheymymy]

Mavs appear to be gift wrapping Luka to Lakers but I wouldn't be surprised to learn that Dallas was having trouble with Luka's commitment to health. Luka's weight issues seem suspicious and if my star was smoking tobacco and eating cheesburgers with booze mid season and then getting injuries from inflammation then it's just like hmmmm I'm not paying max for that. Luka's mobility was shit this season and last playoffs. Dude looks stiff out there and no question it affects his play. Now, he's young and super talented, not sure I'd just so easily discard someone like that who could easily recover and make you regret it.

Makes me think some serious shit went down behind closed doors in Dallas for them to just pull the plug like a rage quit. Very sus circumstances all around.

So fucking sick of Lebrons parasite ass and can't wait till he is gone. Dude's shit presence is like a tremendous weight oppressing the entire league with his resource-heavy needs to look like the king.

[scott]

Rob Pelinka feeling bold and repeatedly texting Brian Wright "Bronny for Wemby? We'll throw in swaps"

[MannyIsGod]

Lakers need a center. Come take Zach Collins!

[Spurs Homer]

Didnt the brow betray his team in orleans to help out lebron …and now lebron ok’s the brow leaving l.a.?

backstabbing kunts

but then again- fuck the brow and double-fuck the stupid bend-the-knee mavs….

[lefty]

Lakers pulled this off without giving up Bronny

Well done

[lefty20]

1885930691386364043

[scott]

Mavs appear to be gift wrapping Luka to Lakers but I wouldn't be surprised to learn that Dallas was having trouble with Luka's commitment to health. Luka's weight issues seem suspicious and if my star was smoking tobacco and eating cheesburgers with booze mid season and then getting injuries from inflammation then it's just like hmmmm I'm not paying max for that. Luka's mobility was shit this season and last playoffs. Dude looks stiff out there and no question it affects his play. Now, he's young and super talented, not sure I'd just so easily discard someone like that who could easily recover and make you regret it.

Makes me think some serious shit went down behind closed doors in Dallas for them to just pull the plug like a rage quit. Very sus circumstances all around.

So fucking sick of Lebrons parasite ass and can't wait till he is gone. Dude's shit presence is like a tremendous weight oppressing the entire league with his resource-heavy needs to look like the king.

If that's true, Lakers should go for Zion and then bet it all on Weight Watchers stock

[MannyIsGod]

Mavs appear to be gift wrapping Luka to Lakers but I wouldn't be surprised to learn that Dallas was having trouble with Luka's commitment to health. Luka's weight issues seem suspicious and if my star was smoking tobacco and eating cheesburgers with booze mid season and then getting injuries from inflammation then it's just like hmmmm I'm not paying max for that. Luka's mobility was shit this season and last playoffs. Dude looks stiff out there and no question it affects his play. Now, he's young and super talented, not sure I'd just so easily discard someone like that who could easily recover and make you regret it.

Makes me think some serious shit went down behind closed doors in Dallas for them to just pull the plug like a rage quit. Very sus circumstances all around.

So fucking sick of Lebrons parasite ass and can't wait till he is gone. Dude's shit presence is like a tremendous weight oppressing the entire league with his resource-heavy needs to look like the king.

If you're trading Luka why the fuck would you trade him for this package? This is WAY below his value. People are trying to find a rational reason for this trade because its so lopsided but it seems like Dallas got exactly what they wanted because they were fucking idiots.

Luka has definite issues but is an AMAZING player in spite of them. Shit just makes no sense. Dallas is just stupid.

[lefty20]

Lakers pulled this off without giving up Bronny

Well done

Just got a CP3 for their Wemby. Couldn't ask for a better mentor for Bronny.

They're copying us, tbh.

[100%duncan]

Mavs appear to be gift wrapping Luka to Lakers but I wouldn't be surprised to learn that Dallas was having trouble with Luka's commitment to health. Luka's weight issues seem suspicious and if my star was smoking tobacco and eating cheesburgers with booze mid season and then getting injuries from inflammation then it's just like hmmmm I'm not paying max for that. Luka's mobility was shit this season and last playoffs. Dude looks stiff out there and no question it affects his play. Now, he's young and super talented, not sure I'd just so easily discard someone like that who could easily recover and make you regret it.

Makes me think some serious shit went down behind closed doors in Dallas for them to just pull the plug like a rage quit. Very sus circumstances all around.

So fucking sick of Lebrons parasite ass and can't wait till he is gone. Dude's shit presence is like a tremendous weight oppressing the entire league with his resource-heavy needs to look like the king.

And even with all of that, Luka is still a top 3 player in the world. Rigged as shit

[Splits]

The Mavericks were motivated to move Doncic due to his constant conditioning concerns, sources told ESPN. There had been significant frustration within the organization about Doncic's lack of discipline regarding his diet and conditioning, which team sources considered a major factor in his injury issues.

Doncic has been limited to only 22 games this season due to a variety of injuries. He has twice strained his left calf since reporting back to Dallas before training camp in late September, although the Mavs only reported the fall injury as a calf contusion, sources said. Doncic has not played since straining his calf on Christmas.

While Doncic was relatively svelte by his standards when he reported to camp, his weight ballooned to the high 260s early this season, sources said. He sat out five games in late November, when the Mavs listed him with a sprained right wrist, an extended absence to allow Doncic to focus on his conditioning. He had a similar early-season layoff in the 2022-23 season.

:lmao Fatsic "relatively svelte" at 260lb

[mystargtr34]

I’m the biggest Luka fan around and think he’s second best player in the league after Jokic, but even I look at how fat he’s gotten over the last few years and get concerned. Go look at highlights of Luka in his first couple years and it looks like a different player completely. And that double chin is getting bigger and bigger.

[scott]

Only explanation is if Luka has ballooned to 340lbs and was caught with a trunk full of dead hookers

[Dod01]

Nico Harrison should be allowed nowhere near the Mavs arena. Dallas fans, rightfully so, should be out for his head.

[Spurminator]

Imagine Denver trading Jokic because he wasn't fit enough.

[Bill Walton Saga]

Luka's a pain in the ass. No defense, always smiling to the crowd like a douchebag, complains to the refs on every play...FOH

And fuck the Lakers too.

[BackHome]

Surely this was Luka demanding out and telling the Mavs he’s opting out in 26 and signing with LA as a FA.

Forced the Mavs hand.

This has to be it

[Russ]

Think Luka Samanic but with way more talent and maybe you can fathom this.

[Splits]

Only explanation is if Luka has ballooned to 340lbs and was caught with a trunk full of dead hookers

only if the hookers had pointy elbows

[itzsoweezee]

I’m the biggest Luka fan around and think he’s second best player in the league after Jokic, but even I look at how fat he’s gotten over the last few years and get concerned. Go look at highlights of Luka in his first couple years and it looks like a different player completely. And that double chin is getting bigger and bigger.

That’s not the point. The mavericks could have done much better than 31 year old AD sans only one first

[heyheymymy]

makes me wonder about that clip of Michael Finley walking up to Luka in the tunnel celebrating with his dad after winning the WCF and Fin took the beer out of Luka's hand and just walked away. Luka looked like wtf? kinda but didn't do anything.

At the time it was like funny, hey you got work to do still, the Finals loom.

But now, makes me think insiders were fed up with discipline issues especially if it was affecting performance. Fact is, Luka ballooned up, Luka looked stiff, Luka's face would go tomato red when on court playing. I'm possibly over playing my assumption, but these are visible indicators that are kinda undeniable if you pay attention. But again, No way I just discard a super star top player in the world so haphazardly. Like, there has got to be remediation options still available here.

[Seventyniner]

Imagine how awesome this trade will be if Doncic really does Zion his way into missing 2/3 of every season.

[Gandalf]

1885924886562193766

Why did the Mavs not start a bidding war?

Spurs would've def given up Castle + 5 unprotected picks.

I'm sure other teams could've offered something better than that Lakers haul.

Because the NBA and the Lakers are corrupt. This is what happened in the Pau trade years ago; they never shopped him at all to see what was best for the Grizzlies. They did what was best for the Lakers and the NBA. Gross incompetence doesn’t explain this. Bribery doesn’t explain this. Blackmail maybe. This makes no sense. Again. Just like Pau. Like Pop once said, there should be a board that rejects trades like this that make no sense - but the NBA won’t, because it’s the Lakers.

[Dverde]

I live in DFW and they have emergency local news with live reporting about it. They are talking about the local kids waking up and being told there is no Santa Clause when they wake up in the morning. They are revolting. They may picket tomorrow

[Spurs Homer]

Yeah, this stinks…

the mavs could have made that same phone call to any other team in the entire nba and could have almost named their price…

most teams would have given them two upper tier stars plus picks…

[Pauleta14]

Not sure why most posters think Mavs are the losing side in that trade tbh

Only aspect Lakers are winning is the entertainment one.

I was a fan of Luka since Europe and his first cple NBA years, but he's become a caricature of heliocentrism and lack of work ethic. I would've hate to have him on my team

Genius move from Dallas, I hate to say it.

[scott]

Imagine Brian Wright trading Wemby because he gets gassed sometimes

[timtonymanu]

Imagine Denver trading Jokic because he wasn't fit enough.

Jokic being fat doesn’t make him a liability though. Still a stupid trade by Dallas however.

[Pauleta14]

Because the NBA and the Lakers are corrupt. This is what happened in the Pau trade years ago; they never shopped him at all to see what was best for the Grizzlies. They did what was best for the Lakers and the NBA. Gross incompetence doesn’t explain this. Bribery doesn’t explain this. Blackmail maybe. This makes no sense. Again. Just like Pau. Like Pop once said, there should be a board that rejects trades like this that make no sense - but the NBA won’t, because it’s the Lakers.

I don't think so. I think Dallas conned LA

The main reason it was done so quick imo is bc if Mavs fanbase had heard of it for days, it would have been a mess and a PR issue.

[heyheymymy]

But Stein says Luka didn't force this. So not sure this is about Luka demanding out or refusing to sign future deals unless that's still true but being concealed.

[MannyIsGod]

Honestly not out of the realm of possibility that Lebon asks out.

[Obstructed_View]

I’m the biggest Luka fan around and think he’s second best player in the league after Jokic, but even I look at how fat he’s gotten over the last few years and get concerned. Go look at highlights of Luka in his first couple years and it looks like a different player completely. And that double chin is getting bigger and bigger.
They. Didn't. Shop. Him.

Literally nobody knew the Mavs were considering trading him, and I'm pretty sure at least 28 teams would make an offer for him, almost all of them better than a 31 year old on crutches and a first round pick.

[MannyIsGod]

I don't think so. I think Dallas conned LA

The main reason it was done so quick imo is bc if Mavs fanbase had heard of it for days, it would have been a mess and a PR issue.

You dont think its going to be a PR mess now? The fuck? Mavs fans are furious.

[Dverde]

How do you not even make them give you a 2025 pick? Make them trade Reeves for one wtf…2029 pick when the Lakers are going to be rebuilt is horrible value :lol

[heyheymymy]

This is so suspicious. Not even marketing one of the most in demand names in sports and accepting some back room weak offer.

[baseline bum]

The Mavs are just saying what they need to say. Their front office got Kyrie and let Brunson walk for nothing. They've failed Luka so far so blaming Luka after he carried that fucking team to the finals is insane. Yeah, Luka has issues but he's still a top 5 player in the NBA.

Adelson chose to pay Trump $100 million instead of paying Doncic the supermax :lmao

[jehawk81]

Honestly not out of the realm of possibility that Lebon asks out.

Maybe he joins Wemby & co.

[Spurs Homer]

If i was a mavs fan and had season tix - id be pissed and would never support that team again…

[MannyIsGod]

I’m the biggest Luka fan around and think he’s second best player in the league after Jokic, but even I look at how fat he’s gotten over the last few years and get concerned. Go look at highlights of Luka in his first couple years and it looks like a different player completely. And that double chin is getting bigger and bigger.

He just took his team to the finals.

What the fuck are some of you even talking about. Yes, he has issues. He's STILL one of the best players in the leauge and one of the few that is a true MVP candidate each year. The analysis stops there. You don't give those players away!

[Seventyniner]

Trading Doncic due to conditioning concerns is one thing. Trading him to the Lakers for a terrible return when there would have been at least 15 better offers if the Mavs had openly shopped him is another.

[scott]

The Mavs didn't market Luka because they wanted AD specifically. Whether that is the right or wrong thing, doesn't matter. Nico Harrison woke up one morning and decided AD was the guy he wanted to try and win now.

In the short run, this probably works out for the Mavs. There are a few teams that need centers, and now they have an excess of them. Mavs will make a few more moves to complete the roster for this year... but this is a short-sighted move. The fact they only got 1 FRP back is wild to me.

[lefty]

:lmao Klay Thompson








:lmao

[Dverde]

Luka Magic on the Magic would have been interesting.

[100%duncan]

Mavs win short term but it doesnt matter cause neither team is winning a chip anyway.






Lakers win the long term :lol fuck the nba

[jehawk81]

He just took his team to the finals.

What the fuck are some of you even talking about. Yes, he has issues. He's STILL one of the best players in the leauge and one of the few that is a true MVP candidate each year. The analysis stops there. You don't give those players away!

He is the NBA version of Ben Roethlisberger

[baseline bum]

I don't think so. I think Dallas conned LA

The main reason it was done so quick imo is bc if Mavs fanbase had heard of it for days, it would have been a mess and a PR issue.

Even if you hate Doncic they could have done far far better than Davis and a crap first.

[murpjf88]

If Davis can stay healthy, Dallas > Lakers in the short term. The Doncic investment won't pay off until after LeBron retires. However, the Lakers defense will be non-existent.

[scott]

Would be hilarious if Luka just played out his last year and went back to Bratislava or wherever the fuck he's from

[lefty]

https://x.com/botstanacc/status/1607950823811698689

[spurraider21]

this makes the lakers less competitive this year but you take this deal 20 times out of 10 lol. the lakers had a doomed future and now actually have a 25 (soon to be 26) year old MVP caliber player for the foreseeable future

i always laugh at people here for the "its always a conspiracy to help the lakers" take but i dno... not beating the allegations with this one :lol

[TrainOfThought5]

They jacked my Mavs season tickets up 30% this season and now they pull this shit. LOL fuck this franchise

30% YoY increase is crazy

[Spurs Homer]

The mavs were worried about luka’s weight/health issues….but they put their faith in the china doll?



hahahahahahahahahahajajajajajajajajahajahahahahaha hahaha!

mavs fans hahahaha!

[Pauleta14]

You dont think its going to be a PR mess now? The fuck? Mavs fans are furious.

I meant a PR mess that could've prevented them to accomplish their goal.

It's clearly beyond a basketball decision. It's a Franchise's future one. They didn't want emotions getting involved.

[Bruno]

I'm curious to see what Doncic work ethic will be with Lakers. Between the spotlight/nightlife/celebrities, Lakers might be the more challenging place for someone like him.
As a basketball fan, I just want to see a fit and motivated Doncic. He is such a special talent.

[Gibbz]

That is an all-time bad trade by Dallas and anyone who says differently is dumb as shit. Just bailed out the Lakers tbh

[MannyIsGod]

I meant a PR mess that could've prevented them to accomplish their goal.

It's clearly beyond a basketball decision. It's a Franchise's future one. They didn't want emotions getting involved.

Its clear they didn't want money or logic involved either. Pretty sure the only thing involved was delusion.

[Spurs Homer]

I'm curious to see what Doncic work ethic will be with Lakers. Between the spotlight/nightlife/celebrities, Lakers might be the more challenging place for someone like him.
As a basketball fan, I just want to see a fit and motivated Doncic. He is such a special talent.

l.a. has the healthiest food, healthiest people, healthiest lifestyles, etc…

[scott]

Maybe we can get JJJ for Vassell

[spurraider21]

Someone posted the other day that the Lakers hadn't made a rape-the-other-team trade in years... well, time to reset that clock back to zero.
yeah thats my bad :lol

[scott]

yeah thats my bad :lol

I thought it was you! C'mon man! :lol

[spursistan]

How do you not even make them give you a 2025 pick? Make them trade Reeves for one wtf…2029 pick when the Lakers are going to be rebuilt is horrible value :lol
This. When another superstar flocks to LA :lol

Also that Spurs-Mavs swap is getting super enticing :wow

[Pauleta14]

Even if you hate Doncic they could have done far far better than Davis and a crap first.

I don't hate Doncic, he's one of the 3 biggest talents of the league.

One would think as a Spurs fan you'd know that talent isn't the only criteria necessary to win.

Luka isn't the same guy he was in europe or his first seasons in the league, he's acting very cynically, focusing on his individual production rather than the team's interest.

At some point Dallas, who can see him on a daily basis for years, probably realized he wasn't gonna change = He's not gonna start defending/being generous and his physical condition can only deteriorate.

Had they waited too long, they'd been trapped to either pay him the super max or having too little leverage and time to get a better offer.

They got AD!!!! They're better with him than with Luka now, more balanced and better defensively.

[spurraider21]

Apparently Luka was eligible for 5/$345M super max this off-season.

What’s the max he can sign now? 5/$229M according to Bobby Marks.

That’s a massive FU by the Mavs to Luka if this is really their doing.
thats also a gift to the lakers. they get him cheap

[Pauleta14]

I'm curious to see how the Lakers are going to defend now...

[scott]

1885924735717949800

[Chillen]

Surely this was Luka demanding out and telling the Mavs he’s opting out in 26 and signing with LA as a FA.

Forced the Mavs hand.

This has to be it. They surely kept it quiet. Mavs will go after Fox now.

[MannyIsGod]

Lakers are actually kinda fucked for a couple of years with Lebron also. They can't open up cap space so they only way to add players is going to be through trades and Reaves is probably their best chip. With the current team makeup trading Reaves wouldn't be the worst idea for them though. Playing him with Luka and Lebron seems redundant AF and really makes it impossible for them to get a stop - especially with no center. I think they either trade Reaves or Lebron tbh.

[BatManu20]

1885927795601346805

[BackHome]

They desperately need a big now that AD is gone.

[RC_Drunkford]

I don't hate Doncic, he's one of the 3 biggest talents of the league.

One would think as a Spurs fan you'd know that talent isn't the only criteria necessary to win.

Luka isn't the same guy he was in europe or his first seasons in the league, he's acting very cynically, focusing on his individual production rather than the team's interest.

At some point Dallas, who can see him on a daily basis for years, probably realized he wasn't gonna change = He's not gonna start defending/being generous and his physical condition can only deteriorate.

Had they waited too long, they'd been trapped to either pay him the super max or having too little leverage and time to get a better offer.

They got AD!!!! They're better with him than with Luka now, more balanced and better defensively.

Karen14 is the Mavs GM confirmed :lol

[Obstructed_View]

They desperately need a big now that AD is gone.
Victor Wembanyama for Rui Hachimura and a first round pick next year?

[scott]

Lakers are actually kinda fucked for a couple of years with Lebron also. They can't open up cap space so they only way to add players is going to be through trades and Reaves is probably their best chip. With the current team makeup trading Reaves wouldn't be the worst idea for them though. Playing him with Luka and Lebron seems redundant AF and really makes it impossible for them to get a stop - especially with no center. I think they either trade Reaves or Lebron tbh.

So long as Bron opts out they should be fine.

[TekXX]

Let's just sit back and enjoy Dallas getting screwed.

[DesignatedT]

Silver has ruined the NBA.

[MannyIsGod]

So long as Bron opts out they should be fine.

Nope, they won't be able to open up any real space even if Lebron takes the min. Which he's not going to.

[spursgu]

Silver has ruined the NBA.

He ruined it a while ago. This is more like pissing on it at this point.

[buttsR4rebounding]

Honestly not out of the realm of possibility that Lebon asks out.

I expect LeBron to get moved now. Lakers are done this year.

[vander]

Deaaron Fox is definately not worth as much as Luka right?
2 firsts and Vassel should be enough now

[cutewizard]

Not sure why most posters think Mavs are the losing side in that trade tbh

Only aspect Lakers are winning is the entertainment one.

I was a fan of Luka since Europe and his first cple NBA years, but he's become a caricature of heliocentrism and lack of work ethic. I would've hate to have him on my team

Genius move from Dallas, I hate to say it.

This is precisely what I'm saying

Some sort of ego problem.....and the laziness that goes with thinking he is the best

Not Spurs material, ever

[spursistan]

This is an all-time fumble up there with the KD-Russ-Harden OKC..


https://x.com/MavsMuse/status/1885940173508100293

[Teamduncan21]

This is precisely what I'm saying

Some sort of ego problem.....and the laziness that goes with thinking he is the best

Not Spurs material, ever

But they didn't even test the market. They just really really wanted Davis. They could have asked for more and Lakers would have said yes

[baseline bum]

If Silver doesn't veto this trade... lol oh man this shit smells like shit fuck the mavs

To be fair, how is Adelson supposed to afford Luka's supermax after she just paid Trump $100 million?

[scott]

Deaaron Fox is definately not worth as much as Luka right?
2 firsts and Vassel should be enough now

The Mavericks being morons is unlikely to have much impact on the rest of the league, honestly

[cutewizard]

Can't wait to fight the Lakers with Wemby, Fox and Castle.........

[cutewizard]

https://x.com/botstanacc/status/1607950823811698689

Do we get Flagg in the next draft???

[siraulo23]

Wtf :lmao

[cutewizard]

I'm curious to see what Doncic work ethic will be with Lakers. Between the spotlight/nightlife/celebrities, Lakers might be the more challenging place for someone like him.
As a basketball fan, I just want to see a fit and motivated Doncic. He is such a special talent.


...........

Or he does the easy route

And indulges farther

[scott]

Nope, they won't be able to open up any real space even if Lebron takes the min. Which he's not going to.

Luka - 46
Kleber - 11
Rui - 18
DFS - 15 (option)
Reaves - 14
Vincent - 11.5
Vando - 11.5
Knect - 4
Milton - 3
Bronny -2

That's only $136MM. Cap is $155. It's not massive, but it's not a bad cap situation. They almost certainly make some more moves before the deadline. I imagine they might try to punt off some salary and just call GGs on this season

[Dverde]

Plus the maverick had to send Utah a second rounder to get the deal done :lol

[cutewizard]

No way the Lakers can beat us in the Western finals with Wemby, Fox and Castle

[buttsR4rebounding]

Plus the maverick had to send Utah a second rounder to get the deal done :lol

How did the Spurs miss an opportunity to pick up another 2nd round pick?

[Chinook]

Huh, so I guess teams going all in to build around their blue-chip picks in their first couple of seasons still isn't a good strategy. Damn, I really thought the hundredth time some FO tried it, it would work...

[Robz4000]

Luka - 46
Kleber - 11
Rui - 18
DFS - 15 (option)
Reaves - 14
Vincent - 11.5
Vando - 11.5
Knect - 4
Milton - 3
Bronny -2

That's only $136MM. Cap is $155. It's not massive, but it's not a bad cap situation. They almost certainly make some more moves before the deadline. I imagine they might try to punt off some salary and just call GGs on this season

They'd have to trade LeBron to punt on the season. I think they do at this point tbh.

[scott]

Huh, so I guess teams going all in to build around their blue-chip picks in their first couple of seasons still isn't a good strategy. Damn, I really thought the hundredth time some FO tried it, it would work...

Yes, it is well known that surrounding your blue-chippers with competent rosters that make the finals gives you brain worms that ultimately lead you to trade said blue-chippers to the Lakers for a fraction of the market price

The victory lap is yours

[scott]

They'd have to trade LeBron to punt in the season. I think they do at this point tbh.

Yeah, I think there are decent odds of that happening. Warriors?

[Pauleta14]

But they didn't even test the market. They just really really wanted Davis. They could have asked for more and Lakers would have said yes

They couldn't have tested the market, the pressure would've been insane from their fanbase.

Only criticism to me is they only got 1 FRP when imo they could've gotten 2

Dallas clearly knows stuff we don't

[Ice009]

Seeing more details on ESPN about how the Mavs were pissed with Luka’s weight and fatness and how his calf stains are due to his conditioning.

Maybe this is more similar to the Spurs-Kawhi fiasco where spurs didn’t want to commit super max money with Kawhi’s knee issues.

The difference is the Mavs got AD and the Spurs got Jacob Portal and DePression.

Yep. Spurs trade of Kawhi is one of the worst in NBA history. Mavs got back a great, but older player.

At the time, without knowing that Kawhi would sit out so many games in the future, there was only one player in the league that I wanted to trade him for and that is Anthony Davis. At least the Mavericks got Anthony Davis (an older AD, but still AD). They should have at least got back a second first round pick.

The Dallas pick swap that the Spurs have, does that have any protections on it?

[Robz4000]

Yeah, I think there are decent odds of that happening. Warriors?

If LeBron actually wants to ring he'd go elsewhere, otherwise Dubs or Clips.

[cutewizard]

Wtf :lmao

Sir

Sana all po hahaha

[Pauleta14]

Seeing more details on ESPN about how the Mavs were pissed with Luka’s weight and fatness and how his calf stains are due to his conditioning.

Maybe this is more similar to the Spurs-Kawhi fiasco where spurs didn’t want to commit super max money with Kawhi’s knee issues.

The difference is the Mavs got AD and the Spurs got Jacob Portal and DePression.

This.

[cutewizard]

Impossible for LeBron not to be in the information loop

He would throw a tantrum, yes?

Lol

[cutewizard]

https://youtu.be/nuC-0xWawxg?si=K4ccqUvShEG-3HaN

[DPG21920]

I hate the Lakers so much

[heyheymymy]

Sounds like Luka came home with the locks changed.

Dallas said im done

[onechance87]

Our front office better wake the fuck up.Stop with this culture or loyalty bullshit and bring in good players already fck.

[MannyIsGod]

Luka - 46
Kleber - 11
Rui - 18
DFS - 15 (option)
Reaves - 14
Vincent - 11.5
Vando - 11.5
Knect - 4
Milton - 3
Bronny -2

That's only $136MM. Cap is $155. It's not massive, but it's not a bad cap situation. They almost certainly make some more moves before the deadline. I imagine they might try to punt off some salary and just call GGs on this season

Actual number is closer to 139, but then you also need to factor in Lebron's salary. So if he gets the min, lets say the end up at 141.5. But that's also just 11 players. So then you have a cap hold as well. 13 million is basically what you're left with which is the MLE which is how I KNOW Lebron isn't taking the min because why the fuck would he give up money that doesn't open up more space?

Also why is Lebron going to help them if they are punting on a season with him at 40? That would be very different than how he's operated. I definitely think they HAVE to make moves, but they are in an incredibly inflexible position to move on with Lebron and still have a good team. I think ultimately they obviously should always make this trade, but the more I think about it the more I think there's a big chance this is the end of the Lebron era in LA.

[cutewizard]

https://youtu.be/nL6u0yIBkXY?si=0dFYhK181GAza1lp

[Chinook]

Yes, it is well known that surrounding your blue-chippers with competent rosters that make the finals gives you brain worms that ultimately lead you to trade said blue-chippers to the Lakers for a fraction of the market price

The victory lap is yours

I know you're being sarcastic, and I get how this situation in particular seems so absurd that it makes no sense to try to look at it as part of a trend.. Every time something like this fails, there's always some special reason to justify why it didn't work out. However, the fact that despite all the unique circumstances each situation has, this result happens basically every single time should give you pause. Luka didn't want to commit to a moribund team that has no future, so he wasn't willing to put in the work despite his considerable talent. The lack of a path to contention makes stars ask out far more than a team having a path but not moving early enough.

The Spurs aren't likely to win a title over the next 2-4 years with or without Fox (or Markkanen or Young). They are much more likely to lose their chance in 4-6 years to win if they give up their best assets in a quest to try to make something of a Wemby/Fox core now. And no, it's not sniffing, because I have no idea what the Spurs are going to do. If they trade for Fox, I'll still think it was the wrong move. I'll try to focus on the good of it, but that's not the same thing as me thinking it was a nice move. Fox is not on Morant's tier, regardless of what some stats say. Fox is the kind of guy you hope is a number 2 to a Wemby who's developed enough to win a title. Morant a guy who can be a 1a/1b with Wemby while Victor is still growing. He has MVP candidate upside. Fox does not. Of course, Morant has his issues that make him a risky get, and he's not on the block. My point is that when you have to try to build around Wemby and one other max player, that breaking point is Morant. Fox, Garland and even Young aren't above that cutoff.

Someone who is above that breaking point and may actually be available is Irving. He has plenty of his own problems. But he's firmly in that trench where he can be the player to help Wemby now while also being too old to require major investment. You get him for a couple of years, and then you let him go and hope either someone like Castle has proven himself or that a target aligned with the team's needs is around is available.

[spurraider21]

dallas just made the finals. how is that "not working."

its already being reported that dallas didnt decide to move luka because he was non-committal. supposedly they legitimately lost faith in him as their franchise guy because of his conditioning issues and party habits and whatnot

[MannyIsGod]

Actually I think I counted Lebron's min twice so I think its closer to 15 million but that is still barely above the MLE and would require Lebron taking the min.

[cutewizard]

What the hell?

Check this out guys

.........................


https://youtu.be/fBr3fVkCPSg?si=fyS2-_xdvbZieNwY

[cd98]

Someone should’ve blocked the Dallas GM from watching Moneyball. The man not way that guy keeps his job is if Mavs get back to the Finals.

[MannyIsGod]

I know you're being sarcastic, and I get how this situation in particular seems so absurd that it makes no sense to try to look at it as part of a trend.. Every time something like this fails, there's always some special reason to justify why it didn't work out. However, the fact that despite all the unique circumstances each situation has, this result happens basically every single time should give you pause. Luka didn't want to commit to a moribund team that has no future, so he wasn't willing to put in the work despite his considerable talent. The lack of a path to contention makes stars ask out far more than a team having a path but not moving early enough.

The Spurs aren't likely to win a title over the next 2-4 years with or without Fox (or Markkanen or Young). They are much more likely to lose their chance in 4-6 years to win if they give up their best assets in a quest to try to make something of a Wemby/Fox core now. And no, it's not sniffing, because I have no idea what the Spurs are going to do. If they trade for Fox, I'll still think it was the wrong move. I'll try to focus on the good of it, but that's not the same thing as me thinking it was a nice move. Fox is not on Morant's tier, regardless of what some stats say. Fox is the kind of guy you hope is a number 2 to a Wemby who's developed enough to win a title. Morant a guy who can be a 1a/1b with Wemby while Victor is still growing. He has MVP candidate upside. Fox does not. Of course, Morant has his issues that make him a risky get, and he's not on the block. My point is that when you have to try to build around Wemby and one other max player, that breaking point is Morant. Fox, Garland and even Young aren't above that cutoff.

Someone who is above that breaking point and may actually be available is Irving. He has plenty of his own problems. But he's firmly in that trench where he can be the player to help Wemby now while also being too old to require major investment. You get him for a couple of years, and then you let him go and hope either someone like Castle has proven himself or that a target aligned with the team's needs is around is available.

Dallas letting talent walk for nothing, then still having a finals team and choosing to blow it up for a sub optimal package isn't something failing anymore than someone putting a gun to their own head is dying of natural causes.

[spursistan]

Can't blame folks for putting their tinfoil hats over this one (read the comments). Kirk is pretty sane and level-headed Mavs blogger and even he smells something fishy around this trade. The fact that the Mavs (Nico Harrisson) picked the phone to talk to only one team is a tad bit suspicious especially for a player of this caliber.

https://x.com/KirkSeriousFace/status/1885946649714794905

[cd98]

If this can happen, Jimmy Butler can be traded.

[Chinook]

dallas just made the finals. how is that "not working."

its already being reported that dallas didnt decide to move luka because he was non-committal. supposedly they legitimately lost faith in him as their franchise guy because of his conditioning issues and party habits and whatnot

The "just made the finals" cuts both ways.

Either Luka has just proven he was a franchise player, and Dallas' lack of faith being enough to motivate an immediate trade makes no sense, or Dallas making the finals wasn't enough to get Luka to commit, and thus they failed to build a team around their star and lacked any reasonable pathway to do so.

(And no, I'm not ignoring the very real possibility that something horrible will come out about Doncic ala Watson or Tucker. That feels like the only reasonable justification for why Dallas would filp out like this.)

[MannyIsGod]

The lesson to take from this is not to let Castle sign with the Knicks and get nothing in return but somehow trying to spin it as the Spurs shouldn't make good moves to make the team better because they'll have to trade Wemby is a wild take.

[Chinook]

Dallas letting talent walk for nothing, then still having a finals team and choosing to blow it up for a sub optimal package isn't something failing anymore than someone putting a gun to their own head is dying of natural causes.

I think you realized partway through your analogy you weren't really making sense. It's like saying "Everyone who hangs out in radiation dying from cancer is not an accident" is wrong because one of the folks who hung out in the radiation shot themselves when they noticed the first symptoms. Like, yes, the guy who shot himself didn't technically die from cancer, but the cancer was already there, and it did play a role in their death.

Yes, we can believe Dallas was acting completely irrationally, and the quickness of this trade leaves that as a major possibility. But my guess is that Dallas plays this situation completely differently if they had an actual future. This isn't a Deron Williams level player we're talking about here.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

Count me in the wft camp. Let’s throw away all the illogical stuff like Davis helps Dallas contend or Luka wanted out and losing a hundred million. Throw away the conspiracy theories as well and it leaves very little to work with trying to decipher the situation.

It honestly seems like a fit of anger by the Mavs FO after some discussion with Luka and his representatives. Almost a bad blood issue with them making sure he loses a hundred million. I could believe this on a human level but on a multi-bilion dollar company level it makes zero sense.

If they actually thought he was in the Kawhi camp of having a physical issue that would prevent him from being worth a supermax it still doesn’t make sense to not even try to shop him, get offers. There are days until the trade deadline, it looks like total negligence by their FO. The Spurs situation was different in the sense that they literally did everything to make the situation work even at the cost of him destroying his trade value completely. Dallas pulled the plug so early and unexpectedly that the only semi-logical reason I can come up with is that they wanted to avoid a Kawhi situation. Kawhi had a degenerative knee though, not a conditioning issue, it’s way worse no matter how you look at it.

Honestly I can’t come up with anything more logical. I’m truly flabbergasted.

This trade will send shockwaves into other FO’s plans, perhaps Spurs included.

[Obstructed_View]

I wasn't sure if something was rotten in this whole deal, but the lame justification from the Dallas GM sealed it. Fucking Lakers versus Lakers never dies.

[MannyIsGod]

I think you realized partway through your analogy you weren't really making sense. It's like saying "Everyone who hangs out in radiation dying from cancer is not an accident" is wrong because one of the folks who hung out in the radiation shot themselves when they noticed the first symptoms. Like, yes, the guy who shot himself didn't technically die from cancer, but the cancer was already there, and it did play a role in their death.

Yes, we can believe Dallas was acting completely irrationally, and the quickness of this trade leaves that as a major possibility. But my guess is that Dallas plays this situation completely differently if they had an actual future. This isn't a Deron Williams level player we're talking about here.

Sure, if going to the Finals and building what the entirety of the NBA is considered a successful team then they were dying of cancer. Of course that pretty much completely ignores that Dallas was obviously in a better position than 80% of NBA teams, They received universal acclaim for their trades and the team they built last year, and Luka is a unanimous top 5 NBA player. Luka is such an injury concern that the Mavs traded him for the paragon of NBA health, AD. Everyone could obviously see that Dallas was in a TERRIBLE position which is why no one was shocked that they decided to make this trade.

[Mr. Body]

Dallas punched through OKC with Gafford and Lively beating them up. OKC has trouble with Anthony Davis, a lot. But that was with Doncic.

I don't get what the Lakers do to build a team around Doncic. Word seems to be that LeBron didn't even know about this trade. Whether he did or not doesn't matter. It's a junk roster. LBJ and fat Doncic probably doesn't get you very far. They don't have many assets to use at this point.

But I guess you just collude your way into a supporting cast or something.

[Obstructed_View]

Count me in the wft camp. Let’s throw away all the illogical stuff like Davis helps Dallas contend or Luka wanted out and losing a hundred million. Throw away the conspiracy theories as well and it leaves very little to work with trying to decipher the situation.

It honestly seems like a fit of anger by the Mavs FO after some discussion with Luka and his representatives. Almost a bad blood issue with them making sure he loses a hundred million. I could believe this on a human level but on a multi-bilion dollar company level it makes zero sense.

If they actually thought he was in the Kawhi camp of having a physical issue that would prevent him from being worth a supermax it still doesn’t make sense to not even try to shop him, get offers. There are days until the trade deadline, it looks like total negligence by their FO. The Spurs situation was different in the sense that they literally did everything to make the situation work even at the cost of him destroying his trade value completely. Dallas pulled the plug so early and unexpectedly that the only semi-logical reason I can come up with is that they wanted to avoid a Kawhi situation. Kawhi had a degenerative knee though, not a conditioning issue, it’s way worse no matter how you look at it.

Honestly I can’t come up with anything more logical. I’m truly flabbergasted.

This trade will send shockwaves into other FO’s plans, perhaps Spurs included.
The second best player in the world was available for trade, and 28 general managers found that out when the Shams tweet hit.

[Chinook]

Count me in the wft camp. Let’s throw away all the illogical stuff like Davis helps Dallas contend or Luka wanted out and losing a hundred million. Throw away the conspiracy theories as well and it leaves very little to work with trying to decipher the situation.

It honestly seems like a fit of anger by the Mavs FO after some discussion with Luka and his representatives. Almost a bad blood issue with them making sure he loses a hundred million. I could believe this on a human level but on a multi-bilion dollar company level it makes zero sense.

If they actually thought he was in the Kawhi camp of having a physical issue that would prevent him from being worth a supermax it still doesn’t make sense to not even try to shop him, get offers. There are days until the trade deadline, it looks like total negligence by their FO. The Spurs situation was different in the sense that they literally did everything to make the situation work even at the cost of him destroying his trade value completely. Dallas pulled the plug so early and unexpectedly that the only semi-logical reason I can come up with is that they wanted to avoid a Kawhi situation. Kawhi had a degenerative knee though, not a conditioning issue, it’s way worse no matter how you look at it.

Honestly I can’t come up with anything more logical. I’m truly flabbergasted.

This trade will send shockwaves into other FO’s plans, perhaps Spurs included.

Yeah, I basically expect for something truly heinous to come out at this point. Maybe that's unfair to Doncic, but this stinks really badly. If their relationship with Doncic has deteriorated that much to where they hate him, I don't see how folks can just pretend like their terrible roster and utter inability to meaningfully improve it isn't a factor.

[SupremeGuy]

To be fair, how is Adelson supposed to afford Luka's supermax after she just paid Trump $100 million?Don't be gay and bring politics into something we can all agree: The Mavs are retards and the Lakers suck dick.

[Chinook]

Sure, if going to the Finals and building what the entirety of the NBA is considered a successful team then they were dying of cancer.

Yeah, it turns out in the early stages of cancer, folks on the outside may not be able to immediately diagnose it. Whoda thunk?

I guess one way to continue to cling to a philosophy with a zero-percent success rate is to just assume every time it fails was just a once-in-a-lifetime fumbling

[mystargtr34]

I still think this is all about Luka not signing an extension. He has a player option end of next season. Lakers have max space on summer of 26. I think he told the Mavs he’s not signing the max extension.

Tbh

[Pauleta14]

https://x.com/herechigoes/status/1885934961372405931

[spursistan]

Alot is going to be written about this trade :lol
https://x.com/Boweman55/status/1885953004207321417
https://x.com/Boweman55/status/1885928443923104099

[MannyIsGod]

Yeah, it turns out in the early stages of cancer, folks on the outside may not be able to immediately diagnose it. Whoda thunk?

I guess one way to continue to cling to a philosophy with a zero-percent success rate is to just assume every time it fails was just a once-in-a-lifetime fumbling

I mean my dude you're acting like everyone else is assuming shit when you're making the biggest assumptions of them all in the wildest manner of all. You're acting like your chosen pathway to support your narrative is somehow infallible and obviously correct despite the reporting otherwise and the entirety of the basketball world being in utter shock at the idiocy of this trade.

Sure Chinook, you diagnosed cancer while the rest of us all just watched the Mavs build a team that went to the finals and then blow it up 8 months later. You got it man.

[Chinook]

To be fair, Davis does have real value. Folks are treating him like he's basically filler, but he'd be in the top 10-20 assets in the league. While I don't think the Lakers would've won a true bidding war, Davis and a first beats out a lot of other teams' best offers.

That said, Dallas has no path to a title with an Irving/Thompson/Davis core. They REALLY should be looking to sell off at this point.

[Fizziksman]

Don't be gay and bring politics into something we can all agree: The Mavs are retards and the Lakers suck dick.

at this point, no wanting a dirty foreigner to be the face of your franchise because deep MAGA brain rot, is just as viable a reason for why this happened.

[ixiXSolidXixi]

To be fair, Davis does have real value. Folks are treating him like he's basically filler, but he'd be in the top 10-20 assets in the league. While I don't think the Lakers would've won a true bidding war, Davis and a first beats out a lot of other teams' best offers.

That said, Dallas has no path to a title with an Irving/Thompson/Davis core. They REALLY should be looking to sell off at this point.
I think Mavs know something we don’t know. First Luka is out of shape and injured too. He don’t play defense. I think the Mavs with Davis have a better chance to win with this group. Probably they have a 2 year window.