Mavs/Lakers Trade - Luka for Davis

[One-If-By-Sea]

Yep. I think in 3-4 years the Mavs are going to look like geniuses. Luka isn't getting any younger, and conditioning is essential to staying healthy and being a consistent performer into the playoffs. Imagine how good he'd be if he got in shape and played both ends of the court?

I think that is somewhat true.

Even if Luca completely face plants, it is hard to see how the Mavs will look like geniuses with a 35 or 36 year old Davis playing reduced minutes.

 

[Force Zero Boomer]

I think that is somewhat true.

Even if Luca completely face plants, it is hard to see how the Mavs will look like geniuses with a 35 or 36 year old Davis playing reduced minutes.

They get a 2029 first round pick, too. If Luka faceplants, they WILL look like geniuses for not giving a supermax to him and getting value in return. Imagine tying up all the money on a player who faceplants. So basically, they weren't going to sign him because of his lack of commitment to basketball, and they got decent value in return. The 2029 pick could be high if Luka is in decline. Lebron will be gone. Brony will be the team leader, haha.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

They get a 2029 first round pick, too. If Luka faceplants, they WILL look like geniuses for not giving a supermax to him and getting value in return. Imagine tying up all the money on a player who faceplants. So basically, they weren't going to sign him because of his lack of commitment to basketball, and they got decent value in return. The 2029 pick could be high if Luka is in decline. Lebron will be gone. Brony will be the team leader, haha.

The Lakers always spend money in FA so their 1st round picks are rarely of great value.

I don't disagree with you, but a 32 year old big man (big men do not age well) plus a 1st in four years from now is not a great return.

 

[Force Zero Boomer]

I can see not being an elite defender. HoFs like Magic played D at a passable level. I get it. But Magic was always in great shape and played hard.

Not everyone can be Jordan or Lebron. But at least don't be a liability.

But his lack of conditioning and ****ty D during the Finals was so glaring....and he quit. coward.

Great point. His capitulation probably tipped the scales against him.

The Mavs hoped he would make more of a commitment. He didn't and hes gone and the $345m he was going to get.

It's sad, because if he could be an average defender (or ideally a solid team defender, like Bird, which is probably within his reach given his basketball IQ), we'd be talking about him as one of the all-time greats. Not sure he'll make it now.

 

[Force Zero Boomer]

The Lakers always spend money in FA so their 1st round picks are rarely of great value.

I don't disagree with you, but a 32 year old big man (big men do not age well) plus a 1st in four years from now is not a great return.

Keep in mind they weren't trading Luka Doncic, they were trading one more season of Luka Doncic. They had no intention of signing him to the supermax, so he'd decline his option and be a FA in 2026. If you look at it that way, it's a solid return.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Keep in mind they weren't trading Luka Doncic, they were trading one more season of Luka Doncic. They had no intention of signing him to the supermax, so he'd decline his option and be a FA in 2026. If you look at it that way, it's a solid return.

I understand. No-one else wanted that situation either - $300M for a fat, out of shape, no defense guy.

Good return, or solid return, I agree. "Look like geniuses" is too strong for me.

 

[JayNM]

There has been numerous reports that "the league is angry" bc no one knew Luka was available

Like, I understando, Lakers and Celics, its a biased talk here

But honestly, this is the only place ive seen people defending the Mavs and Nico lol

 

[RobertWeathers]

It's sad, because if he could be an average defender (or ideally a solid team defender, like Bird, which is probably within his reach given his basketball IQ), we'd be talking about him as one of the all-time greats. Not sure he'll make it now.

Agree on the Larry reference. Red new Larry was never going to be an elite on the ball defender so he surrounded him with plus defenders like DJ, Kevin, Max and Robert. Always max effort.

Larry wised up and started to focus on his conditioning around the same time he started having back problems. But he was never "out of shape". Once they traded Rick Robey Larry's conditioning improved....go figure lol.

I really like Doncic's game. I hope he someday "gets it".

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I really like Doncic's game. I hope he someday "gets it".

You don't think he is a bit slow? Bird, Harden, and Curry have a quick release. I think Doncic will fade as he ages because he is naturally too slow with his release.

 

[RobertWeathers]

You don't think he is a bit slow? Bird, Harden, and Curry have a quick release. I think Doncic will fade as he ages because he is naturally too slow with his release.

Agree. His release is a bit slow but he can work on that. He does create good separation now. Assumption is he'll find ways to get his shot off because of his brain. This is one of those "work on your game" things he needs to do and not just do what he need to "get by".

He needs to get a handle on his body first. No reason why he can't be a 28/9/9 guy at 32...as long as he is in top physical shape and his legs are sound.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Agree. His release is a bit slow but he can work on that. He does create good separation now. Assumption is he'll find ways to get his shot off because of his brain. This is one of those "work on your game" things he needs to do and not just do what he need to "get by".

He needs to get a handle on his body first. No reason why he can't be a 28/9/9 guy at 32...as long as he is in top physical shape and his legs are sound.

After he loses a step he will be more serious, diet and workout, and say, "I am in the best shape of my career". But he will have lost a step at that point.

 

[1960Pats]

This trade seems like a gift to the Lakers.

I wonder if the league arranged this trade to give LeBrick and the Lakers a chance to catch up to the C's?

 

[RobertWeathers]

After he loses a step he will be more serious, diet and workout, and say, "I am in the best shape of my career". But he will have lost a step at that point.

...and that is why they probably traded him. Nico didn't see the maniacal dedication to his craft the greats have.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

...and that is why they probably traded him. Nico didn't see the maniacal dedication to his craft the greats have.

And the supermax is next year. Bad situation.

 

[RobertWeathers]

This trade seems like a gift to the Lakers.

I wonder if the league arranged this trade to give LeBrick and the Lakers a chance to catch up to the C's?

Maybe. The league has a serious viewership/engagement problem. With LA the #2 media market in the country, they need to look after it.

LeCrybaby has a player option this summer. Will be interesting to see what he does. If he leaves they need a draw like Luka for that market.

 

[bresna]

I still wonder how this move affects the Mavericks in the off season. I just can't see any big name free agents wanting to go there after this. This move cost Luka about $116 Million ($345M/5 vs $229M/5). That's not chump change, even for the NBA.

 

[Patriot Missile]

God forbid the Lakers rebuild like any other team.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I still wonder how this move affects the Mavericks in the off season. I just can't see any big name free agents wanting to go there after this. This move cost Luka about $116 Million ($345M/5 vs $229M/5). That's not chump change, even for the NBA.

I don't understand how Luka lost money, but if true, will the NBA teams start trading supermax players? If two teams both have supermax players, can they swap supermax guys to save $100M+ per trade for both teams?

 

[ViperGTS]

Link? Because I’ve heard that there was literally no shopping around at all

Surprised to see some defenders here of this trade, kudos to everyone for putting out their opinions. I guess we’ll see in a few years

To get myself on the record, I think it’s pretty indefensible that they didn’t seem to shop around, unless they only had eyes for Davis, which seems weird. And I think ultimately this will be shown to be a horrifically bad trade for Dallas

Wish people would do a modicum of research first.

Report: 1 Team Rejected Mavs' Luka Dončić Trade Nearly 2 Weeks Before Lakers Deal

I am more than surprised that supposed basketball fans here that watch generational Luka sucking wind in every second half of the finals games are shocked he didn't get a bigger haul. Yet they have a dude in their own backyard this is a hell of a lot more generational than he is, and Tatum isn't even that. Close, but not it.

Luka is a fat, out of shape loser that doesn't have the dedication to be an even average defender. He can't really move good enough laterally without the ball on D to make it work. The Harden comp is perfect because that is exactly who is he is. The Euro version of Harden, who I think sucks as well.

 

[Kdo5]

Thats because they are deluded into thinking Luka is some magical player. Newsflash, he isn't. He is all shine and people fall for that all the time. Have you talked to GMs? Team ownership?

Didn't think so. For the record neither have I but it's extremely telling that the return was what it was. I wouldn't have traded Jaylen or Tatum in a package for that tub of goo. Highest I would go would be White and some filler. He's such a liability on defense, gets hunted left and right. He's almost a net neutral guy. Helps as much as he hurts. Sure he might score 40, but he will give up 30.

Yay.

He led the Mavs to the NBA finals last season when they probably had no right to make it so far. Does that not count for something?

You are making him out to be a scrub which is insane.