it’s crazy how the Lakers constantly fleece everybody forget getting Pau Gasol for a bag of chips and homeless man’s sock, the CP3 trade that had to be vetoed by the league because it was so lopsided, and now this Luka trade, during the 2023 trade deadline they traded Damian Jones, Juan Toscano-Anderson, Russ, and a 1st round pick and got back D-Lo, Malik Beasley, and Jarred Vanderbilt in return
Davis has zero worries. He and LBJ are very tight. Davis is already a HOFer but he has LBJ campaigning for him and he can keep himself involved in basketball if he wants - or even invest in his passion for sports cards. Davis also can stay in LA post retirement if he wants, can go back to Chicago where he would be treated like a king - or chill in Dallas.
I don’t get the infatuation with Davis. Every 5 games, for two quarters, he plays like the best player in the league, then he’s invisible the rest of the time.
Luka is a stud - but there are valid concerns. He has gotten a pass from the media over it, but he has consistently been out of shape heading into the season. No one else gets away with this without a lot of scorn. It’s a real problem, especially when he has had years to change and hasn’t. At this point it just isn’t likely to change. Luka also shows poor ability - but more importantly, little desire to defend. He just doesn’t think he has to do it. He also is difficult to coach in that he knows he is “it” and can over ride the coach and do whatever he wants on the court. Players see that and it causes issues- and he isn’t exactly a good leader. You add all of that together - especially for a player that is getting close to the age where his lifestyle causes issues - and it can cause doubt whether it is worth giving a guy 5/350 and then at around 30 another near billion dollar contract. Nico likely concluded that he didn’t believe he could win a title with the financial commitment and flaws of Luka. AD is an elite player but he is too old. He gives the Mavs a chance to win before they decide to pivot. Also - there is no way Nico only spoke to Knicks. I don’t think he opened him up to the entire league but likely to a couple teams that have a player he wanted. I personally would have kept Luka, but I can see why the Mavs GM went a different way.
@Snow Villiers Morey or Stone would have at least gotten 10 draft picks for Luka this is obviously done by league because of the ratings and attendance decline the League will always try to make LA and NYC better @Os Trigonum @Salvy
So the worst thing about this is you know the Lakers are going to get another star soon. Some one else will bolt from their team to join theirs. Whether it is in FA or they will demand the trade but it will happen.
Lakers-Knicks highlights from last night’s game already has over 1 million views on YouTube this might jolt the league like Lebron to the Heat did
As much as i think this trade is bs, i'm having a blast reading these farewell messages from mav fans all over social media lol. Real nasty player only fan behavior
You're applying calm logic here. When someone's is in love he puts his logic aside. . Nico can't quit AD.
Trading Doncic because you don't believe in him is understandable. I think it's foolish, but it's a valid choice for the franchise. Trading him for just Anthony Davis is unconscionably stupid and completely indefensible. Nobody who has ever watched these 2 think Davis and Kyrie is an actual title contender. He eschewed what would have been an absolute King's ransom for Doncic that would have set the franchise up just so they could secure a few second round exits...and then rebuild. To have an asset of that value and focus on such a narrow return without even trying to explore the market thououghly...just mind blowingingly stupid.
Moral of the story for Rockets GM is to develop more chummy relationships. Especially the unstable GMs who wields power. Befriend them, it'll payoff.
I don't think anyone is giving Dallas a difficult time because they dealt Luka. It's that they only approached a specific GM and dealt him for very little when compared to recent trades for older superstars. If teams across different sports leagues can be penalized for tampering, the Commissioner should at least pretend to investigate.
