Luka to Lakers for AD

[Vermont Green]

Doesn't the fact that he can't stay in shape or play defense at 25 say something about the likelihood of him reaching his potential? Is he going to get quicker as he ages?

This of course is the key question.  Last season, Luke was a little out of shape/under conditioned and a little banged up and he was still able to take a team that featured Kyrie Irving and PJ Washington as the #2 and #3 stars to the finals.  If he can stay even close to in shape/healthy, he is an elite player who can carry a title contending team.  Davis is not that and never was that.  He is an older all star, all pro level player with his own durability issues.

DAL made the calculation that there was too much risk of Luka not staying in shape, not staying healthy to give a $350M contract to.  I am not sure how much of a factor that Luka's defense really is or should be.  Luka played enough defense to get a mediocre team to the finals.  Last season, DAL played decent defense in the playoffs (better than LAL based on DRtg).

So DAL may now have a better defense but I do not buy that DAL has a better team.  Davis, Irving, Thompson is not a title contending big 3 in my mind.  We'll see.  If Davis stays healthy, it is a solid team for sure.  Wouldn't it be fun if LAL and DAL meet in the playoffs?  Think that would be good for ratings?  Who do people think would win this series?

I'm not well-versed on the salary side. Is there any chance that Dallas could match salaries for Jimmy Buckets, or make that work with a third team?

Kyrie
Klay
Butler
Davis
Lively

What I saw said that DAL is hard capped to the first apron which they are currently $6.2M under.  They could trade Kyrie ($41.0M) and some one else making at least about $2M and then they could take back Butler ($48.7M).  If they don't include Kyrie, they would likely have to add at least 3 maybe 4 players all making around $5M to $15M.

[incoherent]

I just read 6 pages of comments from you basketball geniuses and I still don't get this.

The only way that actually explains this is some sort of league collusion to keep the Lakers in the spotlight and keep the viewership up.  But that's pretty tinfoil hat. 

Maybe this really is just Cheap owners + incompetent GM + some agents pulling some power.

[Banner18now!]

It amazes me how teams are always so eager to help the Lakers. They gave up practically nothing to get Pau Gasol. They were getting CP3 before that was blocked. Luca gets handed to them on a silver platter. Gave up a soon to be 32 year old injury prone Davis and only 1 first round pick.
You mean to tell me that if Dallas shopped Luca they wouldn't have received a lot more? The fact they go right to the Lakers and don't even bother with any other team is a joke.
I believe I could be the GM of Lakers. Every free agent seems to want to play there and teams just give up star players to them. I mean how hard can it be? They are guaranteed to be restocked with top 5 talent every 10 years. They get a 25 year old generational player handed to them without one other team being involved to drive up the price. Gift wrapped, unreal.

[keevsnick]

Doesn't the fact that he can't stay in shape or play defense at 25 say something about the likelihood of him reaching his potential? Is he going to get quicker as he ages?

This of course is the key question.  Last season, Luke was a little out of shape/under conditioned and a little banged up and he was still able to take a team that featured Kyrie Irving and PJ Washington as the #2 and #3 stars to the finals.  If he can stay even close to in shape/healthy, he is an elite player who can carry a title contending team.  Davis is not that and never was that.  He is an older all star, all pro level player with his own durability issues.

DAL made the calculation that there was too much risk of Luka not staying in shape, not staying healthy to give a $350M contract to.  I am not sure how much of a factor that Luka's defense really is or should be.  Luka played enough defense to get a mediocre team to the finals.  Last season, DAL played decent defense in the playoffs (better than LAL based on DRtg).

So DAL may now have a better defense but I do not buy that DAL has a better team.  Davis, Irving, Thompson is not a title contending big 3 in my mind.  We'll see.  If Davis stays healthy, it is a solid team for sure.  Wouldn't it be fun if LAL and DAL meet in the playoffs?  Think that would be good for ratings?  Who do people think would win this series?

I'm not well-versed on the salary side. Is there any chance that Dallas could match salaries for Jimmy Buckets, or make that work with a third team?

Kyrie
Klay
Butler
Davis
Lively

What I saw said that DAL is hard capped to the first apron which they are currently $6.2M under.  They could trade Kyrie ($41.0M) and some one else making at least about $2M and then they could take back Butler ($48.7M).  If they don't include Kyrie, they would likely have to add at least 3 maybe 4 players all making around $5M to $15M.

Thompson+Washington+Gafford would work money wise.

The Mavericks would be:

PG: Irving, Dinwiddie
SG: Grimes, Hardy, Christie
SF: Butler, Marshall, Prosper
Bigs: Davis, Lively, Powell

[RJ87]

I've had some time to think about it and I get it from Dallas' perspective. I'm not saying I agree with it - but I can see the thinking.

Nico identified Anthony Davis as the one guy he'd ever trade Luka for. Once he figured that out, there isn't much need to engage other teams. If AD is the guy, then Lakers were the play. Could they have gotten more assets like picks? Probably, but if the goal is to win now and you think AD is the piece to get you there, would you let a deal blow up over a future pick you don't care about when now is the priority? And there is some urgency since Luka is eligible to sign the extension this offseason.

Speaking of - I also understand not wanting to give Luka that supermax. If he can't get motivated to get in shape after losing the Finals, I don't think he's going to be more motivated after you hand him a contract that guarantees him $345 million.

[Goldstar88]

I bet the Mavs could've gotten Durrant for Luka... If they are win now. Durrant is the better player...

no hes not...Luka is better.

Would Durant have been a better fit with Kyrie and PJ, though? Instead of AD. Either way, I don?t think the Mavs are contending. I Still can?t believe Dallas made this trade for AD at this stage of his career.

[BringToughnessBack]

Let's save some money by trading our superstar, supermax player and keeping Kyrie,so he can reunite with his buddy AD! 😂

We're finally going to witness the alternate universe Celtics, minus Brown, Tatum, Horford, and that ghost from Utah (you know who you are).

Luka just needs one good trainer/nutritionist, and he'll be an offensive goldmine again. But let's be real-you can't teach a Harden-type player to play defense. As long as he's paired with a defensive force or system, it could actually work for the Lakers long-term.

As for AD? I'd take a chance on Embiid over him at this point, and that's saying something. But honestly, Neither of these teams scare me one bit.

Now, a Luka-led Lakers squad vs. us in the Finals. That would be pure entertainment. Just imagine us running all our offensive sets through him while LeBron's patience completely self-destructs  🍿

[liam]

I bet the Mavs could've gotten Durrant for Luka... If they are win now. Durrant is the better player...

no hes not...Luka is better.

Would Durant have been a better fit with Kyrie and PJ, though? Instead of AD. Either way, I don?t think the Mavs are contending. I Still can?t believe Dallas made this trade for AD at this stage of his career.

I was saying that Durant was better than AD not Luka... If they needed to trade someone away I would've traded Kyrie... Kyrie disappeared in the finals last year.

[BringToughnessBack]

I bet the Mavs could've gotten Durrant for Luka... If they are win now. Durrant is the better player...

no hes not...Luka is better.

Would Durant have been a better fit with Kyrie and PJ, though? Instead of AD. Either way, I don?t think the Mavs are contending. I Still can?t believe Dallas made this trade for AD at this stage of his career.

I was saying that Durant was better than AD not Luka... If they needed to trade someone away I would've traded Kyrie... Kyrie disappeared in the finals last year.

Yes, that makes a ton more sense for sure. I agree. Or give a few teams a call and see who can be most creative.

[BringToughnessBack]

Thankfully, Riley, Knicks, Sixers, Bucks, and Cleveland did not get wind of this or if they did, failed in getting him. Stay on the west, Luka!

[Who]

Chandler Parsons said Luka had just bought a $15mil mansion in Dallas. Said Luka was in tears when he found out about the trade.

[BringToughnessBack]

Chandler Parsons said Luka had just bought a $15mil mansion in Dallas. Said Luka was in tears when he found out about the trade.

Incredible. What a way to treat your superstar.

[Phantom255x]

This made me laugh (watch the 10 second video!)

https://x.com/TheChefKayy/status/1886467521089560775

[liam]

I bet the Mavs could've gotten Durrant for Luka... If they are win now. Durrant is the better player...

no hes not...Luka is better.

Would Durant have been a better fit with Kyrie and PJ, though? Instead of AD. Either way, I don?t think the Mavs are contending. I Still can?t believe Dallas made this trade for AD at this stage of his career.

I was saying that Durant was better than AD not Luka... If they needed to trade someone away I would've traded Kyrie... Kyrie disappeared in the finals last year.

Yes, that makes a ton more sense for sure. I agree. Or give a few teams a call and see who can be most creative.

Agreed!

[liam]

Chandler Parsons said Luka had just bought a $15mil mansion in Dallas. Said Luka was in tears when he found out about the trade.

Incredible. What a way to treat your superstar.

They send a message to the rest of the league!