Luka to Lakers for AD

[Kernewek]

Another point worth mentioning is that Dallas was working under a totally different set of economic circumstances when it comes to Luka's extension over the summer.  Offering him anything less than the supermax would be a spit in the face and they would risk losing him for nothing.  The economic burden, while still quite large, is significantly less for any team trading for him when it comes to resigning.

That still doesn't excuse the utter incompetence of not getting more draft picks out of this.

On the contrary, the new Dallas ownership not wanting to pay Luka the supermax is the most likely impetus for this trade, I think, and helps to explain why they were willing to let him go for so little.

I think it is more to do with bargaining power.

Rob Palenka has publicly stated that Nico Harrison called him weeks ago about trading for Doncic. Right away the Lakers know they are the only team Dallas is talking to and Davis is the only player they want. It makes sense that the Lakers would low ball the Mavs.

Unfortunately for the Mavs, Davis was probably the only attainable superstar right now. Go through yourself and look at every team and try and find attainable equal value for Doncic, it does not exist.

But that brings us back to square one, no? If we're only looking at basketball, Dallas has a better chance at putting together a championship contender with Doncic, right? After all, they're coming off a season where they just did that.  So... if the offers on the table aren't good, don't take them.

Now, if your argument is that Dallas doesn't think Doncic is worth the super-max and doesn't want to lose him for nothing, that's fair, but it still speaks to cheap ownership - because, generally speaking, you have to overpay a guy like that.

[Who]

Avery Johnson was asked what would your response have been if you were offered this trade when you were the Mavs head coach?

"Absolutely not"

Then bursts out laughing. He continues.

"No way. No way."

"Luka is 25 years old"

"A generational talent"

[RMO]

Another point worth mentioning is that Dallas was working under a totally different set of economic circumstances when it comes to Luka's extension over the summer.  Offering him anything less than the supermax would be a spit in the face and they would risk losing him for nothing.  The economic burden, while still quite large, is significantly less for any team trading for him when it comes to resigning.

That still doesn't excuse the utter incompetence of not getting more draft picks out of this.

On the contrary, the new Dallas ownership not wanting to pay Luka the supermax is the most likely impetus for this trade, I think, and helps to explain why they were willing to let him go for so little.

I agree that it would be the impetus for the trade but I see no need for the urgency.  Would the lakers really have balked at the idea of throwing in another first round pick to get Luka?  Even with another first round pick I'd still say it was a steal.

[slightly biased bias fan]

Another point worth mentioning is that Dallas was working under a totally different set of economic circumstances when it comes to Luka's extension over the summer.  Offering him anything less than the supermax would be a spit in the face and they would risk losing him for nothing.  The economic burden, while still quite large, is significantly less for any team trading for him when it comes to resigning.

That still doesn't excuse the utter incompetence of not getting more draft picks out of this.

On the contrary, the new Dallas ownership not wanting to pay Luka the supermax is the most likely impetus for this trade, I think, and helps to explain why they were willing to let him go for so little.

I think it is more to do with bargaining power.

Rob Palenka has publicly stated that Nico Harrison called him weeks ago about trading for Doncic. Right away the Lakers know they are the only team Dallas is talking to and Davis is the only player they want. It makes sense that the Lakers would low ball the Mavs.

Unfortunately for the Mavs, Davis was probably the only attainable superstar right now. Go through yourself and look at every team and try and find attainable equal value for Doncic, it does not exist.

But that brings us back to square one, no? If we're only looking at basketball, Dallas has a better chance at putting together a championship contender with Doncic, right? After all, they're coming off a season where they just did that.

Now, if your argument is that Dallas doesn't think Doncic is worth the super-max and doesn't want to lose him for nothing, that's fair, but it still speaks to cheap ownership - because, generally speaking, you have to overpay a guy like that.

Given what Dallas has said about Doncic and his work ethic and weight related injury issues, perhaps not in the short term.

If you look at the big picture for Dallas, they may only have a 2-3 year window to win a title with Kyrie Irving before he either leaves via free agency or simply hits another stage of his career at 34-35 years old. They also have no draft capital to upgrade from an aging Irving and for the same reason they cannot tank for a star in the draft.

I can understand why this deal was done.

[slightly biased bias fan]

I know how crazy this trade is but remember,

LeBron James left Cleveland (first time) after making the Finals, for nothing.

Kevin Durant left Oklahoma City after making the Finals, for nothing.

Two of the ten greatest players in history both left their franchises for nothing in return.

[Phantom255x]

First off, when Shams tweeted this at midnight Saturday me and a bunch of others thought he was hacked, and then were absolutely flabbergasted to find out it was all real.

I think what annoys me the most is, according to this dumb Mavericks GM he didn't even engage or let other teams know, ONLY the Lakers. HUH??? So you mean to tell me if Denver found out Doncic was available, they wouldn't have been willing to give up Murray, MPJ/Gordon, Braun and a bunch of picks to get it done? Or another young, rising team like MEM/HOU wouldn't be willing to give up a bunch of young assets/picks?

Lowe and others have said that other GMs were stunned and that they would have given up a fortune to acquire Doncic if that opportunity presented itself. They never knew though because he spent days only engaging the Lakers on this 

I'll also add, a lot of Mavs fans aren't just outraged but many are also boycotting games and cancelling their season tickets. But also, Luka was a MASSIVE EUROPEAN draw for the Mavs and now a lot of those people will focus on LA, no longer Dallas. Don't think the GM factored that in, as well as the fact that if DAL has a short playoff run, who is to say Klay, AD and Irving don't request trades this offseason? Pretty sure Klay even turned down more money from LA to come play with Luka/Kyrie in Dallas.

That press conference was something too. Kidd looked like he wanted to strangle Nico on the spot.

[liam]

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

[Goldstar88]

I know how crazy this trade is but remember,

LeBron James left Cleveland (first time) after making the Finals, for nothing.

Kevin Durant left Oklahoma City after making the Finals, for nothing.

Two of the ten greatest players in history both left their franchises for nothing in return.

Luka is under contract for this year, next year and then has a player option. They could have waited for a better offer. Also, I believe Luka would be leaving a ton of money on the table if he left just walked without a super max contract. They could have done a sign/trade.

[SparzWizard]

Funny how these trades go.

Paul Hembekides (Hembo)
@PaulHembo
These pennies-on-the-dollar returns are WILD...

1968: Lakers acquire 31-year-old Wilt Chamberlain for Jerry Chambers, Archie Clark and Darrall Imhoff

1975: Lakers acquire 28-year-old Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for Junior Bridgeman, Dave Meyers, Elmore Smith and Brian Winters

1996: Lakers acquire 17-year-old Kobe Bryant for Vlade Divac

2008: Lakers acquire 27-year-old Pau Gasol for Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, Marc Gasol, Aaron McKie and two 1st-round picks

2025: Lakers acquire 25-year-old Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, Jalen Hood-Schifino, a 1st-round pick and 2nd-round pick

The trade that almost happened but blocked by the league: 2011- Chris Paul to the Lakers.

But then in 2012, they formed a Big 3 in acquiring Steve Nash and Dwight Howard. Fortunately, for the haters, that roster imploded by the end of the season.

[Kernewek]

I know how crazy this trade is but remember,

LeBron James left Cleveland (first time) after making the Finals, for nothing.

Kevin Durant left Oklahoma City after making the Finals, for nothing.

Two of the ten greatest players in history both left their franchises for nothing in return.

Luka is under contract for this year, next year and then has a player option. They could have waited for a better offer. Also, I believe Luka would be leaving a ton of money on the table if he left just walked without a super max contract. They could have done a sign/trade.

Probably not on the sign-and-trade, but he's absolutely leaving a ton of money on the table if he walks away from Dallas - that's one of the purposes of the supermax.

I also don't get the sense that Doncic, today, is as neurotic about his legacy as pre-Decison LeBron or post-Harden trade Kevin 'Terminally Online' Durant, but that's pure conjecture.

[SparzWizard]

There are also speculation that this was also politically-driven move...Miriam Adelson probably wanted to destroy the fanbase and move the franchise to Vegas

[Donoghus]

There are also speculation that this was also politically-driven move...Miriam Adelson probably wanted to destroy the fanbase and move the franchise to Vegas

For those curious, their lease is up July 2031.

[Roy H.]

There are also speculation that this was also politically-driven move...Miriam Adelson probably wanted to destroy the fanbase and move the franchise to Vegas

I don't buy it.  The NBA is going to make a gigantic amount of money by putting a franchise in Vegas.  They're not going to kill that cash cow.

And, I can't see the Mavericks leaving a top-5 media market with top-5 revenue in a state with favorable tax laws. What's the upside for them?

[Who]

Rob Pelinka and Nico Harrison had a relationship going back to Nico's time at Nike. He was the guy at Nike dealing with Pelinka as Kobe's representative.

I am sure that helped with his situation where they have been talking for a few weeks about this possible deal and managed to keep everything quiet.

[bello_man09]

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.