2024-25 Season Discussion and Speculation Part III

[BurningHeart]

There's no way Ishiba doesn't push Dunn into a Butler trade now right?

Is Dunn really a tipping point? I mean I'm sure he already will offer it by the trade deadline. He's not going to hold up getting Butler because of Dunn.

I don't know why this should make us more eager though. It's basically made the Mavs better now but the Lakers probably won't be as good this year at least. They need to rebuild their roster. They were trying to trade for defense because they didn't have enough and now traded away one of the best NBA defenders. Plus Luka and LeBron both are game managers. They will both probably have to play off ball way more. Most NBA people would tell you never to take the ball out of LeBron's hands because his bbiq is as high as anyone's, but I mean, if you have Luka you have to don't you?

If this team trades Dunn......

[bwgood77]

Lakers can do the Ishbia and swap 2026, 2028, 2030 and trade 2031.

Doncic, Reaves, James, Hachimura, Kleber

Theyre an all defensive player away from having all bases covered

When you have a guy like Luka leading your team and you are the Lakers, swaps won't hold much market value. The opposing team won't choose to swap.

Seems like sometimes people think swaps hold a ton of value even if your team is really good.

I don't think the Lakers will be that good this year. They had improved, but Luka has been hurt and they don't have the right players around him really. DFS, Reaves, yes. Kleber is pretty good but has faded. LeBron of course but he's 40 and doesn't really defend anymore.

[Ghost of Kleine]

Jimmy Butler anyone?

Must be soul crushing for Ishbia. Goes all in with zero regard for his own money only to find out not even a year in just how rigged the NBA is.

Why even call it a sport and insult the fans intelligence at this stage. It's a Lakers reality show

It's ultimately an entertainment business that will prioritize ratings and profit above all else, It shouldn't really be all that surprising to anyone who's not in complete denial that the NBA would rig these types of things for the big markets and especially always for their poster franchise! They're clearly concerned about their plummeting ratings issues and are trying to boost ratings and viewership by not only creating this insane storyline that'd occupy attention everywhere!! (SHOCK VALUE) while also propping up their "flagship franchise" and on top of that the storyline of Lebron likely walking into one last title before retiring and passing the mantle to Doncic! All of this chaos and shock value storyline to carry their biggest market into the future!

It's just sick and pathetic and wrong! It'll be a total whiny sh**show for sure with BOTH those petulant divas getting between 40-50 free throws per game. And the icing on the cake will be the NBA miraculously gifting them a third star for almost nothing out of nowhere within the next two years.

[bwgood77]

There's no way Ishiba doesn't push Dunn into a Butler trade now right?

Is Dunn really a tipping point? I mean I'm sure he already will offer it by the trade deadline. He's not going to hold up getting Butler because of Dunn.

I don't know why this should make us more eager though. It's basically made the Mavs better now but the Lakers probably won't be as good this year at least. They need to rebuild their roster. They were trying to trade for defense because they didn't have enough and now traded away one of the best NBA defenders. Plus Luka and LeBron both are game managers. They will both probably have to play off ball way more. Most NBA people would tell you never to take the ball out of LeBron's hands because his bbiq is as high as anyone's, but I mean, if you have Luka you have to don't you?

I think it's more Ishbia wanting to get his name in the headlines too lol

No matter what trades happen in the next week, this is the only one that will be talked about.

[sashaturiaf]

Jimmy Butler anyone?

Must be soul crushing for Ishbia. Goes all in with zero regard for his own money only to find out not even a year in just how rigged the NBA is.

Why even call it a sport and insult the fans intelligence at this stage. It's a Lakers reality show

It's ultimately an entertainment business that will prioritize ratings and profit above all else, It shouldn't really be all that surprising to anyone who's not in complete denial that the NBA would rig these types of things for the big markets and especially always for their poster franchise! They're clearly concerned about their plummeting ratings issues and are trying to boost ratings and viewership by not only creating this insane storyline that'd occupy attention everywhere!! (SHOCK VALUE) while also propping up their "flagship franchise" and on top of that the storyline of Lebron likely walking into one last title before retiring and passing the mantle to Doncic! All of this chaos and shock value storyline to carry their biggest market into the future!

It's just sick and pathetic and wrong! It'll be a total whiny sh**show for sure with BOTH those petulant divas getting between 40-50 free throws per game. And the icing on the cake will be the NBA miraculously gifting them a third star for almost nothing out of nowhere within the next two years.

All completely true and they're not even being subtle about it anymore. This is a ratings grab pure and simple, the storylines write themselves.

At this stage I feel WWE is more genuine than the NBA. At least those guys don't load manage and do actually go all out every time they perform.

[Fo-Real]

This turns every other trade on it's head!! This probably signals a REALLY CRAZY trade season.

[lilfishi22]

lol

Read on Twitter

[bwgood77]

I'm sure Ish will make the call to see if the Lakers will do Beal for LeBron....the two NTC's. LeBron's probably pissed despite it being a hijack by the Lakers.

[bwgood77]

lol

Read on Twitter

Crazy, though AD is worth 5 firsts or a lot of them. I thought it was funny listening to Simmons trade value countdown podcast today that Bridges and KD were in the same trade value tier....like right next to each other.

[Ghost of Kleine]

I'm sure Ish will make the call to see if the Lakers will do Beal for LeBron....the two NTC's. LeBron's probably pissed despite it being a hijack by the Lakers.

Read on Twitter

[lilfishi22]

I'm sure Ish will make the call to see if the Lakers will do Beal for LeBron....the two NTC's. LeBron's probably pissed despite it being a hijack by the Lakers.

Please!

[Revived]

Doesn’t Adam Silver have an obligation to veto this trade?

[dremill24]

One thing that has been pointed out in multiple places that I think rings true...for a lot of trades but especially a 3- or 4- or 5-team deal to actually get done, at least one party is going to do something that many others don't think they should do (within reason, of course). And that absolutely happens pretty frequently.

Almost everyone hated the Caruso-Giddey deal for Chicago, that got done. Most thought the Raptors should've prioritized draft capital in the OG-to-NY deal, they didn't get a single 1st. Nobody really thought the Blazers giving up multiple 1sts for Avdija was a great idea, that happened. The Kings were chided for giving up on Haliburton for Sabonis, but they did it. If Toronto ends up with Ingram as rumored to be a possibility, that will definitely not be something most folks think is a good idea.

Each front office is comprised of a few people who have their own subjective opinions/motivations for what they want to do, so it doesn't take the entire country to think something is a good deal, just those couple of folks. There is an undefined line in the sand where it's unreasonable obviously, but if there is a perspective that is somewhat unpopular but has some semblance of sense (defining this being the toughest part), it may not be necessary to totally dismiss it.

Ok this is NOT what i meant but also is evidence of truth??

[Saberestar]

I can't imagine how Mavs fans are trying to digest these news. It has to he TOUGH.

Isn't Cuban the Mavs owner anymore? I think that he would not allow this trade. No way he would trade Doncic for AD...is laughable.

[Mulhollanddrive]

Nico Harrison was Nike executive who did national marketing for LeBron's shoes

[TeamTragic]

Ishbia just woke up in a cold sweat after dreaming that Luka was available

[bullsaficianado]

Seriously did the Mavs just trade Luka? is this legit? I thought it was a joke. WTF.

[Saberestar]

Doesn’t Adam Silver have an obligation to veto this trade?

Every other team needs to ask for an investigation and an explanation. It's a **** show, the Lakers are clearly getting favorable treatment.

[Saberestar]

Read on Twitter

[sunsbg]

Luka and Lebron will work as well as Booker and Beal together. The near future not that bright for Lakers. With Doncic's bad habits who knows what the future holds.