Holy Mother of... Luka to Lakers, AD to Dallas

[Dennis 37]

I think I'd be pretty pissed as an owner tbh. Though maybe they're placated by the solidified Lakers' popularity of the next 5-10 years. I dno how it all works, but it would seem to me that purposely tanking your franchise has to be against some sort of rules the owners/NBA BOG put in place. I imagine there might be some investigation into this trade down the road.

If it were any team besides the Lakers or maybe Knicks reaping the benefits of such a superstar dump, there very likely would be. But as it stands, nope. Not gonna happen.

To be fair to the Knicks, they tried repeatedly to get the superstar and failed. Lakers don't even have to try. The superstars just drop into their lap.

I respect the current iteration of the Knicks even though I only cheer Raptors.

[Ell Curry]

Assuming this was about basketball and not about:

1) Texas gambling legislation and moving the team (or ownership) to Vegas
2) Luka is a secret alcoholic or whatever

and it was about basketball reasons, I think this was sort of a tilt situation, to use the poker term for getting too mad after a loss.

The Mavs couldn't hit a 3 against Boston and lost, and maybe they do win a rock fight in that finals with AD instead of Luka and the O still producing at a similar poor (106 ORTG) pace.

But do they win 3 West series with AD instead of Luka? That part is very, very difficult to see. They shot 39% on 3s when they beat OKC and Minnesota back to back. Can't do that with AD at the 4, or even at the 5 and no Luka to spoonfeed 3s to PJ Washington, DJJ and Green and of course hitting a ton himself.

Maybe they just took the wins for granted and dwelled on the loss? Many such cases.

[WuTang_CMB]

this guy thought he was so smart and onto something big. To not even hold a bidding war across the league is mind blowing and goes to a team with zero draft compensation lol

Read on Twitter

[Mister Ze]

How is Cuban saying he was confused and not involved in the trade?

This man sold off the majority of his stake but owned the team for the last 2-3 decades and wasn’t consulted ? How is this organization being run?

[Lord_Zedd]

How is Cuban saying he was confused and not involved in the trade?

This man sold off the majority of his stake but owned the team for the last 2-3 decades and wasn’t consulted ? How is this organization being run?

He doesn't have much of a say anymore with the organization

[WuTang_CMB]

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/43676830/how-stunning-luka-doncic-anthony-davis-trade-came-together-los-angeles-lakers-dallas-mavericks

[WWSRD]

Notice how everyone is focused on Nico Harrison and not ownership? As if he does this unless instructed. Give me a break.

He's doing a great job of diverting attention away. Perfect corporate shill to do this.

[WWSRD]

How is Cuban saying he was confused and not involved in the trade?

This man sold off the majority of his stake but owned the team for the last 2-3 decades and wasn’t consulted ? How is this organization being run?

He doesn't have much of a say anymore with the organization

"Under the unusual sale arrangement, Cuban maintains a 27% ownership stake in the Mavs and remains in control of basketball operations."

That's what google tells me. He owns 27% of the team. He was consulted. He knew it was happening.

Everyone's playing stupid and Nico's the fall guy, cause that's his job.

Guess what? Every other major owner in the NBA knew. Otherwise, you'd have ownership from other teams come out and accuse the Mavs and Lakers of collusion for the Lakers benefit.

This trade was constructed at an owners meeting with everyone's buy in.

They own the league. We don't. They're not going to tell you the truth. Just like everything else in this world.

[WWSRD]

Another business motivation, The NBA just saved 116 million for Luka's services.

Teams should continue to trade their super-max eligible stars right before they qualify. Save a bunch of money.

[DreamTeam09]

This was 100% an owner's call/doing. Trade in the middle of the night on a Saturday, hella secret n don't seemingly quickly. This is new owner syndrome

[TheGeneral99]

How is Cuban saying he was confused and not involved in the trade?

This man sold off the majority of his stake but owned the team for the last 2-3 decades and wasn’t consulted ? How is this organization being run?

He was no longer majority owner or involved in day-to-day decisions for a while.

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/mavericks-mark-cuban-no-longer-has-control-of-basketball-operations-and-why-this-is-good-for-dallas-future/

This news comes after Cuban sold his majority stake in the Mavericks back in November 2023 to the Adelson family, making Patrick Dumont the new governor of the Mavericks. When the deal was announced, it was reported that Cuban would retain control of basketball operations, while Dumont and the Adelsons handled the business side of things, like building a new arena for the Mavericks, something Cuban has been interested in for years. But seven months after that deal was finalized, it appears as though Cuban's role is becoming more diminished, which isn't necessarily a bad thing for the Mavericks.

[Madvillainy2004]

Kyrie Irving as your #1 creator and perimeter player man lmao

[WWSRD]

Posting this here too. Likely what is actually going on:

Read on Twitter

[Lateral Quicks]

I've never cared for Luka's attitude, and he does have legitimate health and conditioning issues, but seriously?

If you no longer want him, start a bidding war. The return they got for him is laughable.

[Johnny Bball]

I've never cared for Luka's attitude, and he does have legitimate health and conditioning issues, but seriously?

If you no longer want him, start a bidding war. The return they got for him is laughable.

Even if they didn't start a bidding war, you would think they should have been able to get another first and Reeves, and not having to dump salary in Utah.

[TimeForChange]

and so it begins...

Read on Twitter

[PushDaRock]

this guy thought he was so smart and onto something big. To not even hold a bidding war across the league is mind blowing and goes to a team with zero draft compensation lol

Read on Twitter

So, he's a sneaky little weasel like we all assumed.

He wanted to make the big boy move without going through the uncomfortable process it would have taken to maximize the return.

[PushDaRock]

I've never cared for Luka's attitude, and he does have legitimate health and conditioning issues, but seriously?

If you no longer want him, start a bidding war. The return they got for him is laughable.

Even if they didn't start a bidding war, you would think they should have been able to get another first and Reeves, and not having to dump salary in Utah.

Well I mean they were negotiating against themselves. Dallas basically committed themselves to doing the deal no matter what once it got to a certain point.

[Westside Gunn]

I didn't know who Nico Harrison was until I googled him. What a turd, and whoever hired him didn't dig deep into his resume. Is this some kind of nepo hire

[Dennis 37]

How is Cuban saying he was confused and not involved in the trade?

This man sold off the majority of his stake but owned the team for the last 2-3 decades and wasn’t consulted ? How is this organization being run?

He doesn't have much of a say anymore with the organization

"Under the unusual sale arrangement, Cuban maintains a 27% ownership stake in the Mavs and remains in control of basketball operations."

That's what google tells me. He owns 27% of the team. He was consulted. He knew it was happening.

Everyone's playing stupid and Nico's the fall guy, cause that's his job.

Guess what? Every other major owner in the NBA knew. Otherwise, you'd have ownership from other teams come out and accuse the Mavs and Lakers of collusion for the Lakers benefit.

This trade was constructed at an owners meeting with everyone's buy in.

They own the league. We don't. They're not going to tell you the truth. Just like everything else in this world.

This makes sense.

Now, even if owners knew, I hope they don't amplify the damage by buying out useful players Lakers can pick up for pennies on the dollar.

If Raptors can't get a trade for Bruce Brown, I will be so ticked off if he is bought out.