RealGM

Because of how bizarre this trade is, it has me wondering which GM's would hang up the phone if Dallas called proposing to trade their best player for Luka. I can only think of 3 that are locks.

Shai, Jokic, Wemby.

After that, I would say these guys are closer to 50/50's... if i had a gun to my head, Id probably bet on the trade going through for all three of them:

Giannis, Edwards, Tatum

Anyone disagree? Literally cant even think of another player Id consider adding to this list. Am I way off base here?

Two guys we were All-NBA players have never been traded for each other mid season before, that's how unprecedented this was lol

og15 wrote:Two guys we were All-NBA players have never been traded for each other mid season before, that's how unprecedented this was lol

yeah... and i found out about this as the opening credits to The Brutalist started at my local theater.... its a 3.5 hour movie lol. and literally AS the movie is starting my phone starts blowing up. Coming out of the movie and seeing the roller coaster of emotions across the nba has been pretty funny. This whole thing still seems surreal.

ryguy613 wrote:Because of how bizarre this trade is, it has me wondering which GM's would hang up the phone if Dallas called proposing to trade their best player for Luka. I can only think of 3 that are locks.

Shai, Jokic, Wemby.

After that, I would say these guys are closer to 50/50's... if i had a gun to my head, Id probably bet on the trade going through for all three of them:

Giannis, Edwards, Tatum

Anyone disagree? Literally cant even think of another player Id consider adding to this list. Am I way off base here?

As a Celts fan I wouldn’t trade Tatum. Luka has more offensive talent, overall impact of both players is similar. Tatum is easier to build around, great team member and always plays.

Not Tatum

Edwards (not as good as Luka) and Giannis (age) sure, but not Tatum

This might sound weird but only player i wouldnt trade for Luka is wemby. Jokic is almost 30 and Luka is slightly better than Shai. Luka is much better than Tatum even with his defensive shortcomings.

Mr_Mojo_Risin wrote:

ryguy613 wrote:Because of how bizarre this trade is, it has me wondering which GM's would hang up the phone if Dallas called proposing to trade their best player for Luka. I can only think of 3 that are locks.

Shai, Jokic, Wemby.

After that, I would say these guys are closer to 50/50's... if i had a gun to my head, Id probably bet on the trade going through for all three of them:

Giannis, Edwards, Tatum

Anyone disagree? Literally cant even think of another player Id consider adding to this list. Am I way off base here?

As a Celts fan I wouldn’t trade Tatum. Luka has more offensive talent, overall impact of both players is similar. Tatum is easier to build around, great team member and always plays.

its a fair take. its a tough choice. They both have their strengths and weaknesses. Theyre both relatively similar ages. Tatum is more dependable to play, but he sometimes disappears in big moments, which is why a clear number 2 guy on the roster won FMVP instead of him. Luka is like a nuclear bomb on the court. you just never feel safe going against him... but to your point he isnt always available. I dunno. I think in a vacuum, all things considered, Luka is just the better player between the two. Id probably pull the trigger, but I get that its not an easy decision if that call is made. Especially with the Celtics already having a championship roster.

As a Celtics fan, I would not trade either Tatum or Brown for Doncic. I wouldn't really want him on my team at all. He is a top 3 talent on the planet, but his lack of commitment to diet and training would drive me nuts.

I would be asking why Dallas wanted to trade him before I would consider trading my franchise player for him.

Wemby/Jokic and maybe SGA? Everyone else is fair game in a Luka trade.

LuckyGreen7 wrote:As a Celtics fan, I would not trade either Tatum or Brown for Doncic. I wouldn't really want him on my team at all. He is a top 3 talent on the planet, but his lack of commitment to diet and training would drive me nuts.

...you wouldnt trade Tatum OR Brown for Luka? Cmon dude.

Jokic and SGA. Maybe Wemby.

LuckyGreen7 wrote:As a Celtics fan, I would not trade either Tatum or Brown for Doncic. I wouldn't really want him on my team at all. He is a top 3 talent on the planet, but his lack of commitment to diet and training would drive me nuts.

Yes but if you were the Celtics GM would you? Nobody cares about fan opinions lol

Dr Aki wrote:Not Tatum

Edwards (not as good as Luka) and Giannis (age) sure, but not Tatum

This is an interesting one. Seems like Tatum is the tipping point where fans are going different directions. Might have to throw up a poll.

Wemby, Giannis, Jokic, SGA. That’s it.

lol exactly

ryguy613 wrote:

Dr Aki wrote:Not Tatum

Edwards (not as good as Luka) and Giannis (age) sure, but not Tatum

This is an interesting one. Seems like Tatum is the tipping point where fans are going different directions. Might have to throw up a poll.

I get it from the Celtics point of view. Tatum is only slightly worse than Luka and the Celtics won a title with him. It doesn't make sense to trade him.

But that's irrelevant because a package of Brown + multiple FRPs is much better than what LAL gave up and Stevens would absolutely do that.

ryguy613 wrote:

Mr_Mojo_Risin wrote:

ryguy613 wrote:Because of how bizarre this trade is, it has me wondering which GM's would hang up the phone if Dallas called proposing to trade their best player for Luka. I can only think of 3 that are locks.

Shai, Jokic, Wemby.

After that, I would say these guys are closer to 50/50's... if i had a gun to my head, Id probably bet on the trade going through for all three of them:

Giannis, Edwards, Tatum

Anyone disagree? Literally cant even think of another player Id consider adding to this list. Am I way off base here?

As a Celts fan I wouldn’t trade Tatum. Luka has more offensive talent, overall impact of both players is similar. Tatum is easier to build around, great team member and always plays.

its a fair take. its a tough choice. They both have their strengths and weaknesses. Theyre both relatively similar ages. Tatum is more dependable to play, but he sometimes disappears in big moments, which is why a clear number 2 guy on the roster won FMVP instead of him. Luka is like a nuclear bomb on the court. you just never feel safe going against him... but to your point he isnt always available. I dunno. I think in a vacuum, all things considered, Luka is just the better player between the two. Id probably pull the trigger, but I get that its not an easy decision if that call is made. Especially with the Celtics already having a championship roster.

This is the narrative but I don’t think it’s completely accurate. Luka has gone missing in big moments and Tatum has stood up in plenty. Maybe Luka has an edge here but it’s no way near what the narrative suggests on the two IMO.

This season for example he is equal with Trae for most tying or go ahead buzzer beater made buckets at three.

https://www.nba.com/celtics/news/sidebar-post-20250131-jayson-tatum-strengthens-clutch-player-of-the-year-case-with-another-game-winner

Jokic/Giannis/Shai/Wemby

These are lock. If I am Boston owner I wouldn’t trade for Tatum too.

The only 2 for sure no is Jokic and Wemby.

Luka is only 25 so wouldn’t trade him for Giannis. SGA is close but at their best which is the playoffs, I’d rather have Luka.

Luka >>>>> Tatum and it’s not even close. lol @ not trading Brown for Luka. Fans typically overrate their own players but that's ridiculous