Luka to Lakers. AD to Mavs.

[GetBuLLish]

I totally get the criticisms of this deal from the Mavs perspective, and I'm perplexed that the Mavs weren't able to extract another first round pick from the Lakers?

But realistically speaking, what would have been the better offers than what the Mavs got from the Lakers? What would other teams be willing to trade for a potential 1-year Luka rental?

[jnrjr79]

He is great at his job. He will work for the Lakers within the next two years.

Um no.

I’ll take that wager. It’s definitely a possibility. It’s hard to explain or understand how a GM and owner can just betray their fanbase like this. This is nothing less than that.

The only way this makes any sense is if the rumors about Luka are true, he’s a drunk, he’s a massive cancer, and the Mavs are just getting ahead of the truth coming out.

I’ve never seen anything this weird in almost 40 years as a NBA fan.

*Even if* those things are true, unless they knew some news story was about to drop imminently, IMO it’s still malpractice not for the decision to get rid of him, but to do it without actually searching for the best deal on the market.

[Muzbar]

The Lakers are really handicapped trying to build a team around Luka at the moment, LeBron is taking up a bunch of capspace, I wouldn't be surprised if Luka doesn't sign an extension and joins Bam, Ware and Herro in Miami in 2026.

It'll be interesting to see how all this plays out. On paper LeBron and Luka don't seem like a good fit. Plus LeBron at 40 years old....when will the wheels fall off? I know to some degree they already have, but not in a huge way.

It's just a strange trade, I mean I get it, it's Luka, but now you have to start building around him as soon as you possibly can or he's just going to walk. Miami is positioning themselves for maximum space in 2026 and with a core of Bam, Herro and Ware, that's pretty attractive.

It'll be interesting to see what sort of moves the Laker make from here on out.

[TheStig]

The Lakers are really handicapped trying to build a team around Luka at the moment, LeBron is taking up a bunch of capspace, I wouldn't be surprised if Luka doesn't sign an extension and joins Bam, Ware and Herro in Miami in 2026.

It'll be interesting to see how all this plays out. On paper LeBron and Luka don't seem like a good fit. Plus LeBron at 40 years old....when will the wheels fall off? I know to some degree they already have, but not in a huge way.

It's just a strange trade, I mean I get it, it's Luka, but now you have to start building around him as soon as you possibly can or he's just going to walk. Miami is positioning themselves for maximum space in 2026 and with a core of Bam, Herro and Ware, that's pretty attractive.

It'll be interesting to see what sort of moves the Laker make from here on out.

That's why this summer would be intresting and what the supermax is for. he was up for 5/350. No one has passed that up. If he declines after this year, then you explore that. I can't imagine he'd get a worse package than this.

[Muzbar]

It'll be interesting to see how all this plays out. On paper LeBron and Luka don't seem like a good fit. Plus LeBron at 40 years old....when will the wheels fall off? I know to some degree they already have, but not in a huge way.

It's just a strange trade, I mean I get it, it's Luka, but now you have to start building around him as soon as you possibly can or he's just going to walk. Miami is positioning themselves for maximum space in 2026 and with a core of Bam, Herro and Ware, that's pretty attractive.

It'll be interesting to see what sort of moves the Laker make from here on out.

That's why this summer would be intresting and what the supermax is for. he was up for 5/350. No one has passed that up. If he declines after this year, then you explore that. I can't imagine he'd get a worse package than this.

According to Bobby Marks, he's no longer eligible for a super max because of this trade.

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[Dez]

I totally get the criticisms of this deal from the Mavs perspective, and I'm perplexed that the Mavs weren't able to extract another first round pick from the Lakers?

But realistically speaking, what would have been the better offers than what the Mavs got from the Lakers? What would other teams be willing to trade for a potential 1-year Luka rental?

Spurs could have given them picks out of the anus plus likes of Castle.

OKC could've done the same (obviously wouldn't though because of fit).

They should've got the extra pick from LA.

[kodo]

I totally get the criticisms of this deal from the Mavs perspective, and I'm perplexed that the Mavs weren't able to extract another first round pick from the Lakers?

But realistically speaking, what would have been the better offers than what the Mavs got from the Lakers? What would other teams be willing to trade for a potential 1-year Luka rental?

Yeah it will be interesting to revisit this trade if Luka just walks in FA to another team. Dallas still gets AD, Lakers have nothing. AD is locked in til 2028 (assume he takes his PO).

Still, for the chance at a generational championship level franchise player you have to take the chance which LA did, and Dallas didn't.

[rosenthall]

I totally get the criticisms of this deal from the Mavs perspective, and I'm perplexed that the Mavs weren't able to extract another first round pick from the Lakers?

But realistically speaking, what would have been the better offers than what the Mavs got from the Lakers? What would other teams be willing to trade for a potential 1-year Luka rental?

It's shocking to me that the Mavs couldn't get at least 1 of Reeves, Knecht or an extra 1st round draft pick out of the Lakers.

If I didn't know the trade outcome, I'd guess that Reeves, AD, 29 and 31 1sts and Knecht would be the starting point for a trade to realistically happen.

Usually when teams trade for a pending FA they get confirmation from the agent that they're willing to resign, and usually have the outline of a deal already in place when the trade happens. So if another team were to make a trade it'd be on the assumption that a verbal agreement has already been reached.

I'd also be shocked if the Mavs couldn't get a better deal from one of the 28 other teams in the league.

34 year old KD got 4 1sts + Bridges + Cam Johnson after recovering from an achilles tear.

Even Bradley Beal got 4 1sts!

This is just a crazy underpayment any way you slice it.

[2weekswithpay]

I totally get the criticisms of this deal from the Mavs perspective, and I'm perplexed that the Mavs weren't able to extract another first round pick from the Lakers?

But realistically speaking, what would have been the better offers than what the Mavs got from the Lakers? What would other teams be willing to trade for a potential 1-year Luka rental?

The Spurs make the best offer. Castle, Vassell, 4-5 FRPs as well plus the Mavs remove the 2030 pick swap. Luka and Wemby would be something to see and I don't know if Luka would walk away from this pairing. Not sure if the Mavs would send Luka to a Texas rival though.

I don't think OKC would be that interested given their position. They pick up the phone but I'm not sure about the SGA/Luka pairing.

Houston has the picks and needs the offense so they make the most sense after the Spurs. Once again not sure if the Mavs trade Luka to a Texas rival. Jalen Green, Jabari Smith, Tari Eason, and 3-4 picks is a solid initial offer.

[NecessaryEvil]

Cmon man, be serious for a second

Luka’s not leaving the Lakers and the Lakers wouldn’t let him

He’s going to get anything he wants

[ThisGuyFawkes]

I totally get the criticisms of this deal from the Mavs perspective, and I'm perplexed that the Mavs weren't able to extract another first round pick from the Lakers?

But realistically speaking, what would have been the better offers than what the Mavs got from the Lakers? What would other teams be willing to trade for a potential 1-year Luka rental?

The Spurs make the best offer. Castle, Vassell, 4-5 FRPs as well plus the Mavs remove the 2030 pick swap. Luka and Wemby would be something to see and I don't know if Luka would walk away from this pairing. Not sure if the Mavs would send Luka to a Texas rival though.

I don't think OKC would be that interested given their position. They pick up the phone but I'm not sure about the SGA/Luka pairing.

Houston has the picks and needs the offense so they make the most sense after the Spurs. Once again not sure if the Mavs trade Luka to a Texas rival. Jalen Green, Jabari Smith, Tari Eason, and 3-4 picks is a solid initial offer.

I think the Lakers are about to trade Lebron to the Spurs for Wemby. Luka and Wemby in LA!

[Jcool0]

I totally get the criticisms of this deal from the Mavs perspective, and I'm perplexed that the Mavs weren't able to extract another first round pick from the Lakers?

But realistically speaking, what would have been the better offers than what the Mavs got from the Lakers? What would other teams be willing to trade for a potential 1-year Luka rental?

I believe it was Anthony Davis, Dalton Knecht and 2-3 1s. Rob Pelinka pretty much said Luka was to risky to give up that much and Dallas caved.

[kodo]

I totally get the criticisms of this deal from the Mavs perspective, and I'm perplexed that the Mavs weren't able to extract another first round pick from the Lakers?

But realistically speaking, what would have been the better offers than what the Mavs got from the Lakers? What would other teams be willing to trade for a potential 1-year Luka rental?

I believe it was Anthony Davis, Dalton Knecht and 2-3 1s. Rob Pelinka pretty much said Luka was to risky to give up that much and Dallas caved.

Specifically Pelinka wanted to talk to Luka and get some assurance that Luka would not just bounce after 1 season. Nico said no, you can't talk to Luka, I'd rather take the smaller package. Insanity.

Granted the LA picks are basically 2nd rounders with Luka on the team.
The only way this looks remotely sane is if Luka ends up being extremely injury prone like Embiid or Kawhi.

Even if Nico was this dumb, how does an entire organization including ownership allow this? Was there not 1 person in a championship basketball organization that said "this is the dumbest move in the history of basketball, stop now?"

[ThisGuyFawkes]

I totally get the criticisms of this deal from the Mavs perspective, and I'm perplexed that the Mavs weren't able to extract another first round pick from the Lakers?

But realistically speaking, what would have been the better offers than what the Mavs got from the Lakers? What would other teams be willing to trade for a potential 1-year Luka rental?

I believe it was Anthony Davis, Dalton Knecht and 2-3 1s. Rob Pelinka pretty much said Luka was to risky to give up that much and Dallas caved.

Specifically Pelinka wanted to talk to Luka and get some assurance that Luka would not just bounce after 1 season. Nico said no, you can't talk to Luka, I'd rather take the smaller package. Insanity.

Granted the LA picks are basically 2nd rounders with Luka on the team.
The only way this looks remotely sane is if Luka ends up being extremely injury prone like Embiid or Kawhi.

Even if Nico was this dumb, how does an entire organization including ownership allow this? Was there not 1 person in a championship basketball organization that said "this is the dumbest move in the history of basketball, stop now?"

I'm not a conspiracy theorist in any way, shape, or form, but you have to think that the NBA approved this with future considerations going to Dallas. It's in the leagues best interest to keep LA relevant and with Lebron/AD's age, they were about to not be relevant.

[eierluke]

AD might indeed be a better compliment to KI, but man just one 1st rd pick out of this trade outch.
The god thing ist we Bulls fans now know that we do not longer have the worst gm in the league.

The league better should investigate this trade close, I expect some inofficial money going from LA to some person or organisation close to the Mavs.

[Red8911]

Cmon man, be serious for a second

Luka’s not leaving the Lakers and the Lakers wouldn’t let him

He’s going to get anything he wants

Ofcourse he can. Most likely he will be staying long term but if things don’t go well or if he doesn’t like it there then anything is possible. It’s not like he made a pre agreement, trade was a total surprise to him.

[eierluke]

What makes me wonder is that AD had to waive a trade kicker clause before beeing included in this deal.
Usually players want
1) money
2) success
3) locations with warm weather or nightlive like LA, NY, Miami

Most players would prefer LA as their destination over Dallas and chances to win a title ain't better in Dallas than in LA.
So why did he do this?

[DropStep]

What makes me wonder is that AD had to waive a trade kicker clause before beeing included in this deal.
Usually players want
1) money
2) success
3) locations with warm weather or nightlive like LA, NY, Miami

Most players would prefer LA as their destination over Dallas and chances to win a title ain't better in Dallas than in LA.
So why did he do this?

This is a big question. It's only 5 million, less than 10% of his salary for the year- but then again it's $5,000,000! Which he gave away for free. Either he secretly hated LeBron, he didn't like playing for Redick, or there was something drawing him to Dallas - Kyrie, Nico, playing the four at least some, something personal? In like a billion dollar deal, given how much Luka and AD will earn in their careers, it was the key to this whole thing.

And they all claim neither AD nor LeBron nor Luka was informed ahead of time. So they negotiated for weeks, shook hands, THEN informed AD, THEN persuaded him to waive the trade kicker, which he immediately did - no questions asked? They did the whole negotiation without knowing whether he would waive the kicker? Hmm.

[GetBuLLish]

I totally get the criticisms of this deal from the Mavs perspective, and I'm perplexed that the Mavs weren't able to extract another first round pick from the Lakers?

But realistically speaking, what would have been the better offers than what the Mavs got from the Lakers? What would other teams be willing to trade for a potential 1-year Luka rental?

I believe it was Anthony Davis, Dalton Knecht and 2-3 1s. Rob Pelinka pretty much said Luka was to risky to give up that much and Dallas caved.

Specifically Pelinka wanted to talk to Luka and get some assurance that Luka would not just bounce after 1 season. Nico said no, you can't talk to Luka, I'd rather take the smaller package. Insanity.

Granted the LA picks are basically 2nd rounders with Luka on the team.
The only way this looks remotely sane is if Luka ends up being extremely injury prone like Embiid or Kawhi.

Even if Nico was this dumb, how does an entire organization including ownership allow this? Was there not 1 person in a championship basketball organization that said "this is the dumbest move in the history of basketball, stop now?"

The only way this made sense from Dallas' perspective is they must have been convinced that if Luka was told he was being traded, he would adamantly tell any trade suitors that he would explore free agency once his current deal is up.

Let's say that Dallas believed this and was correct in their belief, then how much better of a deal could they have obtained? That's the ultimate question, IMO.

It's shocking to me that the Mavs couldn't get at least 1 of Reeves, Knecht or an extra 1st round draft pick out of the Lakers.

If I didn't know the trade outcome, I'd guess that Reeves, AD, 29 and 31 1sts and Knecht would be the starting point for a trade to realistically happen.

Usually when teams trade for a pending FA they get confirmation from the agent that they're willing to resign, and usually have the outline of a deal already in place when the trade happens. So if another team were to make a trade it'd be on the assumption that a verbal agreement has already been reached.

I'd also be shocked if the Mavs couldn't get a better deal from one of the 28 other teams in the league.

34 year old KD got 4 1sts + Bridges + Cam Johnson after recovering from an achilles tear.

Even Bradley Beal got 4 1sts!

This is just a crazy underpayment any way you slice it.

I agree that these are deals that could have been on the table for Luka, but not if Luka refused to agree pre-trade that he would resign with the team trading for him.

[League Circles]

Seems to be a lot of wild misunderstanding and presumptuousness about what execs have to actually do in the reality of their jobs. I'm not saying I agree with what the Mavs did here, cause I don't, but it does make sense and isn't inexplicable at all. People are just freaked out cause we don't usually see this. Though worth noting, the Mavs may be the first team to see that a great player may be worth more to a different team than his own, due to no supermax.