Anthony Davis Doesn't Believe Nobody Knew Lakers, Mavericks Were Working On Luka Doncic Trade

[GreekAlex]

I’m still not sure why he did the Lakers a favor in waiting his trade kicker.

That's more of a favor for Dallas.

I thought it was necessary to make the deal work

[Edrees]

I’m still not sure why he did the Lakers a favor in waiting his trade kicker.

That's more of a favor for Dallas.

I thought it was necessary to make the deal work

Maybe, I didn't know about about that. How would that work? Too much AD salary puts Mavs over the cap or makes the number uneven on both sides? i'm sure other adjustements could have been made.

[GreekAlex]

That's more of a favor for Dallas.

I thought it was necessary to make the deal work

Maybe, I didn't know about about that. How would that work? Too much AD salary puts Mavs over the cap or makes the number uneven on both sides? i'm sure other adjustements could have been made.

Yes, I don’t remember the particulars but there was too much money on the Dallas side if he didn’t waive all or most of it.

I’d guess there was some backup plan but that’s what I heard.

I also heard that he didn’t mind waiving it because Texas is a no state income tax state.

Maybe he wouldn’t have done the same going to a less desirable destination.

[JellosJigglin]

Lakers have been a very good team without him, even defensively, maybe just MAYBE he's a little overrated.

They got the chance of trading for a way better player, it is what it is.

The Lakers' turnaround began when AD was on the team. Specifically the trade for DFS and return of Vanderbilt.

I'm not convinced they can get through the west without an interior presence but their defense has looked very good even without AD.

[NBA4Lyfe]

you waived that trade kicker super fast.. AD??

why?

[NBA4Lyfe]

I don't believe nobody uses double negatives in headlines. That 1 year of UK edumacation came in handy.

Yeah, that was a tough headline!

Am I supposed to feel bad for ya dude?

You’re paid more money per year than any fan will make in their entire life, you’ll “figure it out” just fine buttercup.

You should read the article. AD comes off content. He was asked questions and answered them honestly. None of it seems geared toward making you feel bad for him... Maybe it was the poorly worded RealGM headline that threw you off? Maybe it was the cut and paste editing that always makes me wonder if a 3rd grader did the work? Either way, the original article is a better read.

In the end, it doesn't really matter how much money you have. A father that has to relocate their wife and kids away from their school and friends is going to hear about it at home. Money has got nothing to do with that.

AD would be believable if his agent wasnt rich paul and his teammate wasnt lebron ramone james

[Edrees]

I thought it was necessary to make the deal work

Maybe, I didn't know about about that. How would that work? Too much AD salary puts Mavs over the cap or makes the number uneven on both sides? i'm sure other adjustements could have been made.

Yes, I don’t remember the particulars but there was too much money on the Dallas side if he didn’t waive all or most of it.

I’d guess there was some backup plan but that’s what I heard.

I also heard that he didn’t mind waiving it because Texas is a no state income tax state.

Maybe he wouldn’t have done the same going to a less desirable destination.

If I were to speculate, I wonder if they told him they'd do the trade without Max Christie involved but another first round pick instead, I assume his salary is about the same amount as the trade kicker, and AD would rather have help now, in addition to another Laker teammate he's familiar with. Otherwise it just doesn't make sense.

[TMac Culloch]

The media chased him out of Philly, and if you listened to WIP at the time, a lot of fans were behind it. I was in the minority of Sixers fans wanting to keep him. In the end it wasn't as bad decision, he fell off after a season and a half with Denver

AI got traded 5 seasons after the MVP

I don't think Luka makes winning easier for Lebron. AD was a better fit with Lebron; Luka was a move for the future.

As for why, we don't know exactly. But we do know that sometimes the juice isn't worth the squeeze. Iverson got traded from PHI after going to the Finals and winning MVP. Deron Williams was suddenly and unceremoniously jettisoned from UTA when he was 26 while he was averaging 22/4/10. Obviously MIA no longer believed in Jimmy Butler. In all three of these cases, personal relationships were a factor. Sometimes an organization just decides they've been backing the wrong horse.

Why AD? He's probably the best 2-way center in the NBA. (Call him a PF if you like.) They can build around him or flip him again for almost what they could have gotten for Luka, (and they already got a pick and Christie.) AD on his own isn't as good as Luka, but AD replacing Luka will unlock Kyrie. Luka is the best player in the trade but it is possible that Kyrie/AD is better than Kyrie/Luka.

I am not saying it was a good trade. (I don't want people getting in their feelings and lashing out.) I'm just saying that I understand the trade and don't believe it is as bad as people have made it out to be. The sky is not falling.

So? He averaged 33/3/7 the season before the trade and was averaging 31/3/7 at the time of the trade. He was All-NBA 7 out of the previous 8 seasons. (He only played 48 games in 03/04.) PHI fans were not ready to see him go.

[Pickled Prunes]

The media chased him out of Philly, and if you listened to WIP at the time, a lot of fans were behind it. I was in the minority of Sixers fans wanting to keep him. In the end it wasn't as bad decision, he fell off after a season and a half with Denver

AI got traded 5 seasons after the MVP

So? He averaged 33/3/7 the season before the trade and was averaging 31/3/7 at the time of the trade. He was All-NBA 7 out of the previous 8 seasons. (He only played 48 games in 03/04.) PHI fans were not ready to see him go.

In hindsight, it was a great decision. AI was no longer the Answer. I'm sure ticket sales took a nose dive and they weren't legitimate contenders until after the process. They had a brief glimpse of hope with Iggy and then sucked for a long time.

Yes, AI has a polarizing persona, hated by some from the jump, but also the most influential player of his generation. (Nobody was trying to dress like Kobe.) PHI wasn't contending anymore, but they were making the playoffs and AI was still one of the best scorers in the game. The media members that had to deal with him day to day probably wanted him gone, but I have a hard time believing the majority of fans felt the same way.

I'm really interested to see what hindsight shows us about this trade!