Luka Doncic traded to Lakers for Anthony Davis (Shams) He might be hacked?? IDK* ITS REAL DAMMIT

[Gil Scott-Heroin]

He took the Mavs to the WCF with Brunson.

He took the Mavs to the Finals with Kyrie.

He didn’t just drag these teams by himself, that’s disingenuous.

Without those level of talent or the defense that helped him get to the finals last season, it isn’t a foregone conclusion the lakers will have the same success Luka had with the Mavs.

As good as Kyrie and Brunson are, they're not on Luka's level, so for the purposes of the argument, yes, he did lead them to the WCF and Finals as a centerpiece. The game is 5v5, so you're not saying a cotdamn thing because every #1 option needs the right pieces around them to making extensive playoff runs. The moves that Nico made last season to surround Luka with were integral in getting them to the Finals, but that still doesn't mean Luka isn't the nucleus behind that success.

More to that point -

What did Kyrie do in the Finals last season when Luka was busting his ass and producing offense at a high level? What did the surrounding role players do when Luka was busting his ass and the only one to consistently show up on offense?

Luka’s flaws being brought up is because it has impacted their team. Your best player doesn’t care about how he carries his weight or defense, it trickles down to the rest team & normalizes you don’t have to do the hard work.

It hasn't impacted their team in any frame that you're insinuating it has. If it did, the Mavs wouldn't even be making the playoffs, let alone making extensive runs.

If the Mavs fail to go back to the Finals this season, then what possible detriment and normalization of Luka's foilables could you possibly use as jusfication for holding back the Mavs? If he's this great threat to them getting over the hump, and they don't end up having any championship success without him, then what you're saying doesn't hold any weight, whatsoever, you do know that right?

Does this sound like his lack of defense trickled down to the rest of the team where they didn't feel like they have to do hard work -

Naji Marshall doubles down on defiant Luka Doncic take at perfect time

Dallas Mavericks wing Naji Marshall is slowly becoming a fan favorite, and a recent take on Luka Doncic is going to make Mavs fans love him even more.

thesmokingcuban.com

Klay Thompson boldly confronts the biggest critique of Luka Doncic

Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson came to Luka Doncic's defense regarding the biggest knock in his game.

thesmokingcuban.com

Reminds me of Charles Barkley in a way, went to the Finals (like Luka), rebounding, scoring menace (like Luka), weight issues (like Luka), lack of defense (like Luka), won MVP (we shall see with Luka), never won a ring (again, we shall see).

And every franchise would've gladly supermax'd Chuck too (if he existed in the now).

Not every franchise centerpiece has to be this idealized, perfect player. Why are you making out like they have to be in order for a team to keep them? The Mavs won't be getting a player of Luka's caliber anytime soon, so why get rid of him?

You’re essentially propping his accomplishments and downplaying his flaws that could be detrimental to potential success. It’s not a fair and balanced argument, it’s actually biased.

His flaws are irrelevant.

It's not like they're moving Luka for a better player or to improve their chances, in the long term. I don't know why the obviousness of this needs to be pointed out. Unless you're of the belief the Mavs are going to start stacking championships with a 33-year-old Kyrie and a 32-year-old AD. If you don't believe that, then why do you think his flaws are relevant here?

 

[#1 pick]

It seems to me their main return they wanted was AD. A big man and an elite defender, that can also score 30 and get 12 boards a game. I don't think they was getting that anywhere else, so let's say they press harder for Reaves or Knecht, and the Lakers decline. Where else they going to get that realistically to top getting someone like AD that fits exactly what they're looking for?

Could they have gotten a better trade in terms of assets? Absolutely. But could they have gotten a better return in terms of assets that allow them to also win now? I don't think so. That's the thing. If they were just looking for the best deal in terms of draft picks and young stars, sure, they could've done better. But it seems they are focused on contending for a title now. And I'm not sure what other realistic trade is out there better than can provide that.

You keep trying to justify stupidity. There is nothing to justify. This is idiotic breh. It's a horrendous trade. It's way worst than that stupid Murray to Atlanta trade. Worst than Hershel to Minnesota. There is NO benefit to this trade for Dallas.

They aren't a contender.

They don't even have a 2027 1st.

Everyone is past 30 on their roster that's build around pieces.

This the worst trade I've ever seen in sports and I am a Braves fan who's team always robs other teams like just recently Chris Sale trade was for a scrub and Sale just won the Cy Young for us.

 

[klientel]

Mavs defense just went through the roof

Luka off the floor and AD on it is a wild shift.

 

[Flex Luger]

Been shytting on breh for 6 years but now his tune changes

 

[Trojan 24]

Spurs have 9 tradable firsts. If it's announced that Luka is on the market, Castle and Vassell would be packing their bags

They could have given Castle, Vassell and all 9 of those picks and none of them would ever be as good as AD is today

 

[KneeGrow.]

 

[MicIsGod]

I am still waiting on these better, attainable options. Who are they?

You’re not serious are you?

 

[steph_harden]

Eh, Max is just meh overall.

He barely got playing time the last 2-3 seasons, and this year, he started to come into his own, but people have been raving about him for years, and honestly, I feel like his time as a Laker should've been over.

He was just collecting dust on the bench. I didn't see all this optimism about him the way others did; he still gives me G-League rotation vibes...he's not that different from Bronny; slightly better, but not exactly great either. The kind of player you'd give garbage minutes to every night.

It was inevitable that he'd be traded just, but the team needed to raise his stock a bit, which he did this season; however, most Mavs fans online elsewhere seem to not know who the hell he is, scratching their heads. I don't think he gets much playing time in Dallas tho.

Have you been watching Christie this year? Have you seen how rapidly he’s been developing?

Lockdown defense on the wing, the shooting..the athleticism. And his game kept on developing,

Theres no doubt in my mind that he’s going to be a top 5 -10 3&D wing in the near future. That’s literally the piece that you have to keep to pair with Luka.

They should have traded Knecht….or a Rui. Hell even Reaves could have gone and maybe you coulda swung a Gatford.

Max shoulda been untouchable in a trade like this..

 

[Gil Scott-Heroin]

Mavs defense just went through the roof

Luka off the floor and AD on it is a wild shift.

That going to help them go back to the Finals when they need to create offense in the playoffs?

 

[FTBS]

Hard to make a definitive stance when only one team got a chance to put their chips on the table. There’s certainly multiple teams with a deeper chest of long term assets than the Lakers

We know what players exist in the league. We know how much they make. Shouldn't be that hard. My whole point is people are taking this definitive stance like AD is some really nice piece and not the best 2 way big in the league and like there are these obvious superior options and like the trade game hasn't been changed.

 

[FTBS]

You’re not serious are you?

By all means...educate me.

 

[ECA]

Just to be clear, you believe this is better than Anthony Davis?

Yes, I won't go through all their assets but the Spurs have Atlanta's first round pick this year which is extremely valuable now with Jalen Johnson being out for the season. Plus two talented young players instead of just one okay one. The Mavs gotta win in like the next two years for this trade to considered fruitful. Mikal Bridges just went for 5 first rounders and all you could muster for Luka was Always Doubtful, Max Christie and a 2029 first rounder? Nasty work

 

[Squirrel from Meteor Man]

He and his agency are both lazy as hell

“His flaws are irrelevant” - @Gil Scott-Heroin in defense of a white man

 

[FreshAIG]

You keep trying to justify stupidity. There is nothing to justify. This is idiotic breh. It's a horrendous trade. It's way worst than that stupid Murray to Atlanta trade. Worst than Hershel to Minnesota. There is NO benefit to this trade for Dallas.

They aren't a contender.

They don't even have a 2027 1st.

Everyone is past 30 on their roster that's build around pieces.

This the worst trade I've ever seen in sports and I am a Braves fan who's team always robs other teams like just recently Chris Sale trade was for a scrub and Sale just won the Cy Young for us.

I don't have a dog in this fight. We just disagree. Would I have done the trade? No. Personally just wouldn't trade Luka unless I'm getting back Wemby or Jokic, full stop. However, if I am still trying to win this year and I'm hell bent on trading Luka for whatever reason, then I don't think this is some historically bad return. That's my only point. AD is an elite player.

It's a shortsighted trade that I wouldn't have done. It's not some "worst trade in sports" some fans are making it out to be.

 

[Trav]