2024-25 NBA Thread: Mavs fans devastated but Cowboy fans excited to have Luka (38 Viewers)

[Dr. Octopus]

[Goldsberry] The Luka Dončić deal originally included multiple first-round picks, Dalton Knecht, and more, but was chiseled down after Rob Pelinka was able to convince Nico Harrison that taking on Luka Dončić was a big risk due to his weight and injury history.

Goldsberry also says that Rob Pelinka was able to convince Nico Harrison not to shop Luka Dončić and convince him that the Lakers were the only real suitor that could give the Mavericks the best player to “win-now” so he shouldn’t bother to negotiate with other teams.

incredible

These are not the droids you’re looking for.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Congrats to the Bulls finally getting off Lavine's deal. They couldn't attach firsts to him this off-season and move off him. Finally moving on from being a bad veteran filled team

Awesome Spurs got Fox and didn't have to part with Castle. Castle is gonna be a bad bad man.

 

[General Malaise]

Devin Booker just surpassed Walter Davis for the Phoenix Suns' Career Points Total. Nice!

 

[General Malaise]

Nurkic doesn't even play for the Suns? Yikes.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Amen The with 3rd career triple double.

Will be in rising stars game. Might as well play in All Star game while he's there.

 

[Juxtatarot]

Congrats to the Bulls finally getting off Lavine's deal. They couldn't attach firsts to him this off-season and move off him. Finally moving on from being a bad veteran filled team

Awesome Spurs got Fox and didn't have to part with Castle. Castle is gonna be a bad bad man.

I initially liked that they got back their pick since I assumed the Spurs would have gotten it eventually (top 10 protected this year then top 8 the next two years). I didn’t think they would do a full rebuild and be mediocre again within the next few years.

However, there seems to be rumors they might go for a longer rebuild by, for example, trading Coby White for draft considerations. If so, the odds that the pick would have never conveyed would have been higher. In that event, they should have tried to get a different pick.

We’ll see in the next few days.

 

[the moops]

Anthony Edwards is the Timberwolves franchise leader in three pointers made. He is 23 years old

 

[Instinctive]

Have we debunked this Luka thing or did that really happen?

 

[thecatch]

Good win for the Kings last night, but holy smokes do they need a bench. I'm not sure what the point of trading for another win-now player is in Lavine if they don't also make some moves to fill out the rotation. And they don't really have the salaries to send back for Cam Johnson types now. They have a couple exceptions that they'd have to fit players into, and I have no idea who they would be looking at at this point.

 

[Zow]

Anthony Edwards is the Timberwolves franchise leader in three pointers made. He is 23 years old

Anthony Peeler played in the wrong era.

 

[Zow]

Have we debunked this Luka thing or did that really happen?

I got nothing. Seems like either Dallas genuinely thought they needed to get ahead of a collapse and avoid paying the super-max deal or this is part of a Major League-style plan by the owner to force a move.

Normally, I'm the type of guy that leans towards incompetence than to corruption as the explanation, but I can't get over not even trying to shop around what has/had to be a top-5 trade asset at worst.

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Have we debunked this Luka thing or did that really happen?

I think they just didn't want to pay him the super-max. Maybe because of the new tax rules combined with a lack of faith in his long-term availability? Is there an alcohol issue and that is why Finley snatched that beer last year?

 

[Kiddnets]

Have we debunked this Luka thing or did that really happen?

I got nothing. Seems like either Dallas genuinely thought they needed to get ahead of a collapse and avoid paying the super-max deal or this is part of a Major League-style plan by the owner to force a move.

Normally, I'm the type of guy that leans towards incompetence than to corruption as the explanation, but I can't get over not even trying to shop around what has/had to be a top-5 trade asset at worst.

Not shopping makes no sense and looks awful for the Mavs and the league. Only thing I can come up with is they were scared to leak as they knew the fans would revolt and they wouldnt be able to deal him.....and it seems they really wanted to deal him.

 

[CGRdrJoe]

Have we debunked this Luka thing or did that really happen?

I think they just didn't want to pay him the super-max. Maybe because of the new tax rules combined with a lack of faith in his long-term availability? Is there an alcohol issue and that is why Finley snatched that beer last year?

no way that could be a thing in the nba, I've read countless articles on Barkely, Jordan, Bol, etc... drinking before games which is wild but seems like a professional norm

 

[Sammy3469]

I got nothing. Seems like either Dallas genuinely thought they needed to get ahead of a collapse and avoid paying the super-max deal or this is part of a Major League-style plan by the owner to force a move.

Normally, I'm the type of guy that leans towards incompetence than to corruption as the explanation, but I can't get over not even trying to shop around what has/had to be a top-5 trade asset at worst.

The nearest comp that has come up in any of this is probably Deron Williams trade to Brooklyn which turned out OK for Utah (they basically shopped him to Brooklyn in the middle of the night as well). However, Williams was never the player Doncic.

I also don't think its necessarily crazy logic to think AD gives you a better shot this year and next against Boston (or whoever from the East in the Finals) and that if you are the 6th seed in the West, a path of Memphis to Houston to OKC/Denver is a step down from last years "hardness". However, they clearly didn't get enough back for giving up Luka's age 28 to retirement years. In a vacuum, maybe they got sort of equal value in terms of "expected value" for the next 1.5, its just the out years they really screwed up.

If you think Luka's going to be a :deadbanana: in 3-4 years you better get that 2031 pick as well (or instead of the 2029 pick) as that's where the real value would be which is one reason the Adelson conspiracy theories aren't absurd. If you think Luka is going to flame out, you try to get all the flame out value (ie long dated call options in the form of Laker draft picks).

 

[General Malaise]

Amen The with 3rd career triple double.

Will be in rising stars game. Might as well play in All Star game while he's there.

This guy is a STUD. Holy crap. I drafted him in dynasty last year after Wemby, Miller and Scoot and though I know Amen will never touch Wemby, I gotta say....I'm quite pleased with this pick!

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Amen The with 3rd career triple double.

Will be in rising stars game. Might as well play in All Star game while he's there.

This guy is a STUD. Holy crap. I drafted him in dynasty last year after Wemby, Miller and Scoot and though I know Amen will never touch Wemby, I gotta say....I'm quite pleased with this pick!

Favorite player to watch in the league right now alongside Wemby whose defensive presence alone is just silly to watch.

Pretty crazy to think he was a 6th man a month (?) ago.

Guy's skill set compares very favorably to some of the greatest to ever play the game. And athletically he's every bit of them if not better.

He's been playing off ball mostly so far there. Can literally throw him anywhere 1-5 in many matchups. We saw last night him running the show and what he's going to do in the open court. The highlight is out there, but he literally put that Precious guy in NY on roller skates from a move he made. Reminded me of Mike Tyson's punch out when you knock out Tyson and his back peddle as he's going down

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Have we debunked this Luka thing or did that really happen?

I got nothing. Seems like either Dallas genuinely thought they needed to get ahead of a collapse and avoid paying the super-max deal or this is part of a Major League-style plan by the owner to force a move.

Normally, I'm the type of guy that leans towards incompetence than to corruption as the explanation, but I can't get over not even trying to shop around what has/had to be a top-5 trade asset at worst.

Not shopping makes no sense and looks awful for the Mavs and the league. Only thing I can come up with is they were scared to leak as they knew the fans would revolt and they wouldnt be able to deal him.....and it seems they really wanted to deal him.

I feel like if he was shopped what would have happened is you have more people asking "why" and that could have actually reduced his value?

 

[General Malaise]

Amen The with 3rd career triple double.

Will be in rising stars game. Might as well play in All Star game while he's there.

This guy is a STUD. Holy crap. I drafted him in dynasty last year after Wemby, Miller and Scoot and though I know Amen will never touch Wemby, I gotta say....I'm quite pleased with this pick!

Favorite player to watch in the league right now alongside Wemby whose defensive presence alone is just silly to watch.

Pretty crazy to think he was a 6th man a month (?) ago.

Guy's skill set compares very favorably to some of the greatest to ever play the game. And athletically he's every bit of them if not better.

He's been playing off ball mostly so far there. Can literally throw him anywhere 1-5 in many matchups. We saw last night him running the show and what he's going to do in the open court. The highlight is out there, but he literally put that Precious guy in NY on roller skates from a move he made. Reminded me of Mike Tyson's punch out when you knock out Tyson and his back peddle as he's going down

I haven't gotten to see him play much as I just occasionally watch Portland but I'll start looking for his games.

Crazy, if you go to Yahoo Fantasy Hoops - Player Rankings. Over the last 30 days, his average stats put him 9th, right below Lillard and Porzingas.

Wemby is 3rd. This guy.....

 

[Leeroy Jenkins]

Have we debunked this Luka thing or did that really happen?

I think they just didn't want to pay him the super-max. Maybe because of the new tax rules combined with a lack of faith in his long-term availability? Is there an alcohol issue and that is why Finley snatched that beer last year?

no way that could be a thing in the nba, I've read countless articles on Barkely, Jordan, Bol, etc... drinking before games which is wild but seems like a professional norm

I know. Which makes the taking away of the beer by a former player more suspicious to me.

 

[General Malaise]

I know Ayton gets a pretty bad rap; plays when he wants to sort of thing, but he delivered in a big way last night for Portland. 25 and 20 but it was his free throws that sealed the win. 7-8 with 5 huge makes in OT.

I suppose the tank job is off now but the playoffs seem so far out of reach. See how they stack up against the Pacers tonight. I can't imagine they have much left in the tank but it's fun seeing a team with a pulse way ahead of schedule. Might be time to find game to take my sons to soon. We were hooting and hollering at the TV last night. Kiinda fun to cheer on a team again.

And with that, I've just outed myself as the worst of all fans - the bandwagon fan! @Deamon

 

[Instinctive]

Have we debunked this Luka thing or did that really happen?

I got nothing. Seems like either Dallas genuinely thought they needed to get ahead of a collapse and avoid paying the super-max deal or this is part of a Major League-style plan by the owner to force a move.

Normally, I'm the type of guy that leans towards incompetence than to corruption as the explanation, but I can't get over not even trying to shop around what has/had to be a top-5 trade asset at worst.

Not shopping makes no sense and looks awful for the Mavs and the league. Only thing I can come up with is they were scared to leak as they knew the fans would revolt and they wouldnt be able to deal him.....and it seems they really wanted to deal him.

I feel like if he was shopped what would have happened is you have more people asking "why" and that could have actually reduced his value?

Reduced it to what, a bag of peanuts? Can't imagine getting less for him than, say, Brooklyn got holding Phoenix hostage for old achilles injury Durant.

 

[Instinctive]

I know Ayton gets a pretty bad rap; plays when he wants to sort of thing, but he delivered in a big way last night for Portland. 25 and 20 but it was his free throws that sealed the win. 7-8 with 5 huge makes in OT.

I suppose the tank job is off now but the playoffs seem so far out of reach. See how they stack up against the Pacers tonight. I can't imagine they have much left in the tank but it's fun seeing a team with a pulse way ahead of schedule. Might be time to find game to take my sons to soon. We were hooting and hollering at the TV last night. Kiinda fun to cheer on a team again.

And with that, I've just outed myself as the worst of all fans - the bandwagon fan! @Deamon

Should have offered him for Luka.

 

[Instinctive]

Grimes for Caleb Martin. Idk I guess. Makes a lot more sense if you have a ball handler like Luka Doncic and just need Martin's defense over Grimes' playmaking. Wonder where the Mavs can find a guy like that.

 

[Harry Frogfish]

Another in a long list of epic sub-titles. Hats off to the OP, so good. Or as a friend used to say, "heads off" (he legitimately thought that was the saying. And our goal became to make certain nobody let him know otherwise, for as long as possible. I think we almost got a decade out of it. O/U was 6 1/2).

 

[General Malaise]

I know Ayton gets a pretty bad rap; plays when he wants to sort of thing, but he delivered in a big way last night for Portland. 25 and 20 but it was his free throws that sealed the win. 7-8 with 5 huge makes in OT.

I suppose the tank job is off now but the playoffs seem so far out of reach. See how they stack up against the Pacers tonight. I can't imagine they have much left in the tank but it's fun seeing a team with a pulse way ahead of schedule. Might be time to find game to take my sons to soon. We were hooting and hollering at the TV last night. Kiinda fun to cheer on a team again.

And with that, I've just outed myself as the worst of all fans - the bandwagon fan! @Deamon

Should have offered him for Luka.

Damn, man. I talk to a lot of Mavs' fans on group chat (buddies I went to HS with) and they are just demoralized and angry. One of the guys is one of the Mavs' team doctors and he can't say much to us but he learned of the trade a little sooner than the rest and still can't believe it. This trade happened in the absolute dark.

 

[nirad3]

Just catching up with all of this... but had to skip about 5 pages of Luka/AD banter here

As a Laker and Luka fan, I'm ecstatic. I think LBJ will get Luka on a good path and Luka will be a star in LA for a decade

Now the Lakers need to add a an athletic big and maybe a wing 3-and-D guy and things will get interesting.

Luka, LBJ and Reaves will be fun to watch play together.

 

[Gr00vus]

Luka, LBJ and Reaves will be fun to watch play together.

If you're a Laker fan it will be fun to watch them play together on offense. If you're a fan of a team playing against the Lakers, it will be fun to watch them play together on defense.

 

[menobrown]

Just read article on ESPN that say's Anthony Davis was "shocked" to get traded, was sitting down for movie night with his wife when he got the news.

Later in the article he says he waived his $6m trade bonus. Article states this was not needed to complete the trade, if you believe that, but would have had to be agreed upon before the trade could be finalized.

Am I the only one struggling to make sense of how could he be "shocked" about a trade that did not get finalized until he agreed to agreed to waive the $6M?

 

[Sammy3469]

I know Ayton gets a pretty bad rap; plays when he wants to sort of thing, but he delivered in a big way last night for Portland. 25 and 20 but it was his free throws that sealed the win. 7-8 with 5 huge makes in OT.

I suppose the tank job is off now but the playoffs seem so far out of reach. See how they stack up against the Pacers tonight. I can't imagine they have much left in the tank but it's fun seeing a team with a pulse way ahead of schedule. Might be time to find game to take my sons to soon. We were hooting and hollering at the TV last night. Kiinda fun to cheer on a team again.

And with that, I've just outed myself as the worst of all fans - the bandwagon fan! @Deamon

Should have offered him for Luka.

Damn, man. I talk to a lot of Mavs' fans on group chat (buddies I went to HS with) and they are just demoralized and angry. One of the guys is one of the Mavs' team doctors and he can't say much to us but he learned of the trade a little sooner than the rest and still can't believe it. This trade happened in the absolute dark.

I assume he's not the calf doctor?

 

[nirad3]

Luka, LBJ and Reaves will be fun to watch play together.

If you're a Laker fan it will be fun to watch them play together on offense. If you're a fan of team playing against the Lakers, it will be fun to watch them play together on defense.

This is absolutely true. Which is why I'm hoping they land (at least) an athletic rim protector and a 3-n-D guy.

 

[Gr00vus]

Luka, LBJ and Reaves will be fun to watch play together.

If you're a Laker fan it will be fun to watch them play together on offense. If you're a fan of team playing against the Lakers, it will be fun to watch them play together on defense.

This is absolutely true. Which is why I'm hoping they land (at least) an athletic rim protector and a 3-n-D guy.

I think they're going to try Vanderbilt and Finney-Smith for 3-n-D for now (although Vanderbilt is all D and no 3).

For the athletic rim protector - that doesn't seem to be on the market right now. I think they're stuck with Hayes, Koloko and Jemison. I know what ifs tend to have unconsidered ripple effects, but what if they never traded Zubac for Mike Muscala back in 2019...

Like I said earlier, it was a good long term move, but their roster doesn't make a lot of sense right now, I don't think it gets fixed prior to the trade deadline.

 

[Gr00vus]

Just read article on ESPN that say's Anthony Davis was "shocked" to get traded, was sitting down for movie night with his wife when he got the news.

Later in the article he says he waived his $6m trade bonus. Article states this was not needed to complete the trade, if you believe that, but would have had to be agreed upon before the trade could be finalized.

Am I the only one struggling to make sense of how could he be "shocked" about a trade that did not get finalized until he agreed to agreed to waive the $6M?

I figure the Mavs and Lakers (and maybe Jazz) had scenarios ready to adjust the deal in case he didn't waive the trade bonus. Thus they worked the main parameters of the deal and agreed to it, then let Davis know and got his input on the trade bonus decision before finalizing the details.

 

[nirad3]

Luka, LBJ and Reaves will be fun to watch play together.

If you're a Laker fan it will be fun to watch them play together on offense. If you're a fan of team playing against the Lakers, it will be fun to watch them play together on defense.

This is absolutely true. Which is why I'm hoping they land (at least) an athletic rim protector and a 3-n-D guy.

I think they're going to try Vanderbilt and Finney-Smith for 3-n-D for now (although Vanderbilt is all D and no 3).

For the athletic rim protector - that doesn't seem to be on the market right now. I think they're stuck with Hayes, Koloko and Jemison. I know what ifs tend to have unconsidered ripple effects, but what if they never traded Zubac for Mike Muscala back in 2019...

Like I said earlier, it was a good long term move, but their roster doesn't make a lot of sense right now, I don't think it gets fixed prior to the trade deadline.

Yeah I was a big fan of Zubac and man they would be strong w/ him right now.

 

[Gr00vus]

Luka, LBJ and Reaves will be fun to watch play together.

If you're a Laker fan it will be fun to watch them play together on offense. If you're a fan of team playing against the Lakers, it will be fun to watch them play together on defense.

This is absolutely true. Which is why I'm hoping they land (at least) an athletic rim protector and a 3-n-D guy.

I think they're going to try Vanderbilt and Finney-Smith for 3-n-D for now (although Vanderbilt is all D and no 3).

For the athletic rim protector - that doesn't seem to be on the market right now. I think they're stuck with Hayes, Koloko and Jemison. I know what ifs tend to have unconsidered ripple effects, but what if they never traded Zubac for Mike Muscala back in 2019...

Like I said earlier, it was a good long term move, but their roster doesn't make a lot of sense right now, I don't think it gets fixed prior to the trade deadline.

Yeah I was a big fan of Zubac and man they would be strong w/ him right now.

There's never been a moment that that deal made any sense to me. I'd like to say that capped a run of inexplicably, obviously stupid things the Lakers were doing over a span of several years, but then - Westbrook.

 

[General Malaise]

I know Ayton gets a pretty bad rap; plays when he wants to sort of thing, but he delivered in a big way last night for Portland. 25 and 20 but it was his free throws that sealed the win. 7-8 with 5 huge makes in OT.

I suppose the tank job is off now but the playoffs seem so far out of reach. See how they stack up against the Pacers tonight. I can't imagine they have much left in the tank but it's fun seeing a team with a pulse way ahead of schedule. Might be time to find game to take my sons to soon. We were hooting and hollering at the TV last night. Kiinda fun to cheer on a team again.

And with that, I've just outed myself as the worst of all fans - the bandwagon fan! @Deamon

Should have offered him for Luka.

Damn, man. I talk to a lot of Mavs' fans on group chat (buddies I went to HS with) and they are just demoralized and angry. One of the guys is one of the Mavs' team doctors and he can't say much to us but he learned of the trade a little sooner than the rest and still can't believe it. This trade happened in the absolute dark.

I assume he's not the calf doctor?

He is not. He's the guy they go to when they have the sniffles or need something for a rash. I tried to get him to confirm Luka's weight for me but he refused that one.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Congrats to the Bulls finally getting off Lavine's deal. They couldn't attach firsts to him this off-season and move off him. Finally moving on from being a bad veteran filled team

Awesome Spurs got Fox and didn't have to part with Castle. Castle is gonna be a bad bad man.

I initially liked that they got back their pick since I assumed the Spurs would have gotten it eventually (top 10 protected this year then top 8 the next two years). I didn’t think they would do a full rebuild and be mediocre again within the next few years.

However, there seems to be rumors they might go for a longer rebuild by, for example, trading Coby White for draft considerations. If so, the odds that the pick would have never conveyed would have been higher. In that event, they should have tried to get a different pick.

We’ll see in the next few days.

Happy they've FINALLY made the decision to rebuild this.

Nothing is worse in sports than a mediocre veteran filled team. If they can get a couple 2nds (which is probably what they're looking at given the glut of centers available), ship Vuc out too. Take anything you can get for Ball. (just don't take back additional years)

I also think they still could be "competitive" with Coby White/Ayo/Giddey (whenever he decides to show up). With his contract, I think Coby would bring a nice return. I'd like to keep Coby, but he's certainly not "untouchable".

 

[the moops]

I also don't think its necessarily crazy logic to think AD gives you a better shot this year and next against Boston (or whoever from the East in the Finals)

I think that's kinda crazy logic honestly

 

[Capella]

Luka, LBJ and Reaves will be fun to watch play together.

If you're a Laker fan it will be fun to watch them play together on offense. If you're a fan of a team playing against the Lakers, it will be fun to watch them play together on defense.

Yes these have the potential to be some of the highest scoring games we’ve ever seen

 

[Zow]

Just read article on ESPN that say's Anthony Davis was "shocked" to get traded, was sitting down for movie night with his wife when he got the news.

Later in the article he says he waived his $6m trade bonus. Article states this was not needed to complete the trade, if you believe that, but would have had to be agreed upon before the trade could be finalized.

Am I the only one struggling to make sense of how could he be "shocked" about a trade that did not get finalized until he agreed to agreed to waive the $6M?

I figure the Mavs and Lakers (and maybe Jazz) had scenarios ready to adjust the deal in case he didn't waive the trade bonus. Thus they worked the main parameters of the deal and agreed to it, then let Davis know and got his input on the trade bonus decision before finalizing the details.

Wonderful explanation.

Why would Davis be willing to waive the trade bonus?

 

[Instinctive]

Having now seen a couple Lakers posts...you guys are hilariously underselling this. Luka is probably one of the five best best (at this point in career, and maybe even third best) player ever to join the Lakers. Definitely behind Magic. I think behind Kareem. But LeBron was already past his prime, I'd take Luka over Wilt, and Luka has been better every season of his career than a rookie Kobe (or any Kobe year honestly).

Could he have some secret devastating leg thing and never materialize? Maybe.

But this guy is behind ONLY MICHAEL JORDAN on the playoffs scoring per game list. It's like him, Oscar, and LeBron for P/A/R averages.

He's so far and away the best player any team has ever traded for in the history of the NBA that it should blow your mind.

There's a real (I'm not saying high, but definitely real) chance he retires as the best player in Lakers history. That's the kid of guy we're talking about. GOAT potential. Seriously.

Why do you think basketball people in Dallas are considering jumping off a bridge? It's ****ing NUTS.

 

[Instinctive]

I also don't think its necessarily crazy logic to think AD gives you a better shot this year and next against Boston (or whoever from the East in the Finals)

I think that's kinda crazy logic honestly

It's batshit insane logic. Unless you say Luka is so injured he wouldn't be playing at all in the playoffs.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

"The Houston Rockets are not interested in discussing trades for their young players unless Devin Booker becomes available"

Smart. They're absolutely loaded with young talent & have Suns by the nuts.

I'd have dealt Booker or Durant and gotten Amen last off-season when it was obvious the Suns weren't going to be competing as built. That's out the window now. Amen's their franchise player/superstar. They and the whole world knows that now. Green/Reed etc... are a whole lot less desirable than a superstar like Amen but if you're getting picks back too, Suns got to look into it. They're going nowhere as constructed. They can't move Beal. They're a 2nd apron team that is handcuffed in making deals. Durant's trade value goes down a lot not dealing now. Dealing now gives the acquiring team at least 2 playoffs with Durant.

 

[Instinctive]

So how's Ausar looking up in Detroit? Lol.

 

[Gr00vus]

Just read article on ESPN that say's Anthony Davis was "shocked" to get traded, was sitting down for movie night with his wife when he got the news.

Later in the article he says he waived his $6m trade bonus. Article states this was not needed to complete the trade, if you believe that, but would have had to be agreed upon before the trade could be finalized.

Am I the only one struggling to make sense of how could he be "shocked" about a trade that did not get finalized until he agreed to agreed to waive the $6M?

I figure the Mavs and Lakers (and maybe Jazz) had scenarios ready to adjust the deal in case he didn't waive the trade bonus. Thus they worked the main parameters of the deal and agreed to it, then let Davis know and got his input on the trade bonus decision before finalizing the details.

Wonderful explanation.

Why would Davis be willing to waive the trade bonus?

Helps his new team out with the cap/aprons, so they can put more talent around him. He did the same when he got dealt to the Lakers.

 

[General Malaise]

Having now seen a couple Lakers posts...you guys are hilariously underselling this. Luka is probably one of the five best best (at this point in career, and maybe even third best) player ever to join the Lakers. Definitely behind Magic. I think behind Kareem. But LeBron was already past his prime, I'd take Luka over Wilt, and Luka has been better every season of his career than a rookie Kobe (or any Kobe year honestly).

Could he have some secret devastating leg thing and never materialize? Maybe.

But this guy is behind ONLY MICHAEL JORDAN on the playoffs scoring per game list. It's like him, Oscar, and LeBron for P/A/R averages.

He's so far and away the best player any team has ever traded for in the history of the NBA that it should blow your mind.

There's a real (I'm not saying high, but definitely real) chance he retires as the best player in Lakers history. That's the kid of guy we're talking about. GOAT potential. Seriously.

Why do you think basketball people in Dallas are considering jumping off a bridge? It's ****ing NUTS.

I mean, I don't know enough about the sport to debate you here, but weren't Kobe and Wilt good to great defenders? Are we not counting defense in this ranking? I ask honestly, I just don't know that Luka brings anything to the table defensively. He was eviscerated for his lack of defense in the playoffs.....

 

[Gr00vus]

Having now seen a couple Lakers posts...you guys are hilariously underselling this. Luka is probably one of the five best best (at this point in career, and maybe even third best) player ever to join the Lakers. Definitely behind Magic. I think behind Kareem. But LeBron was already past his prime, I'd take Luka over Wilt, and Luka has been better every season of his career than a rookie Kobe (or any Kobe year honestly).

Could he have some secret devastating leg thing and never materialize? Maybe.

But this guy is behind ONLY MICHAEL JORDAN on the playoffs scoring per game list. It's like him, Oscar, and LeBron for P/A/R averages.

He's so far and away the best player any team has ever traded for in the history of the NBA that it should blow your mind.

There's a real (I'm not saying high, but definitely real) chance he retires as the best player in Lakers history. That's the kid of guy we're talking about. GOAT potential. Seriously.

Why do you think basketball people in Dallas are considering jumping off a bridge? It's ****ing NUTS.

Uh, we're overall thrilled to get him. I'm just saying what they've got around him here right now isn't exactly a good fit. Needs retooling. They weren't building this with the slightest notion that Luka would be here and AD gone up to now.

I'd expect the Mavs to go farther in the playoffs than the Lakers this year if both teams are healthy. Subsequent seasons are a totally different story, assuming the Lakers can do better building around Luka than they have LeBron and AD. Which maybe isn't a great assumption...

As far as his place among the greatest Lakers, we'll have to see. Sure if his career trajectory in the future follows what he's already done, there will be a strong argument for best ever. Also, you forgot Shaq on your short list. He was kind of a big deal.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Report: Increased belief Durant lands with Warriors

I could see this happening as well. Suns gotta blow this up now. They're a jump shooting team that can't get to the hoop, can't rebound, doesn't defend and can't improve as 2nd apron/no one wanting Beal or Nurkic (only remote shot they've had to deal either is attaching 1sts....and no one's wanted to date). Load up on picks for Booker/Durant & hopefully get player(s) that can be part of rebuild.

 

[Spartans Rule]

So how's Ausar looking up in Detroit? Lol.

Late 4th quarter last night he picked Trae Young's pocket with ease, then dropped the ball out of bounds going for the uncontested layup.

That pretty much sums him up as a player. Great defender, in the discussion for worst offensive player in the league.

 

[Instinctive]

Having now seen a couple Lakers posts...you guys are hilariously underselling this. Luka is probably one of the five best best (at this point in career, and maybe even third best) player ever to join the Lakers. Definitely behind Magic. I think behind Kareem. But LeBron was already past his prime, I'd take Luka over Wilt, and Luka has been better every season of his career than a rookie Kobe (or any Kobe year honestly).

Could he have some secret devastating leg thing and never materialize? Maybe.

But this guy is behind ONLY MICHAEL JORDAN on the playoffs scoring per game list. It's like him, Oscar, and LeBron for P/A/R averages.

He's so far and away the best player any team has ever traded for in the history of the NBA that it should blow your mind.

There's a real (I'm not saying high, but definitely real) chance he retires as the best player in Lakers history. That's the kid of guy we're talking about. GOAT potential. Seriously.

Why do you think basketball people in Dallas are considering jumping off a bridge? It's ****ing NUTS.

Uh, we're overall thrilled to get him. I'm just saying what they've got around him here right now isn't exactly a good fit. Needs retooling. They weren't building this with the slightest notion that Luka would be here and AD gone up to now.

I'd expect the Mavs to go farther in the playoffs than the Lakers this year if both teams are healthy. Subsequent seasons are a totally different story, assuming the Lakers can do better building around Luka than they have LeBron and AD. Which maybe isn't a great assumption...

As far as his place among the greatest Lakers, we'll have to see. Sure if his career trajectory in the future follows what he's already done, there will be a strong argument for best ever. Also, you forgot Shaq on your short list. He was kind of a big deal.

Yeah Shaq fair point. My b lol.