2024-25 NBA Thread: Mavs fans devastated but Cowboy fans excited to have Luka (9 Viewers)

[Frostillicus]

The Memphis Grizzlies are trading Marcus Smart and a 2025 first-round pick to the Washington Wizards in a multi-team trade that sends two second-round picks to Memphis, sources tell ESPN. Memphis creates roster flexibility with the move.

The Los Angeles Clippers are trading Kevin Porter Jr. to the Milwaukee Bucks for MarJon Beauchamp, sources tell ESPN.

 

[nirad3]

Good deadline. Remember when Bill Simmons called it the No Balls Association? We’ve come a long way.

Jeesh, where is that guy nowadays? I remember back in the early 2000's I read him ALL THE TIME on ESPN.com (before they had their stupid subscription model).

His "Thrown to the Mat in Vegas" column is still one of the funniest things I've ever read. If you're a Vegas regular (or were at any point in your life), it's a must-read.

 

[Juxtatarot]

Only four teams made no trades:

Nuggets
Timberwolves
Magic
Trail Blazers

All poverty franchises.

 

[thecatch]

Solid move by the Kings to get LaRavia. Between him and Valanciunas, they've added two helpful rotation players on the cheap, which is exactly what they needed (or at least, needed before Fox was sent out, we'll see if the Fox-LaVine transition sinks them).

 

[coopersdad]

The Sixers are trading Reggie Jackson to Washington with a future first-round pick for Jared Butler and four second-round picks, league sources tell
@TheSteinLine
.

Former Baylor guards in demand...............

 

[Zow]

Good deadline. Remember when Bill Simmons called it the No Balls Association? We’ve come a long way.

Jeesh, where is that guy nowadays? I remember back in the early 2000's I read him ALL THE TIME on ESPN.com (before they had their stupid subscription model).

His "Thrown to the Mat in Vegas" column is still one of the funniest things I've ever read. If you're a Vegas regular (or were at any point in your life), it's a must-read.

Podcasts on The Ringer

 

[General Malaise]

Some of these names are incredible to read.....PJ Tucker? I swear I had him in fantasy 20 years ago. He's still playing? Cody Zeller? Really? Guess it helps to be 7 feet tall.

 

[General Malaise]

Only four teams made no trades:

Nuggets
Timberwolves
Magic
Hottest Team in Basketball YOUR Portland Trail Blazers

All poverty franchises and Portland.

FYP.

 

[millertyme1]

Rough run for Smart in Memphis.

Moved along with a 1st round pick for....

Marvin Bagley and some other crap.

 

[Zow]

Only four teams made no trades:

Nuggets
Timberwolves
Magic
Hottest Team in Basketball YOUR Portland Trail Blazers

All poverty franchises and Portland.

FYP.

Yet, no bet...

 

[General Malaise]

Only four teams made no trades:

Nuggets
Timberwolves
Magic
Hottest Team in Basketball YOUR Portland Trail Blazers

All poverty franchises and Portland.

FYP.

Yet, no bet...

Sorry, did you propose one and I missed it?

 

[Zow]

Only four teams made no trades:

Nuggets
Timberwolves
Magic
Hottest Team in Basketball YOUR Portland Trail Blazers

All poverty franchises and Portland.

FYP.

Yet, no bet...

Sorry, did you propose one and I missed it?

Yep. You probably had too many IPAs and overlooked it.

 

[General Malaise]

Only four teams made no trades:

Nuggets
Timberwolves
Magic
Hottest Team in Basketball YOUR Portland Trail Blazers

All poverty franchises and Portland.

FYP.

Yet, no bet...

Sorry, did you propose one and I missed it?

Yep. You probably had too many IPAs and overlooked it.

lol @ 'probably'.

Okay, what was the wager?

 

[Gr00vus]

I laughed.

 

[Courtjester]

Well, another wasted year for Joker. At least he’ll get to get home with his horses sooner rather than later.

All they had to do was go out and get some defense for their bench or possibly another big guy to help with the second team. It didn’t need to be a big name, just somebody who can fill some minutes when Joker is out. The owners penny pinching right now is an insult to this team and the fans.

However, Calvin Booth needs to be fired the minute the last basket goes in this season.

 

[Yo Mama]

Well, another wasted year for Joker. At least he’ll get to get home with his horses sooner rather than later.

All they had to do was go out and get some defense for their bench or possibly another big guy to help with the second team. It didn’t need to be a big name, just somebody who can fill some minutes when Joker is out. The owners penny pinching right now is an insult to this team and the fans.

However, Calvin Booth needs to be fired the minute the last basket goes in this season.

They’re still the last team I’d want the Lakers to face in the playoffs.

 

[General Malaise]

Well, another wasted year for Joker. At least he’ll get to get home with his horses sooner rather than later.

All they had to do was go out and get some defense for their bench or possibly another big guy to help with the second team. It didn’t need to be a big name, just somebody who can fill some minutes when Joker is out. The owners penny pinching right now is an insult to this team and the fans.

However, Calvin Booth needs to be fired the minute the last basket goes in this season.

They’re still the last team I’d want the Lakers to face in the playoffs.

Other than Portland, you mean?

 

[Anarchy99]

Is it way out there that I actually believe the Cavs are going to win the East over Boston?

Certainly, the Cavs are talented to win the East. Boston's biggest advantage is their playoff experience. The likely Top 8 guys for CLE after the trade have played a combined 199 playoffs games. Boston's Top 8 guys have played 700 playoff games. Sometimes it takes a few years to get a team multiple series wins in the post season.

 

[Jayrod]

Is it way out there that I actually believe the Cavs are going to win the East over Boston?

Way out there? No.

Still not very plausible as the only one on the team who has made it to the Finals is Max Struss and Boston has the same squad that won it all last year.

Experience matters in the playoffs.

 

[MAC_32]

Is it way out there that I actually believe the Cavs are going to win the East over Boston?

Certainly, the Cavs are talented to win the East. Boston's biggest advantage is their playoff experience. The likely Top 8 guys for CLE after the trade have played a combined 199 playoffs games. Boston's Top 8 guys have played 700 playoff games. Sometimes it takes a few years to get a team multiple series wins in the post season.

My thoughts on the Cavs chances are a lot different now vs a few hours ago, but this team's still the dog. They were a play-in loser in 22, first rd loser in 23, and semis in 24- ECF is the natural next step. It's also not been a great month against the best in the league- won at home v OKC (but no Chet), boat raced at OKC (still no Chet), swept by Houston, then a 2nd L earlier this week vs Boston. That said, I wonder if this trade is made without those 5 outcomes. Regardless, while the Cavs are now a legit threat rather than just the next challenge, I think this move was made more with 2026 / 2027 in mind. I write this with no understanding of how the NBA cap works, but the core 4 is now 5 and it is secured for the next 3 years - with some of the depth locked in too.

 

[trader jake]

Packaging Knecht is surprising to me. It was what, a month or two ago when he was lauded as being a genius under-the-radar pick, no?

I mean, LeBron was flat-out boasting -- full of **** or not -- about how they snagged this guy while the rest of the league was sleeping. Funny stuff.

So does Knecht get to do the needle -- or whatever it is -- celebrations still?

It's been that way with Laker rookies being overrated forever. Really gets rollin' at summer league when all the priced out fans make the drive and lose their minds in person during the game on ESPN. Then a passionate fan base starts hyping them up all over. Eventually that player gets moved and almost instantly their obvious warts are pointed out ...a lot. Rinse and repeat.

Poster child: Kyle Kuzma

Are there any players left to trade today?

Vucevic seems primed to move. The Lakers were a good destination before their trade with Charlotte.

Denver would be a nice place. Vooch seems willing to be Jokic's backup with no complaints. I don't know how the salaries would match up.

The Nuggets don't have the matching salary unless it was a 4 for 1 trade (including the awful salaries of Nnaji and Saric) and they also don't have any middling picks to throw in.

FWIW, I don't think the Nuggets are ever going to try and get a real backup center again as they have failed every time other than Cousins back like 4 years ago and Gordon at backup 5 in the playoffs is a great solution.

The volumn of chatter around the Nuggets backup 5 cracks me up. Would it be nice to improve? Sure. However, it reminds me of a quote Tom Moore (Peyton Manning's OC in Indy) gave years ago when asked why Manning's backups didn't get more reps, "Fellas, if 18 goes down we're ****ed, and we don't practice ****ed." It's really the same in Denver.

What a wild deadline.

The NFL can't love this.

We're all posting about the NBA here on footballguys, but there's no way the NFL 'losing out' on attention should matter to anybody. Ever. See also: ratings

 

[Mister CIA]

The Atlanta Hawks are trading forward De'Andre Hunter to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Caris LeVert, Georges Niang, three second-round picks and two swaps, sources tell ESPN.

That is a good trade for the Cavs.

And the Spurs . . .

Man, my Spurs are going to get a crack at Cooper Flagg with the ATL pick. Nice.

I'm also hearing rumblings about Trae Young a little unhappy in ATL now too. Maybe it's nothing, but Young can opt out in 2026 if he wants. My suggestion would be (if Spurs don't luck into Flagg) for the Pelicans to send Zion to ATL, Spurs send three ATL picks back to ATL (and matching salary), and New Orleans sends Trey Murphy III to the Spurs. Yeah, that'll work.

So many titles!

 

[Deamon]

The Atlanta Hawks are trading forward De'Andre Hunter to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Caris LeVert, Georges Niang, three second-round picks and two swaps, sources tell ESPN.

That is a good trade for the Cavs.

And the Spurs . . .

Man, my Spurs are going to get a crack at Cooper Flagg with the ATL pick. Nice.

I'm also hearing rumblings about Trae Young a little unhappy in ATL now too. Maybe it's nothing, but Young can opt out in 2026 if he wants. My suggestion would be (if Spurs don't luck into Flagg) for the Pelicans to send Zion to ATL, Spurs send three ATL picks back to ATL (and matching salary), and New Orleans sends Trey Murphy III to the Spurs. Yeah, that'll work.

So many titles!

The spurs are the luckiest draft team ever, if the nba somehow lets them get cooper, that would be even more of a joke.

 

[Mister CIA]

The Atlanta Hawks are trading forward De'Andre Hunter to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Caris LeVert, Georges Niang, three second-round picks and two swaps, sources tell ESPN.

That is a good trade for the Cavs.

And the Spurs . . .

Man, my Spurs are going to get a crack at Cooper Flagg with the ATL pick. Nice.

I'm also hearing rumblings about Trae Young a little unhappy in ATL now too. Maybe it's nothing, but Young can opt out in 2026 if he wants. My suggestion would be (if Spurs don't luck into Flagg) for the Pelicans to send Zion to ATL, Spurs send three ATL picks back to ATL (and matching salary), and New Orleans sends Trey Murphy III to the Spurs. Yeah, that'll work.

So many titles!

The spurs are the luckiest draft team ever, if the nba somehow lets them get cooper, that would be even more of a joke.

Who doesn't love a good joke?

 

[SayWhat?]

“The Brooklyn Nets are working on a buyout agreement with Ben Simmons, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.

The LA Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers are among the potential landing spots for the former All-NBA forward, sources said.”

The former All-NBA forward.

 

[trader jake]

“The Brooklyn Nets are working on a buyout agreement with Ben Simmons, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.

The LA Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers are among the potential landing spots for the former All-NBA forward, sources said.”

The former All-NBA forward.

At least they stopped calling him a point guard.

 

[identikit]

Good deadline. Remember when Bill Simmons called it the No Balls Association? We’ve come a long way.

Jeesh, where is that guy nowadays? I remember back in the early 2000's I read him ALL THE TIME on ESPN.com (before they had their stupid subscription model).

His "Thrown to the Mat in Vegas" column is still one of the funniest things I've ever read. If you're a Vegas regular (or were at any point in your life), it's a must-read.

Sitting on top of a pile of cash due to his podcast empire.

Well done, really

 

[nirad3]

Good deadline. Remember when Bill Simmons called it the No Balls Association? We’ve come a long way.

Jeesh, where is that guy nowadays? I remember back in the early 2000's I read him ALL THE TIME on ESPN.com (before they had their stupid subscription model).

His "Thrown to the Mat in Vegas" column is still one of the funniest things I've ever read. If you're a Vegas regular (or were at any point in your life), it's a must-read.

Sitting on top of a pile of cash due to his podcast empire.

Well done, really

Ah, yeah... not much of a podcast listener but hey good for him. He was a fun read back in the day.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

A New Cycle? Cavs possibly adding former #1 overall pick All Star

Rich get richer

 

[Kev4029]

Well, another wasted year for Joker. At least he’ll get to get home with his horses sooner rather than later.

All they had to do was go out and get some defense for their bench or possibly another big guy to help with the second team. It didn’t need to be a big name, just somebody who can fill some minutes when Joker is out. The owners penny pinching right now is an insult to this team and the fans.

However, Calvin Booth needs to be fired the minute the last basket goes in this season.

I don't feel too bad about them not making a move, given their situation. They have zero second round picks and only their '31 first available to trade. Gordon and Murray couldn't be traded due to their extensions and they weren't going to trade Jokic, obviously. So the only real salary they had to work with was MPJ at whatever his crazy salary is (overpaid but they would have had to replace his shooting if he was traded), Nnaji at $32m over the next 4 years, Saric at $5m each of the next two, and a bunch of rookie or minimum contracts.

I would have loved something like an MPJ & Nnaji/Saric and that '31 pick for Hunter & Bogdanovic trade, but outside of that, I don't think there was any move for them to make the team better. If somebody would have just straight up taken Tyson so they could free up a roster spot to sign a buyout player, I would have been game with that too.

I think they'll be VERY active this offseason and they'll use some combination of their young guys (Braun/Watson/Strawther), one of their non-Jokic core, and draft picks to shake things up.

 

[General Malaise]

Good deadline. Remember when Bill Simmons called it the No Balls Association? We’ve come a long way.

Jeesh, where is that guy nowadays? I remember back in the early 2000's I read him ALL THE TIME on ESPN.com (before they had their stupid subscription model).

His "Thrown to the Mat in Vegas" column is still one of the funniest things I've ever read. If you're a Vegas regular (or were at any point in your life), it's a must-read.

Sitting on top of a pile of cash due to his podcast empire.

Well done, really

Ah, yeah... not much of a podcast listener but hey good for him. He was a fun read back in the day.

Yeah, I rather miss the written word format he once provided. I really fear writing is going the way of the dodo bird.

 

[Kev4029]

Good deadline. Remember when Bill Simmons called it the No Balls Association? We’ve come a long way.

Jeesh, where is that guy nowadays? I remember back in the early 2000's I read him ALL THE TIME on ESPN.com (before they had their stupid subscription model).

His "Thrown to the Mat in Vegas" column is still one of the funniest things I've ever read. If you're a Vegas regular (or were at any point in your life), it's a must-read.

Sitting on top of a pile of cash due to his podcast empire.

Well done, really

Ah, yeah... not much of a podcast listener but hey good for him. He was a fun read back in the day.

And he was the dude that got ESPN's 30 for 30 stuff going 10 years ago or whatever. From an entertainment standpoint, I think that is his biggest accomplishment

 

[Encyclopedia Brown]

I really fear writing is going the way of the dodo bird.

The sky is not falling: https://www.fastcompany.com/9127162...-full-list-of-cities-states-bookstore-revival

 

[identikit]

Good deadline. Remember when Bill Simmons called it the No Balls Association? We’ve come a long way.

Jeesh, where is that guy nowadays? I remember back in the early 2000's I read him ALL THE TIME on ESPN.com (before they had their stupid subscription model).

His "Thrown to the Mat in Vegas" column is still one of the funniest things I've ever read. If you're a Vegas regular (or were at any point in your life), it's a must-read.

Sitting on top of a pile of cash due to his podcast empire.

Well done, really

Ah, yeah... not much of a podcast listener but hey good for him. He was a fun read back in the day.

And he was the dude that got ESPN's 30 for 30 stuff going 10 years ago or whatever. From an entertainment standpoint, I think that is his biggest accomplishment

I think he's still making $$$ from 30 for 30

 

[msudaisy26]

Is it way out there that I actually believe the Cavs are going to win the East over Boston?

Way out there? No.

Still not very plausible as the only one on the team who has made it to the Finals is Max Struss and Boston has the same squad that won it all last year.

Experience matters in the playoffs.

It matters to a point. The Celtics took longer than most to capitalize on their experience. The Cavs have plenty of experience.

 

[Zow]

Good deadline. Remember when Bill Simmons called it the No Balls Association? We’ve come a long way.

Jeesh, where is that guy nowadays? I remember back in the early 2000's I read him ALL THE TIME on ESPN.com (before they had their stupid subscription model).

His "Thrown to the Mat in Vegas" column is still one of the funniest things I've ever read. If you're a Vegas regular (or were at any point in your life), it's a must-read.

Sitting on top of a pile of cash due to his podcast empire.

Well done, really

Ah, yeah... not much of a podcast listener but hey good for him. He was a fun read back in the day.

And he was the dude that got ESPN's 30 for 30 stuff going 10 years ago or whatever. From an entertainment standpoint, I think that is his biggest accomplishment

Guess the Lines podcast with Sal is his magum opus (mainly because of Sal).

 

[msudaisy26]

The Atlanta Hawks are trading forward De'Andre Hunter to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Caris LeVert, Georges Niang, three second-round picks and two swaps, sources tell ESPN.

That is a good trade for the Cavs.

And the Spurs . . .

Man, my Spurs are going to get a crack at Cooper Flagg with the ATL pick. Nice.

I'm also hearing rumblings about Trae Young a little unhappy in ATL now too. Maybe it's nothing, but Young can opt out in 2026 if he wants. My suggestion would be (if Spurs don't luck into Flagg) for the Pelicans to send Zion to ATL, Spurs send three ATL picks back to ATL (and matching salary), and New Orleans sends Trey Murphy III to the Spurs. Yeah, that'll work.

So many titles!

The spurs are the luckiest draft team ever, if the nba somehow lets them get cooper, that would be even more of a joke.

Didn't the Cavs win the lottery three out of four years after Lebron left?

 

[Navin Johnson]

One of the guys in our hood played NBA ball for a bit. He went up against Kareem in practices in MIL. Says Kareem was far and away the best guy he ever squared off against. Said Oscar, Dr J, Lanier, E Hayes, etc were not even close. Said KAJ could score whenever he wanted. And his stats say he's better than Luka, so probably the best guy ever traded for even if he wanted out.

One of my best friends had some great stories about playing against Kareem multiple times in high school (back when he was still Lew Alcindor and played for Power Memorial Academy). My friend went to one of the other Catholic high schools in NYC. Kareem's HS team won 71 straight games and won back-to-back national HS championships. My friend said there was absolutely no way to guard him. He said there were some games Kareem got hacked all game, but given the prevailing climate and landscape at the time, a lot of times refs would look the other way. Unfortunately, not a great time to have been a minority playing on a mostly all white team.

I started out coaching girls HS. The father of the boys coach was the GM of the Lakers who traded for KAJ. He would occasionally come in and do post clinics with the kids (the dad, not KAJ.)

 

[Judge Smails]

The Hornets got more draft capital for Mark Williams than the Mavs got for Luka lol.

That's what I was thinking. These seem like the left over assets they were prepared to trade for Luka.

But they had to get a big and supply was dwindling. I’m OK with it. Knecht was a very promising shooter but with Luka they have enough of those. Williams has to stay healthy, which seems to be hard for bigs. Embid, Davis etc. Dice the Lakers had to roll

 

[Gr00vus]

The Hornets got more draft capital for Mark Williams than the Mavs got for Luka lol.

That's what I was thinking. These seem like the left over assets they were prepared to trade for Luka.

But they had to get a big and supply was dwindling. I’m OK with it. Knecht was a very promising shooter but with Luka they have enough of those. Williams has to stay healthy, which seems to be hard for bigs. Embid, Davis etc. Dice the Lakers had to roll

I don't know that they had to roll it now. But Luka kinda said jump and Pelinka said how high. It's an overpay, seems like they at least could have made the 2031 protected in some way or not given them the swap (even if they think it won't get used because of the state of the teams when it hits). I guess maybe they paid extra to get rid of Redish's contract to give them a bit more room to hire a cast off here in the next few weeks.

 

[Instinctive]

The Hornets got more draft capital for Mark Williams than the Mavs got for Luka lol.

That's what I was thinking. These seem like the left over assets they were prepared to trade for Luka.

But they had to get a big and supply was dwindling. I’m OK with it. Knecht was a very promising shooter but with Luka they have enough of those. Williams has to stay healthy, which seems to be hard for bigs. Embid, Davis etc. Dice the Lakers had to roll

I don't know that they had to roll it now. But Luka kinda said jump and Pelinka said how high. It's an overpay, seems like they at least could have made the 2031 protected in some way or not given them the swap (even if they think it won't get used because of the state of the teams when it hits). I guess maybe they paid extra to get rid of Redish's contract to give them a bit more room to hire a cast off here in the next few weeks.

I doubt Luka said jump.

I wouldn't be worried about protected picks in the next 7-ish years, none of them should be good enough to meet any protection.

 

[Gr00vus]

The Hornets got more draft capital for Mark Williams than the Mavs got for Luka lol.

That's what I was thinking. These seem like the left over assets they were prepared to trade for Luka.

But they had to get a big and supply was dwindling. I’m OK with it. Knecht was a very promising shooter but with Luka they have enough of those. Williams has to stay healthy, which seems to be hard for bigs. Embid, Davis etc. Dice the Lakers had to roll

I don't know that they had to roll it now. But Luka kinda said jump and Pelinka said how high. It's an overpay, seems like they at least could have made the 2031 protected in some way or not given them the swap (even if they think it won't get used because of the state of the teams when it hits). I guess maybe they paid extra to get rid of Redish's contract to give them a bit more room to hire a cast off here in the next few weeks.

I doubt Luka said jump.

I wouldn't be worried about protected picks in the next 7-ish years, none of them should be good enough to meet any protection.

It was a soft request. They do need to keep this guy happy to lessen whatever probability there is he just walks as soon as his contract allows. So it doesn't surprise me Pelinka would semi-panic in response to Luka letting him know who he works best with. What's funny (or sad for us Laker fans) is the implication that Charlotte played Pelinka in a somewhat like manner to how Pelinka supposedly played Nico.

 

[Long Ball Larry]

The Atlanta Hawks are trading forward De'Andre Hunter to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Caris LeVert, Georges Niang, three second-round picks and two swaps, sources tell ESPN.

That is a good trade for the Cavs.

And the Spurs . . .

Man, my Spurs are going to get a crack at Cooper Flagg with the ATL pick. Nice.

I'm also hearing rumblings about Trae Young a little unhappy in ATL now too. Maybe it's nothing, but Young can opt out in 2026 if he wants. My suggestion would be (if Spurs don't luck into Flagg) for the Pelicans to send Zion to ATL, Spurs send three ATL picks back to ATL (and matching salary), and New Orleans sends Trey Murphy III to the Spurs. Yeah, that'll work.

So many titles!

The spurs are the luckiest draft team ever, if the nba somehow lets them get cooper, that would be even more of a joke.

Didn't the Cavs win the lottery three out of four years after Lebron left?

And now Kevin love and Andrew Wiggins are finally on the same team. It all comes full circle.

 

[Sammy3469]

The Hornets got more draft capital for Mark Williams than the Mavs got for Luka lol.

That's what I was thinking. These seem like the left over assets they were prepared to trade for Luka.

But they had to get a big and supply was dwindling. I’m OK with it. Knecht was a very promising shooter but with Luka they have enough of those. Williams has to stay healthy, which seems to be hard for bigs. Embid, Davis etc. Dice the Lakers had to roll

I don't know that they had to roll it now. But Luka kinda said jump and Pelinka said how high. It's an overpay, seems like they at least could have made the 2031 protected in some way or not given them the swap (even if they think it won't get used because of the state of the teams when it hits). I guess maybe they paid extra to get rid of Redish's contract to give them a bit more room to hire a cast off here in the next few weeks.

I doubt Luka said jump.

I wouldn't be worried about protected picks in the next 7-ish years, none of them should be good enough to meet any protection.

It was a soft request. They do need to keep this guy happy to lessen whatever probability there is he just walks as soon as his contract allows. So it doesn't surprise me Pelinka would semi-panic in response to Luka letting him know who he works best with. What's funny (or sad for us Laker fans) is the implication that Charlotte played Pelinka in a somewhat like manner to how Pelinka supposedly played Nico.

The thing is, I don’t know what’s really out there besides Williams with that skill set that they could match salaries with. Centers these days are a weird weird market.

FWIW I think the more pertinent point is the Lakers and Luka think he’s healthy and presumably in shape. You only do this trade if you think you’re competing for the title this year.

 

[Gr00vus]

The Atlanta Hawks are trading forward De'Andre Hunter to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Caris LeVert, Georges Niang, three second-round picks and two swaps, sources tell ESPN.

That is a good trade for the Cavs.

And the Spurs . . .

Man, my Spurs are going to get a crack at Cooper Flagg with the ATL pick. Nice.

I'm also hearing rumblings about Trae Young a little unhappy in ATL now too. Maybe it's nothing, but Young can opt out in 2026 if he wants. My suggestion would be (if Spurs don't luck into Flagg) for the Pelicans to send Zion to ATL, Spurs send three ATL picks back to ATL (and matching salary), and New Orleans sends Trey Murphy III to the Spurs. Yeah, that'll work.

So many titles!

The spurs are the luckiest draft team ever, if the nba somehow lets them get cooper, that would be even more of a joke.

Didn't the Cavs win the lottery three out of four years after Lebron left?

And now Kevin love and Andrew Wiggins are finally on the same team. It all comes full circle.

That's a great observation.

 

[Gr00vus]

The Hornets got more draft capital for Mark Williams than the Mavs got for Luka lol.

That's what I was thinking. These seem like the left over assets they were prepared to trade for Luka.

But they had to get a big and supply was dwindling. I’m OK with it. Knecht was a very promising shooter but with Luka they have enough of those. Williams has to stay healthy, which seems to be hard for bigs. Embid, Davis etc. Dice the Lakers had to roll

I don't know that they had to roll it now. But Luka kinda said jump and Pelinka said how high. It's an overpay, seems like they at least could have made the 2031 protected in some way or not given them the swap (even if they think it won't get used because of the state of the teams when it hits). I guess maybe they paid extra to get rid of Redish's contract to give them a bit more room to hire a cast off here in the next few weeks.

I doubt Luka said jump.

I wouldn't be worried about protected picks in the next 7-ish years, none of them should be good enough to meet any protection.

It was a soft request. They do need to keep this guy happy to lessen whatever probability there is he just walks as soon as his contract allows. So it doesn't surprise me Pelinka would semi-panic in response to Luka letting him know who he works best with. What's funny (or sad for us Laker fans) is the implication that Charlotte played Pelinka in a somewhat like manner to how Pelinka supposedly played Nico.

The thing is, I don’t know what’s really out there besides Williams with that skill set that they could match salaries with. Centers these days are a weird weird market.

FWIW I think the more pertinent point is the Lakers and Luka think he’s healthy and presumably in shape. You only do this trade if you think you’re competing for the title this year.

All true. Still I picture the conversation going something like:

Charlotte GM (don't know the name): "Hey Rob, how's it going, we note that you now have too many 3/4s and no real 5, we're interested in Knecht and could make Williams available. Wh...
Pelinka: You've answered my prayers! Knecht, our 2031 unprotected and Reddish
Charlotte GM: <pauses to see if Pelinka will just randomly throw in more stuff>
Pelinka: O.k., O.k., , I'll give you a 2032 1st round swap option too - IT'S ALL I'VE GOT!
Charlotte GM: <more pauses to see if Pelinka will just randomly throw in even more stuff>
Pelinka: Look, I'd give you Reaves, but he's got irrefutable proof that I am indeed a Rob Lowe cloning experiment gone horribly wrong, and that there's more things off than just the thinning hair. I can't let him out of the building.
Charlotte GM: I think we can live with that, so...
Pelinka: Great, no taksie backsies, I'm calling it in to the league, bye!

 

[Yo Mama]

The Hornets got more draft capital for Mark Williams than the Mavs got for Luka lol.

That's what I was thinking. These seem like the left over assets they were prepared to trade for Luka.

But they had to get a big and supply was dwindling. I’m OK with it. Knecht was a very promising shooter but with Luka they have enough of those. Williams has to stay healthy, which seems to be hard for bigs. Embid, Davis etc. Dice the Lakers had to roll

I don't know that they had to roll it now. But Luka kinda said jump and Pelinka said how high. It's an overpay, seems like they at least could have made the 2031 protected in some way or not given them the swap (even if they think it won't get used because of the state of the teams when it hits). I guess maybe they paid extra to get rid of Redish's contract to give them a bit more room to hire a cast off here in the next few weeks.

I doubt Luka said jump.

I wouldn't be worried about protected picks in the next 7-ish years, none of them should be good enough to meet any protection.

It was a soft request. They do need to keep this guy happy to lessen whatever probability there is he just walks as soon as his contract allows. So it doesn't surprise me Pelinka would semi-panic in response to Luka letting him know who he works best with. What's funny (or sad for us Laker fans) is the implication that Charlotte played Pelinka in a somewhat like manner to how Pelinka supposedly played Nico.

The thing is, I don’t know what’s really out there besides Williams with that skill set that they could match salaries with. Centers these days are a weird weird market.

FWIW I think the more pertinent point is the Lakers and Luka think he’s healthy and presumably in shape. You only do this trade if you think you’re competing for the title this year.

Yeah, lots of the other center options have higher salaries, so the lakers would have had to send out a rotation player (Rui, Vando, Vincent) to make salaries work. And since they’re a first apron team that gets super tricky.

 

[Instinctive]

The Hornets got more draft capital for Mark Williams than the Mavs got for Luka lol.

That's what I was thinking. These seem like the left over assets they were prepared to trade for Luka.

But they had to get a big and supply was dwindling. I’m OK with it. Knecht was a very promising shooter but with Luka they have enough of those. Williams has to stay healthy, which seems to be hard for bigs. Embid, Davis etc. Dice the Lakers had to roll

I don't know that they had to roll it now. But Luka kinda said jump and Pelinka said how high. It's an overpay, seems like they at least could have made the 2031 protected in some way or not given them the swap (even if they think it won't get used because of the state of the teams when it hits). I guess maybe they paid extra to get rid of Redish's contract to give them a bit more room to hire a cast off here in the next few weeks.

I doubt Luka said jump.

I wouldn't be worried about protected picks in the next 7-ish years, none of them should be good enough to meet any protection.

It was a soft request. They do need to keep this guy happy to lessen whatever probability there is he just walks as soon as his contract allows. So it doesn't surprise me Pelinka would semi-panic in response to Luka letting him know who he works best with. What's funny (or sad for us Laker fans) is the implication that Charlotte played Pelinka in a somewhat like manner to how Pelinka supposedly played Nico.

The thing is, I don’t know what’s really out there besides Williams with that skill set that they could match salaries with. Centers these days are a weird weird market.

FWIW I think the more pertinent point is the Lakers and Luka think he’s healthy and presumably in shape. You only do this trade if you think you’re competing for the title this year.

Yeah, lots of the other center options have higher salaries, so the lakers would have had to send out a rotation player (Rui, Vando, Vincent) to make salaries work. And since they’re a first apron team that gets super tricky.

Surprised they couldn't get lively or Gafford in the Luka deal, shoulda been easy given Livelys injury history and how scared Nico is of young talented players.

 

[tommyGunZ]

So what are the fan rules? I've loved Luka since he was an insane 15-year old and we were marveling in the film room wishing he was recruitable. It was amazing that we got to have him in Dallas through a frankly insane turn of events that took three teams being remarkably dumb (about as dumb as Dallas) for him to fall in our laps.

Why does it have to be LA? Like if Utah pulled this off I'd probably immediately become a Jazz fan. My USMNT one time switch LOL. But switching to the Lakers seems so gross.

Welcome aboard Instinctive - let the haters hate. Want to enjoy the next 10 years of your life watching a fun team with almost infinite resources play deep into the playoffs annually? Do you like looking at insanely hot women?

Look at that mountain.....Look at those trees.......Look at that bum over there, man He's down on his knees.........Look at these women.......There ain't nothing like 'em nowhere......

 

[Yo Mama]

The Hornets got more draft capital for Mark Williams than the Mavs got for Luka lol.

That's what I was thinking. These seem like the left over assets they were prepared to trade for Luka.

But they had to get a big and supply was dwindling. I’m OK with it. Knecht was a very promising shooter but with Luka they have enough of those. Williams has to stay healthy, which seems to be hard for bigs. Embid, Davis etc. Dice the Lakers had to roll

I don't know that they had to roll it now. But Luka kinda said jump and Pelinka said how high. It's an overpay, seems like they at least could have made the 2031 protected in some way or not given them the swap (even if they think it won't get used because of the state of the teams when it hits). I guess maybe they paid extra to get rid of Redish's contract to give them a bit more room to hire a cast off here in the next few weeks.

I doubt Luka said jump.

I wouldn't be worried about protected picks in the next 7-ish years, none of them should be good enough to meet any protection.

It was a soft request. They do need to keep this guy happy to lessen whatever probability there is he just walks as soon as his contract allows. So it doesn't surprise me Pelinka would semi-panic in response to Luka letting him know who he works best with. What's funny (or sad for us Laker fans) is the implication that Charlotte played Pelinka in a somewhat like manner to how Pelinka supposedly played Nico.

The thing is, I don’t know what’s really out there besides Williams with that skill set that they could match salaries with. Centers these days are a weird weird market.

FWIW I think the more pertinent point is the Lakers and Luka think he’s healthy and presumably in shape. You only do this trade if you think you’re competing for the title this year.

Yeah, lots of the other center options have higher salaries, so the lakers would have had to send out a rotation player (Rui, Vando, Vincent) to make salaries work. And since they’re a first apron team that gets super tricky.

Surprised they couldn't get lively or Gafford in the Luka deal, shoulda been easy given Livelys injury history and how scared Nico is of young talented players.

My assumption is that the talk about there originally being a bigger Mavs/Lakers deal including the 2031 pick and Knecht included one of those centers, but then they made it smaller. It wasn’t like everything was originally included just for Luka and Pelinka used his amazing negotiating powers to remove stuff only from the lakers side of the deal.