Luka Dealt to Lakers: Nico Harrison is a Basketball Terrorist

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Luka has now played 6 games with the Lakers and been ass in 5 of them. I can't imagine how much worse yall would be melting down if he was actually playing well.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Luka Doncic will be a game time decision tonight against the Clippers...according to Dave McMenamin.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6166120...ce=bsky_hq


Rumor has it that a Doncic for Edwards trade was discussed
leading up to the Lakers trade.

[mvossman]

Luka has now played 6 games with the Lakers and been ass in 5 of them.  I can't imagine how much worse yall would be melting down if he was actually playing well.

To be fair, most folks who are really upset by this feel like they lost a 10 year window.  A six game sample is not really going to impact that one way or the other much.

[Smitty]

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6166120...ce=bsky_hq


Rumor has it that a Doncic for Edwards trade was discussed
leading up to the Lakers trade.

Every reporter recycling the Luka trade news to try and become or stay relevant.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

Every reporter recycling the Luka trade news to try and become or stay relevant.

Everyone is crying why they didn't shop Luka.

Sounds like Nico went down the list of top 10 players in the NBA that could potentially be available in a Luka trade until he got to AD. No Giannis. No Anthony Edwards. No chance Jokic, SGA, Tatum, Wemby, or Curry would be traded for Luka.

[hakeemfaan]

Luka has now played 6 games with the Lakers and been ass in 5 of them.  I can't imagine how much worse yall would be melting down if he was actually playing well.

I wonder how much more you would be gloating if AD could even suit up. 

See dumb comments work both ways. 

LeBron seems to have got a 2nd wind with Luka there. Kyrie is being run into the ground here. Does Luka’s numbers capture that as well? 

There is still hope for LA that Luka gets back in shape. What is your window of optimism?  That AD plays well for a year?  Where are the picks that we all assumed we would recoup if the time to trade Luka came through? So we wait with a big barren bag of nothing and trust in Nico?  The same guy who has fumbled a prized asset so badly that he couldn’t make the team immediately better or for the future?

Once Nico moves on or as Gump suggested is given a proper NBA guy to report to, the outlook on this team might start changing though it will take years for the new guy to dig out of this hole.

[SleepingHero]

Luka has now played 6 games with the Lakers and been ass in 5 of them.  I can't imagine how much worse yall would be melting down if he was actually playing well.

He has not looked his best at all. He hasn't really looked his best since April of last year if we really want to go that far back. But I don't think Luka is playing bad right now because he's out of shape or anything. I think this trade has really rocked him mentally. I mean he was just flat out rejected for the first time in his basketball career in the height of his prime and was told he was not good enough.

Further, the unexpectedness of it, the fan reaction, the fact he actually truly loved Dallas, I think all weighs on him. Luka has said it himself in every interview he is asked about the trade. The dude is hurt. 

He will eventually be able to compartmentalize and return. But I'm not really surprised we're not seeing the best of Luka right now.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

I wonder how much more you would be gloating if AD could even suit up. 

See dumb comments work both ways. 

LeBron seems to have got a 2nd wind with Luka there. Kyrie is being run into the ground here. Does Luka’s numbers capture that as well? 

There is still hope for LA that Luka gets back in shape. What is your window of optimism?  That AD plays well for a year?  Where are the picks that we all assumed we would recoup if the time to trade Luka came through? So we wait with a big barren bag of nothing and trust in Nico?  The same guy who has fumbled a prized asset so badly that he couldn’t make the team immediately better or for the future?

Once Nico moves on or as Gump suggested is given a proper NBA guy to report to, the outlook on this team might start changing though it will take years for the new guy to dig out of this hole.

It’s just a game to me. Once the Mavs won in 2011, nothing could bother me anymore. I don’t spend all day beeching about things out of my control.

[hakeemfaan]

Everyone is crying why they didn't shop Luka.

Sounds like Nico went down the list of top 10 players in the NBA that could potentially be available in a Luka trade until he got to AD.  No Giannis.  No Anthony Edwards.  No chance Jokic, SGA, Tatum, Wemby, or Curry would be traded for Luka.

You stating this can be excused as just a casual fan. It is inexcusable for a NBA GM. Most of this reporting seems to have magically sprung up now. 

Even if I buy that Nico did due his due diligence , there is zero excuse if he looked at only top 10 players. I would take Castle and Vassel and 4 picks from SA over what we got. I would take Barnes if he were available. I would take Coulabaly, Sarr and picks of those were available. 

Maybe none of those pan out but getting a much older guy, who was more injury prone, and doesn’t make the team better right now was not the way to go just because he is a better player right now. 

You are never going to get full value for a generational talent. However if you feel in the short run you are clearly better or you have some assets, optimism for the long run, you make the move 

The move that was made did neither of those things. Nico got exposed both as not having a clear vision as well as being fleeced in the deal he did make with Pelinka lowering the offer once he realized the incompetence on the other side of the coffee shop table.

[SleepingHero]

It’s just a game to me. Once the Mavs won in 2011, nothing could bother me anymore. I don’t spend all day bitching about things out of my control.

Just gonna remind you that we're trying to curb the profanity now. I already was scolded (*read edited) on a post of mine cause I am still emotional about the trade.

This ain't a warning. You are fine, but try in the future to just replace some swear words with some bullspit alternatives.

[FireNicoHarrison]

Nico bargained his future job and the cost was the Dallas Mavericks future. I just hope Karma will never forget him.

[hakeemfaan]

It’s just a game to me. Once the Mavs won in 2011, nothing could bother me anymore. I don’t spend all day bitching about things out of my control.

Nm

[Jmaciscool]

Just gonna remind you that we're trying to curb the profanity now. I already was scolded (*read edited) on a post of mine cause I am still emotional about the trade.

This ain't a warning. You are fine, but try in the future to just replace some swear words with some bullspit alternatives.

For example, something like "I just stepped in a big pile of nico and now my shoes are completely nicoed!"

Does that work?

[SleepingHero]

For example, something like "I just stepped in a big pile of nico and now my shoes are completely nicoed!"

Does that work?

[hakeemfaan]

The funny thing is all the leaks through probably some paid guys how he went after so and so player.

First off all AE for Luka? Better than AD given his youth, but Luka is still the better player. Anyone really believe the wolves would “promptly “ turn that down. The Jazz didn’t even know Luka was involved in the deal they facilitated and found out only an hour prior. That’s how secretive this was. Yet now Nico apparently went around asking for top 10 guys and no one in that clique leaked anything to any of their buds? lol.

As mentioned even if he did which I am not buying at all and seems like an attempt to save face, it was shortsighted and he should have thought more in terms of clearly better right now (AD + Bron) or bet on some young potential who has been drafted high and future picks. If none of that worked, just stay pat and make a legit title run this year.

[Chicagojk]

One benefit the Lakers have is their ability to find second round picks and undrafted guys who can play in the NBA. They have been excellent on the fringes. Something Dallas doesn't really seem interested in. A lot of their players they develop/uncover don't wind up playing mostly for LAL, but the more you do this the sooner you find a guy like Reeves.

Pippen Jr, Huff, Caruso. There is a list around 10 deep that they have found or developed.

[Scott41theMavs]

I don't think Luka will have any problems with the optics, as long as LeBron can perform at the current level. It will certainly also take best version of Luka for Lakers to be contenders, so plenty of fame to share. I think he is more interested in titles than being the no doubt alpha. LeBron is the kind of name that even Luka respects and submits to when needed. On the other hand, I think LeBron is smart enough to allow enough spotlight for Luka to shine, because it also works great for him playing with Luka. His life is much easier. 

The question for them is not now but what happens if (when) LeBron starts to decline. I mean, he is human, right? It is already not normal that a 40 year old can perform at his level, how long can it last beyond this season? I think Luka and his camp would have a problem waisting his prime if LeBron starts to decline yet still demands the attention and salary, blocking the team to be built around Luka. I think the longterm outlook of Luka future will be raised and considered when discussing the new contract this summer. Even if Luka wouldn't care, his vast camp of agents and proffessional advisors will care.

I agree with HoosierDaddyKid, that Lakers will slowly move on from LeBron and build around Luka in one way or another. Either he retires or he starts taking lesser role. Not because he would submit to Luka, but because age will probably take its toll at some point soon. Unless he is a robot, of course. I think they will have another run next season, than LeBron retires or takes more of a back-seat.

LeBron, Luka's childhood hero, is perhaps the only player in the league, even at his age, to whom Luka would countenance deferring. Maybe Jokic.

[audiosway]

It’s just a game to me. Once the Mavs won in 2011, nothing could bother me anymore. I don’t spend all day beeching about things out of my control.

I'm the same way. After 2011 I don't freak out about Mavs related stuff anymore. The 06 run nearly killed me.

The main thing that bothers me with the trade is that there seemed to be a rush to get him moved. I'm with Gump that a guy like Lindsay being his Nico's boss would be a good thing. The PR from this has been a nightmare. It's fine if you are going to move a guy but there is a way to handle it and this is not it.

As far as the return I would love to have gotten a younger superstar back. But, without them being able to confirm that Luka would stay I understand why it is what it is. I have concerns about AD not being a stretch player but, the front line will be dominant. I do still believe that you can dominate the NBA without shooting half of your shots from 3.

The perfect return for me (if you wanted to stay a contender and not rebuild) would have been Giannis, Andre Jackson Jr, and AJ Green. Jackson is an up and coming prospect PG with good length, D, and shooting. AJ Green is 3&D. Over 40% from 3 all 3 years in the league and a plus defender. Both are young. Then again, sounds like they turned down that deal. So, meh.

I'm watching Lakers games here and there now to still watch Luka. He will get into game shape. He does look shaken mentally. I wonder if playing with LeBron and LeBron trying to show he is still the man is playing a part too. Luka is used to being that guy and now his idol is out there dominating things. Has to be an odd situation altogether.

It just feels weird to be a fan now. As many have said, it feels like some assassins came to join the team and there aren't really any home grown guys to cheer on. Strange times.

[audiosway]

One benefit the Lakers have is their ability to find second round picks and undrafted guys who can play in the NBA.  They have been excellent on the fringes.  Something Dallas doesn't really seem interested in.  A lot of their players they develop/uncover don't wind up playing mostly for LAL, but the more you do this the sooner you find a guy like Reeves.

Pippen Jr, Huff, Caruso.  There is a list around 10 deep that they have found or developed.

Such a great point. I was mentioning just a couple of weeks ago about the Lakers ability to find guys late that they can work with and get into the rotation. To me that would be the first thing I would focus on being a GM.