06-26-2025, 10:52 AM
(06-26-2025, 08:48 AM)michaeltex Wrote: I disagree with most of your response because it ignores the context around the situations.
Brunson was drafted by Donnie, in the same draft as Luka, who gave him the contract that included no bird rights at the end (why??). Even mid-season 21/22 there was disagreement on trading or extending him. By the time NYKs had hired his dad and meddled pre-FA (for which they lost a SRP this year), it became obvious he'd never get out of Luka's shadow in DAL, there wasn't much left to save.
Nobody was complaining about draft picks, a lot of which were swaps, once it became apparent that PJW and Gaff were the answer to a lot of team issues. I think he could have gotten more for Luka, but you can argue that AD himself represents 2-3 FRPs in value.
I do think that trading Grimes + PHL's high SRP was a bone headed, knee jerk decision, then failing to take the out when Martin's true injury status was revealed made it even more head scratching.
Dammit. I said I didn't want to be a Nico defender. I am still sore about the Luka thing and I will always hold the clandestine nature of the deal against him. It would have been so much better to find a way to help motivate him to get better, but I get not wanting to commit to another $350MM while waiting on him to come around.
Flame me or not. I'm not saying anything more on Nico.
Nico’s shenanigans with the training staff are pretty much unforgivable and he is partially responsible for the Brunson mess. He was the GM and had the power to offer the extension the offseason before he left. The fact he didn’t shows he wasn’t ready to make decisions on day 1 like a good GM would be.