Luka Dealt to Lakers: Nico Harrison is a Basketball Terrorist

[Dahlsim]

I'm not sure I buy into this narrative.  

First, I'm not sure Luka will be significantly better than what he has been for us (the bar is very high).

Second, to whatever degree Luka does improve his conditioning, I think it would have happened here eventually.

Third, are the Lakers paying less for Luka?  My understanding is that by timing his contracts Luka is going to make close to what he would have with the Mavs.  Assuming Lakers sign him to his next max contract, I don't think they are saving much.

I do agree that Flagg is very nice consolation prize for organizational ineptitude.

EDIT: Also, I don't see that Lakers roster as a contender.  Ayton does not seem like a good fit with Luka and I'm not sure what Smart has left in the tank.

First, I'm not sure Luka will be significantly better 
I'm not sure either.  I'm guessing that being in much better shape and condition has a good chance of producing a better player at least marginally so.  

degree Luka does improve his conditioning, I think it would have happened here eventually. 
Of course again, we can only make an educated hypothetical guess here.  I disagree though. 
Luka is basically a lifelong professional basketball player.  He's never showed signs of working out to get both his weight and conditioning to the level he did this offseason.  

I think we have to be naive to think it had nothing to do with being traded and publicly insulted.  

by timing his contracts Luka is going to make close 
Maybe so but even still by any measure the Mavs were going to pay more for their version Luka on this contract. 

I do agree that Flagg is very nice consolation prize for organizational ineptitude. 
No argument about Nico's ineptitude in making the trade the way he did, but Flagg is more than a consolation prize for a franchise that gets the #1 overall pick for only the 2nd time in 45 years. 

The Lakers will be interesting in the same way that an old girlfriend might be interesting. 
Not really relevant to our current fandom, but there will be some cool Luka highlights from time to time.

Maybe tune in to a game every once in awhile.
But when the playoffs start, not really a contender.

Yeah definitely not a real favorite but in the top 10 as a contending roster.  Lakers are ranked high enough to not be a shocker if they have a real contending season. 

• ESPN and Draft Kings have them at #7  https://www.espn.com/nba/futures  / https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/league...am-futures&subcategory=champion 
  
• Fanduel  and Odds shark at #8 https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigatio...nba-finals 
  
• https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigatio...nba-finals 
  

It seems all have them higher than the Mavs.