The worst thing about this trade is that Mavs (I believe) had a good chance to win the championship last season. We will never find out. I remember the amazing run prior to Lukas injury where they were the best in the league, everything seemed to come together. They lost then a game to Thunder, but it was really close. Luka eventually came back from the injury and would have led an improved Mavs team to the playoffs. It would have been either Mavs or Thunder. I think the way Mavs won the Thunder year prior, that this still was a PTSD in Thunders mind, I think it would have been difficult although they improved as well. Year before that he (Luka) had less to work with and made it to the Finals. Kyrie would not have become injured. Kyrie became injured due to the higher load he took as Luka was traded. This was very easy prediction and I wrote about it right after the trade. Kyrie could play more freely as Lukas was taking the lead load. Same way as we see with Reaves now. Players just seem to improve playing along with Luka. Look at Kyrie, Reaves, look at Lively and Gafford, Hardaway etc. etc. etc.
But most importantly. Look at the team Mavs were prior to Luka arrival. Not even close to a playoff team. Then suddenly Luka drafted, perennial playoff team, contender. Every season. Magic in the air. What Luka brings is toughness, consistency and leadership. And magic. And perhaps the most overseen thing, he brings winning mentality like nobody else in the NBA. Fear in the opponents, and coaches that dont sleep well prior to game against a Luka team. And we have none of that after this trade. Mavs have been terrible after Lukas trade. Last season, and so this season as well. Every team that did not draft Luka has regretted it as the worst decision ever made. GMs and coaches fired. The GM and coaches that allowed Luka to be traded will face similar fate. Perhaps even owner. There is no way you dont draft Luka, or trade Luka, and you keep your job. There is no way Luka would every allow something like that. Its such a incomprehensible trade. Most people still dont and will never understand this decision, whether experts or regular fans. Insensible decisions such as this one usually almost always come from some personal bias and controversy, or pure madness. It can also come by very weak understanding of the job that you do, if you are working in a field you have no understanding and education in. For instance if one worked as a doctor and surgeon but you had no medical education, you could make some insane mistakes with huge consequences. Im sure you guys can make better analogies. But this is quiet a mistake and there is no expert in the NBA that would have made this trade besides the current owner and GM of Mavs. It left everyone in shock.
But most importantly. Look at the team Mavs were prior to Luka arrival. Not even close to a playoff team. Then suddenly Luka drafted, perennial playoff team, contender. Every season. Magic in the air. What Luka brings is toughness, consistency and leadership. And magic. And perhaps the most overseen thing, he brings winning mentality like nobody else in the NBA. Fear in the opponents, and coaches that dont sleep well prior to game against a Luka team. And we have none of that after this trade. Mavs have been terrible after Lukas trade. Last season, and so this season as well. Every team that did not draft Luka has regretted it as the worst decision ever made. GMs and coaches fired. The GM and coaches that allowed Luka to be traded will face similar fate. Perhaps even owner. There is no way you dont draft Luka, or trade Luka, and you keep your job. There is no way Luka would every allow something like that. Its such a incomprehensible trade. Most people still dont and will never understand this decision, whether experts or regular fans. Insensible decisions such as this one usually almost always come from some personal bias and controversy, or pure madness. It can also come by very weak understanding of the job that you do, if you are working in a field you have no understanding and education in. For instance if one worked as a doctor and surgeon but you had no medical education, you could make some insane mistakes with huge consequences. Im sure you guys can make better analogies. But this is quiet a mistake and there is no expert in the NBA that would have made this trade besides the current owner and GM of Mavs. It left everyone in shock.