Is Luka for AD the most shocking trade of all time

[tc1]

Once again… it was WELL known. Anyone who was around then with an interest in sports was aware that he preferred to be elsewhere... including this 19 year old (at the time) sports junkie.

I don’t do revisionist history, bro.

Argue with Abdul-Jabbar, I provided you with his statement on the matter.

If you aren't lying, you are way too old to say "bro".

 

[trojanfan12]

I tried to tell other Laker fans before the draft that if James Jr was on the board, the Lakers would absolutely select him -- just to prevent his father from getting any goofy ideas about demanding a trade to whoever owned his son's rights. That alone made the pick worthwhile. People were harping on him not being good enough to be drafted -- and he wasn't, but that didn't matter.

But look around the league -- there are not many 6'2" players, and they are all much quicker than James Jr, much better ball handlers, and much, much better shooters. Except Gabe Vincent, but he also should be playing in the G League as he has zero redeeming value as an NBA player.

He has some talent...he's quick, fast and can jump out of the gym...but his ceiling is solid rotational player and imo, that's only if they quit moving him back and forth between the G-League and the NBA. He's only going to reach whatever potential he has with time on the court and he ain't getting that in the NBA no matter who his Daddy is.

 

[tlance]

Not sure what I think of this trade yet. Mostly because I love AD's game and hate losing him.

It was definitely the correct move though. As others have pointed out, this gives the Lakers their "anchor star" and he's just entering his prime.

As @tlance suggested, now it's time to see what the Lakers do with the rest of the roster...not so much this season...but going forward.

As for who "won" the trade... depending on what else they do...this likely ends the "punchers chance" that the Lakers had at a title this season but sets them up to be contenders for the next several years.

For the Mavs, AD would seem to be a great fit for Kyrie and he's been playing at darn near and MVP level this season.

So...a draw (for now)?

It's going to be interesting to see how the Lakers handle the "playmaker/point guard" roles. Obviously, Luke will be the PG, but Lebron and Reaves have been doing well sharing that duty, so they'll have to adjust.

I think with the right trade?

Have to think Reaves could be available now

 

[DJ Fieri]

No, he is not a good defender. People call him a good defender because he cannot shoot, nor do anything else at an NBA level, so they figure that must be how snuck onto the court.

Then you don't follow basketball like at all.....that is how he earned PT in Miami.

 

[DJ Fieri]

Do you understand the term "free agent"?

Shaq.

 

[trojanfan12]

Once again… it was WELL known. Anyone who was around then with an interest in sports was aware that he preferred to be elsewhere... including this 19 year old (at the time) sports junkie.

I don’t do revisionist history, bro.

This is true...but to be fair...with the interwebz and social media...well known today and well known back then are 2 very different things. Back then, you had to be into sports to know that info before the trade showed up in the papers the day after it happened.

Today?...Well, let's just say that my wife just asked me what I think about the Lakers trading AD and was he a good player. lol

 

[Sir Robin Of Camelot]

This is true...but to be fair...with the interwebz and social media...well known today and well known back then are 2 very different things. Back then, you had to be into sports to know that info before the trade showed up in the papers the day after it happened.

Today?...Well, let's just say that my wife just asked me what I think about the Lakers trading AD and was he a good player. lol

First laugh I’ve had this morning… and man - I needed one.

 

[DJ Fieri]

I think with the right trade?

Have to think Reaves could be available now

No doubt.

Reaves could play SG next to Luka but he is a bit redundant when Luka handles the ball as much as he does. Reaves, Hachimura, Vandy, Vincent, Knecht and that other '31 1st rounder should all be on the table right now. I doubt they move DFS since he is one of the few who plays defense but I guess he could be traded also.

 

[DJ Fieri]

James has a no trade clause so he is the only one safe....unless he agreed to waive it after he thinks about things.

 

[Mebert]

Mavs have to wim a ring or this is the worst trade of this century. As a wolves fan I appreciate Dallas taking the title from us.

 

[DJ Fieri]

People over-reacting. Not surprised.

LOL.

 

[tlance]

Mavs have to wim a ring or this is the worst trade of this century. As a wolves fan I appreciate Dallas taking the title from us.

This is not close to as bad as Minnesota’s trade to get Rudy.

Not in the ballpark.

 

[DJ Fieri]

This is not close to as bad as Minnesota’s trade to get Rudy.

Not in the ballpark.

People acting the Lakers traded the Mavs some scrub and not a great player. I mean I get Luka is 5 or so years younger but in the NBA you gave to give up something to get something in return. And they got AD, Christie and a 1st.

We got trash besides Luka. Morris prolly getting cut and Kleiber not playing much IMO.

 

[Mebert]

This is not close to as bad as Minnesota’s trade to get Rudy.

Not in the ballpark.

Let me have this you prick!

Also I disagree, wolves traded 5 late 1sts of questionable value. May or may not become something. Mavs traded a top 3 player at only 25 for an end of career Davis. Mavs all but closed their windows 7 years early because...reasons?

 

[Berkeley_Blues3.0]

I just read Luka was planning to leave after 2026 contract expired.

But Luka is a generational player and Davis is a hack. Lakers buys more championships and Dallas becomes a lottery team. So it goes.

 

[Mebert]

People acting the Lakers traded the Mavs some scrub and not a great player. I mean I get Luka is 5 or so years younger but in the NBA you gave to give up something to get something in return.

Not a scrub, an end of career superstar for a better superstar that is only 25.

 

[DJ Fieri]

Not a scrub, an end of career superstar for a better superstar that is only 25.

AD is at the end of his career?

LMAO.

 

[Mebert]

AD is at the end of his career?

LMAO.

Coming up on the end of his time as elite. Will be very good for another 6 years, but he is exciting his prime soon.

 

[tlance]

Let me have this you prick!

Also I disagree, wolves traded 5 late 1sts of questionable value. May or may not become something. Mavs traded a top 3 player at only 25 for an end of career Davis. Mavs all but closed their windows 7 years early because...reasons?

They look like late firsts today.

Get back to me when those picks are done conveying…

As for Dallas?

I agree it is tough. Can only speculate on what their reasons are.

Either they are afraid of his conditioning/injury history rendering him like Embiid and trying to sell high to maximize the current window, or they were fearful of him not extending.

Either way, my bet is that they know something we don’t.

But the only reason we aren’t calling this a straight up deal is because of the age of the players.

And if Dallas doesn’t think they can keep Luka, his youth doesn’t help them any.

 

[Mebert]

They look like late firsts today.

Get back to me when those picks are done conveying…

As for Dallas?

I agree it is tough. Can only speculate on what their reasons are.

Either they are afraid of his conditioning/injury history rendering him like Embiid and trying to sell high to maximize the current window, or they were fearful of him not extending.

Either way, my bet is that they know something we don’t.

But the only reason we aren’t calling this a straight up deal is because of the age of the players.

And if Dallas doesn’t think they can keep Luka, his youth doesn’t help them any.

Barring an Edwards injury i only see the 2029 as a possibility to turn into an earlier pick. 16 is probably the earliest pick conveying in that trade.