05-17-2024, 02:26 PM
(05-17-2024, 01:55 PM)RGP1981 Wrote: If the Mavs don't win a chip in this season or the next... I can see Luka taking his talents to SLC. Or worse (for Mavs fans), to the Lakers. Be honest, if he was gonna leave, would you rather he go to the Lakers or to the Jazz?
This will only happen after securing his super-max extension though, like AD did.
Utah is a bad city.
Okay, let’s play hypotheticals.
If Luka decided he wanted to win a championship in some other city, what would he be looking for? Clearly the money can’t be the most important thing. And if he’s going to command the supermax on his next contract, he’ll be hamstringing whatever team acquires him.
What kind of teammates make the most sense? Guys who can play great defense, first of all. Guys who are decent at catch-and-shoot threes?
The Lakers have certainly been trying to build that kind of team around LeBron. AD helps on both ends. But they have so little cap flexibility that it’s been really hard to find pieces that are affordable and fit.
Utah? They’ve got some young, promising, currently inexpensive players. But by the time Luka signs his new deal, they probably won’t be cheap anymore. And Lauri isn’t a great fit on the court.
What team plays great D and has good 3-point shooters, and a couple of big salaries (as well as a bunch of draft picks) to trade?