Luka Dealt to Lakers: Nico Harrison is a Basketball Terrorist

[hakeemfaan]

I noted early on, and it certainly remains true, that Nico negotiated based on the question marks that went with Luka, when he should have focused on (and made demands based on) the question marks of AD. He did Pelinka's work for him, by being on the same side of the table where both sides are weighing Luka's negatives, rather than taking a pro-Mavs-asset stance that will question the value of what the other side is offering.

Terrible negotiating. Even if AD becomes healthy, the 2031 and Knecht should have been readily available -and extracted - for a player like Luka, and it's the terrible return Nico was willing to take that is a major piece of why Mavs fandom is so upset. Everyone (except maybe stupid Nico) knows Pelinka would have paid that price, if Nico knew how to negotiate.

The deal was
AD-Christie-Knecht-picks (with the MINIMUM being 2029 and 2031)
Luka-Maxi

That doesn't get you below the tax line, but you mess with the payroll in a different deal. It doesn't leave you room for Grimes-Martin, but you can figure that out a different way, or do something else with Grimes. You have to get full value for Luka, with blinders on, and he stupidly did not.

All this assumes Nico was negotiating in good faith and doing his fiduciary duty to the Mavs. I was never into conspiracy theories but Nico having strong ties to Pelinka’s, Klutch and saying he felt comfortable with Pelinka to keep a secret and acting like Luka was a deprecated asset while AD who was older, had an injury history, and is a lesser player than Luka right now, was highly coveted…it doesn’t make any sense.  The other explanation is Nico wanted to prove a point to Luka so bad that he let his emotions override common sense. 

I don’t believe for a second that Nico is stupid or dumb.  That’s why this whole thing is so puzzling.