Luka Dealt to Lakers: Nico Harrison is a Basketball Terrorist

[omahen]

It really is just that they do not believe Luka, specifically, is WORTH that contract, and that giving it to them would cripple the team. That's the bottom line, and all there is to see here. Obviously, they can be way wrong about that, and it's natural for we, Luka's biggest fans, to assume they are. But, I just keep coming back to the idea that these are the people who see Luka the most, behind the scenes. They did not like what they saw. 

You know what troubles me. They had every opportunity to offer Luka less money because for whatever reason in the summer. They could put in the contract conditions related to his weight or number of games played. If he rejected that, they would likely still get at least same return as they did, but I am sure fan base would be much more understanding about their move. True though, perhaps Luka would say Lakers are not his destination and AD wouldn't be on the table. 

They didn't want to come to that situation in the summer. So the answer is not that they were affraid to give him that contract. The answer is that they really wanted AD, because they think they are better with him. They were in the finals last season, so in just a couple of months we will see if they were right about that for this season. 

Who knows, what happens after that. Kyrie situation will be very interesting. I wouldn't neglect the perception they are creating and the (wrong) messages they are sending. Why would he take any discount if Mavs are totally depending on him and if they showed they wouldn't have any problem trading him, if they felt like it? Talking bad about him on his way out. I woulnd't be surprised if he asks to be traded to his preffered destination. I also expect he will get max possible deal if he stays. My opinion, time will tell.