Luka Dealt to Lakers: Nico Harrison is a Basketball Terrorist

[DallasMaverick]

After you work through the way it would be planned by Luka and his agent, a 2+1 extension won't be a huge difference if he instead chooses to become a FA and sign the 2+1 with a new team. 

Its 1st year would be the same number, and year 2 would be about 1.5M difference .... and year 3 gets opted out of. So over 2 years its approx 106.1 vs 104.6, which is close enough that it effectively allows him to choose his team, at least from among those with cap room OR who can work a SNT with his old team.

Hypothetically, if Nico had allowed Pelinka to talk with Luka prior to the trade:

1. Luka would have been in shock over the trade.
2. Upon discussion with his agent, they might have decided to give Pelinka a negative answer in order to dissuade the deal.
3. Now, Luka knows that the team is trying to trade him, and can leak that to the league.
4. Luka and his agent now can pick their destination team by refusing to extend with any undesirable destinations.
5. Nico has lost leverage in negotiating the best trade deal.
6. Nico has poisoned his relationship with Luka.