(03-11-2025, 10:01 PM)mvossman Wrote: Sure. But it should probably be pointed out that the Lakers were a play in team last season with two aging stars and limited assets, while the Mavs went to the finals. The bar should be a lot higher for the Mavs.
Nope, not buying that. This trade will ultimately be judged by "who won titles as a result, and who didn't" and style points and excuses won't push the needle.
The prior year? It will be long forgotten.
FWIW, neither team was the same team at the time of the trade as they had been the prior year. In fact, by the time of the trade, the Lakers were demonstrably looking to be the better team, looking like one of the top teams since the DFS trade, and still ascending, while Dallas had been sinking like a rock. LA was in 5th, having won 7 of their last 10, while the Mavs were struggling, in 9th and dropping, closer to 11th in the standings than to LA.