Luka Dealt to Lakers: Nico Harrison is a Basketball Terrorist

[StrandedOnBeauboisHill]

I will say one thing, I don't think Kyrie is going anywhere.  I think Kyrie is probably closer to AD and Nico than he ever was with Luka to be honest.  Nico is just bringing in his guys which is awful for the fanbase but we won't really know how much it affects the locker room until we get some on court data.  As of right now it does seem like the team is still having a good time:

https://x.com/GrantAfseth/status/1886815964622160148

[StrandedOnBeauboisHill]

http://x.com/shamscharania/status/188683...12006?s=46

[mvossman]

Last year he negotiated PJ and Gafford here.   One can argue they gave up too much but he put NBA Champion level team on the court.  No defending the Luka trade but he was the toast of the town 12-14 months ago.

Did he?  Or was that Linsey?  Seems like most of the smart things were done when Linsey was here and most of the really dumb ones (Brunson, Luka) were when he wasn't.

[bubbler86]

Did he?  Or was that Linsey?  Seems like most of the smart things were done when Linsey was here and most of the really dumb ones (Brunson, Luka) were when he wasn't.

Not sure, but everyone gave Nico the credit so was going off that.  Gafford can be a monster and I like the PJ pickup as well.   We are only a handful of years removed from the Mav's turning 2 first-round picks into Din and Davis Bertans with the Zinger trades.  So there were bad trades before Nico (the first half of that).   Again, not saying this is a good thing but until a few days ago Nico was considered the architect of the finals run so hard for me to say too much on the bad side before what just happened.

[fifteenth]

I don’t think he’s a mouth piece or any of that nonsense.


It’s actually refreshing hearing a different side and some balance. I think he’s totally wrong and in this situation we have to burn everything to the ground, move the current franchise to Vegas, and get a new expansion so we can start fresh. 

But still, refreshing to hear some positivity.

He's not totally wrong. I can feel both sides. I've landed on sadness about the situation and the hijacking of our team by Nico, but Luka's lack of self-control is real and has resulted in missing lots of games for lots several seasons. I've wondered, if an overweight and hurt Luka could do THAT in the playoffs last season, what could a Luka who takes care of himself do?

Both sides are real and legit in my opinion.

[fifteenth]

Dude, they just traded a 25-yo Luka Doncic, coming off of a trip to the finals and five straight 1st team All NBA seasons. I mean, it's one thing to be pro management, but sometimes you have to let folks experience a little doom and gloom, because sometimes, that's the appropriate response.

I like this response. I do think there is room for both the emotional and intellectual discussion. But the intellectual discussion, which you have engaged in as well, doesn't have to tell people they shouldn't feel devastated. 

AT the end of the day, our emotional investment is a huge part of our sports engagement.

[fifteenth]

He was talk of the town last week!  

I think we need to tap the brakes.  If this move brings us a chip in the next 3 years (Kyrie and AD's window), this will be seen as a success.  If not, I think all of this angst is justified, but only then.

One potential problem with this is the Kyrie and AD miss as much time as Luka, and they actually both take care of themselves.

[Smitty]

One potential problem with this is the Kyrie and AD miss as much time as Luka, and they actually both take care of themselves.

Arguably the three best players on the team; Kyrie, AD, Lively are all injury prone guys. The Mavs can't be considered a threat in the West playoffs if even one of them is out, much less two of them.

[StrandedOnBeauboisHill]

Arguably the three best players on the team; Kyrie, AD, Lively are all injury prone guys. The Mavs can't be considered a threat in the West playoffs if even one of them is out, much less two of them.

I'm starting to get a bad feeling that we won't be having to worry about Lively's injury history much longer.

[Smitty]

I'm starting to get a bad feeling that we won't be having to worry about Lively's injury history much longer.

I think Lively is safe. Nico drafted him and he's borderline elite, when healthy.

[StrandedOnBeauboisHill]

I think Lively is safe. Nico drafted him and he's borderline elite, when healthy.

Ya but he's going to be more expensive than Gafford long term.

Also, did Nico or Lindsey draft him....

I just won't be surprised by anything at this point.  If he was trying to make another HUGE move then it will be Lively and picks.

[Smitty]

Stein: Dallas remains hopeful Anthony Davis (abdomen) can make his debut Thursday in Boston but also concedes it may have to wait for Saturday against Houston.
The Lakers, meanwhile, have weighed Saturday's matinee against Indiana for Luka Dončić's debut.

[SleepingHero]

Just waltzed over to the Lakers forum to see how they are feeling.

Over the moon. Posting Luka highlights. In awe.

It hurts.

[fifteenth]

Stein: Dallas remains hopeful Anthony Davis (abdomen) can make his debut Thursday in Boston but also concedes it may have to wait for Saturday against Houston.
The Lakers, meanwhile, have weighed Saturday's matinee against Indiana for Luka Dončić's debut.

Hmmm, which of those three games sounds more interesting

[StrandedOnBeauboisHill]

Ya but he's going to be more expensive than Gafford long term.

Also, did Nico or Lindsey draft him....

I just won't be surprised by anything at this point.  If he was trying to make another HUGE move then it will be Lively and picks.

I take this back, I didn't realize Lively was a Klutch client which I think is all that matters to us now.

[mvossman]

Not sure, but everyone gave Nico the credit so was going off that.  Gafford can be a monster and I like the PJ pickup as well.   We are only a handful of years removed from the Mav's turning 2 first-round picks into Din and Davis Bertans with the Zinger trades.  So there were bad trades before Nico (the first half of that).   Again, not saying this is a good thing but until a few days ago Nico was considered the architect of the finals run so hard for me to say too much on the bad side before what just happened.

Actually there were a few on this board that were giving Linsey most of the credit for the offseason and TDL moves.  We were very worried when Linsey left, but the shoe didn't drop until now.  Also, I never liked that KP trade either (not sending him out, but the timing and return).  Seems like he needs to give away a second on every trade he does for no reason.

[greenhornSLO]

https://images.app.goo.gl/KtG23JJ9RJPA6Wg79

To the city of Dallas.....he was much more than just a basketball player...

Because of things like this, he will never be part of the culture that Nico and the owners embody....

[SleepingHero]

https://images.app.goo.gl/KtG23JJ9RJPA6Wg79

To the city of Dallas.....he was much more than just a basketball player...

Because of things like this, he will never be part of the culture that Nico and the owners embody....

Nico would never understand

[fifteenth]

@JoshEberly

1) This Luka trade
2) We Believe Warriors
3) Dez caught it
4) 06 Free Throws
5) Romo’s snap

Pain rankings.

I watched every game of Dirk's career, and had not started a family in those days, so I had time to be completely all in. 2006 and Cuban's dismantling of the championship team in 2012 are my top sports traumas.

Twenty years later, my family and job get me first. So this sucks but I'm not as invested. 

But thinking it through, if a new GM had come along in 2007 and traded Dirk, I would have been devastated and most likely have quite the Mavs and never come back.

That gives me some context on what trading Luka feels like for the city.

[fifteenth]

@DallasMaverick

What would it have felt like in The Cave if someone had traded Dirk?