Luka a Laker
- Thread starter Tetsujin
- Start date
People who say they are going to retire at a certain point often will keep hanging in there as long as they can or until they are forced out. It's difficult to walk away from something when the decision point arrives.
You're right that his body may be the reason he walks away. Plenty of time for him to start concentrating on fitness for longevity though if he ends up wanting that.
You're right that his body may be the reason he walks away. Plenty of time for him to start concentrating on fitness for longevity though if he ends up wanting that.
There's one more thing that's certain. Luka will be a first ballot Hall of Famer. He will retire earlier than people think. He is not wired for chasing records.
Mavs trading him to the Lakers extended his career for a few reasons.
(1) The Mavs just gave him extra motivation,
(2) His basketball life will be on easy mode thanks to the favorable whistle not just for himself but his whole team, and
(3) Teaming up with LeBron will be a force multiplier (both for his body and basketball mind)
Mavs trading him to the Lakers extended his career for a few reasons.
(1) The Mavs just gave him extra motivation,
(2) His basketball life will be on easy mode thanks to the favorable whistle not just for himself but his whole team, and
(3) Teaming up with LeBron will be a force multiplier (both for his body and basketball mind)
Eh, I don't think it would have worked. That trade was so dependent on the relationship between Pelinka and Harrison. Nico himself said that the deal was borne out of a few weeks of basketball discussion with Pelinka. Absolutely stupid trade. An all-timer of a dumbsh*t move. But one that occurred because of an established relationship with another GM. Nobody else was getting Luka. Nico wanted to deal him, so Pelinka was his call, and AD was his guy. I'm sure the rest of the league is annoyed that they didn't get a chance to shoot their shot, so to speak, and many are also likely annoyed that the Lakers have flopped into yet another generational superstar, but I also think they all rest easy knowing that there's nothing you can do when a rival GM has already made up their mind.
He does look really big... but you know what, he's still freaking awesome. He's also a super annoying player that I will love hating on the lakers for the rest of his career.
Watching Nico Harrison speak gives me an overall yucky feeling. After so many years (decades?) of having one of the better front offices in the NBA (while controlling Cuban's whims...) they are now left with a total clown. I honestly wouldnt' even care if the Mavs went on to win a championship this year or next (which I don't believe will happen), if I was a mavs fan there is no way I could stomach him running my team.
Watching Nico Harrison speak gives me an overall yucky feeling. After so many years (decades?) of having one of the better front offices in the NBA (while controlling Cuban's whims...) they are now left with a total clown. I honestly wouldnt' even care if the Mavs went on to win a championship this year or next (which I don't believe will happen), if I was a mavs fan there is no way I could stomach him running my team.
It is a hot conspiracy theory because the Adelson family that bought the team are casino magnates (Sands, Venetian, LV Convention center).
They were also trying to build a casino in Dallas or Arlington on one of the old stadium sites. And it has been rejected, I believe.
I don't think the team would move but I do think they could somehow workout a franchise swap if Vegas are awarded an expansion franchise, Adelson's assume ownership of the new club and the Mavs get the new owner who pays the Vegas expansion fee?
There's some precedent for that in other leagues.
But yeah this is wild conspiracy talk about the Adelson's currying favor with Silver by sending a generational superstar talent to the Lakers in LeBron's twilight.
They were also trying to build a casino in Dallas or Arlington on one of the old stadium sites. And it has been rejected, I believe.
I don't think the team would move but I do think they could somehow workout a franchise swap if Vegas are awarded an expansion franchise, Adelson's assume ownership of the new club and the Mavs get the new owner who pays the Vegas expansion fee?
There's some precedent for that in other leagues.
But yeah this is wild conspiracy talk about the Adelson's currying favor with Silver by sending a generational superstar talent to the Lakers in LeBron's twilight.
Miriam Adelson is pretty insane and not a hoops fan, her late husband Sheldon was. She's a "cheap billionaire" who follows weird conspiracy theories and most 100% definitely did not want to be on the hook for the Super Max with Luka. I'd bet money she will try and move the Mavs to Vegas in the next five years. She's going to wreck that team, like Donald Sterling level bad!
Interesting read at the least...
https://www.truehoop.com/p/miriam-adelsons-luka-trade
https://www.truehoop.com/p/miriam-adelsons-luka-trade