The Lakers’ part of this trade is easy to understand. This season does not matter. They had to prepare for the next decade without LeBron James. They just have.
But I’m trying to process this from the Mavs’ perspective. If you accept at face value that they still had issues with Luka Dončiċ’s conditioning and worried about his long-term future because of it, and didn’t want to commit a $345 million supermax contract to him this summer, okay. I don’t really get the timing of doing it now, though, because you could sign him to the supermax and still have 15-20 teams, at least, that would line up and try to make a deal for him. It’s Luka Dončiċ. He’s a superstar. Superstars his age never become available via trade.
But, okay. You want to trade him now.
But, if that’s the case … you don’t call the Heat and ask for Bam Adebayo?
You don’t call the Grizzlies and ask for Jaren Jackson, Jr. and Desmond Bane?
You don’t call the Cavs and ask for Evan Mobley?
You don’t call … Milwaukee … and ask for Giannis Antetokounmpo?
You focus solely on Anthony Davis?
Davis is still a great player, to be sure. He may well be a first-team all-NBA selection this season. But he’s a 32-year-old great player, with a history of injuries, and your remaining co-star in Dallas, Kyrie Irving, is 31. You just sent your 25-year-old, top-five player in the NBA to the Lakers for Davis, along with one future first-round pick.
The Knicks just gave up five first-rounders … for Mikal Bridges!
What in the name of Al Bianchi is going on here?
