NBA Trade Craziness: Doncic to the Lakers and the Spurs rob the Kings

The Luke-AD trade really is perplexing.  If you don't want to pay Luka the super max extension and would rather trade him, I'm okay with that.  But no way what they got from LA is the best package they could get for a 25 year-old superstar in Luka.  Why not go into the offseason and start a bidding war and not get a massive haul.  Really, why not?  At worst run it back this season.  Doncic will be back from injury this month.  Let the season play out and then get everyone in the league on the same page - we're open for business.  I keep hearing how Dallas was ticked about Doncic's conditioning, but while that isn't petty, it isn't the reason to take less.  It just feels like a knee jerk reaction. 

I do give all sides props for keeping this quiet though.  If word had gotten out, LA and Dallas lose momentum and the whole deal could have been torpedoed.  Not saying it was a good deal.  Just props on not letting anyone know and letting players or agents drive the bus.

I'm not sure this works for the Lakers short term.  They are the #5 seed today, but does this screw up the chemistry?  And they still have no big.  But assuming Luka signs with them long term when he is eligible in the offseason, this is massive.  They have the franchise's long-term star and direction set.  Until now there was no succession plan to LeBron leaving.  Sure, they have to build around Luka still but that's just what you do.  

And somehow Luka is being painted as a victim in all this.  Yes, he'll lose ~$50M because he won't be eligible for the super max contract extension, but he'll be in LA.   He'll make that up in spades with endorsements and LA is the mecca of basketball.  If he doesn't resign with the Lakers, he can take his talents to free agency and go wherever he wants.  This is a huge win for him, period.  

Feeling left out Sacramento then trades De'Aaron Fox for very little in my opinion.  They get Zach Lavine, who Chicago hasn't been able to give away for a year due to his play, injuries and huge contract.  They get some first-round picks but Charlotte's won't convey and will turn into two second rounders.  The Spurs didn't have to give up one of Atlanta's first round picks which are much more valuable than what the actual Spurs pick.  The Timberwolves pick may be the only pick worth something in the long run.  I know Lavine is having a good year, but I can't see him being a difference maker in Sacramento.  

I know folks are in love with the idea of Fox in San Antonio but I'm not sure if it really works as well as everyone wants it to.  That said, the Spurs are in a great spot.  They have time on their hands here.  Wemby is so young that if it doesn't work out, they can move on from him after his contract ends in 2026 or trade him before that.  And Wemby will still just be reaching his prime.  If it does work out, you extend Fox and it's a good thing.  And Wemby would still be in his prime after that contract.  They'll also have flexibility in all this to add a third star if they want to.  The Spurs should be arrested for this deal.  Craziness!

CBS Sports .com does a great job breaking trades.  Hoopsrumors.com is a great site for anything basketball but especially analyzing things from a calmer perspective.

As part of a 3-team trade, traded by the Los Angeles Lakers with Max Christie and a 2029 1st round draft pick ( was later selected) to the Dallas Mavericks; the Dallas Mavericks traded Luka Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to the Los Angeles Lakers; the Los Angeles Lakers traded Jalen Hood-Schifino and a 2025 2nd round draft pick ( was later selected) to the Utah Jazz; the Utah Jazz traded cash and a 2025 2nd round draft pick ( was later selected) to the Dallas Mavericks; and the Utah Jazz traded cash to the Los Angeles Lakers. Los Angeles also received a trade exception 2025 2nd-rd pick is LAC own Dallas also received multiple trade exceptions 2025 2nd-rd pick is a right to swap 2029 1st-rd pick is LAL own

 

Spurs get: Fox, Jordan McLaughlin

Kings get: LaVine, Sidy Cissoko, three first-round picks (2025 via Hornets, 2027 via Spurs, 2031 via Timberwolves)

Bulls get: Zach Collins, Tre Jones, Kevin Huerter, their own 2025 first-round pick from Spurs

A Look Back at NBA Player Reggie Theus

Reggie Theus is one of those guys not many folks will remember unless you saw him play during his career and even then I doubt many will be that familiar with his career.  I though, have always been a fan and rank him in my top 5 favorite players of the NBA.  He was a combo guard who played 13 seasons from 1978 to 1991 averaging 18.5 points and 6.3 assists per game while shooting 47% on his career and could get to the free throw line.  He had a solid career making the all-rookie team as well as two all-star teams.  He didn’t get a ton of headlines but played well averaging 20+ points per game four times (high of 23.8 in 82-83) and was top 10 in assists per game three times.

He played 5 ½ seasons for the Chicago Bulls and was traded away a year prior to Michael Jordan being drafted.  He has stated publicly “what if he had remained with the Bulls”.  Things definitely might have been different for him.  Would he have worked in that offense would be a big question but he could play the point well and might have been able to coexist with MJ.  In Chicago he made the playoffs once getting past the first round only to be swept in the second round.  If he had been there for the Jordan era he might have been a big part of that run.   

His next five seasons with the Kansas City/Sacramento Kings he played very well though the team only made the playoffs two years never making it past the first round.  He was a much better passer and was again a consistent scorer.  From there he played one season each for Atlanta, New Jersey and Orlando.  Theus was consistent throughout his career averaging 18 points per game for four of the five teams he played with (he average 15 for Atlanta).  His shooting was steady as he shot 47% over his career and only had two years where he shot below 46% while shooting never shooting above 49%.  He never really shot threes averaging one per game.  He was durable playing in 82 games eight times with five of those being his first five seasons in the league.  He also played 81 games in his final season.  

None of this will probably excite many people.  For whatever reason I grabbed on Reggie Theus as a player.  Maybe it was the look.  I always thought of him as the Billy D. Williams of the NBA and he actually did act mostly in TV series but I kid.  I’ve said it before.  You never know what players you’ll key in on in sports.  Some guy nobody else looks at twice or obscure players.  I seem to have many of those and enjoy looking back at their careers here.  

 

Dwyane Wade Signs With the Chicago Bulls

This was a game of chicken and the Miami Heat lost.  Dwyane Wade has signed with the Chicago Bulls for two years and a total of $47M.  Miami only offered $40M over two years.  Still this wasn’t as easy as dollars and cents.  Wade has been the heart and soul of this team since his rookie year in 2003-04.  He’s a 12 time all-star who helped bring three championships to Miami.  I would have liked to have seen Wade stay his entire career with Miami but that is becoming more and more of a rarity.  Just doesn’t seem right for him to be a Bull.  Again it is more complicated than that. 

Wade took less money to get Chris Bosh and LeBron James to Miami.  It paid off in the form of two titles amongst four Finals appearances.  Then LeBron hit the market as a free agent and Wade opted out of his deal to allow James to be re-signed which never happened.  That same offseason Bosh got a big deal after being wooed in free agency and the team signed Luol Deng while Wade again took less money.  Was Miami supposed to give Wade the big deals at the end of his career to make up for his financial shortcomings throughout his career?  There is a lot of chatter to that affect though it doesn’t seem like Miami is on board with that thought process.   The entire situation was detailed by ESPN.com here before he even signed.    

So Wade is now in Chicago with a new look roster that includes Rajon Rondo, Robin Lopez, Nikola Mirotic, and the star of the team, Jimmy Butler.  This should be interesting to see how this team works.  It could be really really good or really really bad.  If nothing else they are poised to be a top four, maybe even top three team in the East.  Again that assumes they can make this work.

Miami isn’t exactly in a great spot.  Chris Bosh’s status is still up in the air.  They did resign Hassan Whiteside but he has to be wondering if he made the right decision.  Deng and Joe Johnson are gone.  Goran Dragic and Justin Winslow are still there but I’m not exactly sure where the Heat’s offense will come from.   It will be interesting to see how good this team will be.    

The Golden State Warrios Win 73 and Would They Beat the 1995-1996 Chicago Bulls?

Golden State won their 73rd game last night in a historic season.  This is the second time I've experienced the wins record being broken but being older, and somewhat wiser, I've appreciated what Golden State did this year much more than when Chicago broke the record.  And to be honest I really didn't like the Bulls back then.  It is a huge accomplishment and one that the Warriors should relish.  The hard part will be following it up.  If they don't win the championship the 73 wins won't be tainted but their season will definitely be looked at differently .  Their task won't be easy as the Clippers, Thunder, Spurs and Cavaliers are all possible obstacles in the next three rounds of the playoffs.  No matter how it plays out it won't be easy.  A minimum of twenty-eight more games after what had to be a grueling season won't be fun unless another championship banner awaits them at the end.  I'm rooting for them, assuming they don't play my teams on the way to another championship.  I'd hate to see such a great season end on a low note.  But even if it did this team is a great one and it has been fun to watch.

Now who would win in a series pitting the 1995-1996 Bulls against these Golden State Warriors?  First off I don't believe, and do not know anyone that believes that those Bulls would sweep the series.  Sorry Scottie.  The Warriors are way too talented to be swept.  The crux of many arguments as to who would win comes down to the era in which the series would be played.  The 90's when players could be more physical or today when players can't get away with as much on defense?  To be honest I don't think it is that easy though it is a good point.  Don't forget those Bulls could shoot the three. They shot about as half as many three's as these Warriors but in today's NBA they would definitely take more three pointers with defenders having to play off them more.  If Golden State played back then I think the quick hands on defense would be a big plus.  Little nats running around the floor harassing other teams.

Bottom line is I think the Bulls win this series but I think Golden State makes it very close.  While Chicago didn't have to deal with shooters of this caliber I think Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan would do a good job harassing Thompson and Curry enough to make life miserable.  Dennis Rodman and Draymond Green would probably be ejected for fighting at some point but otherwise I think Rodman gets the best of that deal by keeping Green off the boards and playing stifling defense.  Toni Kukoc and Steve Kerr coming off the bench would add to the Bull's firepower and ability to stretch the defense allowing Jordan to attack the basket.  Though he might have to do it with Andre Iguodola draped on him.  I just don't think the Warriors defense, as good as it is, could make up for what they'll lose against the Bulls' defense.  But like everyone else I'd love to see this series.  It would be too much fun.  Bulls 4-2 in a great series.