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
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