Earth Shaking

A meteor shower struck the NBA universe as another wild trade-deadline sent shockwaves across the masses with a slew of All-Stars dished and served to new beginnings. Although there were a handful of separate transactions that showered down from the skies to cause change; there was one in particular that caused the most havoc and destruction. A middle of the night explosion that will be talked about for years to come, and remembered forever in NBA galore: Luka for The Brow. Luka for The Brow? LUKA!?

Mavericks really traded Luka Dončić in the prime of his career, a year after he marched the franchise to the NBA Finals for just its 3rd Finals appearance in franchise history. A trade so out of the blue, so ridiculous, that it had folk thinking ESPN was hacked, or that humankind skipped all the way to April Fools’ day in one giant sleep. I myself woke up in that kind of haze when I first read the bit. Had me speculating if I was still sleeping within a dream, or buzzed from an imaginary drug. Surely, it was fake news. Surely some asswipe like LegionHoops or the infamous Centel had spun some silly webs. Nope. It was real. Luka and AD’s involvement; was real. The lack of assets in return for Luka; was real. The shock was real. When reality hit, it sure hit hard. Immediately I roared two things: “What are the Mavericks thinking?” & “will Silver veto this?”

Six players in total (Jazz received Jalen Hood-Schifino) were involved in the trade, you all are aware by now the deets, but to be that guy- it was basically soon to be 32-year old AD and a first rounder (2029…) for soon to be 26-year old Luka. Not sure how Nico Harrison (Dallas GM) is still walking around that building with a smile after pulling off what could go down as one of the stupidest trades in NBA history. Not because Harrison freaked about the super-max commitment with Luka, but because of the lack of return and trade ideology overall. The more Harrison spoke on his reasonings in the trade press conference- the more idiotic he looked and sounded. The trade was all him. No inner-evaluation, no discussion. Just desperate maneuvering with utterly awful results. Dončić was worth big-time value if properly handled. Speaking just to the Lakers and somehow getting slapped on the tail by Rob Pelinka of all cats should be career suicide. AD helps the roster in the now, if he can stay healthy, but at the expense of Luka? I can’t agree with that move in any lifetime. Not unless more was received in the exchange. Pelinka played the fool. AD was a big piece, but more can come out of this switch to Luka.

The trade blindsided everyone, especially Dončić, who had just purchased a $15M mansion in Dallas, and was expecting to cash in on his super-max unlock to achieve the biggest contract in NBA history (All-Pro honor with Dallas). Now, it’s all a fantasy with that super-max off the table. Harrison spoke on Luka’s shape and alleged laziness (stemming from the Finals collapse); well now I bet he just set a fire inside Luka that will make this trade look even worse in due time. There was a lot in play when looking at the setting of last year’s NBA Finals. That Celtics squad was a complete mismatch to the Mavericks in a 7-game series. Luka was depleted and looked to have given up… a concern without a doubt, but the entire Mavs team looked the part. Dončić played 22 games across that playoff stretch, averaging 40+ minutes a game. He went ballistic throughout and was the main reason the Mavericks made the Finals. Pinning the loss on him is so outlandish. Trading him after you built a team SOLELY around him is even more outlandish. Doing it for pennies should again be- career SUICIDE.

Luka was the face of the 'chise, as was Dirk before him. Dirk passed the torch and it all just fit. Now, the identity is gone. The face is gone. Fans are outraged. The social media accounts have lost over a million collective followers (likely international fans of Luka). Chaos has sparked outside of the arena, and some fans have even canceled the remaining of their season ticket packages. On top of that, fans are being kicked out of the arena during the games for showing frustration (and more, I am sure). The trade has caused such negative reactions... for one side of course. While the other side is jumping in joy like they just got away with a massive bank robbery. Lakers do it again. First it was Kareem, now it’s Luka. Who the hell thought Luka and LeBron would be leading the Lakers in 2025?

Lakers roster might not be complete going into the second half of this campaign, especially after the Mark Williams trade was rescinded, but that doesn’t mean Luka and 'Bron can’t cause some stirs with Reeves and co. around them. Losing AD will hurt on the defensive and on the glass, but adding Luka to the fray gives the offense a whole-notha element that can have those voids be eliminated with the right execution. I am talking about his spacing, passing, vision, IQ, and tempo- all resources that Luka brings to the floor that can enhance the Lakers all around. We saw it in his debut the other night in short change. Luka has LeBron soaring, Rui in blind spots ready to splash, and the offense in a fast and furious flow. It’s a bummer they don’t have Mark Williams to add in. That would be the final puzzle piece besides depth. I truly think Luka is in a better spot and that the Lakers will win this trade in resounding fashion… it might come sooner than expected at that. AD is already on the shelf for multiple weeks, while the Lakers are feeling rejuvenated as they sit handy in the top-4 of the West with Luka coming back from recovery.

There still stands a chance that Luka would walk when he becomes a free agent, but that chance doesn’t create as large a red flag as some think it does. This is the perfect way to sell a commitment to Luka that will have him decide to stay long term. Again, not that big of a red flag, surely one that doesn’t need immediate concern. LeBron can still do his dance, man! Not prime dancing, but the mastery is still game altering. This duo can be game changing. I am excited to see what they can do off the tip. Yes, the trade surely does well for the Lakers in the long run, but I’m saying, this duo can be a problem right here and now. LeBron’s championship light is still on. The King’s presence and hustle on the floor (even in his f'n 40s) will hide some of Luka’s problems on defense. The duo should be able to flip the court to execute plays that will change the tone of a game. Not a duo the league wanted to have form. Way to go Nico Harrison. Way to freaking go… ya clown.

Earth Shaking

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