Doncic - Anthony Davis Trade

[AzStevenCal]

These things take time. How's it going with Durant.

A little better than some of us expected, a lot worse than most of us hoped.

 

[1982baskets]

It's a real shame the Lakers may get bounced in the first round after being gifted with Doncic.

Luka's defense was exposed. You ask me, they win that series without Luka, and with Anthony Davis & Max Christie.

 

[Dback Jon]

The Mavs were eliminated from the playoffs exactly 77 days after trading Luka.

The Lakers were eliminated from the playoffs exactly 87 days after trading AD

 

[Brian in Mesa]

The Lakers were eliminated from the playoffs exactly 87 days after trading AD

Yeah, but who wears 87? The significance of the other stat was Luka wears 77.

 

[Dback Jon]

Yeah, but who wears 87? The significance of the other stat was Luka wears 77.

The significance is that neither the Lakers or the Mavericks are playing in May

 

[BirdGangThing]

The significance is that neither the Lakers or the Mavericks are playing in May

not to mention lakers will get nothing for lebron + just traded ad and another first rounder - they're not contending anytime soon (thank you sweet baby Jesus)

 

[95pro]

Austin Reaves was terrible. Someone here wanted to do KD for AR + picks. LOL

 

[Superbone]

Luka's defense was exposed. You ask me, they win that series without Luka, and with Anthony Davis & Max Christie.

I was actually thinking this may be one of those trades that hurts both teams.

 

[95pro]

Maybe they can trade Bum for AD now LOL

 

[BirdGangThing]

I was actually thinking this may be one of those trades that hurts both teams.

God willing

 

[Superbone]

Austin Reaves was terrible. Someone here wanted to do KD for AR + picks. LOL

That was about the worst I've seen him. He was missing everything until he hit a 3 half way through the 4th. He was hurting the Lakers out there.

 

[1982baskets]

I was actually thinking this may be one of those trades that hurts both teams.

Yes, I believe it is. In LA, AD was protected by Lebron in the sense that Lebron was always viewed as the best player, even if in value AD held more. With Kyrie, most will lean towards AD as being the team's best player. He hasn't shown he can win in that role. So they have to build maybe the best defensive team ever to have a shot to win this way.

On the Lakers side, man. Luka's defense sucks. It really gets exposed. Saw the same thing in Boston in 2024. They just keep going at him. He's got to improve his defense, and if he doesn't, the Lakers will need to find a way to put an incredibly talented defensive team around him, to make up for all the shortcomings. Here's the issue with Luka there. Yeah, he can drop 40 points a game, and he can take over. However he does need help. So how easy will it be for them to get that help knowing that the help has to also defend extremely well.

Really, I could see Luka having one of the best statistical careers in the NBA and yet never winning a title.

 

[Cheesebeef]

If we’re counting play-in games, the Mavs won just as many playoff games as the Lakers.

 

[swagron]

I know everyone here loves to hate the Lakers, but I’d be way more excited for the Lakers future than the Suns. The new GM pick inspires as much confidence in the future as the empty cupboards here in Phoenix.

 

[swagron]

Luka's defense was exposed. You ask me, they win that series without Luka, and with Anthony Davis & Max Christie.

If you really believe that, you haven’t watched any Laker basketball. That trade gave at least hope for the present and the future. The Lakers won a championship with AD, but the relationship had run its course (complaining about playing out of position and roster construction)and it was a perfect opportunity to say goodbye and build for the future. Holding on to him any further would have just decreased his value. Watching that guy get hurt every other game was as maddening as Beal is here. The real loss was Christie, but Luka is a generational talent you just can’t pass up. (Technically I guess the Suns did)

 

[Superbone]

I know everyone here loves to hate the Lakers, but I’d be way more excited for the Lakers future than the Suns. The new GM pick inspires as much confidence in the future as the empty cupboards here in Phoenix.

Enjoy your Lakers then. As a Suns fan, I would never be excited about the future of the Lakers.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Enjoy your Lakers then. As a Suns fan, I would never be excited about the future of the Lakers.

Me either but I can see why a Lakers fans would be excited about their future. Prior to that trade they were looking like a franchise that would have to start all over in a season or two, now they have someone legit to build around. And Lakers fans had no problem cheering for Kobe with his problems and then for Lebron the King of whining floppers, they won't have a problem getting behind the Pillsbury Dough Boy either.

 

[GatorAZ]

Lebron complaining about not having a center because AD being gone is hilarious. Also limping out of the press conference after losing. This guy is something else.

 

[Superbone]

Me either but I can see why a Lakers fans would be excited about their future. Prior to that trade they were looking like a franchise that would have to start all over in a season or two, now they have someone legit to build around. And Lakers fans had no problem cheering for Kobe with his problems and then for Lebron the King of whining floppers, they won't have a problem getting behind the Pillsbury Dough Boy either.

Nope, just another in a long line of gifts to the franchise. No wonder they are so hated by so many.

 

[Raindog]

Lebron complaining about not having a center because AD being gone is hilarious. Also limping out of the press conference after losing. This guy is something else.

Truthfully, hate them as we do, as we've seen over the decades, the Lakers are never really too far from relevancy even during their most down periods. That's because star players in the league will always want to go there because of the market, and the league will always be willing to accomodate that for the same reason.

Now that probably will not translate to dynasties like it used to, because even they are impacted by the out of control economics of professional sports, just like every pro franchise. But they will never be too far from having a legitimate post season team, and maybe being at least marginally in the conversation as a contender, for a very long period of time.

 

[Covert Rain]

If you really believe that, you haven’t watched any Laker basketball. That trade gave at least hope for the present and the future. The Lakers won a championship with AD, but the relationship had run its course (complaining about playing out of position and roster construction)and it was a perfect opportunity to say goodbye and build for the future. Holding on to him any further would have just decreased his value. Watching that guy get hurt every other game was as maddening as Beal is here. The real loss was Christie, but Luka is a generational talent you just can’t pass up. (Technically I guess the Suns did)

I watch it and Luka isn't a good defender. I have watched Luka since the Suns passed on him. He is lazy on defense and many times can't stay in front of people. Now I don't think I buy the narrative that his offensive skill set is offset by his poor defense. I think he is a generational scorer. However, IMO, it does solidify that you need to put enough defense around him to make up for how poor he can be on that end sometimes.

The Lakers will be just fine IMO, building around Luka (if they have enough defense) to stay competitive for a long time now.

 

[Folster]

Is there any chance LeBron heads back to Cleveland to close out his career?

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Is there any chance LeBron heads back to Cleveland to close out his career?

Only if he can bring Bronny with him. And/or maybe if the Cavs draft his other son, Bryce.

 

[Superbone]

Only if he can bring Bronny with him. And/or maybe if the Cavs draft his other son, Bryce.

I don't think that would be a problem. I don't think the Lakers (or anybody else for that matter) covet Bronny.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

There was some talk on ESPN Sports Radio recently and they feel that Lebron really knew nothing about the AD for Doncic trade. They said Lebron probably was not a fan of the trade because when he retires, he would personally hope that the Lakers would be down for a bit afterwards. If they don't miss a beat or get better after he leaves it could hurt his legacy in his mind.

I think his level of play after 40 is remarkable but was never a fan of his before he came here and am looking forward to the post-Lebron Lakers.