Doncic - Anthony Davis Trade

[Hoop Head]

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.

Not surprising since LeBron is a diva. If he wanted to go to LA then he should have chosen the Clippers if he was doing it for his legacy. He doesn't crack the top 5 all time Lakers. Shaq, Kobe, Magic, West, Kareem are the 5, IMO. 1 title for the Clippers makes him iconic though.

 

[Mulli]

He already thinks he is the best ever. No one in their right mind would choose the Clippers over the Lakers, if they had a choice.

 

[Rivercard]

He already thinks he is the best ever. No one in their right mind would choose the Clippers over the Lakers, if they had a choice.

Balmer is changing that perception. The Clippers' problem right now is they have little to no trade equity.

 

[Mainstreet]

Balmer is changing that perception. The Clippers' problem right now is they have little to no trade equity.

Head coach Tyronn Lue might be worth a couple first round picks.

 

[Rivercard]

Head coach Tyronn Lue might be worth a couple first round picks.

Interesting. That could be a win for both teams.

 

[Hoop Head]

He already thinks he is the best ever. No one in their right mind would choose the Clippers over the Lakers, if they had a choice.

Kawhi did. Argue whether he's in his right mind or not but he had the choice. Like @Rivercard said, Balmer has changed the perception of that team and their new arena is helping also. They should lose the Clippers name also to distance themselves from Sterling and decades of inept management but they aren't nearly the joke they were decades back.

 

[Mulli]

Kawhi did. Argue whether he's in his right mind or not but he had the choice. Like @Rivercard said, Balmer has changed the perception of that team and their new arena is helping also. They should lose the Clippers name also to distance themselves from Sterling and decades of inept management but they aren't nearly the joke they were decades back.

Kawhi chose Clippers because Lakers would not pay his bonkers contract. Probably

 

[Mulli]

Balmer is changing that perception. The Clippers' problem right now is they have little to no trade equity.

Because they are still the Clippers.

 

[Mainstreet]

Interesting. That could be a win for both teams.

Also, Leonard, Powell and Zubac should have good trade value.

 

[Hoop Head]

Kawhi chose Clippers because Lakers would not pay his bonkers contract. Probably

Money was the same. He chose the Clippers. They were coming off the bubble championship, IIRC. The Lakers pivoted and added Westbrook in a deal from Washington.

 

[Mulli]

Money was the same. He chose the Clippers. They were coming off the bubble championship, IIRC. The Lakers pivoted and added Westbrook in a deal from Washington.

Dumdums haha

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Money was the same. He chose the Clippers. They were coming off the bubble championship, IIRC. The Lakers pivoted and added Westbrook in a deal from Washington.

Man, did they ever pivot. They seemed to sign every old guy in the league thinking that was the way to build some kind of veteran-super-team. SMH. Hated that direction as a fan. Wanted to see a youth movement. They actually had some good drafts over the years but sent those players (Brandon Ingram, De'Andre Hunter, etc.) off for AD and/or just let them walk (Julius Randle). Really happy with how the post-Lebron team is shaping up. Obviously need a center and some defensive-minded players. There is a lot of youth on the team and some talent that may get moved for a center or another big forward, for sure. I think Lebron is coming back for season 23. No reason not to expect it. Personally, I am already looking forward to when he is not here.

 

[1982baskets]

Interesting swing of events.

Cooper Flagg has to play a NBA game so there's always some doubt it's hype vs substance. However on paper now the deal looks way better. If they had kept Luka, they probably lose in the playoffs at some point. With the trade, Kyrie and AD both got hurt, they missed the playoffs.

When you think about it now it's gone from Luka to AD, Flagg, Christie and an unprotected Lakers pick in 2029.

Not a bad lineup rotation from 5 through 3. May be one of the best in the NBA at those spots.

Lively/Gafford/AD
AD/Flagg
Flagg/Washington/Marshall
Christie/Klay
Kyrie (ACL)

It probably opens up opportunities for them to trade Marshall/Washington for a guard that can handle the ball while Kyrie is out.

I won't get into conspiracy stuff even though there's certainly some legitimate reason to be concerned there. Right now today, considering thw way Luka failed in the playoffs, Nico looks a bit better than he did on the days after the trade.

If Flagg ends up being Pippen like like some feel he is, pretty crazy turn of events for the Nico hate/Dallas situation. It's a real shame the Suns get something like this go their way.

 

[Phrazbit]

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.

Well, you're a Laker fan, trying to pretend to not be a Laker fan, on a Suns forum so... I hope all the worst for your franchise and so does pretty much everyone else here.

 

[Mulli]

Lakers probably only had to wait 5 minutes longer for Nico to have included the lottery pick in the deal to the Lakers.

 

[95pro]

Nico trades the #1 pick to the Lakers for Austin Reaves and Kinect, something like that will happen to benefit the Lakers.

 

[BooksOrangePlanet]

surprised the lakers didn't get the second pick

 

[swagron]

Well, you're a Laker fan, trying to pretend to not be a Laker fan, on a Suns forum so... I hope all the worst for your franchise and so does pretty much everyone else here.

Wrong! Yep, a Laker fan…not pretending anything . I live in Phoenix so I still follow the local team…so I’m on a Phoenix forum. I watch the local games, listen to the local sports station. Many friends are AZ sports fans. We watch the games together. They don’t hope the worst for the Lakers and I don’t hope the worst for the Suns. It’s a game of entertainment. You are not a member of the Phoenix Suns lol.

Your post sounds personal. Just because you live on this forum 24/7, not sure it gives you the right to speak for others. If it does, so be it. If there is an ignore feature here, use it.

 

[Phrazbit]

Wrong! Yep, a Laker fan…not pretending anything . I live in Phoenix so I still follow the local team…so I’m on a Phoenix forum. I watch the local games, listen to the local sports station. Many friends are AZ sports fans. We watch the games together. They don’t hope the worst for the Lakers and I don’t hope the worst for the Suns. It’s a game of entertainment. You are not a member of the Phoenix Suns lol.

Your post sounds personal. Just because you live on this forum 24/7, not sure it gives you the right to speak for others. If it does, so be it. If there is an ignore feature here, use it.

Lol, oh please, virtually every post you make is a passive aggressive attempt to rub salt, all while pretending you’re not a Lakers fan.

 

[Chaplin]

Lol, oh please, virtually every post you make is a passive aggressive attempt to rub salt, all while pretending you’re not a Lakers fan.

So by definition, a Lakers fan.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Lol, oh please, virtually every post you make is a passive aggressive attempt to rub salt, all while pretending you’re not a Lakers fan.

To be fair, while he did start out flying under false covers, several years ago he outed himself and admitted to being a Lakers fan. Yes he does seem to take delight in our failures, just as we do for when things go bad in LA.

 

[Hoop Head]

To be fair, while he did start out flying under false covers, several years ago he outed himself and admitted to being a Lakers fan. Yes he does seem to take delight in our failures, just as we do for when things go bad in LA.

Did he? I know I was temp banned here for calling him a Laker fan and he didn't speak up. He seemed to enjoy being able to stir the pot and see people banned for calling him out so I put him on ignore.

 

[GatorAZ]

If the Mavs keep Flagg they should trade AD and create a new timeline. I expect them to try and contend though which will be a mistake (unless they’re getting Giannis for #1).

 

[Brian in Mesa]

If the Mavs keep Flagg they should trade AD and create a new timeline. I expect them to try and contend though which will be a mistake (unless they’re getting Giannis for #1).

The hosts were talking about this earlier on ESPN Radio. If moving Luka for AD was all about winning right now, then Flagg really doesn't help them much since he is only 18 years old. He'll only be 19 by the time AD and Irving return. If they want to keep the timeline as Nico saw it, they might look to trade the pick for an older veteran player, the hosts suggested. That or draft Flagg and build around him with other younger players and wait some time to be contenders again.

 

[Hoop Head]

The hosts were talking about this earlier on ESPN Radio. If moving Luka for AD was all about winning right now, then Flagg really doesn't help them much since he is only 18 years old. He'll only be 19 by the time AD and Irving return. If they want to keep the timeline as Nico saw it, they might look to trade the pick for an older veteran player, the hosts suggested. That or draft Flagg and build around him with other younger players and wait some time to be contenders again.

They have to make another big deal. Whether that's the #1 pick or AD, it has to happen. It makes zero sense to keep the pick. This pick has a ton of value, much more than last year with Rissacher as the #1. Flagg has been viewed a potential franchise talent for. a while now and doesn't have the red flags someone like Zion had regarding his health. Worst case is Cooper ends up like prime Gordon Hayward, IMO. Maybe not a true franchise talent but an excellent #2 who has All-Star potential.

Using that pick to try and get Giannis or KD should be their first plan. If they can't build a package to get Giannis then calling Phoenix is probably the next option. I'd trade KD for Flagg straight up as the Suns but we'd need some salary back. Take whichever big they'd offer, Gafford and Washington, and get it done. Then Kyrie, KD, and AD can try to make a run. Klay might need to be moved for salary purposes but if he's still there then they're in a better spot to make a splash.