Whoa, the Lakers got Luka
Here are my thoughts on one of the craziest and most shocking NBA trades of all time.
For a while, my roommate has been saying that the Lakers were going to get Luka Doncic. I often have thought his opinions to be ludicrous, Yet, at 9 pm last night, when writing a different article on my computer, I got a notification that Luka was a Laker. I thought he was joking. I checked my Instagram and saw a post from Shams. The rumors were true. Luka Doncic is going to be a goddamn Laker. As a Lakers fan, I can’t be anything but ecstatic for my team.
In this article, I will talk about the effect of the trade for all the teams involved and the league. I will also state who I think are winners and losers from this trade through a bunch of funny one-liners inspired by Urinating Tree. Hope you enjoy!
How this trade affects the Lakers long-term future: Wow. I mean wow. The Lakers future was looking bleak with their best players being a 40 year old LeBron James on the final year of his deal and a 32 year old injury prone Anthony Davis on a $50 million dollar contract for the next 2-3 years. Their young players are either score-first guys with poor defense(Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura) or guys who project as role players(Max Christie, Dalton Knecht). They still didn’t have their 2025 1st round pick. This was a team that looked like they would need to undergo another rebuild.
With Luka, they now have a lot of hope. He is currently just about to enter his prime, as he is only 25 years old. While the Lakers roster is in flux for the rest of this year, I personally expect LeBron James to either leave or retire in the next couple of years. Over the next couple of offseason, the Lakers will need to find a co-star for Luka. They will need to also prioritize spot up shooting and defense to help maximize Luka’s play style and mask his weaknesses.
The most underrated part of this trade is getting rid of Anthony Davis’ contract. He is going to make over $50 million over the next 3.5 years(unless he opts out in 2027). With his injury history and inconsistent offensive play, it felt like it was the perfect time to move on before his contract became too difficult to move. I’m grateful for the 5.5 excellent years he spent here.
One important thing is that they will have to be aware of Luka’s conditioning and effort. He is a generational player, but sometimes won’t put in his best effort, especially on the defensive end. With him projected to get well over $300 million on his next contract, the Lakers will need to make sure that he is motivated to perform in the bright lights in LA. I’m not too worried though, as his play has been excellent despite those said issues.
This trade reminds me of the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar trade in 1975. The Lakers got a superstar in his prime when the future looked bleak for them. With the NBA being a superstar-driven league, the Lakers did what they needed to. There is no need to rebuild when your team is a destination for high end talent.
I will finally say that the Lakers made a smaller, yet important move Wednesday night. They acquired Mark Williams from the Hornets in an effort to restabilize their weak big rotation. Williams should fit like a glove next to Doncic, where he will catch lobs and protect the rim. He is also an excellent rebounder on both sides of the ball.
I particularly like that Williams is a long term asset, as the Lakers could have him up to 5.5 more years assuming he re-signs in restricted free agency. I will say that they did give up a log to get him, as they gave up a young talent in Dalton Knecht and a first for him. This is especially considering that he’s injury prone.
How this trade affects the Mavericks long-term future: I have no idea what the Mavericks have been doing here. It has been days since the trade has happened and it still doesn’t make sense to me. Getting an injury prone 32 year old star, a role player, and a 2029 first round pick is not even close enough for a 25 year old generational talent. What is much worse is that the Mavericks traded Luka despite no request from him to leave. I know that he has conditioning issues and the team was skeptical, but that is a terrible way to treat your superstar.
The Mavericks as currently constructed are a very old team. Their 3 top players: Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, and Klay Thompson are all 31 years of age or older. It is important to also be aware that Kyrie Irving has an opt-out after this year. If Kyrie’s isn’t interested in the current Mavericks plan, the Mavericks future will only be worse.
I guess the Mavericks at least got SOMETHING useful. Anthony Davis might be old, injury prone, and on a big contract, but he is a great as a #2 option and is one of the best defending big men in the entire league. He should be able to help the Mavericks stay above water and potentially make some play-ins in the next couple of years. That is assuming that his injury issues don’t resurface, which could make him a negative asset for Dallas.
Max Christie is a solid 3 and D role player who has massively improved his play this year. He is on a reasonable $8 million contract for the next 3.5 years. I don’t see him as a big usage guy, but he should be able to make an impact as a fourth or fifth starter for a while.
Maybe the 2029 first round pick can be something. However, it will most likely fall in the 20s with the Lakers projected to be a good team that year.
This was an absolute fail for Dallas. They are a worse team in the short-run without Luka. They are definitely a worse team in the long-run without Luka, as I expect a rebuild within the next couple of years. once their current stars age out Their fanbase is looking for reasons why this atrocity happened. This is one of the worst moves made in NBA history. Period. End of story.
How this trade affects the Jazz long-term future: Utah’s main goal of this deadline is getting more seconds. Yay, I guess. They are currently last in the west and are primed for a top 3 position in this upcoming draft, where they can get a generational talent like Cooper Flagg.
Jalen Hood-Schifino is currently not good. He is a slow, mid-range dominant guard who can’t get to the rim, and is a poor shooter. He doesn’t wow as a passer or defender. If you want to know how bad he is, Utah just waived him today. He’ll need to show out in the G league if he wants another.
How this trade affects the league: This might be a conspiracy theory but I think the NBA helped push this trade through. The NBA has been struggling with ratings this year. One of the huge reasons why is because of the parity in the league, as teams like the Cavaliers and Thunder don’t create huge storylines the league needs to thrive.
A key thing that the NBA could see is the lack of future the Lakers have due to LeBron James’ age and Anthony Davis’ injury history. This would be disastrous for the league, as the Lakers are the biggest market in the NBA.
Luka Doncic to the Lakers gives them a much needed revenue boost. Doncic is one of the best and most popular players in the NBA. With him going to the biggest market in the league, this will make the Lakers one of the most popular teams in the league.
I also can’t tell you how important this trade has been to the news cycle. It became such big news that even non-NBA fans have became aware of it. It gives the talking show hosts more things they get to talk about.
We must talk about how this trade swings power back to the owners. Recently, one of the huge debates has been how players in the NBA have too much power. The Luka Doncic trade showed that owners are the ones still in charge.
I can tell that this has been one of the best trade deadlines ever. Other star players like De’Aaron Fox, Jimmy Butler, and Brandon Ingram all changed teams. After last year’s dud, NBA fans got their money’s worth of transactions this deadline. What a time to like the sport of basketball.
It will be intriguing to see who will win the title this year. While I still think that teams like the Celtics, Cavaliers, and Thunder are favorites, the Lakers have joined the fray. With LeBron James and Luka Doncic on their team, I expect them to be one of the toughest teams to play against this year.
Winners of the Luka Doncic trade:
Lakers: Best part of being a big market team are getting star players like they’re Infinity Stones.
Adam Silver: He’s drooling at the fact that a generational talent made it to the league’s biggest market.
NBA ratings: Two biggest ways to increase ratings: 1. have the best players in the biggest markets 2. Create a villain. The NBA got both with this move.
City of Los Angeles: Some bright moves in a time of darkness for the city
NBA media: Here’s your new hot topic because you can’t cover the league fairly
Lakers-Celtics rivalry: Let the Lakers chase for 18 begin! This rivalry is gonna get fun again!!!
Rob Pelinka: You can escape criticism for mismanaging the roster from 2021-2024 because stars come at the right time.
Jeanie Buss: She might not be her dad, but she does get the benefit of lucky deals with superstars. Good for her I guess.
Miriam Adelson: Yay, you can now move the team to Vegas for your gambling scheme. May the city of Dallas shun you for your sins.
NBA owners: Guess the players aren’t running the league anymore
Luka fans: The NBA will now only spam you with even more highlights of your glorious king.
JJ Redick: Coaching LeBron James and Luka Doncic in your first year as head coach must feel pretty awesome!
Hollywood: Celebrities who know zero ball knowledge have their new hot thing to do in town. Yay!
Dorian Finney-Smith: He already has chemistry with Luka. And he should appreciate some nice, open looks from 3.
Mark Williams: Went from the poverty Hornets to catching lobs from Luka. Quite the upgrade in life.
Markieff Morris: The 2020 Human Victory Cigar is back!!!
Eastern conference: Enjoy playing Mickey Mouse teams I guess.
Ppl who think sports are rigged/scripted: this trade is hella sus not gonna lie
Spurs and Rockets fans: Expect many disgtuaght Mavericks fans to make pilgrimages to the other fanbases in this glorious state.
Mavericks ticket prices: No Luka, no interest. End of story.
Losers of the Luka Doncic trade:
Mavericks: This trade was a how to destroy your fanbases hope in 5 seconds tutorial.
The city of Dallas, Texas: Currently in mourning over losing their glorious king
Nico Harrison: The City of Dallas wants him arrested for treason.
Other Western Conference Teams: It will only be due time till the Lakers become the best team in the league again.
Star players: I guess anyone is tradable now. Absolute insanity.
Anthony Davis: That trade must’ve blindsided him. Plus he’s gonna now be known as the guy who was traded for Luka. Best of luck to him in Dallas. At least the media there should be nicer to him there.
NBA parity: The league wants views, not fairness. So-rry.
Non-Lakers fans: Everyone who isn’t a Lakers fans hates the Lakers. Of course they’re pissed that the Evil Empire got stronger.
Small-market teams: good luck keeping your superstars.
Luka Doncic’s house: bro spent 15 million on a houses just to get traded to a different city a few days later. Whoa, does time fly.
Kyrie Irving: His feelings about playing on the Mavs right now are probably similar to his opinions on the Earth: flat.
Klay Thompson: He probably here to play with Luka. Oof.
Jason Kidd: He’s probably not thrilled about this big trade being held behind his back.
Daniel Gafford/Dereck Lively II: Expect a dip in their field goal percentages now that Luka is gone.
Dalton Knecht: Went from playing with LeBron to the poverty Hornets, all as a mere rookie. Extreme pain and suffering.
Cam Reddish: He went from Darvin Ham’s love child to playing on the Hornets in the span of 2 years. Crazy huge downfall.
Jalen Hood-Schifino: Hopefully he gets his LinkedIn ready as he is currently unemployed as of today.
Darwin Ham: Despite being fired, he’s probably crying in his room about the fact that Cam Reddish is gone from the Lakers.
Any regular person who wants to go to a Lakers game: Unfortunately, tickets moved from costing an arm and a leg to 2 arms, 2 legs, and your entire back.
Thank you to everyone who made it to the end! Hope you enjoyed! Full trade deadline article coming out in 2 days!