Luka Doncic Discussion: Lean Mean Slovenian Scoring Machine

My friends and family in Dallas are all stunned.

That city loved Luka.

 

Folks - been abroad and woke up a few hours ago to see this news. WOW! Still catching up... Appreciate everyone's thorough analysis here (you all really know your stuff these days). Let me share what I know, if I'm not repeating too much...

• In all my years in the business (semi-retired now), I've never seen a trade of this magnitude kept this quiet. I had ZERO clue! Back when we landed Pau, I had the inside scoop a few hours beforehand. My old firm is in absolute crisis mode trying to handle the international scale marketing - haven't seen anything like it. They haven't slept since the news dropped!
• Word is, Lakers management kept this under tight wraps because they didn't want another team swooping in with a better offer to Dallas. They didn't even loop in LeBron (his people tend to talk, God bless them). They used all their leverage on Rich Paul to ensure he stayed quiet until the ink was dry.
• On the business side, Harris and Buss never felt AD had that true star power, not like LeBron or our dear Kobe (rest his soul). The league's gone global, and they've been eyeing an international face. They tried for Giannis years back with no luck, but Luka might be an even better fit for a diverse city like LA.
• There's also a longstanding cultural element here - the team has never been a fan of defensive big men as the franchise face. The Dwight situation left a bad taste, and don't get me started on the Kwame Brown days. The front office has always preferred those flashy offensive players, like during Showtime. That's just how it is. Remember they hired Mike D'Antoni for that very reason!!
• Between us, there's some give-and-take happening here. Expect the Lakers to return the favor down the line, perhaps helping move some salary around as a 3rd team in a future deal. Dallas seems to be trying to build a collaborative relationship with us, unlike some teams that insist on the "Lakers tax". Smart, IMO!
• Here's what else I'm hearing - AD is actually happier about this than Luka right now (hence waiving the trade kicker). He was concerned about wasting his prime during next year's farewell tour and the post-LeBron transition. Also, we all know he wasn't thrilled about playing center. Can't blame the young man.
• My sources say Luka has given his word about staying long-term (meaning we can go all in on promoting him without worrying about the risk he walks), but Pelinka rolled the dice before getting that assurance. That takes some guts, if you ask me!
• One last tidbit - hold off on getting too attached to any projected starting lineups. Marketing has been told to hold off on any promotional material regarding the starting 5! More moves are coming, mark my words!

Congrats to the entire LakersBall community for sticking through the highs and lows!! This is the most promising young player we've traded for since that special kid from Charlotte!!!

 

Still waiting to see this officially done. Doesn't seem real, I can't wrap my head around it.

 

It is 100% DONE!!! Lakers have even waived all physicals (though they still have to be conducted).

WEIRD trade. I know!! But you don't pass an opportunity like this up!!!

Have any of you felt like things have been OFF the last several years?? That LeBron and AD were a great combo but it still didn't feel the same as before?! Watch what happens now! They are working behind the scenes to ensure the Lakers are the star of LA once again!!!

 

Funny stuff all around the internet

 

WTF

 

I’m not as concerned about conditioning with Luka as I would be with a guy like Zion.

He is 25. He can get in shape in a summer and he won’t have to hide from all that delicious Texas bbq in LA.

 

It's all PR ..

Doncic wanted out and to be a Laker and Dallas wanted AD ..

All players knew too ..

 

I don’t know how long it will take for this move to sink in. Clear sign Cuban really did step back from the Mavs.

 

I would have paid good money to have a camera on Mark when he found out.

Hopefully he'll share his thoughts on the move

 

I imagine he is somewhere surrounded by boxes of tissue.

 

really leaning towards 2. don't think luka really wanted out of dallas

 

We gave up a lot, but we got a young superstar to build around

Now we need Luka to buy into being a Laker

Which is a privilege and something special

He has a huge opportunity here

He needs to get focused and get in better shape

Maybe LBJ can teach him how to prolong his career

Lakers need to get him a dietician full time and pay for it

Strange that Rob had to throw in a first round pick as we could use it in trading for a center

Rob needs to finish the roster this week

 

I'm excited for the future of the Lakers

Welcome Luka!

 

He better resign here, just saying...

 

ok, as LT said, i was asleep when all this happened and have been trying to process whilst making breakfast for the family...

first, this is, as weezy said, a trade i had mentioned before. i just thought a) it would cost more picks, b) it would be a year(ish) from now, and c) luka would ask for it.

i woke up to texts from all my dallas friends--and they are NOT happy. my nephew is named luka.

i will say that the level of concern about his conditioning/eating habits reaching the point where they'd consider doing this is pretty alarming. that said, if anything can jolt someone out of complacency, it's an unexpected trade that treats you as though your value is lower than you think it is, coming on the heels of being left off the allstar team.

i'm also probably known as AD's biggest supporter on this forum, so it's hard for me to see it happen this way (without him asking, while lebron is still here).

and THAT said--this was still a no-brainer for me. only one pick? just max (not reaves?) going out with AD? just one bad salary returning?

luka's at worst the third best player in the league, imo, and i feel i could make an argument he's easier to build around than any of the others because he has zero offensive weaknesses and can play the point. we also get him at the non-super max for the next extension, which is wild.

the rest of this season is likely shot, but with the way the trade market was looking, i'm not sure it wasn't already, tbh.

this isn't quite pau-level, but it's close. i'll have many more thoughts...