₦airaland Forum

birdman:
GM cant make this type of decision by himself. This has to originate from the owner/owners.

As I said in another post, Luka does not hold his end on the defensive end. Kyrie will at least try to play some defense. Its not elite, but its better than the half-hearted defense Luka plays. Hence an NBA championship was won on the back on threes. It was too easy for the guards.

I could also see Luka requesting this trade, because of his personal relationship with Mark Cuban. Maybe he is not comfortable with the new owners? Cuban coddled him a lot imo

Bro Kyrie is not exactly Gary Payton and I think Luka defensive weaknesses is grossly overrated. In games he was locked in he played pretty solid defense

You don't get it. Luka is the franchise. Kyrie is a #2 a great #2 to have but a #2 nonetheless. AD has the skill of a #1 but the mentality of a #2.

You absolutely do not trade the franchise. What's the long term play. Ask yourself. Do you see AD and Kyrie playing together for the Mavs the next 2-3 years. Will they still be at their best

Luka did not request a trade. Are you following this news at all?

The only thing that will justify this trade is the Mavs winning a championship, short of that he would be persona non grata at Dallas and really is going to need security

A40:
You don't get it. Luka is the franchise. Kyrie is a #2 a great #2 to have but a #2 nonetheless. AD has the skill of a #1 but the mentality of a #2.

Its yall that dont get it bro. You are franchise only if the owners say you are franchise. The mavs have decided he is not, none of us are in the front office to know the real reason. But my reason is more plausible than yours. The idea that a fan on the street has done more homework that the front office of team that has made smart moves up until now is unlikely.

And if you listen to players current and former, no one is calling the Lakers an outright winner in this trade or even projecting playoffs success..That tells you something, no?

I think its for the very reason that Luka has some gaping defensive issues that negates his all star offense. Franchise player must at least play like franchise player on both ends na. And its not that he cant play defense. Ho just chooses not to sometimes.

Dis thing don dey be like jazz..

You not only convince Nico to drop the asking price, you double down and got him not to shop a talent like Luka around….and Nico agreed to both!

A40:
Steph is too meek for the Front office to apply any real pressure. He should just enjoy his last few seasons. He's showing some decline already.

Part of what has helped extend LeBronze viability and contention in the game is that he's always progressively been handed younger running mates.

First it was Wade and Bosh his age range

Then younger guys like Love and Kyrie, then AD now Luka

Yet the Warriors front office were not astute enough to recognize Draymond is washed and had no business starting on a viable contender with younger and hungrier teams all over the league. That 2022 title was the last kick of a dying horse, perfect time to cut bait from Dray and Klay.

Shame that Steph is going to spend the rest of his shrinking prime on play in teams at best

Did anyone in their right senses need to have been told this? Or anyone who knows what they are doing? That spending his last days only makes sense for the revenue or some legacy shit but why settle? It's just so frustrating and annoying.

The warriors are interested in signing every all star in the NBA

birdman:
Its yall that dont get it bro. You are franchise only if the owners say you are franchise. The mavs have decided he is not, none of us are in the front office to know the real reason. But my reason is more plausible than yours. The idea that a fan on the street has done more homework that the front office of team that has made smart moves up until now is unlikely.

What do you think will be the asking price for Jokic. How can owner say you're franchise when 5x All NBA says you are.

1 first rounder and AD for 25 year old Luka Doncic is a paltry and laughable return. Even if na Yokozuna. Luka's record and future projection makes this an asinine trade. There is no homework that you can do to justify accepting that type of poverty trade. He sold low and didn't even create a bidding war

Na alternate universe you must dey e be like. The only way this trade can ever be a success if the Mavs go on to win a chip. Let that sink in

As it stands Nico will be lucky if anyone let's him run their Kiosk or food wagon unless the Mavs win it all

birdman:
And if you listen to players current and former, no one is calling the Lakers an outright winner in this trade or even projecting playoffs success..That tells you something, no?

I think its for the very reason that Luka has some gaping defensive issues that negates his all star offense. Franchise player must at least play like franchise player on both ends na. And its not that he cant play defense. Ho just chooses not to sometimes.

Paul Pierce is the only one I saw questioning the fit. However anyone claiming the Lakers didn't win this trade is insane. Let them land a Myles Turner and you will see crazy

Knock on wood but unless Luka is suffering from a terminal issue there's simply no justifying this trade.

What Luka offers is long term relevance and playoff contention. That is completely out of the question now for the Mavericks who must win immediately or be the butt of jokes for all of eternity.

It will be different if he forced the issue and left them with no choice but apparently this is not the case

Leave that defensive liability talk. Most guards that carry a team's offense are not going to be Gary Payton or Ron Artest, surprise, surprise. That's your job Mr GM to surround him with players that mitigate that

You do not ever ever give away a top 3 player just entering their prime for AD and a first rounder. It's nuts that you're even arguing this.

Roland17:
Dis thing don dey be like jazz..

You not only convince Nico to drop the asking price, you double down and got him not to shop a talent like Luka around….and Nico agreed to both!

Maybe Pelinka has promised him to be his heir as Laker GM in the future that's the only rational explanation for this trade.

The problem is he has trapped himself in a very tight corner which is unusual because most GMs I know make moves that buy themselves time not rob themselves of it.

If the Mavs go on to win it all I will put my hands up and acknowledge the genius move but he's basically 4th down and 5 now. He has given himself no wiggle room

Roland17:
Fox is heading to the Spurs in a 3 team deal that sends Lavine to the Kings. There were no surprises here as this deal has been in the works since Fox specifically asked for the Spurs when the Kings started shopping him. Exciting times for the Spurs.

I smell a championship in 2-3 years time. Fox & Wemby will wreck Kobe-Shaq-like damage.

kendrick9:
This trade isn't just for this season or next.
Yes maybe the Mavs might perform better this season with AD & rest but the Lakers over the long run wins this trade.
Lebron soon to be retired, they now have a 25yr old Luka, a global superstar who they can build around over the next decade.
As for Mavs AD is 32, Kyrie soon 33, Klay 35.... this is a team that needs to win now cause there's no future with this team.
And they got just one 1st FRP for Luka In 2029😆

Ani Ori GM Mavs yen ti gbale

Corrected

Ori owner Mavs yen ti gbale

https://www.facebook.com/reel/539681245756890?mibextid=rS40aB7S9Ucbxw6v

birdman:
Definitely for the future, Pierce is saying the same thing. And I agree with Pierce that if you bring in Luka, Lebron should be on his way out.

https://nesn.com/2025/02/ex-celtic-paul-pierce-calls-out-lakers-after-trade-for-luka-doncic/

LeBron is on his way out definitely. Just not this season, or the next

greypencils:
There is no explanation for this trade o. Cos I swear, the Mavs are one piece from getting a title. All they needed to add to the team was a backup guard who can play defense, someone like GPII and they are good for years. Not this!

That would be Max Christie

steady986:
LeBron is on his way out definitely. Just not this season, or the next

Lol. E wan retire a Laker be dat . What is really astounding is how good a player he still is! People keep saying hes stat padding, but, you have to even be healthy first to be able to ball long enough to get these stats.

I havent really followed news recently, but I hear the trade surprised him as well. I know AD was his buddy

Lol Harrison has traded Grimes for Caleb Martin.

He would either go down as a genius or banned from all NBA team facilities. No middle ground

Kleber out another 8 weeks. If Lakers are wise they will waive that joker

Not Rob Pelinka thanking Mavs GM for the trade. He couldn't resist the urge to laugh at such foolishness. This trade aside, the NBA has become a joke and it happened way too fast.

SmooshCHN:
Not Rob Pelinka thanking Mavs GM for the trade. He couldn't resist the urge to laugh at such foolishness. This trade aside, the NBA has become a joke and it happened way too fast.

The fact that it was put together in such secrecy since January and finalized in haste is a disgrace to the leadership of the NBA. I understand the Jazz were not made aware of the players involved in the trade until 30 minutes before the execution of the trade. Knowing D. Ainge, he likes anything that involves picks, particularly 1st round because he hoards them for a living. Other teams did not get an opportunity to make offers for such a talent, which may have increased the return for the Mavs. This trade should have been halted and investigated by the NBA.

Bruh

I will keep saying it, the Cavs don’t scare me in a 7 game series.

greypencils:
I smell a championship in 2-3 years time. Fox & Wemby will wreck Kobe-Shaq-like damage.

Ahhhhh..Slow your roll fam.

Wemby isn’t a traditional Big, he is a face to the rim type of big. Not saying they are not going to be good, especially since they kept the core of their roster but I don’t think they would be as dominant as Shaq/ Kobe. Irrespective, this is a good way of showing Wemby they have great intentions of competing in thr West.

Roland17:
Ahhhhh..Slow your roll fam.

Wemby isn’t a traditional Big, he is a face to the rim type of big. Not saying they are not going to be good, especially since they kept the core of their roster but I don’t think they would be as dominant as Shaq/ Kobe. Irrespective, this is a good way of showing Wemby they have great intentions of competing in thr West.

The major role of Centers; Rebounds, Blocks, Alley Hoops! Wemby will do damage. Giannis used to be it. Wemby is taking over. Other bigs in the league are past their prime. 2-3 years I say, A championship is coming to San-Antonio.

Roland17:
I will keep saying it, the Cavs don’t scare me in a 7 game series.

Saving this post...

SmooshCHN:
Not Rob Pelinka thanking Mavs GM for the trade. He couldn't resist the urge to laugh at such foolishness. This trade aside, the NBA has become a joke and it happened way too fast.

Is it not ok to be polite again? why you sound pained

Middleton swapped for Kuzma.

Middleton is washed so I guess it makes sense. Trade doesn't really move the needle in my eyes

KD wetting dey shele

birdman:
Saving this post...

The way you saved your Reddish comments abi

greypencils:
The major role of Centers; Rebounds, Blocks, Alley Hoops! Wemby will do damage. Giannis used to be it. Wemby is taking over. Other bigs in the league are past their prime. 2-3 years I say, A championship is coming to San-Antonio.

Wemby will win the DPOY sooner than a championship in San Antonio. He is a special talent but a lot has to go Spurs way before he can make it to the WC finals in the next 2-3 years. First, there is a lack of clarity regarding the coaching situation. Is Pop coming back or not? If he is not coming back, are they going with M. Johnson who has been hot and cold for me. If he is coming back, what are his intentions regarding the direction of the team because since Wemby's draft, it has been a rebuild. This season is a wash at this point, so there goes one year.

Next, do the Spurs see themselves still rebuilding and continue to stack up picks or are they going to make strong moves next season with the picks they have. If the Spurs are still fighting for the play in next season, then you can kiss that 2-3 year championship expectation bye because you still the likes of the Thunder and Rockets who are still very young and not going anywhere.

Off the court..Questions about their Arena and their future as a franchise in San Antonio. Austin with their tech money are circling the Spurs and trying to get them to move to Austin. San Antonio is pushing back and now proposing a new game Arena.

After Wemby was drafted, I was on record here saying they have 3 years to show him they can compete for Championships or he is out of the door. Well, this is his 2nd year, that means the Spurs have 1 year left to show him they really want to win and not continue rebuilding. Next season is going to be the most important season in Wemby's young career.

KD turned down the Warriors possibility. Beal has refused to revoke his no trade clause. The Warriors want nothing to do with Butler because of his locker room issues; the irony! Truth is there isn’t much of a market for Butler. Tomorrow is going to be interesting.

Roland17:
Wemby will win the DPOY sooner than a championship in San Antonio. He is a special talent but a lot has to go Spurs way before he can make it to the WC finals in the next 2-3 years. First, there is a lack of clarity regarding the coaching situation. Is Pop coming back or not? If he is not coming back, are they going with M. Johnson who has been hot and cold for me. If he is coming back, what are his intentions regarding the direction of the team because since Wemby's draft, it has been a rebuild. This season is a wash at this point, so there goes one year.

Next, do the Spurs see themselves still rebuilding and continue to stack up picks or are they going to make strong moves next season with the picks they have. If the Spurs are still fighting for the play in next season, then you can kiss that 2-3 year championship expectation bye because you still the likes of the Thunder and Rockets who are still very young and not going anywhere.

Off the court..Questions about their Arena and their future as a franchise in San Antonio. Austin with their tech money are circling the Spurs and trying to get them to move to Austin. San Antonio is pushing back and now proposing a new game Arena.

After Wemby was drafted, I was on record here saying they have 3 years to show him they can compete for Championships or he is out of the door. Well, this is his 2nd year, that means the Spurs have 1 year left to show him they really want to win and not continue rebuilding. Next season is going to be the most important season in Wemby's young career.

The spurs are 2-3 good pieces and a good coach away from winning a title. They already have a phenomenal player. Building around him is easy if they are intentional about it. No one foresaw the rockets flexing this season. But here we are. Their core, Sengun, Green, Thompson, a few agreeable pieces and a good coach. Fox and Wemby are better than everyone on that Rockets roster. A few pieces and a good coach I say. Watch!

greypencils:
The spurs are 2-3 good pieces and a good coach away from winning a title. They already have a phenomenal player. Building around him is easy if they are intentional about it. No one foresaw the rockets flexing this season. But here we are. Their core, Sengun, Green, Thompson, a few agreeable pieces and a good coach. Fox and Wemby are better than everyone on that Rockets roster. A few pieces and a good coach I say. Watch!

if you say 2-3 pieces away, there are like 2 other teams in the same division as spurs with the same description. Not conference o, division. In fact in the same state.

Roland17:
The fact that it was put together in such secrecy since January and finalized in haste is a disgrace to the leadership of the NBA. I understand the Jazz were not made aware of the players involved in the trade until 30 minutes before the execution of the trade. Knowing D. Ainge, he likes anything that involves picks, particularly 1st round because he hoards them for a living. Other teams did not get an opportunity to make offers for such a talent, which may have increased the return for the Mavs. This trade should have been halted and investigated by the NBA.

it's Adam Silver na. As long as money isn't affected. He knows investigating would roughen up feathers. I just wish fans can collectively just boycott this arcade till both the commissioner and players decides to have sense. There's just no joy in the sport anymore. Nothing.

birdman:
Is it not ok to be polite again? why you sound pained

Maybe it's just me but most of the major sports done turn to arcade. Make I go watch Euroleague highlights abeg

This team stresses me. Ok now we have Butler but lost valuable pieces. I wish him the best with Draymond. But can we get decent bigs FFS?

Trades this season have been bloody...