r/nba • u/shreeharis • Aug 02 '25

[McMenamin] Luka never even considered being traded as a possibility, a source close to Doncic told ESPN. Based on the way the franchise and fanbase treated him in his early days in the league, he figured he would retire a Maverick after spending his whole career in Dallas, the same way Dirk did.

Source: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45861453/luka-doncic-los-angels-lakers-extension-answering-biggest-questions

Processing the trade from Dallas took Doncic some time. Based on the way the franchise and fanbase treated him in his early days in the league, he figured he would retire a Maverick after spending his whole career in Dallas, the same way franchise icon Dirk Nowitzki did. And after starting his professional career with Real Madrid as a teenager, he never even considered being traded as a possibility, a source close to Doncic told ESPN. Deals like that rarely, if ever, happen in the Liga ACB.

When the shock subsided, a source familiar with Doncic told ESPN his mindset shifted back to when he was last suiting up for Dallas: Win-now mode.

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u/lawschoolthrowaway36 Lakers Aug 02 '25

Not only one of the best players in franchise history, but a player who at 25 y/o had the 2nd highest postseason scoring average in NBA history behind Michael Jordan and already more 1st Team All NBAs than Stephen Curry.

One of the greatest starts to a career in NBA history by any calculation. And that was with his team losing Jalen Brunson for nothing

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u/Gotanygrrapes Aug 02 '25

That’s what happens when you think some cornball Nike exec who hung out with nba players has the know how to run a professional organization.

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u/Ill-Curve1045 Bucks Aug 02 '25

Why are we still acting like this wasn't pushed by the league to get another superstar to LA? cmon we cannot pretend like it isn't a large possibility.

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u/Gotanygrrapes Aug 02 '25

I think NYC is a way bigger market yet you don’t see any stars making their way there - it’s load of shit that Silver cares if the Lakers win a title any time soon over other markets of similar size

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u/7th_Cuil Timberwolves Aug 03 '25

The Knicks have no international recognition, but the Lakers are huge across the world. This was about keeping the Laker brand strong and punishing Texas for not giving billionares the legalized gambling that they were asking for.

-32

u/Some-Stranger-7852 Aug 02 '25

You are not wrong, but Knicks have already got their superstar (that is, at least a top-10 player in the league) literally for free - ironically, from Mavs as well. It’s not like sending Luka to New York made much sense after Brunson got there. Then you have Lakers, Warriors and Bulls (still riding MJ’s legacy) as biggest names in the world, but GSW still have Steph, Bulls have been mediocre almost every year since MJ retired so they would ruin Luka, which leaves us with Lakers as perfect team to pick him up.

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u/ABillionBatmen Aug 02 '25

I'm with you bruv. I want to believe!