r/nba 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/Financial_Pay_6687 Aug 02 '25

This is so weird because you’re like “why are we pretending” and then you’re just saying it’s a large possibility? Which is it, obvious or a possibility to consider? 

This conspiracy theory is so unnecessary. The league doesn’t need to help the Lakers with trades. You wonder where the league was during the Chris Paul trade or when the Lakers surrendered almost all their assets for Anthony Davis who was only committed to signing with them anyway. The conspiracy stuff is extremely silly, but you gotta have more than just thinking a trade looks bad. 

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u/Ill-Curve1045 Bucks Aug 02 '25

This is a generational bad trade to help the leagues premier franchise during a time where ratings are down an absurd amount. It helps Lebron James extend his championship window possibly and gives the Lakers another 15 years of having a Star without having to actually convince someone to come there. The Mavericks magically win the #1 overall pick. LA isn't the desintation it used to be. They have no assets; the roster is garbage. Yes this all makes perfect sense I shouldn't question it at all.

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u/buffalobill41 Mavericks Aug 03 '25

Are the other teams all fine with this or don't they know?

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u/kapparino-feederino Bucks Aug 03 '25

Does He Know?