See my comment below. There must be a good reason Mavs would’ve done this. They knew something. Like Luka was going to sign with Lakers. Lakers had clear their cap space to give Luka a max in 2026. That is the ONLY logic to this move - they are doing this NOW to get something back instead of losing him for nothing, or getting nothing for an expiring Luka because everyone knows Luka isn’t signing with anyone but Lakers.
Comment on 🚨 LUKA TRADED TO LAKERS
David_Eight@lemmy.world 1 week agoNo dude, just no.
Luca is a 25y perennial MVP candidate and hasn’t even peaked probably. I’m pretty sure every team in the league would be in a bidding war if they knew he was available, even next year.
RandAlThor@lemmy.ca 1 week ago
acosmichippo@lemmy.world 1 week ago
exactly, mostly because of bird rights. if you trade for the guy you can resign him even if you are over the 2nd apron.
on the other hand if he goes to free agency only teams $50m UNDER the salary cap can sign him, which is very few teams.