Anyone else feel like the Mavs will go on a deep playoff run?

[lilteapot]

I have a feeling this will be a situation where everyone eats their words about this being a terrible decision, and then the Mavs make it to the Conference Finals.

[Jasper]

this is a pipe dream .. with crystal glass AD

[tpols]

If Luka didn't screw Dallas by coming into the season fat and out of shape missing half the games and Dallas had AD all year long instead they'd for sure have a much better record and be in a better position standings wise.

Now that I look at it... guy was literally a Trojan horse. Sabotaged Dallas record this year while the Lakers enjoyed success with AD and have much better record.

It would take a lot to dig out of this hole and go deep. They will likely have to face OKC or Denver in the 1st round unless they luck out an face Houston.

[Neal Romer]

You just never know until you see it play out.

The west is loaded. And Kyrie/AD have had far less availability than Doncic the last half decade, which nobody in the media is pointing out.

Could they make a deep playoff run? Without a doubt. Do I expect them to? Not particularly. Theres too many question marks right now.

Frankly I dont 'expect' anyone in the West to make a deep run. The teams in the bottom half are virtually as good as the top half. I wouldnt be surprised at all to see the Thunder get upset in the opening round. Last year they got a Pelicans team with no Zion. Theyre gonna get a bigger challenge than that this year to start the postseason.

[Kblaze8855]

The talk around this thing is so weird. It’s understandable from an age and potential standpoint but right now? Luka missed more than half the season and they’re an 8th seed. They would be better today if they traded for AD in the offseason. He’s pretty close to the same level of player right now. Less desirable due to age and likely with a lower ceiling as far as taking over a game. But consistent night in and night out performance? Anthony Davis isn’t worse than Luka by enough for all this madness.

The concern is the future. I don’t know that Dallas will be noticeably worse for the rest of the year.

[90sgoat]

They don't have a real point guard, so AD will be limited in his effectiveness.

[tontoz]

They don't have a real point guard, so AD will be limited in his effectiveness.


Yeah a lack of playmaking and a lack of spacing if AD plays the 4. Their D should be really good but the offense is going to suffer a lot without Luka.

[90sgoat]

Yeah a lack of playmaking and a lack of spacing if AD plays the 4. Their D should be really good but the offense is going to suffer a lot without Luka.

Also, both Mavs centers are not very good on offense without Luka. Gafford in particular will be unplayable, he has zero moves outside lobs.

[BarberSchool]

If Kyrie & AD are healthy come playoff time, they’re still gonna be a tough out.

But kyrie is about to be 33, with a bulging disk in his back.
AD about to be 32, and he’s almost never able to stay this healthy for long.
So their window is narrow. This season and next.

Mavs just stole Caleb Martin from Philly for Grimes.
Grimes looks like a good 3&D, but Martin is a former WCF MVP (everyone knows he should have won it)

When does Gafford contract expire ? Luka really likes Gafford.
They have great half court and full court chemistry.

Lively isn’t up until 2027/2028 IIRC, and he’s always hurt and may struggle with depression going forward, given both his parents are dead now.

[warriorfan]

The talk around this thing is so weird. It’s understandable from an age and potential standpoint but right now? Luka missed more than half the season and they’re an 8th seed. They would be better today if they traded for AD in the offseason. He’s pretty close to the same level of player right now. Less desirable due to age and likely with a lower ceiling as far as taking over a game. But consistent night in and night out performance? Anthony Davis isn’t worse than Luka by enough for all this madness.

The concern is the future. I don’t know that Dallas will be noticeably worse for the rest of the year.

99% of the conversations have been centered around this.

Everyone knows if it’s a one season sort of deal, swapping Luka for AD is a pretty lateral move.

The outrage obviously comes from the point where they are in their careers, and that Luka has more star power than AD. Luka is a true superstar. Even though we are creeping into territory that’s less and less relevant for on the court performance, it still gets taken into account in terms of trade value.

Also the fact that it’s pretty unanimous that if Dallas properly shopped around they could have gotten a much, much, bigger haul for him.


I havnt really seen any arguments talking about how Luka >>>> AD for this one season in a vacuum.

It’s been about the bigger picture.

[Kblaze8855]

I’ve seen quite A bit of outrage about them being wildly unbalanced just from a basketball perspective even right now. Though I grant most of it has been because I’ve been laughing at Dallas fans on their Reddit. They accept no arguments that any aspect of this is anything but apocalyptic. Now or later. But that’s to be expected. They’re being understandably emotional

[Proctor]

It's also about the fact that Luka is probably the premier playoff performer and someone who can quite literally carry his team through numerous series' in the playoffs in a way that few to no others can. He is a Jordanesque killer in the playoffs.

The Mavs no longer have that and instead have someone who is in shape, sure, but of just as significant injury risk - not to mention someone that does not get as much out of the rest of this roster as Luka would. This team was perfectly, and I mean perfectly constructed around him. That's one of the bigger shames in all of this.

And lastly, while OKC is on the trajectory of steamrolling most of the league, Dallas welcomed that matchup and had them adequately handled last playoffs and so far this season even without Luka. Just a bad matchup for OKC but not necessarily anymore (we'll see).

I hate the trade for those reasons even though Dallas still has a fairly impressive roster.

[SouBeachTalents]

I’ve seen quite A bit of outrage about them being wildly unbalanced just from a basketball perspective even right now. Though I grant most of it has been because I’ve been laughing at Dallas fans on their Reddit. They accept no arguments that any aspect of this is anything but apocalyptic. Now or later. But that’s to be expected. They’re being understandably emotional
Would you really disagree that this isn't apocalyptic, in the context of sports obv, for Mavs fans? To out of fvcking NOWHERE have your franchise player & ATG shipped off for essentially peanuts at 25 years old, after just taking them to the Finals?

Even a few days later it's hard to process this trade actually happened :lol

[Phoenix]

I can understand the sense of betrayal by Mavs fans. This isn't a Jimmy Butler situation where he's burning bridges on the way out, and a parting of ways is inevitable. There was absolutely no hint that this was coming, and he very clearly was an adopted son of the city in the same way Dirk was.

[tpols]

I can understand the sense of betrayal by Mavs fans. This isn't a Jimmy Butler situation where he's burning bridges on the way out, and a parting of ways is inevitable. There was absolutely no hint that this was coming, and he very clearly was an adopted son of the city in the same way Dirk was.

He was apparently talking shit to the new owner and management. Has barely played this year. They were just good at keeping it under wraps. An implosion like that isn't purely spontaneous.

[Kblaze8855]

Would you really disagree that this isn't apocalyptic, in the context of sports obv, for Mavs fans? To out of fvcking NOWHERE have your franchise player & ATG shipped off for essentially peanuts at 25 years old, after just taking them to the Finals?

Even a few days later it's hard to process this trade actually happened :lol


I get why the shock and emotional attachment would make it feel that way. But far as a bottom line? They went from a team that wasn’t gonna win to a team that isn’t gonna win with an older star who is currently playing better and more than who he replaced.

I made the comparison that it’s like trading 96 Shaq for 96 Malone. Dumb long term and they wouldn’t have had the 3 rings in his prime. But for the moment it isn’t a huge loss purely talking ball.

People really act like they flipped Jordan for Clarence Weatherspoon when it’s more like trading ummmmm 05 Wade for Kevin Garnett.

Wrong move. But you didn’t just fade into obscurity.

[tontoz]

It's also about the fact that Luka is probably the premier playoff performer and someone who can quite literally carry his team through numerous series' in the playoffs in a way that few to no others can. He is a Jordanesque killer in the playoffs.

The Mavs no longer have that and instead have someone who is in shape, sure, but of just as significant injury risk - not to mention someone that does not get as much out of the rest of this roster as Luka would. This team was perfectly, and I mean perfectly constructed around him. That's one of the bigger shames in all of this.

And lastly, while OKC is on the trajectory of steamrolling most of the league, Dallas welcomed that matchup and had them adequately handled last playoffs and so far this season even without Luka. Just a bad matchup for OKC but not necessarily anymore (we'll see).

I hate the trade for those reasons even though Dallas still has a fairly impressive roster.



Case in point Minny last year. Minny's defense had been stifling all year and in the first two rounds against the Suns/Nuggets. Then Luka completely punked them in the WCF.

[tpols]

Southbeach considers Anthony Davis "peanuts".

:roll:

[Phoenix]

He was apparently talking shit to the new owner and management. Has barely played this year. They were just good at keeping it under wraps. An implosion like that isn't purely spontaneous.

I'm talking about his relationship with the fans, not the owners( as true as what you're saying may be about him shit-talking them). I'm also looking at Luka at the press conference a few hours ago...I'm no scale but he doesn't look 270 to me? I just wonder how much of this stuff coming out from the Mavs isn't just an attempt to make them look like less the villain( actually I don't wonder. I'm sure to some degree that's exactly what is happening). Luka is going to come back to a thunderous ovation whenever the Lakers play next in Dallas, regardless.

[SouBeachTalents]

Southbeach considers Anthony Davis "peanuts".

:roll:
For what they could've gotten for Luka? Absolutely.

Nico is probably the only person on the planet that would've essentially swapped 25 year old Luka for 31 year old AD :lol There's a reason this trade has received such blowback. But you keep pushing that LeBron agenda bro lol

[tpols]

For what they could've gotten for Luka? Absolutely.

Nico is probably the only person on the planet that would've essentially swapped 25 year old Luka for 31 year old AD :lol There's a reason this trade has received such blowback. But you keep pushing that LeBron agenda bro lol

You are extremely ungrateful. That's all I can say.

[SouBeachTalents]

You are extremely ungrateful. That's all I can say.
Jesus fvcking Christ :lol The sad part is, the only reason you're capping so hard for AD is because he was just LeBron's teammate. If he was still in New Orleans or anywhere else, you'd drop this charade and concede this was an absolutely terrible return the Mavs got for someone like Luka.

But when LeBron enters the equation, it causes you to make foolish arguments like this, Kidd > LeBron etc.

[tpols]

AD was absolutely dominant on the Pelicans. He led them to the playoffs multiple times and averaged 30+/10+ when they got there, losing only as underdog. Like most underdogs on shit franchises do. But he showed up.

Nobody here is talking about LeBron right now and here except YOU. A Lebron hater would be fluffing Luka and saying it was a robbery. I'm not doing that. The opposite in fact is taking place.

[jlip]

So much depends on the health of both Kyrie and AD obviously, but if healthy, I could actually see AD being a great fit filling a defensive need for the Mavs leading to at least a 2nd round appearance if not a WCF depending on matchups. I don't see them getting past OKC or Denver though.

[Duderonomy]

No because you have a better chance of banging a prom queen than Kyrie and AD being healthy at the end of a playoff run.

[Kblaze8855]

For what they could've gotten for Luka? Absolutely.

Nico is probably the only person on the planet that would've essentially swapped 25 year old Luka for 31 year old AD :lol There's a reason this trade has received such blowback. But you keep pushing that LeBron agenda bro lol

they could’ve gotten pics, but Anthony Davis playing pretty close to his prime level? That’s about as good a basketball return as anyone has ever received when trading a superstar isn’t it?

You tend to get much worse players and some picks and the deals that look bad when the picks land and it ends up being an entire core of players for one.

How often is someone great traded for somebody else as good as Anthony Davis is?

Give it some thought. This is the kind of useless trivia I tend to know and I’m not thinking of many examples.

It it’s pretty much 05 wade for 05 Garnett. Or 96 or 97 Shaq for a Karl Malone. Not getting someone who is the best player in the league, but someone who is generally competitive on the floor with those kinds of players and is currently playing at his prime level.

I’m guessing people are seeing this like Cleveland trading LeBron in 2008 maybe? But there isn’t a comparable player to have been traded for him at that time. I guess you could use KG again.

Not many apt comparisons. Guys as good as AD aren’t usually the “That’s all you got?” side of deals. Luka has to basically join the Jordan or Lebron discussing to justify this degree of dismissal of AD in return.

I don’t do the trade, but I can’t imagine anyone else you could’ve gotten that would make it any better. We’re just talking about picks.

You aren’t getting Wemby. I doubt they’re getting Paolo and Franz both. They wouldn’t spaz out over his conditioning and then trade him for both Zion and Ingram. It’s about as good a player as you could hope to get.

The picks might get you a Thunder George haul of talent…it might get you a Webber to DC haul of a long list of picks you bungle that could have given you hall of famers.

We are talking how different they look in 4-6 years. I don’t know what could’ve helped them more right now. Would it have been an insult to trade him for Booker and change?

AD is about the most respectable option to target who wouldn’t get you laughed out of the room like asking for Joker or Wemby.

Shit….know what?


They might have gotten Giannis. You can make that call at least. He’s always talking like he’s willing to move on. I could see him taking kindly to playing with Kyrie and Klay.

I apologize for my outburst. They definitely could’ve called the Bucks. I will concede that one.

[ArbitraryWater]

You do know they made the finals last year? lol.

Not sure how that will make anyone eat their word.

They will never reach that ceiling again.

[ArbitraryWater]

He was apparently talking shit to the new owner and management. Has barely played this year. They were just good at keeping it under wraps. An implosion like that isn't purely spontaneous.

Man so what.

He can talk as much shit as he wants. You make basketball decisions.

[SouBeachTalents]

they could’ve gotten pics, but Anthony Davis playing pretty close to his prime level? That’s about as good a basketball return as anyone has ever received when trading a superstar isn’t it?

You tend to get much worse players and some picks and the deals that look bad when the picks land and it ends up being an entire core of players for one.

How often is someone great traded for somebody else as good as Anthony Davis is?

Give it some thought. This is the kind of useless trivia I tend to know and I’m not thinking of many examples.

It it’s pretty much 05 wade for 05 Garnett. Or 96 or 97 Shaq for a Karl Malone. Not getting someone who is the best player in the league, but someone who is generally competitive on the floor with those kinds of players and is currently playing at his prime level.

I’m guessing people are seeing this like Cleveland trading LeBron in 2008 maybe? But there isn’t a comparable player to have been traded for him at that time. I guess you could use KG again.

Not many apt comparisons. Guys as good as AD aren’t usually the “That’s all you got?” side of deals. Luka has to basically join the Jordan or Lebron discussing to justify this degree of dismissal of AD in return.

I don’t do the trade, but I can’t imagine anyone else you could’ve gotten that would make it any better. We’re just talking about picks.

You aren’t getting Wemby. I doubt they’re getting Paolo and Franz both. They wouldn’t spaz out over his conditioning and then trade him for both Zion and Ingram. It’s about as good a player as you could hope to get.

The picks might get you a Thunder George haul of talent…it might get you a Webber to DC haul of a long list of picks you bungle that could have given you hall of famers.

We are talking how different they look in 4-6 years. I don’t know what could’ve helped them more right now. Would it have been an insult to trade him for Booker and change?

AD is about the most respectable option to target who wouldn’t get you laughed out of the room like asking for Joker or Wemby.

Shit….know what?


They might have gotten Giannis. You can make that call at least. He’s always talking like he’s willing to move on. I could see him taking kindly to playing with Kyrie and Klay.

I apologize for my outburst. They definitely could’ve called the Bucks. I will concede that one.
In terms of literally the immediate future? Sure, I'm not going to argue they could've gotten much better than AD, though I agree it's not inconceivable they could've maybe gotten Giannis. But AD is giving you like 2-3 more years of elite play, if he even stays healthy. And I don't personally love the fit of AD playing next to two centers who can't space the floor at all when he's not a good shooter, or Kyrie being relegated to lead playmaker, a role I don't think truly suits his talents.

Since the team isn't realistically going to be competing for championships, esp this year as the 8 seed, they would've been much better served getting a boatload of picks, or maybe a pair of younger stars. Even if he's a worse player now, I think it's conceivable they could've gotten somebody like Ant.

[warriorfan]

In terms of literally the immediate future? Sure, I'm not going to argue they could've gotten much better than AD, though I agree it's not inconceivable they could've maybe gotten Giannis. But AD is giving you like 2-3 more years of elite play, if he even stays healthy. And I don't personally love the fit of AD playing next to two centers who can't space the floor at all when he's not a good shooter, or Kyrie being relegated to lead playmaker, a role I don't think truly suits his talents.

Since the team isn't realistically going to be competing for championships, esp this year as the 8 seed, they would've been much better served getting a boatload of picks, or maybe a pair of younger stars. Even if he's a worse player now, I think it's conceivable they could've gotten somebody like Ant.

Yes, they weren’t exactly in sell everything for one more big title push mode. This move doesn’t move the needle big enough for the Mavs, especially when considering they have mortgaged their future big time to do it.

They sold everything and are not going to even be close to title favorites. They gave up their future for a fairly quick closing window that’s never going to really be that open in the first place.

It’s weird.

[tpols]

Man so what.

He can talk as much shit as he wants. You make basketball decisions.

Uh... that's not how it works in terms of the talking shit part. You don't talk shit to your bosses anywhere and expect to be employed. Especially like the "bad boy Luka" has probably done.

On a more META scale though... this reeks of high level corruption, ie the league is trying to usher in Luka as the next Magic for the most popular by far international NBA franchise ~ the Lakers.

But it's not really corruption. It's just what it's always been.

[FKAri]

The talk around this thing is so weird. It’s understandable from an age and potential standpoint but right now? Luka missed more than half the season and they’re an 8th seed. They would be better today if they traded for AD in the offseason. He’s pretty close to the same level of player right now. Less desirable due to age and likely with a lower ceiling as far as taking over a game. But consistent night in and night out performance? Anthony Davis isn’t worse than Luka by enough for all this madness.

The concern is the future. I don’t know that Dallas will be noticeably worse for the rest of the year.

Whenever you're trading the face of your franchise you need to outright win the trade to make it worth it. If you're getting back equal value in assets there's still the cost for the fan base to lose someone they've developed an emotional attachment to. It's entertainment and similar to the phenomenon where fans don't want a fan favorite character on TV to get killed off even if it makes the show better.

There's also the fact that regardless of his actual basketball ability, AD isn't box office. He can't replace Luka's larger than life personality. Add in that he's older too so fans can't get excited about his future potential. It's not an easy sell, emotionally.

[stalkerforlife]

Absolutely not.

Luka led them past 3 teams without homecourt advantage to the finals.

I guarantee they don't make the finals again.

[Chick Stern]

You do know they made the finals last year? lol.

Not sure how that will make anyone eat their word.

They will never reach that ceiling again.
The main reason they made the finals is because Minny took out Joker and the Nuggets.
I don’t think that’ll happen again.
Ultimately, you’ve got to get past him. AD gives you as good of a shot as you could possibly get.

[jayfan]

It'll be interesting to see how the trade affects Kyrie. He was on his best behavior when he arrived in Dallas. It was Luka's team, and he had no stroke. He fell in line. Now it's suddenly his team. Will Kyrie come out of his shell and become a team cancer again? Hopefully not.


.

[lilteapot]

It's happening.

[Proctor]

Oh they're definitely going on a deep playoff run IMO.

The problem is they just went to the Finals last year...lol. Deep isn't good enough when the precedent of WCF and Finals has been already set by Doncic.

[GOBB]

I’m confused who doesn’t see a deep playoff run outside of Luka fans? They fulfilled a need by adding an elite two way player to pair with Kyrie Irving. The team as is should be able to make a deep run barring health. If anything what would be a shocker/surprise if they go out first rd or lay an egg rd 2 only winning 1 game. This team should be able to reach WCF. Not sure why anyone questions Dallas making a deep run. Now in 2028 what does this team look like? Better question.

[Norcaliblunt]

A deep playoff run is completely meaningless.

Will they win the chip?

Probably not.

[tpols]

I’m confused who doesn’t see a deep playoff run outside of Luka fans? They fulfilled a need by adding an elite two way player to pair with Kyrie Irving. The team as is should be able to make a deep run barring health. If anything what would be a shocker/surprise if they go out first rd or lay an egg rd 2 only winning 1 game. This team should be able to reach WCF. Not sure why anyone questions Dallas making a deep run. Now in 2028 what does this team look like? Better question.

Dallas would definitely be underdogs to the Nuggets or Thunder in the 1st round on the road so a loss would be expected and not some underachievement.

If the Thunder or Nuggets lose in the 1st round that would be a major underachievement.

[GOBB]

Dallas would definitely be underdogs to the Nuggets or Thunder in the 1st round on the road so a loss would be expected and not some underachievement.

If the Thunder or Nuggets lose in the 1st round that would be a major underachievement.

Someone has to be an underdog by default. Dallas is just as good as Denver and OKC after the moves they made. You don’t go to the nba finals last season and after trading Luka in a shocker get cut some slack becuase you were underdogs to Denver/okc. Sorry

[GOBB]

A deep playoff run is completely meaningless.

Will they win the chip?

Probably not.

After you trade Luka? A deep playoff run means more than you think. Especially heading into the next season.

[ArbitraryWater]

Someone has to be an underdog by default. Dallas is just as good as Denver and OKC after the moves they made. You don’t go to the nba finals last season and after trading Luka in a shocker get cut some slack becuase you were underdogs to Denver/okc. Sorry

bro stop saying stupid stuff

[ArbitraryWater]

Uh... that's not how it works in terms of the talking shit part. You don't talk shit to your bosses anywhere and expect to be employed. Especially like the "bad boy Luka" has probably done.

On a more META scale though... this reeks of high level corruption, ie the league is trying to usher in Luka as the next Magic for the most popular by far international NBA franchise ~ the Lakers.

But it's not really corruption. It's just what it's always been.


Of course you do.


GMs shouldnt make decisions based on if their feelings are hurt or not.

You make decisions in the interest of the team.

But anyway, we dont even know if any of this transpired. It prob didnt.

luka isnt some historic trash talker that would justify the worst trade in NBA history.

Dont be silly.

[highwhey]

damn sucks AD went down, i was really excited to watch them play lakers in a couple of weeks

[GOBB]

bro stop saying stupid stuff

Rent free.

[ILLsmak]

I have a feeling this will be a situation where everyone eats their words about this being a terrible decision, and then the Mavs make it to the Conference Finals.

Barring injuries, sure, but Chuck (I think it was?) is right. This is a ring trade. Nobody is eating anything with a cf.

People are wiling in the moment, but AD is… good. But Dallas has to win a ring to make the trade worth. It’d be cool if they did. It’s possible, but not likely.

The trade wasn’t a disaster like people say, they got a ton of value. It’s more shock that they gave up luka. Who ever thought ad would get traded, either.

Mavs champ cruise thread incoming.


-Smak