The Shank Ag said:

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This was new ownership running things like a casino to boost future profits, and don't realize the fan base is about to revolt

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That's where you are wrong. The fans have zero power to influence this. Zero. There will still be enough who tune in, go to games, and buy merchandise that things will keep right on rolling. There is no "revolt" or "outrage" that will have any bearing on anything- other than talkshow radio numbers.

Don't believe me- just look at the Cowboys and Aggies as proof. Owners do not care one flip about what the local fans think. They are there to make themselves money- period. And they know how to do that, very well.

chris1515 said:

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I hope Dallas never spends another dime on an arena for the Mavs and fights against an Adelson owned resort/casino tooth and nail.

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I for one look forward to the rebranding of the soon to be Arlington Mavericks.

awinlonghorn said:

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literally no one in dallas is spinning this except Nico who acted alone.

I remember being on here in 2004 defending dirk when guitarsoup called him hockey game nowitzki for playing only three quarters. I've watched 80% of ALL mavs games the last 20 yrs.

Luka was Dallas. Dallas was Luka. It feels like our soul was ripped out.

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Bless his heart

Can't believe I'm saying this but holy **** I actually feel bad for Mavs fans. This trade is pure insanity. Your new ownership just kneecapped their own franchise not just team.

This was Texans when BoB sent D Hop packing for a bag of pucks.

Best I can say is maybe someone on the roster has a massage fetish and can fleece Cleveland in a trade.

Only thing I can think of that the owner got wind of some sort off the court story, and felt like they had to dump Luka before it got out. It would have to be a serious story, though. Like he murdered a hooker or something.

AustinAg2K said:

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Only thing I can think of that the owner got wind of some sort off the court story, and felt like they had to dump Luka before it got out. It would have to be a serious story, though. Like he murdered a hooker or something.

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When Davis sat on the bench and refused to watch LeBron break Kareem's record that never left me. I mean, Draymomd Green was in attendance for that moment and Lebron's teammate and "friend" didn't even feel the need to watch it.

I think their relationship isn't as good as they would like people to think. I thought him joking around about how many years it took for LeBron to break the latest record was a cheap shot too.

AD as talented as he is doesn't seem to have the drive that LeBron has. I think LeBron probably wanted him gone and it's well known that both Luka and LeBron wanted to play together.

Now, why was Dallas willing to part with Luka? That's a total head scratcher. He's 25 years old and is a top 5 player in the world.

Was someone in Dallas getting paid to make that trade? Just feels like a "you scratch my back and we'll scratch yours" because this definitely doesn't help Dallas long term at all

Sharing this A+ analysis on the Luka trade by the always insightful @chris_kratovil

Makes a ton of sense to me from the #txlege angle - esp considering Lite Patrick likely done next Session.

Good stuff. Read it 👇🏼 #txlege #MFFL pic.twitter.com/VPtBPhgIeu

— Adam Loewy (@LoewyLawFirm) February 3, 2025

I've hated the Lakers so much, as a kid I didn't even appreciate Kobe lol. I don't think the NBA is always looking out for L.A., because if that's the case, they'd much rather have a great Knicks team.

But this has LeBron written all over to me. That's the consistent factor, LeGM.

It makes sense, but they are under appreciating the hold Patrick and his ilk have on Texas Politics.

That's why they have multiple outs. If Texas doesn't approve gambling, Adelson/Dumont can take their ball, and the Mavs, back to Vegas to build their casino/arena.

What if it isn't about Luka, at all? What if it is simply that Harrison wanted to do his buddy AD a favor and get him out of LA because he and LeBron don't get along?

The owners are not basketball people. I think this was all Nico right up to the point of the paperwork being sent in, then he got the approval he needed. They are trusting him with basketball ops - which he'd been good at so far - and there are some angles here to sell to an owner as far as the risk of committing $350mm of their money to a guy that hasn't been taking care of himself and is missing a sizable part of this year. A slick guy who has mostly been a salesman in his career can sell that.

CoachRTM said:

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Dallas fans will say things to cope, but there is no way to spin that this doesn't gut the franchise.

If you started all over and made every team draft, Luka is anywhere from the 2nd-4th pick regardless of what fast food he eats. He's literally the guy you build the next decade+ of your franchise around.

He's also the only reason why free agents were interested in going to Dallas - because he can make you a championship contender by himself if you have any sort of supporting cast.

To only get back an aging Anthony Davis (who is a good player but not the superstar that will win you a championship) and a fairly useless 2029 pick……. that's just pitiful.

The Mavs had a title window the next 10 years that just disappeared overnight. Now the Lakers have the perfect setup going into the post-Lebron era.

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Who in Dallas is coping? There's active protests at the AAC and a literal shrine to Luka.

Ol Jock 99 said:

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It makes sense, but they are under appreciating the hold Patrick and his ilk have on Texas Politics.

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Personally, I think gambling should be legal in Texas. But, if this is truly the tactic Adelstein is taking, it's dirty AF regardless of anyone's feelings on Patrick and co.

thats certainly a possibility, but we can't rule out good old fashioned incompetence either

Ol Jock 99 said:

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misterguinness said:

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What if it isn't about Luka, at all? What if it is simply that Harrison wanted to do his buddy AD a favor and get him out of LA because he and LeBron don't get along?

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There is zero way that the owners weren't 100% involved in this. If it was all Nico, he'd be in a shallow grave in some field right now.

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Oh, I think the owners knew. However, the discussion was framed around Luka but in actuality it was truly about moving AD to Dallas and Luka's supposed conditioning needs were a convenient excuse to move him.

Iowaggie said:

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This is like you trading your reputation for Joy Taylor

— BriskerSZN (@BriskerSzn) February 2, 2025

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Ol Jock 99 said:

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Casino magnates are known for being kind and above board individuals?

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indeed.

Honestly still can't get over this. You know it's a bad sports trade when the only plausible explanation is that it is all part of a larger political long play to try to influence legislative change.

Remember when Jimmy Butler wanted a trade out of MIA just because he wanted more money? That feels like 10 years ago.

Traded a top 5 (top 3?) player in the NBA for an awful return. Could and should have gotten much more

Do you think San Antonio and Houston area reps will care if Dallas loses their team to Vegas over a casino?

Luca knew.

bigjag19 said:

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This was Texans when BoB sent D Hop packing for a bag of pucks.

Best I can say is maybe someone on the roster has a massage fetish and can fleece Cleveland in a trade.

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Great minds sir. I posted the same on the Rockets thread.