LD for AD

The NBA trading deadline is tomorrow but as I write this piece, the noise and the drama in Miami that we had been expecting to gain traction is still bogged down, the principal actor indefinitely suspended, again, for the third time in a month.

In contrast, lacking even a squeak and coming in like a thief in the night without any fanfare and with most team executives without knowledge, is the superstar swap between Dallas and the LA Lakers, which the Mavericks initiated.

Laker and Mavs executives worked the deal behind the scenes for a month, with Dallas GM Nico Harrison floating the idea of swapping players to Laker GM Rob Pelinka, who had initially a non-committal response.   When the deal was consummated, it had Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis blindsided and stunned.   Both never requested to be traded although AD wanted the Lakers to get him some frontcourt help

According to Harrison, they sent Doncic to the Lakers because they are concerned with his conditioning issues and his lack of defense.  Although it was not mentioned, a $345 million super max contract extension in the offseason had been avoided, thus saving some capital for Dallas.

Harrison added that AD’s defense will help them win championships.  Yes, if AD remains healthy for the rest of the season.  With Daniel Gafford and Derreck Lively II alternating at center, AD will be back to his natural position at power forward.

The Lakers on the other hand, wanted a replacement for LeBron James, who probably is good for another season or two until he calls it quits, someone who can facilitate offense and a volume scorer on the perimeter.   Doncic is it, or so they think.  LeBron, Doncic and Austin Reaves are all about firepower, never mind the defense.

AD is 32, is in his prime but nearing the downside of it and is prone to injuries.  But all things considered, he was the Lakers’ best offensive and defensive player.  They needed a force in the middle, and they let go of the only elite defender they had.  Unless the Lakers find a solid replacement, they can kiss their playoff dreams goodbye.

The issue here is fitness.  The Mavs dealt Doncic because of durability issues and what an irony they got in return.   Both are nursing injuries – AD with an abdominal strain, Doncic with a calf injury.

Doncic, who is only 26, became the first player in 50 years to be traded after leading the NBA in points, rebounds, assists and steals in the post season.  The two others were Wilt Chamberlain in 1965 (San Francisco Warriors to Philadelphia 76ers) and Earl Monroe in 1971 (Baltimore Bullets to New York Knicks).

As a Laker fan, I personally don’t like the trade, but let’s see how this deal pans out.