Doncic, Lakers and a deal made in the shadows of the NBA

Luka Doncic is a new Lakers player. The player from Ljubljana is moving to the Mavericks without his explicit request, an organization in which he has been a symbol of progress and hope for seven years. Only a few months after reaching the Finals, where they succumbed to the Celtics, the Dallas management has shaken things up aggressively and without warning.

Nico Harrison activated the panic button and pulled out contacts. The Texans’ general manager has teamed up with Rob Pelinka, whom he has known since the former was an executive at Nike and the latter was the agent of the late Kobe Bryant, to close this gargantuan deal. The return can be described as scarce for a generational player like Doncic, who leaves with doubts.

Anthony Davis is the other All-Star asset who has moved in this trade. Without a doubt, the Chicago-born center has gone from asking for a reinforcement at center, so that he can play more openly and with less responsibility on defense, to being the one who left the roster. Last year he signed a contract extension that will come into effect next season for which he will pocket 175 million for three seasons. At 31 years old, he lands on a team in which Lively and Gafford seem to be fixed and complementary as ‘5’, with an excellent ball handler like Kyrie Irving to supply him with balls and form a new super alliance.

“This transfer has been made in the shadows,” said Shams Charania, who first reported it, during a television appearance to analyze the news. Doncic was informed this Saturday, minutes before the rest of the public opinion. The camaraderie between the two sports directors has made it possible for everything to be carried out discreetly, although the Lakers were not the only ones who received the call from Harrison. Another journalist with highly reliable sources in the United States, Jake Fischer, added that there were several franchises contacted by the Mavs, so in the circles, their intention to transfer in these days of the end of the market was known, but without any mention of Doncic in those conversations. Looking for salary flexibility with a third team, which in the end was Utah Jazz, they decided to move Luka. A complete swerve.

LeBron James and what’s next

When Doncic makes his debut in a Lakers jersey, the fit with LeBron James will be a recurring topic of conversation. Similar position, forwards act as point guards who direct the game at will. Similar status even though the age changes. Endless issues to resolve. Redick will have work to do. Although, as Tim Reynolds rightly suggests, it may not be the only move the purple and gold will make; they were looking for others to improve the roster, an objective that they should not deviate from if they want the team to be worthy of fighting for the championship, and there is still time to do so. There are other questions to be asked about LeBron and that he must answer directly or indirectly: why was he only notified when everything was done?; will he deactivate the clause by which he can veto a transfer in which he is included, that is, giving free rein to his departure?; what meaning does he give to this variation for the future? Because, Rich Paul, James’ representative, was informed in detail of how the agreement between the two parties was shaping up, according to what Chris Haynes, who is closely linked to his agency, has said: “The Lakers informed him of the Mavs’ intentions and that they are looking for a replacement for LeBron. ”