02-11-2025, 10:20 AM
Probably the worst trade i've ever seen, both in its execution and outcome. The execution part is obvious, they got a paltry return by not shopping Doncic around. Even if they wanted AD, the return should have been AD, Austin Reaves, and 2 FRPs instead of AD and 1. Many trades look bad in hindsight once all the picks convey, players get old/hurt, etc. this one was brutal from the announcement.
The very concept of the trade is ridiculous. You just don't trade away a top 3 NBA player who is 25 years old. You just don't. Say what you want about his conditioning, he can roll out of bed in the morning and drop 30 points on efficient shooting numbers. The ability to reliably generate efficient half court offense is the most valuable skill in the NBA, as demonstrated by the Warriors clear lack of said ability prior to getting Jimmy Butler. Jokic looks doughy too. He's still the best player in the NBA.
I don't buy any of the conspiracies i see floating around. Dallas is a major market, no one is willingly moving from it. To me this comes down to a GM who believed strongly that you can't build your franchise around someone who is not of the Kobe/MJ killer mindset. Don't get me wrong, you want your star to have amazing talent and drive. But sometimes you need to settle for amazing talent. Shaq is the classic example of talent winning out. Jokic just wants to go ride horses once the season is done. And its not like Anthony "every other Day"vis is the example of a killer instinct.
The very concept of the trade is ridiculous. You just don't trade away a top 3 NBA player who is 25 years old. You just don't. Say what you want about his conditioning, he can roll out of bed in the morning and drop 30 points on efficient shooting numbers. The ability to reliably generate efficient half court offense is the most valuable skill in the NBA, as demonstrated by the Warriors clear lack of said ability prior to getting Jimmy Butler. Jokic looks doughy too. He's still the best player in the NBA.
I don't buy any of the conspiracies i see floating around. Dallas is a major market, no one is willingly moving from it. To me this comes down to a GM who believed strongly that you can't build your franchise around someone who is not of the Kobe/MJ killer mindset. Don't get me wrong, you want your star to have amazing talent and drive. But sometimes you need to settle for amazing talent. Shaq is the classic example of talent winning out. Jokic just wants to go ride horses once the season is done. And its not like Anthony "every other Day"vis is the example of a killer instinct.