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[Bumblebeetuna]

Sources: Luka to Lakers, AD to Mavs in stunner

The Dallas Mavericks are trading Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis and a 2029 first-round pick, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.

www.espn.com

Holy shit, what a disastrous trade for Dallas.

Luka had to be asking out behind the scenes.

 

[diffusionx]

Lol what the fuck

Why does the NBA always bail out the Lakers like this

 

[Represent.]

Bron going for number 5

 

[StreetsofBeige]

Two injury prone players. On is younger than the other. One plays centre, the other guard (though he plays like can fill any position).

Given what I see, I’d keep Doncic.

But maybe there’s some serious injury or contract issues with Doncic not worth the hassle? Not sure as I don’t follow him closely

 

[I collect VHS tapes]

as a Lakers fan I approve

Two injury prone players. On is younger than the other. One plays centre, the other guard (though he plays like can fill any position).

Given what I see, I’d keep Doncic.

But maybe there’s some serious injury or contract issues with Doncic not worth the hassle? Not sure as I don’t follow him closely

 

[diffusionx]

Two injury prone players. On is younger than the other. One plays centre, the other guard (though he plays like can fill any position).

Given what I see, I’d keep Doncic.

But maybe there’s some serious injury or contract issues with Doncic not worth the hassle? Not sure as I don’t follow him closely

Luka's injury problems are because he's fat and lazy.

If he actually gave a shit about his health he would be fine. Will this change the way he takes care of his body, probably not, but we'll see.

 

[Men_in_Boxes]

 

[Bumblebeetuna]

Lol what the fuck

Why does the NBA always bail out the Lakers like this

It’s insane

 

[M.W.]

Both teams got worse, gotta love it.

 

[bender]

If the CP3 trade was vetoed (even if it was Stern), this should too. Mavs fleeced themselves. Donnie and Mark sucked donkey balls and Jerry and Stephen have lost the plot, but Nico just lowered the bar. Maybe this is the new ownership's ploy to get the team to Vegas.

 

[HoodWinked]

just when you thought basketball couldn't get any shittier.

 

[Bumblebeetuna]

Hours later I still can’t believe it. I can’t imagine a worse trade in my sports lifetime. Trading the best player in the league for a broken down 32 year old center.

 

[MatrixReloaded101]

They traded a franchise player that got them to the finals last year, there was definitely something that was going on with Luka that will get revealed at some point because if not, this is one of the dumbest trades in NBA history.

AD can play great with Kyrie for a few years but Luka had the potential to be a franchise player for a long time.

 

[Gamerfan81]

Luka's potential is a top 15 player in history, depends on how many championships and mvps he wins and you get a guy like that entering his prime years. He's only 25 and AD is about to be 32 soon and exiting his prime. Lakers just fleeced the Mavs.

 

[WhiteWaterM00se]

Well, this is shocking. ESPN is saying the mavericks did not want to give Luka the super max contract extension this summer.

Watch the trade deadline in the NBA. Does anyone feel with the NFL dropping in ratings and attendance this year, maybe the NBA is also, and no one is noticing yet? If revenue is dropping in the NBA, maybe these $50M-$80M/year contracts are hard for these teams to give out?

If we see teams trading away superstars at the deadline, it may be a sign. Something else is going on.

 

[Drake]

This is the sort of shit that just confirms even more (to me at least) that all North American sports are somewhat rigged. The Mavs could have gotten a better deal from 20+ teams around the league. They just happen to trade away a top 3-5 player to the most popular team in the league for pennies on the dollar when TV ratings are in the tank.

Yeah I'm sure the NBA didn't force their hand in this one.

 

[Rival]

Well, this is shocking. ESPN is saying the mavericks did not want to give Luka the super max contract extension this summer.

Watch the trade deadline in the NBA. Does anyone feel with the NFL dropping in ratings and attendance this year, maybe the NBA is also, and no one is noticing yet? If revenue is dropping in the NBA, maybe these $50M-$80M/year contracts are hard for these teams to give out?

If we see teams trading away superstars at the deadline, it may be a sign. Something else is going on.

I 100% think you are spot on.

 

[ManaByte]

 

[Represent.]

This is the sort of shit that just confirms even more (to me at least) that all North American sports are somewhat rigged. The Mavs could have gotten a better deal from 20+ teams around the league. They just happen to trade away a top 3-5 player to the most popular team in the league for pennies on the dollar when TV ratings are in the tank.

Yeah I'm sure the NBA didn't force their hand in this one.

Not hockey.

The most popular team never gets shit. (Toronto Maple Leafs)

 

[simpatico]

NBA absolutely made the call here. Mavs fans got hosed.

 

[Hookshot]

Even I've heard of him, not for a couple of seasons thought, is he washed or still good?

 

[WhiteWaterM00se]

Even I've heard of him, not for a couple of seasons thought, is he washed or still good?

He is only 25 years old. One of the most naturally gifted shooters ever! BUT he appears arrogant, is constantly out of shape. People say he even smokes and drinks regularly, event at games!

 

[Bumblebeetuna]

He is only 25 years old. One of the most naturally gifted shooters ever! BUT he appears arrogant, is constantly out of shape. People say he even smokes and drinks regularly, event at games!

LOL he does not smoke and drink regularly and especially not at games. Imagine the shit he would be getting if the camera cut to him and he has a double cheeseburger in one hand and a smoke in the other.

He does have poor conditioning and always enters the season out of shape. He constantly complains to officials, taking himself out of plays on defense to complain, and overall doesn’t take defense seriously.

All of that said, offensively he is a genius and an impossible matchup.

 

[juliushandle]

Dallas owners didn't wanna pay their franchise anchor the supermax contract.

this is a franchise killing move as you fck over your fans and send messages to players heading into free agency that your franchise doesn't care about talent, even generational talent.

 

[Jinzo Prime]

This is the sort of shit that just confirms even more (to me at least) that all North American sports are somewhat rigged. The Mavs could have gotten a better deal from 20+ teams around the league. They just happen to trade away a top 3-5 player to the most popular team in the league for pennies on the dollar when TV ratings are in the tank.

Yeah I'm sure the NBA didn't force their hand in this one.

This shit is why I don't watch pro basketball. Everyone wants to be on the Lakers, so it makes other teams basically uncompetitive.

I don't live in LA, I want a team close to me to win, but it will never happen.

 

[juliushandle]

This shit is why I don't watch pro basketball. Everyone wants to be on the Lakers, so it makes other teams basically uncompetitive.

I don't live in LA, I want a team close to me to win, but it will never happen.

the Mavs didn't wanna pay the guy. Luka had no idea.

 

[Mr1999]

Lol what the fuck

Why does the NBA always bail out the Lakers like this

Because views=$$ and Lakers favoritism as usual. I say this as a 40 year inhabitant of LA County, it happens in other sports too and more reasons why I don't watch them anymore. For instance I can't wait till the super bowl is over with next week. Personally I just don't have time for it and with all the shenanigans that go on with said franchises its time better spent somewhere else instead of being emotionally tied to said teams and going no where. I feel sorry for the fans, I hope more people wake up and realize its rigged and a complete waste of time. /rant

 

[TheAtomicPile]

Well, this is shocking. ESPN is saying the mavericks did not want to give Luka the super max contract extension this summer.

Watch the trade deadline in the NBA. Does anyone feel with the NFL dropping in ratings and attendance this year, maybe the NBA is also, and no one is noticing yet? If revenue is dropping in the NBA, maybe these $50M-$80M/year contracts are hard for these teams to give out?

If we see teams trading away superstars at the deadline, it may be a sign. Something else is going on.

NBA is absolutely struggling with TV ratings, especially this year. It has been a big topic of discussion and a lot of current/former players and coaches have commented on it. Even Adam Silver had some goofy ideas recently about shortening the games to try and fix it.

I wouldn't be surprised if this was a desperate attempt by the league to pop some TV ratings, especially in the playoffs where viewership always declines whenever LeBron is eliminated. Well never know for sure though.

 

[demigod]

Goodjob new mavericks owner, fucking clowns.

 

[Jinzo Prime]

Lakers just fleeced the Mavs.

Nah, this is Nate Silver fleecing fans.

Vince McMahon level douchebag.

 

[Ribi]

Lol what the fuck

Why does the NBA always bail out the Lakers like this

You know the answer... We all know the answer. Happens with the Doyers and Yankees in MLB too. Somehow teams trade all star level players for the most garbage shit you've ever seen and the spin is always ridiculous. That said fuck the NBA and I just think it's funny as fuck. Hope even more people stop watching

 

[diffusionx]

You know the answer... We all know the answer. Happens with the Doyers and Yankees in MLB too. Somehow teams trade all star level players for the most garbage shit you've ever seen and the spin is always ridiculous. That said fuck the NBA and I just think it's funny as fuck. Hope even more people stop watching

It's just that this has been happening for literally the past 60 years. Every time the Lakers are in a pinch a player falls into their lap, usually with some nonsensical trade. Not even the Doyers and Stankees get this sort of long-term favoritism and benefit.

And yea I stopped watching the NBA years ago.

 

[WhiteWaterM00se]

NBA is absolutely struggling with TV ratings, especially this year. It has been a big topic of discussion and a lot of current/former players and coaches have commented on it. Even Adam Silver had some goofy ideas recently about shortening the games to try and fix it.

I wouldn't be surprised if this was a desperate attempt by the league to pop some TV ratings, especially in the playoffs where viewership always declines whenever LeBron is eliminated. Well never know for sure though.

Yeah, i think we will look back on the Adam Silver era and not be pleased overall. In the beginning everyone praised this guy like a genius.

I also wonder if the China and other overseas countries investment in NBA has dried up.

Greed has destroyed the NBA.

 

[diffusionx]

NBA is absolutely struggling with TV ratings, especially this year. It has been a big topic of discussion and a lot of current/former players and coaches have commented on it. Even Adam Silver had some goofy ideas recently about shortening the games to try and fix it.

I wouldn't be surprised if this was a desperate attempt by the league to pop some TV ratings, especially in the playoffs where viewership always declines whenever LeBron is eliminated. Well never know for sure though.

I've watched a couple NBA games this year, at bars or whatever.

Every trip down the court is that a guy does a move, drives to the basket, kicks it out and the guy who gets the pass shoots a 3. That's the entire NBA now. Every team. It's horrible to watch. Ratings are down because the sport is unwatchable. This is to say nothing of the load management, whiny players, bad attitudes, mercenary attitudes. It's in bad shape, even if the guys are ostensibly talented.

 

[SlimySnake]

Baseball needs to learn from how irrelevant the basketball season thanks to a very long and easy to get into playoff format. even in baseball now, 12 out of 30 teams can get in which means .500 teams are now getting in. its making a mockery of a long 162 game season. like why should i watch these games?

go back to shorter playoffs and make the regular season games count. i hate paying to go watch games only to find that they are 'resting' the big name hitters i literally paid hundreds to go watch. he's a DH, why the fuck is he resting? he literally does not take the field you dumb cunts.

 

[StreetsofBeige]

Watch the trade deadline in the NBA. Does anyone feel with the NFL dropping in ratings and attendance this year, maybe the NBA is also, and no one is noticing yet?

Skimming google, NHL ratings down too. Big too similar to NBA. But MLB is actually up. The sport which people always criticize as boring with 162 games is actually up a good amount.

MLB regular season attendances best for seven years as broadcasters report double-digit youth viewership rise - SportsPro

Major League Baseball attributes growth in popularity at home and in-stadium to rule changes that have made the game more appealing.

www.sportspro.com

The 2024 Major League Baseball (MLB) regular season was the best attended in seven years, with the league’s broadcasters reporting double-digit increases in viewership among younger audiences.

Confirmed:​

• Total stadium spectators rose by one per cent to 71.35 million – the first time attendance has risen in consecutive years since 2012
• Percentage of ticket buyers aged between 18 and 35 has increased by 8.5 per cent since 2019
• ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball had its most-watched season since 2019 with average audience of 1.5 million, a six per cent year-on-year increase
• Fox’s audience was static at 1.88 million, while FS1 ratings were up nine per cent
• Viewership in the 18 to 34 category was up 12 per cent on ESPN, 24 per cent on FS1 and nine per cent on Fox
• Local ratings remain strong, with MLB games ranking first on cable in 80 per cent of markets with a team
• MLB.TV recorded 14.5 billion streaming minutes, an increase of 14 per cent year-on-year

Context:​

MLB has attributed its recent success to rule changes that have aimed to speed up the time of play, making broadcasts more attractive to viewers and ensuring matchgoing fans can get home at a reasonable hour.

There’s also no denying that the league is benefiting from a new wave of exciting young players and a series of phenomenal personal achievements from the likes of Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani.

MLB will be pleased at its ratings increase – particularly among younger viewers – at a time when the regional sports network (RSN) ecosystem it relies on for much of its media revenue is in disarray. Meanwhile, there is also doubt about the future of its national television deals, with ESPN considering exercising its break clause next year.

The league will be eager to show broadcasters – and streaming platforms – that it can attract the live audiences they crave.

 

[Soapbox Killer]

Apparently Luka has put on serious weight during this injury and almost 40 lbs this calendar year.

If true, it makes sense because nothing the fuck else about this trade does.

 

[Setzer]

 

[DGrayson]

I don't think there is any conspiracy here but on the topic of rating adam siver has done some bone headed things since taking over.

 

[TheAtomicPile]

Yeah, i think we will look back on the Adam Silver era and not be pleased overall. In the beginning everyone praised this guy like a genius.

I also wonder if the China and other overseas countries investment in NBA has dried up.

Greed has destroyed the NBA.

Silver is tied to the "Player empowerment" era, which maybe you could say was exciting back when Silver came aboard since there was lots of movement in the off-season and at trade deadlines. I think the end result that we're seeing now though is the players and teams are largely interchangable. They switch around so often that the teams have no identity or ties to their market.

I've watched a couple NBA games this year, at bars or whatever.

Every trip down the court is that a guy does a move, drives to the basket, kicks it out and the guy who gets the pass shoots a 3. That's the entire NBA now. Every team. It's horrible to watch. Ratings are down because the sport is unwatchable. This is to say nothing of the load management, whiny players, bad attitudes, mercenary attitudes. It's in bad shape, even if the guys are ostensibly talented.

It was cool at first when Steve Kerr "figured out" Steph Curry with the motion offense. Fast forward to 2025, and everybody is running the same offense, the same play, every trip down the court. And everyone thinks they're Steph Curry.

The entitlement of players and teams to just skip games or not put in a full effort I think is the #1 thing hurting the sport. You simply do not see that in the NFL, even at times when the games are meaningless (see: Lions playing starters vs 49ers in a meaningless week 17 game).

 

[Dthomp]

Injury prone or not, there is no way that they could have gotten likely 10 amazing offers, and 10 more really good offers before settling on an old AD that is also injury prone. NBA is a fucking joke and really want to help LeChoke at every opportunity. Poor Luka though, gonna take the Lakers to the cleaners salary wise to be left with a squad of nothing when Lebron is gone and no ability to put talent around him when he is healthy. At least bro gonna get paid. Hell, if the Mavs wanted an injury prone center they likely could have had real talks for Embiid.

 

[The Gamer Triple H]

Silver is tied to the "Player empowerment" era, which maybe you could say was exciting back when Silver came aboard since there was lots of movement in the off-season and at trade deadlines. I think the end result that we're seeing now though is the players and teams are largely interchangable. They switch around so often that the teams have no identity or ties to their market.



It was cool at first when Steve Kerr "figured out" Steph Curry with the motion offense. Fast forward to 2025, and everybody is running the same offense, the same play, every trip down the court. And everyone thinks they're Steph Curry.

The entitlement of players and teams to just skip games or not put in a full effort I think is the #1 thing hurting the sport. You simply do not see that in the NFL, even at times when the games are meaningless (see: Lions playing starters vs 49ers in a meaningless week 17 game).

The barrage of 3 pointers are based on analytics and it's made the game unwatchable. There are teams that take half of all of their shots as threes. In fact, it's common to see 80+ three point shots a game from both teams.

The Magic on Saturday shot 40 threes and made 9. Why the hell would anyone spend money to watch that shit?

 

[simpatico]

He is only 25 years old. One of the most naturally gifted shooters ever! BUT he appears arrogant, is constantly out of shape. People say he even smokes and drinks regularly, event at games!

Olajuwon was known for hot boxing as many cigs as possible at halftime during his whole career. Goat God-given athletes can get away with it. Hell, if they don't do it, they lose their edge.

 

[WhiteWaterM00se]

Apparently Luka has put on serious weight during this injury and almost 40 lbs this calendar year.

If true, it makes sense because nothing the fuck else about this trade does.

So, i have always been a big NBA guy up until about 10 years or so ago. Then,i just couldn’t stand it. I actually think men’s college hoops is a better watch most nights.

That said though, the two best sports imo, the last few years. 1.) MLB - the changes with the pitch clock and most other small tweaks making the games last less than 3 hours on average, 2.) College Football - for all College Football’s problems, once they get sorted out and expansion and smaller league partnerships are established, it will become an excellent product.

Side note, 1.) WNBA (even though it loses money, is a good product) 2.) MLS has done a great job expanding the sport.

Finally, with the inflation and prices of cable, the decline of cable tv has accelerated. If Sports want to get back to profitability, they need to offer league pass without Blackouts for local teams; or LET CONSUMERS buy a ONE TEAM package without blackouts.

 

[Men_in_Boxes]

Yeah, i think we will look back on the Adam Silver era and not be pleased overall. In the beginning everyone praised this guy like a genius.

I also wonder if the China and other overseas countries investment in NBA has dried up.

Greed has destroyed the NBA.

The only real way to know if the NBA is "losing viewers" is by watching player salaries.

NBA CBAs & Cap History

A look at the CBAs and history of the salary cap for each year of the NBA.

www.spotrac.com

The last time NBA salaries decreased was in 2009. I suspect more media FUD here but the next couple of offseasons will tell a lot.

 

[thefool]

They just nuked the franchise and their fanbase.

There are no words that can express the absurdity of what just happened.

 

[ScythD]

They just nuked the franchise and their fanbase.

There are no words that can express the absurdity of what just happened.

The Mavs were down 45 points at the half today, it sure looks like they've given up.

 

[Jinzo Prime]

Skimming google, NHL ratings down too. Big too similar to NBA. But MLB is actually up. The sport which people always criticize as boring with 162 games is actually up a good amount.

MLB regular season attendances best for seven years as broadcasters report double-digit youth viewership rise - SportsPro

Major League Baseball attributes growth in popularity at home and in-stadium to rule changes that have made the game more appealing.

www.sportspro.com

The 2024 Major League Baseball (MLB) regular season was the best attended in seven years, with the league’s broadcasters reporting double-digit increases in viewership among younger audiences.

Confirmed:​

• Total stadium spectators rose by one per cent to 71.35 million – the first time attendance has risen in consecutive years since 2012
• Percentage of ticket buyers aged between 18 and 35 has increased by 8.5 per cent since 2019
• ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball had its most-watched season since 2019 with average audience of 1.5 million, a six per cent year-on-year increase
• Fox’s audience was static at 1.88 million, while FS1 ratings were up nine per cent
• Viewership in the 18 to 34 category was up 12 per cent on ESPN, 24 per cent on FS1 and nine per cent on Fox
• Local ratings remain strong, with MLB games ranking first on cable in 80 per cent of markets with a team
• MLB.TV recorded 14.5 billion streaming minutes, an increase of 14 per cent year-on-year

Context:​

MLB has attributed its recent success to rule changes that have aimed to speed up the time of play, making broadcasts more attractive to viewers and ensuring matchgoing fans can get home at a reasonable hour.

There’s also no denying that the league is benefiting from a new wave of exciting young players and a series of phenomenal personal achievements from the likes of Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani.

MLB will be pleased at its ratings increase – particularly among younger viewers – at a time when the regional sports network (RSN) ecosystem it relies on for much of its media revenue is in disarray. Meanwhile, there is also doubt about the future of its national television deals, with ESPN considering exercising its break clause next year.

The league will be eager to show broadcasters – and streaming platforms – that it can attract the live audiences they crave.

MLB managing to fix their veiwership numbers is nothing short of amazing. They actually got to the root of the problem and got everyone on board, (eventually,) with the necessary changes to make the game watchable to a modern audience.

For the NBA, games just feel like they lack contact and energy and dynamism, and I don't know how you change that.

 

[StreetsofBeige]

MLB managing to fix their veiwership numbers is nothing short of amazing. They actually got to the root of the problem and got everyone on board, (eventually,) with the necessary changes to make the game watchable to a modern audience.

For the NBA, games just feel like they lack contact and energy and dynamism, and I don't know how you change that.

The pitchclock surely helped as stated. And with some star bangers like Judge/Ohatni that helps too. But most matches dont involve those players so I dont think their star status is that much of a bonus.

I think if the league can permanently add robotic strike zone accuracy, that would help even more. Purists would hate it. And anyone who doesn't care about accuracy or actually prefers Angel Hernandez wild calls would hate it too. But for me, I like an accurate strike box. I think that would help as it legitimizes the game more than human eyes. I remember reading articles that around 10% of ump calls are wrong. Thats a lot.

 

[Jinzo Prime]

They just nuked the franchise and their fanbase.

There are no words that can express the absurdity of what just happened.

The commentators on the Apex Legends Grand Finals tournament were taking about it

Its unbelievable, which is why conspiracy actuations are being thrown around. It doesn't make sense to the brand, but it might make sense to the NBA as a whole to drive up viewership.