Rob Pelinka and Nico Harrison have been friends for many years. They were introduced to each other thanks to the late Kobe Bryant. Their friendship was instrumental in making probably the biggest and most shocking NBA trade in history. And now, during Luka Doncic’s introductory conference, one might say that Pelinka sent a curve ball to Harrison.
Rob Pelinka Trolls Nico Harrison After Doncic Trade
Speaking at Luka’s introductory press conference, Rob Pelinka couldn’t control himself and not smile when mentioning Nico Harrison. He thanked him, but we can also look at it like he still couldn’t believe that Harrison would go through with the trade.
“The second person I want to thank is anytime there’s a trade or a transaction, there has to be a partner,” Pelinka said. “I want to thank the Dallas Mavericks led by their GM Nico Harrison who was also very instrumental in bringing this opportunity to us and then staying true to the negotiations throughout where it could be culminated with the trade being finalized.”
Read that again. And then again, until you can control the smile on your face. Pelinka certainly couldn’t. He probably still cannot believe that the Mavericks and Harrison agreed to send Luka to the Lakers. Previously, he spoke about how big of an opportunity this is for the Lakers and the NBA.
“I think Luka Doncic joining forces with the Los Angeles Lakers is a seismic event in NBA history,” he said. “And the reason I say that is because we have a 25 year old global superstar that’s going to get on the stage of the most popular influential basketball brand on the globe. I think when those two powerful forces come together it brings basketball joy to the world.”
Is Rob Pelinka the Best GM in the Last 10 Years?
We can certainly make the case that Rob Pelinka has been one of the best general managers in the sport in the last several years. He was instrumental in two of the biggest trades in NBA history, the first sending Anthony Davis to the Lakers, and the second grabbing Luka Doncic.
Since being hired to oversee basketball operations for the Lakers, Pelinka managed to turn Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, and Josh Hart into a championship and Luka Doncic. That is the best way we can look at it. He traded those three, along with three first-round picks to get AD, get the best years out of Davis, win a championship, and then ship him to Dallas for Luka. How can you not say he has done a phenomenal job?
Yes, he has been widely criticized in years between for not improving the team around LeBron James and AD. But now, he has a 25 year perennial All-Star and MVP-caliber player. The Lakers are in a good place thanks to Rob Pelinka and Nico Harrison.
Luka Gracefully Accepting the Trade
While Rob Pelinka thanked Nico Harrison, Luka didn’t say much about the trade. Asked about what he thought about that, he said, “They made the decision. I don’t know why. But that’s their decision so I can’t do nothing about it.”
Listening his introductory press conference, you can feel that he is still salty about the move. The Lakers will be happy if Luka goes on a tear to prove the whole league wrong. We cannot remember a case when a team gives up on a player so soon. Fun fact: there have now been three teams that didn’t believe in Luka. The Hawks had a chance to draft him, and they went with Trae Young. The Sacramento Kings, with Vlade Divac at the helm, had a chance to draft him, and they went with Marvin Bagley III. And now, the Mavericks have given up on Luka, despite him being only 25.
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