Hour 1: BLOCKBUSTER

Summary

Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron – Episode: Hour 1: BLOCKBUSTER
Release Date: February 2, 2025
Hosts: Matt Jones and Myron Metcalf
Platform: ESPN Radio

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Introduction: Setting the Stage for a Blockbuster Trade

The latest episode of "Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron" dives deep into what has been hailed as one of the most shocking trades in NBA history. Hosts Matt Jones and Myron Metcalf engage in a thorough analysis of the unexpected mid-season blockbuster deal that has sent shockwaves through the sports world: the Dallas Mavericks trading superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis and additional assets.

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The Blockbuster Trade Unfolds

Timestamp [00:58] – [02:14]

The conversation kicks off with Matt Jones expressing his disbelief over the sudden trade, highlighting its unexpected nature amidst other significant events, such as the Kentucky–Caliperi return game. Myron echoes this sentiment, recalling his initial reaction where he believed the announcement might have been a prank, especially considering the prominence of both players involved.

• Matt Jones: "At about midnight, Luka and Anthony Davis traded for each other in a shocking NBA trade."
• Myron Metcalf: "I thought Shams was hacked. You know what I mean? Like, people were texting me." ([02:14])

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Analyzing the Trade Dynamics

Timestamp [02:55] – [07:03]

The hosts delve into the specifics of the trade:

• Dallas Mavericks receive: Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a first-round pick.
• Los Angeles Lakers receive: Luka Doncic, Max Kleber, and Markief Morris, with the Utah Jazz also involved but playing a minor role.

Nico Harrison, the Mavericks' General Manager, provided a cryptic explanation: "I believe defense wins championships," suggesting that acquiring a defensive stalwart like Davis would bolster their chances of winning now and in the future.

• Myron Metcalf: "This is a Hall of Famer for a Hall of Famer, and I don't know that that's ever happened in sports history." ([02:55])

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Decoding the Motivations Behind the Trade

Timestamp [04:39] – [11:19]

Matt and Myron explore possible reasons for the Mavericks' decision:

1. Age and Longevity: Anthony Davis, at 31, offers immediate impact and a potential NBA title run, whereas Luka, 25, is seen as a long-term franchise player whose future is both bright and uncertain due to injuries and conditioning issues.

2. Cultural Fit and Professionalism: Concerns about Luka's work ethic and conditioning have plagued the Mavericks. Myron references incidents like Luka being seen with a beer during critical moments and his tendency to gain weight during the season, which may have influenced the Mavericks' decision.

• Myron Metcalf: "It's like a future seeking deal." ([15:23])

3. Strategic Direction: The Mavericks might believe that pairing Kyrie Irving with Davis provides a better shot at championships in the short term, even if it means sacrificing Luka's future potential.

• Matt Jones: "Anthony Davis is a superstar..., but Luka is one of those dudes that you think could be one of the handful of great players who plays for one team his whole career. And he's 25 and already gone." ([07:00])

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Reactions and Industry Insights

Timestamp [11:01] – [34:32]

The discussion transitions to broader implications and reactions from the NBA community:

• Dave McMenamin, ESPN NBA reporter, shares insights from the journalist's perspective, highlighting the collective disbelief and the swift confirmation process once the trade was announced.

• Community Sentiment: Listeners express confusion and skepticism about the trade's rationale, questioning whether there are underlying issues beyond what's publicly stated.

• Potential Future Scenarios: The hosts speculate on the long-term impacts, including the possibility of LeBron James retiring and how this trade positions both franchises moving forward.

• Myron Metcalf: "If Anthony Davis announces retirement tonight, he's a first ballot Hall of Famer." ([29:43])

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Listener Engagement and Perspectives

Timestamp [38:10] – [44:34]

The episode features engaging listener interactions, where fans voice their opinions and frustrations:

• Houston, a Dallas fan, challenges the logic behind the trade, emphasizing Luka's stellar performance and questioning the Mavericks' decision to part with such a valuable player.

  • Houston: "It's hard for me to say. I don't think... I don't think so." ([42:07])

• Cornell provides a succinct take, labeling the trade as a "rebuild move for both teams," suggesting that both franchises are looking to restructure their rosters for future competitiveness.

  • Cornell: "It's a rebuild move for both teams." ([44:34])

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Concluding Insights and Future Outlook

Timestamp [34:32] – [44:34]

As the episode wraps up, Matt and Myron ponder the broader significance of the trade:

• Strategic Rebuilding: Both the Lakers and Mavericks appear to be resetting their franchises—Mavericks focusing on immediate championship potential with Davis, and Lakers possibly looking beyond LeBron's tenure to build around Luka.

• Cultural Shifts: The trade signals a shift in team dynamics, especially for the Lakers, as they integrate Luka into a team traditionally centered around LeBron's leadership.

• Unanswered Questions: The hosts leave listeners with lingering questions about the true motivations behind the trade and its long-term ramifications for both franchises.

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Notable Quotes

• Matt Jones: "Anthony Davis is a better superstar than those picks in terms of like those picks might be superstars." ([11:19])
• Myron Metcalf: "There's a phrase that familiarity can breed contempt." ([31:49])
• Dave McMenamin: "NBA teams, team personnel see a lot of stuff behind closed doors that us in the media don't see." ([31:49])

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Final Thoughts

This episode of "Sunday Mornings with Matt and Myron" provides an in-depth exploration of a seismic NBA trade, blending expert analysis with passionate fan reactions. Matt Jones and Myron Metcalf adeptly dissect the multifaceted implications of the Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis deal, offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of its significance within the sports landscape.

For fans who missed the episode, the discussion serves as a compelling examination of one of the most intriguing developments in recent NBA history, emphasizing the complex interplay between player performance, team strategy, and organizational culture.

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Stay Tuned: For more in-depth sports analysis and discussion on the latest happenings, tune in every Sunday morning with Matt and Myron on ESPN Radio.

Transcript

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[Myron Metcalf]

This is Matt and Myon the podcast. I'm ready for football. I've been waiting a long time for this moment.

[Matt Jones]

Time is here. The time is now.

[Myron Metcalf]

This is the countdown to Kickoff on espn.

[Matt Jones]

Rad. It is kind of a kickoff here on ESPN Radio. Matt Jones and Myron Metcalf. And folks, I don't know, you probably have to go. I'm not sure where, where you go to find a day that there was a bigger surprise trade than last night. At about midnight, as Luca and Anthony Davis traded for each other in a shocking NBA trade, that's what we'll spend a lot of time today about. It is Countdown to Kickoff, presented by Progressive Insurance. Myron, you know, I was at the Kentucky, the Caliperi return game last night, which in and of itself was quite a.

[Myron Metcalf]

That was a thing.

[Matt Jones]

But you, you, you realize something's a huge story when maybe the most anticipated regular season game in Kentucky in 30 years is going on. Caliperi wins. And then when it's over, people are like, you hear about the Luca trade. Like, like, I mean, there were still people who. That was what they wanted to talk about. What do you think? I mean, Luca Luka Doga to the Lakers for Anthony Davis. There were other things, but that was the centerpiece. Are you, were you as shocked as the rest of us when it happened?

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah, I thought it was. I thought Shams was hacked. You know what I mean? Like, people were texting me.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Myron Metcalf]

I was like, wait a minute, is this real? Because it's unfortunate that we have to do that today. Right. But that's how I felt. My first instinct was I got to see a video from Champs. I got to see something that offers confirmation before I run with this. But then when it was clear that it was real, I can't remember anything similar to this. I mean, this is a Hall of Famer for a Hall of Famer, and I don't know that that's ever happened in sports history. So it's just wild to think about a move like that. And then it happens kind of in the middle of the night, we'd be talking about Cal, I think at the top of the show and what happened last night in Kentucky if this hadn't happened.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. One person mad about today is John. Cal Perry.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yes.

[Matt Jones]

He was ready to have. He was ready to have his moment and sorry, Cal, you're on the back page. All right. So for people who don't know the Lakers, I don't know how you wouldn't. The Maps trade Luca, Max Kleiber and Markief Morris to the Lakers for Anthony Davis. Max Christie and a first round pick. The Jazz were also involved, but who cares about their part? The, the. The Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison told ESPN's Tim McMahon quote, I believe defense wins championships. That was to help explain why he made the trade. I believe getting an all defensive center and an all NBA player with a defensive mindset gives us a better chance. We're built to win now and in the future. Here's how I read this trade. Yeah, Myron, you tell me how you read it. I read it as this. I think the Mavericks believe. Whether this is true or not, we could debate, but the Mavericks believe that the current incarnation of Luca and the team they have probably can't win a title. They think that they have a couple of years of Kyrie at a elite level left and that maybe Kyrie Anthony Davis is a team that's better suited to win big than one with Luka. And you have Anthony Davis as a potential still a few more years star. Kyrie goes, you can get somebody to put with him. I'm assuming the Lakers say, look, you got the best player in the deal and the goal is to get the best player. You have Luca and LeBron for maybe just this year and then you build your future around Luka in la. So that's probably the case both teams make. Is there any reason to do this beyond what I just said? And then what do you think of those two cases?

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah, I guess I'm still trying to make sense of it. Like my theory of life is like when you have to over explain something like this, you're probably not quite sure. Right.

[Matt Jones]

James Carville says about politics, when you're explaining you're losing. Yeah, that's his. And I actually think it's a pretty good, a pretty good line when you're explaining you're losing.

[Myron Metcalf]

I mean Nico Harrison, the GM of the Mavericks, it's been explaining for the last 12 hours and nobody fully gets it.

[Matt Jones]

He's like, the joke is good, guys. The chicken crosses the road. Yeah, it's the other side. It's funny.

[Myron Metcalf]

Listen. So I think that's a part of it. Like anytime there's a generational superstar who's 25 and you don't get another generational superstar necessarily. And Anthony Davis is incredible. Like the whole Anthony Davis, Luke. Anthony Davis is all NBA hall of Famer if he retires tonight. Like he is a great player who I think can help the Dallas Mavericks win now. But you just don't see a 25 year old get traded for a 31 year old and a 20, 29 first round pick. That's such a rare thing. I didn't expect Black History Month to kick off like this either. By the way, you know, Nico Harrison, you know, made his mark.

[Matt Jones]

Who thought the Lakers are becoming like the exciting white section of the Wild store.

[Myron Metcalf]

I thought Nico Harrison was gonna get.

[Matt Jones]

Austin Reeves and now Luca.

[Myron Metcalf]

Who would have thought, man? I thought Nico Harrison would get some Kendrick Lamar tickets or something. You got to get more than what you got, Nico. I don't know what you were doing, but it just doesn't make a lot of sense on paper if. If this is all it is. But clearly from the reports, it feels like there's this undertone of there's stuff between Luca in Dallas that goes beyond basketball.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah.

[Myron Metcalf]

And that may come out at some point.

[Matt Jones]

So I think that's an important point. I mean, I. The first thing when I saw this and it was clear that it was real is I thought Dallas must really hate Luca because. Yeah. I mean, why? You know, I'm a Kentucky guy. While Anthony Davis, I do think, is a Hall of Famer. And Anthony Davis is going to be one of the very few people, Myron, ever to win an NCAA national title. NCAA player of the year, Olympic gold medal, NBA title.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yep.

[Matt Jones]

You know, there are not many people there. I think the number of people that that's true about is like three. Yeah, right. I think it's. I think it's, you know, literally like.

[Myron Metcalf]

Bill Walton, Bill Russell, I think.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. It's like Bill Walton, Bill Russell was Jordan national player of the year in college. I'm not sure if he even was.

[Myron Metcalf]

I don't. Yeah, I think he may have. It's a small, small number.

[Matt Jones]

It's a very small group. And Anthony Davis is going to be on that list. So, you know, again, that it's not like he's not amazing, but Luca is one of those dudes that you think thought could be one of the handful of great players who plays for one team his whole career. And he's 25 and already gone. So my assumption there is Dallas must really hate him and Myron. We're just not sure why that is yet.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah, you hear the conditioning stuff, which. That's not a secret, right? I mean, the image of him being in the locker room, I don't know if it was last year, I think when they reached the finals and he's drinking a beer, I think with his dad. I don't know that that stuff ever helped Luka, you know, but the GM.

[Matt Jones]

Came and took it out of his hand.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah, like those kinds of things. And then, you know, he. He's one of those guys who can just put on weight really fast. Like he'll show up the season in shape and by Thanksgiving he's put on £20.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, he's the only person I've ever seen that gets chubbier during the season. Like you would think. Like, it's like, I don't know if he goes on the road and he's like, you know, we're in, we're in Port Portland tonight. They got great eats. Like, he gets fatter during the year. It's weird.

[Myron Metcalf]

It's like running adds calories and doesn't really make sense. But they're obviously for a 25 year old who has had some injuries and concerned about his body breaking down. We've seen Zion and others like him who get into their late 20s, early 30s, and you're like, man, this guy won't be able to stay healthy. At the same time, Lucas already led this team to the finals. He's been all NBA first team five times. He was eligible for the supermax deal in Dallas. He's not anymore. I don't know how many teams. Matt, if you would have said here's Luca would have said no to whatever player you wanted off their roster. And then you go to the lake.

[Matt Jones]

Do you think there are players besides Anthony Davis that they could have gotten that are better than Anthony Davis? Because I was trying to think of who that list is.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

And let's. Okay, so let's just do an assumption. Let's assume for sake of argument that Dallas are. Is not run by idiots. Because I tend to want to give franchises that have had success the benefit of the doubt. And let's just say for whatever reason the Luca thing was so toxic, they felt like he had to go. Now, is there someone they could have gotten that is better than Anthony Davis?

[Myron Metcalf]

I think there's the potential. You write and certainly young, like, who.

[Matt Jones]

Who do you think?

[Myron Metcalf]

I think you gotta, I think you gotta compare like age along with skill set.

[Matt Jones]

Of course. Yeah.

[Myron Metcalf]

I think the only teams saying no are probably Wimby and San Antonio, SGA and Oklahoma City. You probably can't get Tatum. And maybe Minnesota Timber will say no because of Anthony Edwards.

[Matt Jones]

Well, I don't think. Okay. Oklahoma City's not going to trade.

[Myron Metcalf]

No, they're not giving sga. Minnesota is not given Anthony Edwards. I don't think so.

[Matt Jones]

Then everyone else. So if I assume that that's true. Everybody. I just said though, I'm not sure that there is someone, that there's someone that's obviously better. I mean, Anthony Davis, the age is an issue, I totally grant you that. But like, let's take like Orlando with Paolo. Yeah. Are you going to, I mean, are you certain he's going to be better long term for you than Anthony Davis will for a few years? I mean, I think he might be, but we don't know that.

[Myron Metcalf]

No.

[Matt Jones]

At least with Anthony Davis, I know that for these next three or four years or whatever, I have Kyrie. I know he'll be good if he's, if he's healthy. They must hate him. At the end of the day, they must just hate him. I think that's the takeaway. It doesn't really make sense unless you assume they hate him.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah, I mean, Anthony Davis's age is the factor. Like, no, the people out there who are questioning like the skill set, like Anthony Davis is a Hall of Famer. That makes complete sense to me. He can help you win now. But the age doesn't make sense. The, the, the Brooklyn Nets got more from Mikhail Bridges. I mean, the Timberwolves got gave up.

[Matt Jones]

More for Rudy Gobert, of course.

[Myron Metcalf]

So that's the other weird thing is like, usually there are eight future first round picks attached to this and it feels like the Mavs just said whatever you want you can have.

[Matt Jones]

But Anthony Davis is a better superstar than those picks in terms of like those picks might be superstars. Anthony Davis is a superstar.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yes. But you don't see teams give up a guy like Luka unless they can build for the future. That's the weird part here. Like, Anthony Davis can leave in two years. He has a player option on his deal.

[Matt Jones]

No, he can't. The Lakers were 25 to 1 to win the Western Conference. Now they're down to 9 to 1. The Mavericks were 9 to 1 and now they're 15 to 1. The only thing I'm asking is I hope they draw each other in the playoffs because like that would be the best, you know, situation. It is amazing. Here's my question for you all. 888 say ESPN. Does the deal make sense to you? I'm assure most of you will say no for Dallas, but is there anybody out there that also thinks, hey, I understand why Dallas did it and if you're a Dallas fan or a Lakers fan, what do you think of this? 888 say ESPN. I'd like to take calls. We're going to talk more about this at some point. We're going to talk about how Cal Perry came in here and broke my heart last night and I'm mad at Myron for that. We'll do that too.

[Myron Metcalf]

I do nothing.

[Matt Jones]

I don't know. It's just the fact it's I didn't play. I know. It's still mean of him. Is this Groundhog Day yet? This is counting at the kickoff on ESPN Radio. What's up kiddos?

[Myron Metcalf]

Clinton Yates here.

[Matt Jones]

I've got a new show starting February.

[Myron Metcalf]

10Th after the super bowl called Clinton.

[Matt Jones]

And Friends, Monday through Friday from 10am.

[Myron Metcalf]

To 12pm Eastern Time. I'm just a journalist who loves life.

[Matt Jones]

And have had the opportunity to see so many different places, and I can't wait to share it all with everyone.

[Myron Metcalf]

And stay on top of the news of the day.

[Matt Jones]

Clinton and Friends. Don't be a stranger. I'll see you on the radio, kiddos.

[Myron Metcalf]

Matt and Myron the Podcast.

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[Matt Jones]

Of the all time blockbuster trades. Dallas is sending superstar Luka Doncic to the LA Lakers. If the Lakers can secure the bag with Luca, they've got their guy and their next franchise player moving forward for the next decade or so. So I think that is the case. Myon for the deal for the Lakers is that this is like a future seeking deal.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

You made an interesting point before we started the show when we were doing our pre show arguing where for people.

[Myron Metcalf]

I believe in the pre show you.

[Matt Jones]

Told me you can't just cut me.

[Myron Metcalf]

Off and say stuff. I think that's what you said.

[Matt Jones]

Well, we go to pre show. Myron just like lets out all his frustration of the week. Like it's like when we, when we did the morning. Myron's always. He's like cussing about his coffee.

[Myron Metcalf]

That's not it at all.

[Matt Jones]

But anyway you made a good point that you know. Well actually. What was your point? Completely forgot. You made a good point. What was it about the future.

[Myron Metcalf]

It was that good about the. Well, I think the Luca. I think it could be a franchise guy. Right. Like I mean that's why you sign and I think if you're the Lakers and maybe this is.

[Matt Jones]

Do you think they have a more of a chance to win this year in the future? This is a deal for the Lakers to like have their next superstar this year. It looks like the odds makers seem to suggest this makes the Lakers have more of a chance. I mean I feel like you and I can score on the Lakers with their defense right now with this group. I mean do you think it gives them more of a chance this year?

[Myron Metcalf]

I mean Lucas still hurt so. No. I mean I don't know when he comes back and if he's healthy when he comes back. I think he was trying to come back this week maybe or.

[Matt Jones]

I know what the point was. You said they, they, they must not care what LeBron thinks anymore. Expand on that.

[Myron Metcalf]

Well, I don't. Yeah, I think LeBron. It's weird if Sham said that LeBron didn't know. I mean the report was that LeBron was at dinner in New York. And someone was like, hey, they traded AD. And then LeBron tweeted because there was a report that him and Anthony Davis were at odds. And LeBron tweeted, that's a lie. So usually LeBron knows everything that's going on. And it appears that the Lakers are sort of saying this is a new era. It makes me feel like The Lakers think LeBron is retiring and they got to start a new era without him.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, that's it. Weird, man. I mean, it is weird. I don't know. So long term, I think this makes the Lakers a bit. They are a better franchise today for the future with a 25 year old Luca in the future than a 31 year old Anthony Davis. But Myron, I'm not sure that they're better this year. As a matter of fact, I kind of don't think they are. Even if Luca comes back and plays, I think you're almost. And if you're sacrificing what might be the last year of LeBron's career, that's kind of interesting, isn't it?

[Myron Metcalf]

It's all interesting that you wouldn't consult LeBron. I mean, that you're moving a guy like Anthony Davis and you're getting Luke, like the future makes sense. And he's very good right now. I think he's averaging like, you know, 26 or 7 a game or something like that. But the weird thing on the Lakers part two is we're assuming Luca's getting ready to sign some long term deal. Luca could say, because according to reports, he didn't know that this was happening. Luca has a player option in 2026. There's a world where the Lakers have Luca for one year, and then in 2026 he's like, yeah, I'm not interested.

[Matt Jones]

Who. Who doesn't sign with the Lakers.

[Myron Metcalf]

True.

[Matt Jones]

But.

[Myron Metcalf]

But what I'm saying is it's interesting to me. Usually what you hear is they've talked to the guy that they're trading for. He wants to be in LA long term. And it doesn't feel like that's happened here.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah. All right, let's go to the phones. 888, say ESPN. Let's do a little Barry in Virginia Beach. Barry, I just saw a picture of me in college on Virginia. On the beach in Virginia beach. And there was a group of bikers playing paddle ball behind me. I don't know what that has to do with anything, but that's a good way to bring you in. And that was literally in like 1999 when I was in college, so. Go ahead, Barry.

[Myron Metcalf]

That scene from.

[Barry]

Wow, that's interesting. Yeah. Virginia beach, we were just talking about it. It's still a great city, but changed so much. I'm about your age.

[Myron Metcalf]

Are you two on the Chamber of Commerce for Virginia Beach? Cause I'm just saying, I think these are Luca calls, and you all are.

[Matt Jones]

Saying they were marketing Virginia Beach. Myron, they were wearing all leather on the beach, and I thought that was a funny look to wear.

[Myron Metcalf]

The beach. Where is the timeshare you both clearly own on Virginia Beach?

[Matt Jones]

You know, go ahead, Barry.

[Barry]

I'm about an hour from Virginia beach, but it's changed a lot. But it's still a good city. But it's changed a lot since the 90s. But I just want to touch on two things. I'm not trying to take y'all off the subject of talking about Dallas and Luke.

[Myron Metcalf]

It seems like it, though. Barry. It feels like you are.

[Matt Jones]

Whatever it is. I need you to go ahead and get to it, though.

[Barry]

Okay, I'm getting to it. Yeah. I don't like the deal. I say that first, and it seems kind of weird, but I don't like the deal. But the second thing is, I'm not trying to pull you off the subject, but I'm just saying our area, it's not a lot of Chiefs fans, except for the bandwagons, the new banners on the cars all of a sudden for Chiefs. Like, where did that come from? You know? But the other thing is, I think the thing. I'm not speaking from America, but I think this. This area.

[Matt Jones]

Hold on.

[Myron Metcalf]

A city. Hold on. We gotta. We gotta go. No, y'all. Hey, thank you for the call, Barry. We got. I don't know where.

[Matt Jones]

Wait a minute. I wanna hear what he has to say. He's not working for America.

[Myron Metcalf]

They're not speaking for America.

[Matt Jones]

Okay, hang on, Barry. I gotta at least hear what I. I don't want to not know what his point is. Barry, I gotta hear. What were you gonna say? Quickly?

[Barry]

We were gonna say. I was gonna say that I think it's a combination of people that are fatigued on the Chiefs is the. Kelsey's arrogant. We're tired of Taylor seeing Taylor Swift at an NFL event.

[Matt Jones]

All right, There you go. I appreciate the call. I thought we just had.

[Myron Metcalf]

We just had Sunday morning coffee with Barry. That's. That's. We. We started out with Virginia beach, promoted. Virginia beach is not like it used to be. Oh, yeah, Luca. Taylor Swift. We went everywhere.

[Matt Jones]

I like that. I like any sentence. That says, I'm not trying to speak for America.

[Myron Metcalf]

See, I gotta cut it off. You can't do that.

[Matt Jones]

Well, you. You probably think it's going a different.

[Myron Metcalf]

Way and you know why.

[Matt Jones]

Corey is in New York. Go ahead, Courts.

[Barry]

Hi, guys.

[Myron Metcalf]

Hey.

[Matt Jones]

Hey. What do you think of the trades?

[Barry]

When I woke up to this, I was like, I heard Lakers and I heard Mavs trade. I really thought, did LeBron just get moved to the Mav? Yeah, because he's going to play with his buddy. I'm like, then I looked at it. Luca, really? The lakers? If I'm LeBron, I didn't know about this. I'm excited. I get to play with this star dude. He's very. He's a good player.

[Matt Jones]

This reminds me, I do wonder what LeBron really thinks, though. I have not seen Myron. I appreciate the call. I have not seen LeBron comment about the substance of the trade beyond saying that he. It's not like he didn't get along with Anthony Davis. Have you? Am I missing something?

[Myron Metcalf]

No.

[Matt Jones]

I would have thought he would have said something like yay. Or maybe. Maybe.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah, it's kind of. Right?

[Matt Jones]

I mean, but it's. It is weird to me that he would tweet after it's over but not say anything about the substance of trade. You know, for whatever you want to say about Luca, he is there. He and LeBron are both ball heavy guys. I wonder if he does. If LeBron does love it.

[Myron Metcalf]

I mean, he'll certainly let us know. What I think it says is that he didn't know. Like, it feels like what's clear is that LeBron didn't know any of this was happening. And remember, they did those interviews.

[Matt Jones]

You think that makes him mad?

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah. They did those interviews a couple days ago where Anthony Davis said, we need a big. You know, and they were talking about winning now. And now all of a sudden, this all unfolds. I think LeBron's very upset. He didn't know that the Lakers didn't come to him, you know?

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I think. I think, I think you're probably right. Let's go. Quick. Scott in Baltimore. You got 30 seconds. Quick.

[Myron Metcalf]

Less than 30.

[Barry]

Hey, guys.

[Dave McMenamin]

Good morning. Real quickly. Time will tell whether it's a good trade or not. But I definitely remind.

[Matt Jones]

I respect and admire both teams.

[Dave McMenamin]

All right. They acknowledge, which is very rare in these days. Okay. We're not advancing with the status quo. You want to be like the Utah Jazz of old, who for 14, 15 years had Stockton.

[Matt Jones]

And I might cut you off because we got a break. I actually really like that point. And we'll get to it when we come back. 888 CSPN is countdown to kickoff. Hey, it's your resident super bowl champ Chris Kearney coming on Monday. I'll get you ready for Super Bowl Bowl 59 with the keys to the game. It's unsportsmanlike weekday mornings at 6 right here on ESPN Radio, ESPN2 and ESPNU.

[Myron Metcalf]

If you need three new reasons to.

[Matt Jones]

Love Jack wraps at Jack in the Box even more, here they are. Chicken fajita, chicken Caesar and delicious starting at $3.

[Clinton Yates]

Coincidentally, those are the same three reasons.

[Matt Jones]

You should come to Jack in the Box right now at Jack.

[Myron Metcalf]

Every bite's a big deal. Matt and Myron, the podcast.

[Matt Jones]

The all time blockbuster trades. The Mavericks get big man Anthony Davis.

[Myron Metcalf]

They showing the world that, hey, we believe in Kyrie Irving.

[Matt Jones]

Dallas didn't do this thinking that they still couldn't win. Dallas feels like, hey, we can compete right away. Luca to the Lakers, AD to the Mavericks. Maybe the biggest, at least shocking NBA trade of all time. I can't think of one in any sport with two superstars of this level. As Myon said earlier, two hall of Famers getting traded. I, I can't think of it. 888 say ESPN. We want to know your thoughts. Dave McMiniman here, ESPN NBA reporter. So Dave, let me start with this. I'm sure on the national NBA beat that there is a group chat, right? Like we have that here in Kentucky all there's a little group chat of the reporters where we say what's really happening. So a, is there a group chat that you're on and B, what was the reaction last night at the moment it happened?

[Dave McMenamin]

There are several group chats. You know, there's, there's some that, you know, you worry if your phone ever gets seized. Yeah. And then we have the, you know, the very professional colleague one. I'll tell you, like the actual group in person in real life. Chat I ended up with was in Mansford Garden in the media workroom late last night after locker rooms are closed, after the last players had spoken to us. We're all getting ready to write our LeBron James has a triple double and beats the Knicks again in Mad Square Garden story. When we all see the tweet and anyone who covers the NBA has shams tweets on tweet notifications. So we all pick up our phones at the same time and look at one another like, are you believing this?

[Matt Jones]

Like, what did you think he Was hacked. Did you think he was hacked like I did?

[Dave McMenamin]

Yeah, it just didn't compute to me. And certainly not because Jobs isn't great at the job. It's just. Who would have thought Luka Doncic could be had? Luka Doncic is one of the, you know, five ascendant young talents that figure to be the face of this league over the next 15 years. Who would have thought he's coming off an NBA finals appearance? Yeah, but, yeah, I checked in with a source immediately and I said, this is a wild story. Is it true? I got one word. Yes. And then it's off to the races. Okay, what information can I get? You know, try to have fans and viewers and readers understand what the hell is going on.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah, let's just get to it, Dave. What the hell is Nico Harrison and the Mavericks doing here? Like, what? Let's just get to it, all right? Let's just ask the question. Everybody's asking, what on earth is happening?

[Matt Jones]

They must hate Luca, right? They have to hate him. Like, there's got to be something. There's got to be something there, right?

[Dave McMenamin]

Well, you. There's a phrase that familiarity can breed contempt. And, you know, listen to me from the outsiders view, I see the results of what Luka Doncic does, and I don't really care about whatever happens in practice. I mean, it's like the Allen Iverson conversation. You think Sixers fans cared that Iverson was missing practice? We're talking about practice. Like, no. So do I care about Luka Doncic? Waistline? If he has the third highest scoring average in NBA history and the second highest scoring average in NBA history in the playoffs, only behind Michael Jordan, and He just, at 25 years old, led his team to the NBA Finals. I mean, come on. But if you are trying to build a certain type of culture and you have a guy that, you know, you feel like makes things difficult, the way he conducts himself, then. Then you can go and say, well, you know what? There's 31 year old Anthony Davis in the prime of his career, who has already adopted kind of the adult professionalism approach to the day to day taking care of his body. You know, dating back the last two seasons. I look up this stat in the middle of the night. I think it's 177 out of the last 193 Lakers games between the regular season, the in season, tournament playing, tournament in the playoffs. Anthony Davis played in 93% of the games. I mean, and you know that your head coach has a relationship with him. Jason Kidd. Was assistant coach when Anthony Davis won a lakers championship in 2020. You know that your GM has a relationship with him. Nico Harrison was, you know, a Nike rep working and managing Anthony Davis deal when he worked for the sneaker and apparel company. And you say this guy can plug in and play both ends right now. And yeah, we'll live with the consequences if Luka ends up maximizing his talent and becomes one of the true all time greats. They're comfortable with that chance of that happening based on what they got now, again, to me seems a perplexing deal, but you know, NBA teams, team personnel see a lot of stuff behind closed doors that us in the media don't see.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I mean, I remember a number of years ago here at Kentucky hearing John Cal Peri had his best player was a little bit of what you're saying. And he said the reason this hurts our team, he said to me once, is not even about him. He's talented enough to do it. It's the other guys then do the same thing and they're not talented enough to do it. Do you think there was part of that maybe in Dallas?

[Dave McMenamin]

Right. I mean, again, this is just conjecture. And I think you can kind of extend that to some degree. Certainly that if you apply logic to what we're seeing, that makes some sense. And certainly you look at Tim McMahon's reporting for ESPN in the hours since the trade happened, that Luca's weight ballooned to almost £270 this year. And again, if you're trying to establish a culture, I mean that's. It's hard to look to that guy as your leader. And then the quotes on the record from Nico Harrison about defense wins championships. I mean, what did I say the statistic to you guys? But look at his scoring ability. That's not his defensive prowess. And listen, that's the direction they've gone in. And this is a wonderful position to be in if you're the Lakers where this isn't like a tarnished star. This is a player with all the ability in the world that might need some tweaks in his professional approach. And if LeBron chooses to still be a part of this thing, it's hard for me to think of a better player to kind of pass along the blueprint to, hey, if you do these things, look, I do these things, I'm still dominating at 40 years old. If you do these things at 25, Luca, you're going to take off to another stratosphere even you didn't even know was possible.

[Myron Metcalf]

Dave I'm still at my first question, right? It feels like the Lucas stuff, we're trying to find a scratch on a Lamborghini a little bit, right? Like, like at the end of the day, Luca is a top five player with all NBA first team five times. Like he is a generational superstar. And what's interesting to me is if you had told me that the Mavericks put him on the market and said, what can we get? It feels like there are only a handful of players that they could not get for Luca. Why only the Lakers? Why limit themselves if the goal is to get the biggest haul in return?

[Dave McMenamin]

Also the question, again, I don't know the answer to, and these are the things we need to find out as the story unfolds. But if there was an additional sense that he was not going to sign a long term extension with Dallas, right? And through that inclination, they also learned that he had a preferred destination. Well then they know that if they start calling other teams, their first question would be, will he sign long term here? And you know, if the answer is no, then are you really going to get that much better of a deal than they got from the Lakers, which is a first round pick? Anthony Davis, as we, you know, mentioned, is in the Primus career, one of the true two way talents here. And a pretty good rotation piece in Max Christie, who is growing leaps and bounds this season, who's in his third year, but he's only like 21 years old. You know, theoretically, yeah, maybe you get a better haul from a team that says, you know what? No, we'll throw you these picks and we'll try to convince him to want to resign here anyway. But you might not. And if you don't, then maybe AD goes elsewhere. Maybe that option is closed off to you. Again, like I am just trying to make sense of this the same way you guys are. It's still even saying all that out loud, it's still perplexing. But you have to believe that the Mavericks had their reasons. I don't view this as like a malpractice situation by the Mavericks. I think they had a ton of professional knowledge already about Anthony Davis as a person, as a player. And this is really leaning into that as much as obviously pulling the plug on Luka Doncic being the next face of the franchise and spending his entire career there. The way that people thought it was going to be after Dirk Nowitzki did that for the Mavericks.

[Matt Jones]

Let me finish with this talking about David Miniman from espn. We talk a lot about the Mavericks on The Lakers side. If it is true that LeBron did not know, does that say anything either? Because I think a year or two ago it would have been unfathomable that a trade of this magnitude would have been made without LeBron James being consulted. If it is true he was not consulted, does that say the Lakers are in post LeBron mode?

[Dave McMenamin]

Well, okay, so I reported last night, LeBron's out to dinner after the game with friends and family. When he sees the notification on his phone, the way the rest of us did, that the trade occurred, that's how we first found out about it. I've since reported this morning, talking to more people, that shortly after he saw that he was called by Rob Pelinka. Rob Pelinka made a quick succession of calls after agreeing to the deal with Nico Harrison. He called on a conference call Anthony Davis and J.J. redick. His next call was to Rich Paul. His next call after that was LeBron James. So it's not like he's so far removed from this process. But again, remember, Rob Polinka is the guy who was Kobe Bryant's agent. Kobe Bryant's career post. Shaq was made by the fact that the Grizzlies and Lakers were able to keep their trade talk for Pau Gasol basically between two people, Chris Wallace and Mitch Kupchak, until the deal was done. And that's only way these deals get done. And so in that sense, it's not really a disrespect to LeBron James. It's getting a deal done at a high level in this league. And loose lips, think ships. And listen, can they say that? Yes. They recognize that there's a deep relationship between AD and LeBron and obviously positional fit, like, there's no overlap between those two for sure. You don't think they also have some inclination that LeBron James is in love with Luka Daches as a player? To the point when a couple of years back when LeBron was trying to start, like, a Team LeBron line under Nike, he tried to recruit Luka Doncic away from Team Jordan and have him be the signature athlete wearing his sneaker alongside him like that means something. And that's the intrinsic knowledge that they had that Rob Pelinka had when he went and discussed this deal with Nico Harrison. That, yeah, I may not be able to tell LeBron as it's going along, because who knows where that information can go, but I have a pretty good sense of the type of player that LeBron respects and gets excited for in this league. And Luka Johnson fits that to a tee.

[Matt Jones]

David Miniman, ESPN NBA reporter I'm sure you thought today would be a non working day, but I'm sure that's also now not true. So have a good day. Good luck.

[Dave McMenamin]

Yeah, yeah. It was supposed to be the nice flight back to LA after a nine day road trip. You know, maybe watch a movie or two on the flight. Yeah, that's not the case anymore, guys.

[Matt Jones]

Let me tell you, I was just there and if you're at the Newark Airport, which I was, do not eat the chicken cheesesteak. I spent two days sick. I know you would think that that would be the place to get a chicken cheesesteak.

[Myron Metcalf]

Don't do it.

[Matt Jones]

Don't do it. Thank you, Dave.

[Dave McMenamin]

Okay, thanks guys.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah, you can't just eliminate foods from.

[Matt Jones]

You do that.

[Myron Metcalf]

You will do that. You'll be like, don't eat the people.

[Matt Jones]

At the Newark import. I'm sure. Nice. But if you get a chicken cheesesteak at the Newark Airport.

[Myron Metcalf]

Come on.

[Matt Jones]

Be prepared. Of 48 hours.

[Myron Metcalf]

Come on, man.

[Matt Jones]

Next here on C to kick off.

[Myron Metcalf]

The NFL playoffs on ESPN Radio.

[Matt Jones]

Home steps up, throws and he got it.

[Myron Metcalf]

The latest news.

[Matt Jones]

They have that ability because of the nature of their offense.

[Myron Metcalf]

Loss predictions and reaction. My goal at the end of the.

[Barry]

Year is to win the Super Bowl.

[Myron Metcalf]

Nothing else matters. The NFL playoffs. Continuing coverage right here on ESPN Radio. Matt and Myron, the podcast.

[Matt Jones]

The all time blockbuster trades. Dallas is sending superstar Luka Doncic to the LA Lakers. If the Lakers can secure the bag with Luca, they've got their guy and their next franchise player moving forward for the next decade or so. Kind of kickoff here on ESPN radio. I do want to go the phones. 888 CSB CSPN about the Mavericks trade with the Lakers. I do want to say one thing. I saw the trash talking this week of Kevin Durant with Gary Payton in the crowd.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

I just saw Sports center put out yesterday. That one of the things Kevin Durant said to Gary Payton, which I really liked. By the time you was my age, you was the eighth man on the bench.

[Myron Metcalf]

Oh, that's a good one. That's a good one.

[Matt Jones]

There's no comeback. You know what? First of all, he's right. And secondly. Yeah. What are you gonna say if you're Gary Payton? Cause he was probably the eighth win on the bench.

[Myron Metcalf]

But who, who is giving Gary Payton tickets to just sit in the front row and trash talk people. Cause like this has happened before and it's a little odd, but that is A, you can't come back from that, man. And to me, I don't know what.

[Matt Jones]

It is about the people that played in the 80s and 90s that they're always like, these dudes today would have no chance. Like, no offense, y'all would have no chance. Like, y'all. You guys were great, but just slow your roll. These dudes are all 50 times the athletes you were. Stop it.

[Myron Metcalf]

Can you imagine Patrick Ewing trying to guard Wimby? Come on, people.

[Matt Jones]

Bill Lambert tried to check Kevin Durant.

[Myron Metcalf]

Good luck he dropped. Kevin Durant would average 54 points a game in 1988.

[Matt Jones]

As I say this all the time, and this is a different argument. I'm not trying to get people on it. We have sports Myon, where the times are measured, all right? And guess what? In every single sport.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yeah.

[Matt Jones]

The best people to do it are now.

[Myron Metcalf]

Yep.

[Matt Jones]

In every sport. So why would sports where we don't measure it be different?

[Myron Metcalf]

They're not.

[Matt Jones]

They're not.

[Myron Metcalf]

No, no.

[Matt Jones]

In every sport. This is. This is the truth. In every single sport that exists. Except maybe golf. But I would even say it's probably true of golf, too. In every sport. The best people to ever do it play right now. Because that's the way the world works. Like, everybody just builds on itself and gets better.

[Myron Metcalf]

Well, but I feel like it's only a basketball thing where people get into that. Nobody talks about baseball. And they go, that dude who used to do the wind up and throw underhand 52 miles an hour.

[Matt Jones]

Everybody goes, you know, I'd like to see. I'd like to see these dudes get a hit against Catfish Hunter. Dude, nobody's saying that.

[Myron Metcalf]

Those dudes who do the big wind up with the leg in the air and then they throw it. Like, nobody thinks those dudes are better than modern pitchers today. It's only a basketball thing.

[Matt Jones]

No. All right, who's up early, Joe? Like those dudes Houston in Tulsa or Tulsa and Houston? Go ahead.

[Houston]

Houston and Tulsa. You had it right the first time, chief.

[Matt Jones]

All right.

[Houston]

I just wanted to say about it. It doesn't. It doesn't make sense to me to the point that. That it was outlined a second ago, third in scoring in the NBA, only behind Jordan. How you look at that and say, oh, we're going to trade him because of conditioning? Makes no sense to me at all. Curry didn't get traded when he was having the ab ankle issues. So why is it that the Mavericks are going forward with doing this and getting a box of trinkets from the Back of the poncho.

[Matt Jones]

First of all, it's not about. Anthony Davis is not a box.

[Myron Metcalf]

He's not.

[Matt Jones]

I mean, Anthony Davis, like I just said, I mean Houston. Are you a Dallas fan?

[Houston]

I am a. And, and have been for it. I mean.

[Matt Jones]

Okay, so you're a Dallas fan. Whatever you want to say about Anthony Davis, and it may not be a balanced trade. You know, Anthony Davis, what I said a minute ago about how many people won a college title, were national player of the year, one Olympic gold medal, won an NBA title, I literally think that's like four people in history. So you're not getting a box of trinkets. So like, I mean, you take Kyrie Irving and the lineup Dallas has with Anthony Davis. Do you think you are better this year, have a better chance to win with that group than you would with Luca?

[Houston]

It's hard, it's hard for me to say. I don't think I, I. In my opinion. No, I don't think so.

[Matt Jones]

You don't?

[Houston]

I feel like, I feel like when, when on the court, the numbers that Kyrie and Luke are putting up together, with the exception of Gafford and P.J. washington working, when and, and when Lively is healthy is, is astounding to me.

[Matt Jones]

Yeah, I wouldn't call him.

[Myron Metcalf]

We can't minimize Anthony Davis. My challenge is like people are minimizing Anthony Davis and you can't find in history many players who have a better resume. I'll keep saying the same thing. If Anthony Davis announces retirement tonight, he's a first ballot hall of Famer. Like that shouldn't be the conversation, of course.

[Matt Jones]

I mean, again, using the, what they do for the hall of Fame, which is all the levels of basketball, how many are better? I mean, there's, there aren't many. But now for an NBA trade, this is a little different. Cornell, 45 seconds. Go ahead. Cornell, you there? Hey, this is my $0.02 on this thing.

[Dave McMenamin]

It's a rebuild move for both teams.

[Matt Jones]

LeBron is going to retire, you know, pretty much. And with Luca, Dallas didn't want to give him the supermax, so they needed to part ways and think about the future. Now I'll tell you one thing, I would love to see Luca paired up with Jokic. That's the team. That's not going to happen. I think that would be a little, that'd be a little unfair. Well, we'll see.888, say ESPN. Kara Jordan, Paul on the phone. I'll get to you. We're also going to talk about what happened here. In Lexington last night. This is Countdown to Kick Them. Hey, it's your resident super bowl champ Chris Cannon coming on Monday, NBA Houston, Huge college basketball rivalry games. And I'll react to it all in my upon further review at 7am Eastern. It's unsportsmanlike weekday mornings at 6 right here on ESPN Radio, ESPN2 and ESPNU.

[Myron Metcalf]

Thanks for listening to Matt and Myron the Podcast. You can listen to the show live every Sunday morning at 10am Eastern on ESPN Radio, the ESPN app, and on SiriusXM Channel 80. Matt and Myron the Podcast.