Tim MacMahon
Appearances
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
Howdy, partner. I appreciate you having me. Neutral Corner, I don't know. I think I'm more of the instigator. I enjoy when those guys spar a little bit, and frankly, Bontemps is an inviting punching bag.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
So honestly, and look, like obviously the conditioning has always been a thing, a concern with Luke, even back before the draft. But in terms of the disconnect with the Mavericks organization, I think a massive thing that happened that was under the radar at the time. And I'm going to say this and people will be like, really?
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
But when they fired Casey Smith, who was one of the most respected people entirely in the athletic training field, he was the Mavericks head athletic trainer for years and years and years, oversaw that group, the health and performance group, as part of the front office. He was a critical player.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
critical part of the culture of the Mavericks of the fabric of the Mavericks was there for 20 years is one of Dirk Nowitzki's best friends was tight with Jason Kidd. He's now working for the New York Knicks. Not a coincidence. Jalen Brunson loved him. So did Luca. And that happened in August, 2023.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
And I reported at a time he was reassigned to, you know, sit at home and twiddle his thumbs for the final year of his contract. Um, I reported it then, but didn't really dive into it because I was like, OK, let's I think this is going to be a big thing. Let's see. It's going to be part of a bigger story to see how it develops. Well, and then they went to the finals. Right.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
So it's like, well, you know, I guess it didn't have major media ramifications. Then Nico also fired. Their longtime strength coach, Jeremy Holzapfel, their longtime manual therapist, massage therapist, Casey Spangler. Again, all people who predated Luca in Dallas, all people who had great relationships with Luca in Dallas, all people who were part of him making this massive cultural transition.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
from Europe as a teenager to not just America and Dallas, but to the NBA, all inner circle people for him who he liked, but more importantly, he respected, he trusted. And then Nico brought in people who were referred to around the Mavericks as Nico's guys. And Luka didn't know them, didn't particularly like them, didn't trust them. Now, Luka does have his own body team, which started last year.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
But just the working, and that's not unusual, right? You know that. Like for a superstar to have his own guys, whether it's a massage therapist, strength coach, physical therapist, whatever. A lot of these superstars have these body teams. Often, they're good working relationships with the teams, with the franchise. That wasn't the case this year. And that was part of the lead up to this trade.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
And then, obviously, the fourth calf strain in a 28-month span. Nico certainly was frustrated, feeling like, hey, you're not taking care of your body. You're not putting in the work. You're not doing the preparation. This is kind of what happens.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
You know, Luca's side would say, well, we rushed back from the calf strain and training camp that, by the way, you reported as a contusion to get ready and then rushed back from a heel bruise just before Christmas was playing on our tippy toes or on his tippy toes. And yeah, stuff happens. It's unfortunate.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
Whatever side you want to take, this all leads to just Nico being so frustrated, feeling like we can't invest in this guy, can't invest in this Supermax deal, and trading him while he really only got one bid. I mean, not... Didn't, yeah, like flat out only got one bid. So you gave up on this generational talent who was at the time 25, about to turn 26.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
And people I've talked to around the league, there's two camps. One, you just can't give up on that kind of a talent unless you've got the proverbial gun to your head, you have to trade them, which was not the case here. Two, there are people who say, you know what, I get wanting to get out of the Luca business because of these concerns, but you have to maximize the return.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
And I have not talked to a single person outside of the Mavericks organization who feels like Dallas did that.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
It's certainly the standard for Nico, right? And Nico had relationships with a lot of guys over the years at Nike, none like he did with Kobe. I mean, he worked his way up the ranks at Nike in large part by being Kobe's guy and then working up from there.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
And like, look, when Kyrie tore his ACL about a month after the trade, Nico puts out a statement and he references Kobe in the statement talking about, you know, I've... praising Kyrie's work ethic, but bringing up Kobe as the comparison. And Nico said, you know, I've lived it. So yes, there is this relationship that Nico had with Kobe. Basically, that's his vision of the superstar.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
That's his vision of a face of the franchise. That's his standard high standard for work ethic. And, you know, listen, Luca doesn't fit into that mold. Like Luca does enjoy to have a post-game brew ski or two ski or six ski, you know, like Luca. I mean, you know, the man is going to eat steak and potatoes and the weight fluctuates and, you know, all these kind of things.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
He's a five-time first-team All-NBA selection who's yet to hit his prime years. He averaged 34-10-9, led the league in scoring, led the Mavs to the finals, while, by the way, playing the most minutes over the regular season and playoffs of anybody in the NBA. And, you know, honestly, he had Kobe's stamp of approval.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
You know, I mean, sadly, the last NBA game that Kobe attended was courtside at, you know, Staples Center then. And yes, that's the scene where he's famously started talking some trash and still be anyone. Luke was about to inbound the ball. Luca turns around and it's Kobe. you know, with his daughter, with Gigi. And Gigi's favorite player was Luka Doncic.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
Kobe brought his daughter to the game to see Luka. You know, Kobe and Luka had a moment after the game. And I mean, Kobe loved the kid's game. Now, look, obviously he wasn't with him on a day-to-day basis, evaluating the work ethic. But again, Luka's not the first superstar who's, you know...
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
had a little bit, you know, had a healthy appetite and who, you know, maybe didn't enjoy the rigorous mundane preparation details and who would have an adult beverage or three or four. So, The production, to me, that kind of production gives a guy a lot of leeway. But again, Mikko's bet is that the body's going to break down in his prime.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
And he feared giving him the supermax, and he punted on him, I would say prematurely.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
Yeah, I would certainly agree with that. And look, that relationship obviously also goes back to the relationship with Kobe. Rob Palenka was Kobe's longtime agent. You know, Nico was his right-hand man at Nike. Those three traveled the world together, you know, got to have a, you know, a real bond. And Nico could trust Palenka to keep things secret. Of course,
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
Was it in Polinka's best interest to keep things secret? Absolutely. You know, because, and then he could use the card that you just mentioned. Hey, I can't check with Bill Duffy, you know, Luca's agent. Well, if I, listen, if I can't call Duff,
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
I mean, how do I know that he'll want to stick around to play in sunny Southern California for the most glamorous franchise in NBA history while one of his good buddies is coaching the team? I mean, gee whiz, could the Lakers attract talent to play with him? It's always been so difficult. Like, geez, we're taking such a risk here.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
And he walked away with a 20-31 pick in his pocket, with a 20-30 swap in his pocket. Dalton Connect wasn't part of the deal. Whatever you want to say. So yeah, Palenka keeping it secret. Nika wanted to do it because he felt like he had to blindside Luka. And as I write in the book, after six years of the Mavericks kissing Luka's butt, he did get shanked in the back.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
It's absolutely what happened here. Felt like he had to blindside Luka. Felt like he had to blindside Bill Duffy. And I would argue that it worked against him. And, you know, the other thing is I think the fear of the Supermax was or logic was extremely flawed logic. Nico talking about it's going to be a tumultuous summer. Number one, Luca was signing the Supermax, and Nico knew that.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
Luca was about to close on his forever home in Dallas, and that was known throughout the organization. He was not going to turn down the biggest contract in NBA history. There were teams that were lining up just in case, but Luca was staying in Dallas. They feared it as an investment, which to me is, wow.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
Even if you think the body's going to break down, look what Kevin Durant got in the trade market in his 30s after he'd had an Achilles and missed a whole bunch of games for other injuries with the Nets. If you have Luka locked up on a long-term deal, that means you've got to stick in the relationship for another year and a half.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
You've got to deal with having a perennial MVP cannon on your roster for another season and a half. Um, and you know, the, the things that you don't like about them, but could you imagine if in the summer of what it would be 2026, the Mavericks basically announced the league, Hey, we're trading Luca before training camp.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
So what kind of bidding war do you think would have, uh, would have started after that?
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
Well, no, because it was it was one guy with a cell phone. Right. OK. So like, I don't know if he saw the cell phone or not. I think it was just probably not. I think that that was like it's a moment that was, frankly, it was funny at the time. And then now in hindsight, it's like, oh, but I think people might be making too much of that moment.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
I haven't actually talked to Finn about it, but I think it was just more of like, hey, not in the hallway, man. Don't be drinking a beer out here for everybody to see. Behind closed doors, cool. Not in the hallway. That was my read on it, at least.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
I think that's a little weird. Well, especially because Luca is an adopted Texan and you know, like, you know, you don't take a man's beer out of his hand in Texas. That's for damn sure. Um, but I, I, I do believe that Michael Finley was a strong supporter of Luca from start to finish. I would say that I would say that.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
Well, and I just don't think the guy knows much about basketball and there's this, like all these conspiracy theories. Oh, this is a, you know, the management demanded this because they're trying to depress the value of the franchise to move it to Vegas. Like this is QAnon whack job stuff. Like, no, that's not what happened. Nico Harrison managed up, right?
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
Nico Harrison convinced Patrick Dumont, a guy who is a year in to having control of an NBA franchise, that, hey, we've got to get rid of this guy. You know, Luka doesn't work hard. Luka's bad for the culture. Supermax would be a terrible investment. He convinced Dumont of that, and he'd earned Dumont's trust because, listen,
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
The moves that Nico made before the deadline last year, which by the way, at the time, it wasn't like people were talking about the Mavs made great moves around the league. There was a lot of questions about them. But Daniel Gafford and PJ Washington ended up being critical pieces to a team that caught fire down the stretch of the regular season and made a finals run.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
So Nico had built up some credibility, a lot of credibility, I would say, with Patrick Dumont based on the success of of his first transaction cycle with Dumont in control of the team. But, I mean, Dumont doesn't know much about basketball. That's pretty clear. He also doesn't have a great feel for public speaking.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
Sure. And when he when he made those comments, we're talking about it was an interview with Brad Townsend of Dallas Morning News. It was the day after the Anthony Davis's abbreviated Mavericks debuts. So that the first home game following trade, when there was that huge protest outside the arena, you know, and sell the team F Nico, they even said some nasty things about me, which wasn't very nice.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
One of them was don't buy the book, which I do appreciate the free publicity, but anyways, uh, That protest was held in the shadows of a statue of a gentleman named Dirk Nowitzki. And if you need to check on the spelling, the street right there is Nowitzki Way, right? And on that statue, 21 letters summing up 21 seasons. Man, you know, the man's game. Loyalty never fades away.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
If you're going to start naming NBA legends who are like the epitome of discipline and hard work, and your target audience is a Dallas fan base, and you leave Dirk out of that, oh my God. It was honestly one of the worst PR moves I've ever seen in my life.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
Well, Cuban's claim at this point is that they had a gentleman's agreement that wasn't followed through on. Listen, with Cuban, you always have to like you can't. Well, one of my favorite Jerry Jones sayings. I call him Jerry Isms, just because I say it doesn't make it so. Well, just because Cuban says it doesn't make it so. So you never know if what he's telling you is the truth.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
So I don't know if there was a gentleman's agreement that they just kind of backed out on. I don't know if Cuban was completely full of crap when he was telling everybody, hey, they're real estate people. I'm a basketball person. I'm running basketball. Or he was trying to speak something into existence.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
But what I do know is that as the ink dried on that deal, Cuban was done calling shots for basketball. Cuban did not call shots going into the trade deadline. And frankly, at this point, Cuban has no more influence on personnel decisions than any other rich dude who escorts side season tickets. He got a five-minute heads up via text from Nico that this trade's going down.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
Try to talk him out of it too late. He got a phone call from DuMont after, like after it was over. And I was told that was about a two minute phone call, you know, like great. So thanks for touching base. Like the hell do you want to talk about? Um, so, um, This never happens if Cuban doesn't give up the majority share of the franchise.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
I mean, honestly, if Nico would have gone to Cuban when he was running the show and said, hey, I'm negotiating a trade for Luca, I think it would have been a fireball offense. The first five and a half years of Luka's career that Cuban was calling shots, Cuban's top priority was doing everything in his power to make Luka as happy as possible. And I would say rightfully so.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
I don't think the execution was always the smoothest, but I think... when you get that kind of a franchise player, when you get that kind of a prodigy, like, yes, they've got to be the priority. Everything does revolve around them. That's just reality in the NBA. And that took a sudden shift this summer.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
I think it was just a text exchange. And I don't know the specifics of it. It's just Cuban basically saying, you can't do this. And Niko saying, it's done. I don't think there was a whole lot of back and forth there.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
And with completely different supporting cast.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
Well, and look, Luka was the most accomplished, decorated teenage prospect ever to come out of Europe. And you can argue he was also extremely mis-evaluated by the NBA. Three teams passed on this guy, right? One of whom, the Phoenix Suns, had just hired Igor Koshchkov as their head coach.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
This is the guy who was the Slovenian national team coach when 17-year-old Luka is the co-star with Goran Dragic of a team that won Eurobasket. Slovenia has 2 million people. It's like if there's a tournament of all the states in America and Idaho wins it, right? I mean, it's insane. And Igor had never been a head coach, wasn't a coach there for very long, just one year.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
They never asked his opinion. He finally goes to Robert Sarver and says, listen, man, I just got to get this off my chest so I can sleep. We've got to draft Luka. We've got this cap space, big offer sheet on the table. Get him Clint Capella. Get him a rim running center. Luca, Booker, Capella. That's our core we can build. And it's like, thanks for your input. You'll coach the guys we give you.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
We're going with this guy who is from Arizona. You know, Robert Sarver, the Arizona alum. Yeah, no, I'm taking the seven footer who is from Arizona. And like a lot of people did have DeAndre in the morning draft. Then Vlade, Balkan basketball legend, had known Sasha Doncic for decades, Luka's dad.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
One, I was told by a scout who was in the room that Vlade, quote, knew too much, you know, that he knew, hey, you know, Luka likes to have a good time. The discipline's not the best, all those sort of things, which, frankly, Sasha is kind of like the, I call him the Charles Barkley of Slovenia. You know, big, gregarious personality. Yes. likes to have a good time, you know?
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
So like, knew all that, but then, Vlade didn't think he was a superstar. Well, he'd take touches away from Darren Fox. We don't want that. Marvin Bagley III, Vlade said on draft night, is a better player and a better fit. Well, not sure about any of those, buddy. And by the way, Luca remembers last year, Vlade was sitting courtside in Sacramento.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
And after Luca iced a win, he's sneering over there. He's going back to the bench talking about, that guy should have drafted me. That guy should have drafted me. And then the Hawks, they had Luke a little bit above Trey Young on their board. But hey, if we can get an extra lottery pick out of it, OK, let's do it.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
And lo and behold, the Mavericks, who had an epic tank job that cost Cuban 600 grand when he said the quiet part out loud, then got booted back by the lottery gods. A couple of spots were able to move back up and get the guy who Donnie Nelson was absolutely crazy. pounding the table for, as he did Giannis when Cuban didn't listen in that draft.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
And maybe more importantly, in terms of Cuban's decision-making, this gambling dude who'd been consultant for him on the sly, old Bob Volgares, and he brought up Harden. That's exactly who he brought up. This guy's going to be an MVP candidate at some point relatively soon. And James Harden was the comp. And I do still think prime James Harden is the best comp for Luka.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
You can argue that Luka has surpassed that as a player already. But that's how Luka ended up in Dallas. Again, went third in the draft, but was missified. People didn't think he could be a point guard in the NBA. People didn't think he could be a primary ball handler.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
didn't make any sense um but because people didn't believe the reasoning for the mavericks to make this trade they couldn't they they couldn't wrap their minds around it they they're like there has to be something more okay the condition's a problem like luca can be a leading the league in scoring and averaging damn near a triple-double. And that's the thing.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
It wasn't about, with Luka, it wasn't about potential. He was proven. He was a proven perennial MVP candidate. It's not like, you know, you're trading a 25-year-old who, well, if he works on his conditioning, he has a chance to be one of the best players in the league. No, he's been one of the best players in the league despite conditioning issues. If he works on his conditioning, holy crap.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
Well, you know, we talked about he didn't maximize the return simply by his own admission. Honestly, his own. He was very proud of keeping it top secret and nobody being, you know, other teams not knowing about it. You can't maximize the return operating that way. And look, like.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
I almost feel bad for Anthony Davis because he is a top 75 all-time player who is still an absolutely dominant force, right? It ain't like he's some kind of scrub or something. I mean, he is a first ballot Hall of Famer. But if you're trading Luka because you're concerned about durability, well, AD has durability concerns. Yeah. Luka was hurt when the trade was made. So is AD.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
AD rushed back to play in that first home game. I've been told maybe due to some motivation of trying to, you know, at least not silence noise, but calm the noise. And boy, that first half, holy crap, was he good. I mean, he was dumb, but then he goes down in the third quarter and just got back on the floor. But Niko's, in Niko's own words, dumb.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
they created in a biggest, most athletic front court in the NBA. If you got Kyrie, like they were going to have, they were going to be tough, but Nico created a three to four year timeframe. And you gave up on a generational talent who was yet to hit his prime years, who was beloved by the fan base. Like, look, Luka has flaws, but don't tell Mavericks fans that.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
They'll call you all kinds of mean things. So you give up on potentially decade, 12-year, 14-year runway for three to four years after you'd successfully built a contender around Luka. And in doing so, you gave up your draft capital. First round capital, 27, 28, 29, 30. You don't control any of it. And do the math in three to four years. Okay, let's get to 2028.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
Oklahoma City, they've got your swap rights. They gave you that pick last year so you could get Daniel Gafford. 29, well, that's the Houston Rockets pick because they suckered Brooklyn into giving them a whole bunch of stuff, the Suns and that pick, so Brooklyn could get their two years back. But that was from the Kyrie trade. Okay. Again, good trade, but now that's the Rockets.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
30, that's the San Antonio Spurs for facilitating the Grant Williams sign and trade, which moved in, paying out, okay, whatever. You built a contender around them. And now your three to four years runs straight into when the credit cards do and the collectors are your closest geographic rivals.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
I know LeBron, he never just spouts off. I'm sure he has evidence that when he ever uttered such a comment ever in his entire life. LeBron's head coach was a damn good podcaster. I don't know if you're aware of that. JJ Rick, a damn good podcaster. There's a clip floating around.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
of Wendy's appearance on Old Man and Three with JJ Reddick last year, where Wendy actually said, I don't think LeBron likes me. So I don't know. Is that like best friend? I don't think he likes me. I don't know. Seems strange. Hello, player, though. All time great. I don't know where he was coming from on that one. He's dunked on a lot of dudes. I don't know why he felt the need to dunk on Wendy.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
We're not working on this book on Luca. We did not work together. And look, Luca and I, and like, if you have to kiss somebody's butt, regardless of circumstances, to have a good relationship. As a reporter, that's just not going to work out. Luca and like Mavericks, there's a lot of Mavericks fans, Luca fans that are mad that I wrote a book on him. Oh, you trashed him his whole career.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
I didn't trash him his whole career. I've written and talked a ton about what an incredible talent this guy is. I covered him fairly and accurately. Brilliance and flaws. And the flaws can be as obvious as the brilliance. And, you know, all that stuff, you've read the book, all that stuff is represented in the book. But you know what? I'm glad that I don't regret any of my reporting on him.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
You know, the public confrontations we had are what they are. But can you imagine if I was just sunshine and daffodils throughout this whole book and then the trade happens and I got a Russian last chapter? Oh, by the way, all this stuff had been building up. He didn't read about it in the first 18 chapters, though.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
I really appreciate you having me, man. Enjoy your work. You're a legend in this podcast field, and it has been an honor to appear here.
The Ryen Russillo Podcast
Russell Wilson and NFL QB Desperation. Plus, a Big Picture Luka Chat With ‘The Wonder Boy’ Author Tim MacMahon.
I'll work with you on that one. It won't be on you. Thanks, buddy. See you. All right. Appreciate it. Adios, amigos.