Former Los Angeles Lakers player and head coach Byron Scott has a pessimistic view of the trade that rocked basketball.
The fallout from the LA Lakers‘ trade with the Dallas Mavericks is still being felt, with Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis swapping teams.
The Mavericks initiated the trade, with the Lakers minimizing the price, and while many have asked why Dallas did not get more, Byron Scott believes his former team have already signed off on a deal at a high cost.
Scott argues that Anthony Davis’ exit, along with Max Christie, leaves the Lakers at a significant defensive disadvantage, while Dallas have become one of the most dangerous teams in basketball.
While describing Luka Doncic as an ‘offensive machine’, Byron Scott believes the Lakers have too many holes to fill as they look at the loss of Anthony Davis.
Speaking to his YouTube channel, Scott explains: “My initial reaction was this is not a good move for the Los Angeles Lakers.
“I’ll tell you why, as a coach, you are in the business to win now, and I mean today, especially in Los Angeles.
“So Luka Doncic coming over, all of a sudden we get smaller, do we get more dynamic on the offensive end? Probably.
“But we lose with AD being gone, that rim protector, that athletic big man that could also get 30, and 15-20 rebounds, but he also intimates guys when he comes to the hole.
“When it comes to the defensive standpoint we lost a lot.”
Scott admits the Lakers have more moves to make, adding: “I don’t think they are done with moves”.
He adds: “In the long-term, this deal can work out for both teams,” he responded when asked to forecast into the future, stopping short of declaring the Lakers better off long-term, as many project.
Scott went on to add that if he was asked to coach one of the Lakers and Mavericks, Dallas would be his clear choice.
“I would coach that Dallas team because I got a chance to win a Championship right now today.”
“That jumped Dallas to the second best team in the Western Conference, and it’s going to be tough for the Lakers.”
His comments reflect the words of Draymond Green, who pointed out Anthony Davis is simply a more accomplished player than Anthony Davis right now.
Charles Barkley has also asked questions over whether Doncic can play alongside LeBron James, while Magic Johnson has an optimistic view, labelling the Lakers title-contenders already.
