As Los Angeles Lakers fans continue to celebrate Luka Doncic's long-term commitment, it is important to give some necessary props to Rob Pelinka. The heist of the century would never have been possible without Pelinka remarkably convincing Nico Harrison of the 'risks' involving the trade.
No, that does not have to do with the conditioning, attitude, or any of those silly narratives spewed by the Dallas Mavericks. Harrison and the Mavericks front office did a fine job of talking themselves out of a generational player with those conversations.
Pelinka somehow managed to raise additional doubt regarding Doncic's loyalty and the flight risk that was involved with the Lakers making the move to acquire the superstar point guard.