If anybodies conspiracy theories about the NBA being scripted or the league redirecting narratives to drive up profit this would be a perfect time to bring out all your bizarre and subliminal imaginations….as in the NBA lately….nothing seems impossible. Many can remember checking their phones one to ten times last week to confirm the blockbuster trade between the Dallas Mavericks and the Lakers was real. Ultimately, sending NBA champion and former lottery pick Anthony Davis as well as shooting guard Max Christie to Dallas in exchange for global superstar Luka Doncic and Power Forward- Maxi Kleba. It marked the first time in NBA history that two reigning All NBA selections were traded for one another causing some to believe, but only time will tell, that this is the biggest trade in recent league history, and dare I say in the history of modern sports. The closest trade that the I can rememberer being this impactful in recent memory was the likes of Kawhi Leonard being traded to the Toronto Raptors for franchise star Demar Derozan. Demar Derozan, would play for the San Antonio Spurs for three years which would eventually send the Spurs down the path of rebuilding around French Phenom and Defensive Player of the Year Candidate- Victor Wembanama. The butterfly effect of that trade would also grant the Toronto Raptors their first title in franchise history with Kawhi Leonard, years later sending them into a rebuild of their own. And potentially this trade could have a similar effect as that blockbuster trade a half decade ago. In fact, this trade will undeniably be far more prominent for it’s long term effect not only on each of the teams individually but for the NBA as a whole.

Precisely because, a lot has changed in the NBA from when Toronto fans heard their franchise player was being traded for the Klaw in 2018 to the present day. Lebron James, Kevin Durant and Steph Curry, simply put, are old, creating the space for new stars to emerge. And these stars are not only larger than life on the court but off the court too.  With Reality TV stars/ superstars like LaMelo Ball entering the league and Josh Giddy doing Tik Tok it seems like the NBA is officially infected with Generation Z’s. Which can be great. But also, in the Overtime era, in which players are under` such a pointed microscope from such a young age some of these players have been criticized for not being as disciplined as the previous players.. sounds like boomers.  But it’s safe to say that in the last half decade we have seen the scale tip in the favour of players more than often, or at least many feel so. Driving a wedge between general managers and players. A struggle for power in the NBA. That needs to be addressed

It wouldn’t be that much of an issue, if the NBA ratings being down recently. Leading many to point to retiring players, the lack of discipline and the lack of disciplines amongst players as one of the toxic qualities about the NBA that has poisoned the integrity of the game. The Lebron era undoubtedly left its footprints on the game and may of been the catalyst. Lebron requesting trades left and right was fine cause he is the Goat but created a precedent for many stars to do the same. And now that the league is filled with talent, whom can be celebrities even if they are unproven many players have felt like they have the power. Leading them to all believe they are superstars and all requesting trades. The impossibilities of keeping up with the drama and the trade requests have caused a lot of fans to just tune out. Accompanied by other factors like The three pointer- diminishing the importance of back to back basketball, something so versatile and majestic over the years have also led fans to believe this might be the dark age for the NBA. But NBA Commissioner, Adam Silver has said that the league I happy about the evolution of the three pointer and think it is good for the game, although we now he is covering his ass.. looking to add formats to restore hope for the rating and the league. So how can the NBA change this. The real problem of all these trades is that rivalries have also diminished, making basketball feel like a business and not a team sport anymore. Unfortunately, all of these widespread trends and external and baggage of the NBA… of course seems like it has been put on Luka Doncic.. one of the good ones. Someone that has done good in the NBA recently, a fan favourite and a global superstar. Very American to blame it on Europeans.

 What else can explain such a talent, perhaps a future top ten player of all time being sent off like this, before his prime. The only explanation… and no I am not suggesting the NBA is scripted… is that the front office in Dallas and Rob Pelinka, the general manager of the Los Angeles Lakers have gotten way over their head here, playing god instead of playing basketball. Whether they know it or not, this move was to send a message to the league of who is in charge… it is not the players… it is not the coaches… it is the owners, the general managers, a business that is the NBA at the end of the day.