Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby is a well-known basketball fan who showed off his hooping skills during the offseason. So, like everyone else, he was absolutely floored when news broke of the blockbuster trade between the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks that brought Luka Doncic to L.A.
It was an absolutely unprecedented move that was kept secret from everyone except those who were essential in making the deal happen. In the aftermath, many felt that the Mavericks didn’t get nearly enough back for a generational superstar just about to hit his prime, and Crosby was in that group.
In the latest episode of The Rush podcast, Crosby didn’t understand why the Mavericks didn’t get more in return from the Lakers, with the Raiders star even venturing into a slight conspiracy theory via Carter Landis of Sports Illustrated:
“It’s honestly so crazy to me when you look at the details of the trade,” he said. “I’m sorry, I might sound like an a–h-le, I don’t care. That GM for the Mavericks should be fired immediately. I’m not saying this to be a d–k, being reactionary and emotional. De’Aaron Fox, they just had to give up three first-round picks, the Spurs did, to get De’Aaron Fox. They get one first-round pick in 2029? I know Anthony Davis is a great player; Luka Doncic is generational, and he’s six years younger. I’m sorry, it’s weird; I don’t know how this happened.
I think [Lakers GM Rob] Pelinka took advantage of this new GM and he finessed, or, conspiracy theory, the league’s viewership has been a little low. I’m tinfoil hatting.”
Crosby even spoke to a couple of sources of his own from the Mavericks, and the Raiders star admitted to hearing that the reported concerns Dallas had about Doncic were valid, at least in their eyes:
“From what I’ve heard from sources, that is true,” he said. “There are definitely some rocky relationships over there and opinions about him and how he does what he does. That’s obviously public, but I’ve heard as well, from the weight to showing up late to some meetings, little s— like that. That’s what I’ve heard. I don’t know if it’s true or not; I’m just saying what I’ve heard.”
Crosby is like the rest of the world, trying to make sense of this massive trade. In the end, the Lakers now have their face of the franchise and plan to build around him, much like the Raiders are building their defense around Crosby.
Tom Brady to make sure Maxx Crosby remains with the Raiders
Like Luka Doncic was with the Mavericks and now is with the Lakers, Maxx Crosby is the Raiders’ cornerstone piece, and there have been rumblings about whether he will remain with the franchise long-term, especially as the franchise has achieved little team success since he was drafted. His contract has no more guaranteed money.
However, Raiders minority owner Tom Brady is doing everything to ensure Crosby remains in silver and black. A recent report stated that Brady plans to ‘make sure’ Crosby remains a pillar of the Raiders organization.
