There’s debate about whether or not Luka has made the Lakers better on defense. One thing is certain. His absence has made the Mavs worse. Since the trade, Dallas has given up 120.1 ppg, a number that is almost seven points more than before the trade. It would be last in the league if it were for an entire season. And it’s not getting any better, surrendering 228 ppg in March and have not given up less than 117 in any of them. The Nets offense struggles against good defenses but nobody is going to accuse the Mavericks of having one of those.