They want Vegas

There is literally no other reason. This isn't even a conspiracy theory but a fact. If you kill the fanbase, ratings, and team chemistry/moral, you have an excuse to move to Vegas. Vegas is 100% the next city to get an NBA team, current owners obviously want to work on having a casino, Vegas is the best of both worlds. Why else would they trade their best player (without ANY feedback from anyone else) and do something you know everyone will hate, even the players. Also side conspiracy theory but why is it always the Lakers somehow nearly being put into tough positions in the NBA then being saved last minute with an insane trade. The NBA is rigged in terms of trading and only care for ratings (and for the Mavs, casinos).