Where do the Lakers go from here...?

[Scapegoat]

Yeah, like you said, that's not happening.

My long shot, dark horse would be the Spurs.

But, there would definitely be expectations there too.

In all honesty, there isn't a Organisation that he could join that wouldn't have those expectations.

Obviously, a team like the Suns or Brooklyn ...the expectations would be tempered.

But, they would still be there by virtue of him being the best player on the planet.

So, this would not be for the faint of heart because it would come with an immense amount of risk, but, there is a pathway for the Lakers to be on he level of the Golden State Warriors next season.

I am sure many of you Laker fans would hate it because of the risk though.

Here goes:

Renounce Randle
Sign Paul George
Trade Ingram, Ball, 2 firsts and Deng for Kawhi
Sign LeBron James

That would leave you with:

LeBron
George
Kawhi
Kuzma

With Hart off the bench and whatever vets you can get to sign for cheap. The problem is that the LeBron signing would likely have to come last with how he likes to delay his FA decisions. But, that would be the beginnings of team capable of beating Golden State.

That team would beat Gs pretty easy unless Donovan is the coach.

 

[tlance]

That team would beat Gs pretty easy unless Donovan is the coach.

Not easy.

They would be equals though, IMO.

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

Trade Ingram, Ball, 2 firsts and Deng for Kawhi
.

So trading Ingram and Kuzma for Kawhi is laughable, but Ingram, Ball and throwing in Dengs contract is acceptable?

 

[Scapegoat]

Not easy.

They would be equals though, IMO.

It would be a way more talented team but would have 3 of the same players. Except one is a robin.

 

[Scapegoat]

So trading Ingram and Kuzma for Kawhi is laughable, but Ingram, Ball and throwing in Dengs contract is acceptable?

It's still laughable without the 2 firsts.

 

[OutlawImmortal]

The Spurs have recent success in FA with Aldridge, one of the best coaches on the planet, and Kawhi has a ring to go along with a Finals MVP there. I just don't see why he would want to leave the Spurs. The same could be said when LeBron left Miami, but he was going back to his hometown as well. I just don't see the Spurs giving up on resigning him unless he demands a trade or flat out says he's not resigning regardless of what you put on the table.

 

[WiggyRuss]

Simmons is a much better finisher at the rim.

But, he literally does not shoot the ball outside of 12-15 feet. Even then, I have seen him pass up wide open 15 footers to drive into a heavily contested shot in the paint.

Regardless of what their percentages may indicate, I think it is fair to say Lonzo is a better perimeter shooter. In the paint, it is absolutely no contest.

who cares?

If someone is shooting 36% that means they are taking shots they are not equipped to take.

IF Simmons is taking everything inside of 12 feet and shooting 55% on it- good for him. If I were a Sixers fan I would be glad he wasnt stupid enough to shoot from the outside and shoot 36% from the field and hurt the team.

Rondo cant shoot worth dick from outside 10 feet but he has adjusted his game so he has had some really good field goal percentages in some years (plus hes a very good finisher at hte rim). Now- that comes at a cost since hes a guard- and a guard that cant shoot 3s in todays game does hurt the team--- but at least hes smart enough not to go bombs away and have a 36% field goal percentage like Ball- which as i said earlier- was the lowest field goal percentage in the entire nba for anyone with more than 500 attempts.

 

[tlance]

So trading Ingram and Kuzma for Kawhi is laughable, but Ingram, Ball and throwing in Dengs contract is acceptable?

Yes.

Ball is infinitely more valuable than Kuzma. And the 2 firsts mostly compensate the Spurs for taking 2 years of Deng.

 

[tlance]

The Spurs have recent success in FA with Aldridge, one of the best coaches on the planet, and Kawhi has a ring to go along with a Finals MVP there. I just don't see why he would want to leave the Spurs. The same could be said when LeBron left Miami, but he was going back to his hometown as well. I just don't see the Spurs giving up on resigning him unless he demands a trade or flat out says he's not resigning regardless of what you put on the table.

Defintely.

The whole trade Kawhi scenario hinges on Kawhi demanding a trade or telling the Spurs he won't resign long term. If Kawhi is open to an extension they keep him 100%.

 

[tlance]

who cares?

If someone is shooting 36% that means they are taking shots they are not equipped to take.

IF Simmons is taking everything inside of 12 feet and shooting 55% on it- good for him. If I were a Sixers fan I would be glad he wasnt stupid enough to shoot from the outside and shoot 36% from the field and hurt the team.

Rondo cant shoot worth dick from outside 10 feet but he has adjusted his game so he has had some really good field goal percentages in some years (plus hes a very good finisher at hte rim). Now- that comes at a cost since hes a guard- and a guard that cant shoot 3s in todays game does hurt the team--- but at least hes smart enough not to go bombs away and have a 36% field goal percentage like Ball- which as i said earlier- was the lowest field goal percentage in the entire nba for anyone with more than 500 attempts.

I agree with you mostly.

I was super impressed with Simmons' shot selection. Most perimeter players will shoot jumpers even when they can't shoot if left that open.

That said, the Celtics brutally exposed Simmons in that series. If he is unable to ever develop an effective jumper (at least 18 feet if not 3), he will fall far short of his immense potential.

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

It's still laughable without the 2 firsts.

Those firsts would almost be useless on a team with LeBron, George and Leonard

 

[Scapegoat]

Those firsts would almost be useless on a team with LeBron, George and Leonard

 

[tlance]

Those firsts would almost be useless on a team with LeBron, George and Leonard

Exactly.

Just like they were useless for the Lakers when they drafted Kuzma and Hart.

You are also missing a very important piece. If Kawhi is traded, it is likely to happen before LeBron signs. Maybe even before free agency begins. Those picks won't automatically be late firsts.

That is why I say it would be a huge risk.

Besides, 2 firsts or a good player on a rookie deal like Kuzma is the market price to get rid of a 2 year bad contract like Deng. Ingram and Ball would get dealt for Kawhi, Deng makes the salaries match (not necessary, but would give Lakers the cap space they need) and the picks compensate for Deng.

There very well could be other teams offering a better package, but that is in the ballpark of what a fair offer might look like. If the Spurs are looking for a medium term rebuild, they might just do something like this.

 

[OutlawImmortal]

who cares?

If someone is shooting 36% that means they are taking shots they are not equipped to take.

IF Simmons is taking everything inside of 12 feet and shooting 55% on it- good for him. If I were a Sixers fan I would be glad he wasnt stupid enough to shoot from the outside and shoot 36% from the field and hurt the team.

Rondo cant shoot worth dick from outside 10 feet but he has adjusted his game so he has had some really good field goal percentages in some years (plus hes a very good finisher at hte rim). Now- that comes at a cost since hes a guard- and a guard that cant shoot 3s in todays game does hurt the team--- but at least hes smart enough not to go bombs away and have a 36% field goal percentage like Ball- which as i said earlier- was the lowest field goal percentage in the entire nba for anyone with more than 500 attempts.

Yeah, but there's evidence of Lonzo making mechanical adjustments to his shot as the season progressed.

I admit, the Ray Allen comment was mainly for a laugh, and I used Ray Allen because it's hard not to think of him when you think of perfect form. All I'm really arguing is that the Lakers aren't the bums you're making them out to be. Simmons has a ton of potential, he's shown he can play off the ball, and the mere fact that he's able to put those kinds of numbers up without a jumpshot is impressive in itself. But to say guys like Lonzo and Ingram don't even deserve to be mentioned is a little much. If he continues to ignore that aspect of the game then you'll start seeing things like hack-a-simmons become a legit strategy. You can't be a top 5 player in this league if you're a liability down the stretch.

 

[msgkings322]

It's still laughable without the 2 firsts.

But no way Pop trades with the Lakers....

And I'm glad too because that team would be really fucking good. Like @tlance says, there's your contender

 

[wildturkey]

So, this would not be for the faint of heart because it would come with an immense amount of risk, but, there is a pathway for the Lakers to be on he level of the Golden State Warriors next season.

I am sure many of you Laker fans would hate it because of the risk though.

Here goes:

Renounce Randle
Sign Paul George
Trade Ingram, Ball, 2 firsts and Deng for Kawhi
Sign LeBron James

That would leave you with:

LeBron
George
Kawhi
Kuzma

With Hart off the bench and whatever vets you can get to sign for cheap. The problem is that the LeBron signing would likely have to come last with how he likes to delay his FA decisions. But, that would be the beginnings of team capable of beating Golden State.

I don't think Lebron would necessarily be last. If its like the other times Lebron entered FA, pretty much nothing in the market will happen until Lebron makes a decision. He sucks up all the air in the room, everyone else is holding their breath. When he picks a team, they all exhale and plan accordingly. Makes sense too. Like if you're an EC team, if Lebron goes West, suddenly your plan to make the Finals looks drastically different so your FA targets will change.

The first move would have to be Kawhi and it's entirely up to the Spurs on if they decide the relationship isn't salvageable and if they want value in this draft or later on. If they want value in this draft, then it makes everything super risky for LA because you'll have to deal for him before FA opens. Of course, players always talk in the back channels beforehand so teams have ideas of what's going on but it'd still be crazy risky to do something like that before FA opens.

I've seen people say LA might interested in Kawhi but I can't see it happening because it will take a lot to get him. If we do see a trade happen, then you'll know for a fact there's other players coming in July. There's no way they can deal for Kawhi and have it just be him on opening night since you'll basically be giving up most all of your young talent

 

[trojanfan12]

But no way Pop trades with the Lakers....

And I'm glad too because that team would be really fucking good. Like @tlance says, there's your contender

I wouldn't say "no way that Pop trades with the Lakers". He's too smart to "cut off his nose to spite his face".

It would take a lot going the Lakers way, but if he feels a trade with the Lakers is in the long term best interests of the Spurs, he would do it.

If Kawhi still wants out despite the attempts that I'm sure the Spurs will make to get him to stay and the Lakers offer is the best one out there...

Pop will swallow a couple of Alka-Seltzers, hold his nose and make the trade, even though it would help the Lakers.

But you best believe, if he can get an offer from a team that is even close to the Lakers offer, especially if that team is in the East, then Kawhi's not getting traded to the Lakers.

 

[tlance]

I wouldn't say "no way that Pop trades with the Lakers". He's too smart to "cut off his nose to spite his face".

It would take a lot going the Lakers way, but if he feels a trade with the Lakers is in the long term best interests of the Spurs, he would do it.

If Kawhi still wants out despite the attempts that I'm sure the Spurs will make to get him to stay and the Lakers offer is the best one out there...

Pop will swallow a couple of Alka-Seltzers, hold his nose and make the trade, even though it would help the Lakers.

But you best believe, if he can get an offer from a team that is even close to the Lakers offer, especially if that team is in the East, then Kawhi's not getting traded to the Lakers.

The only other factor here is that Kawhi does have some leverage.

He might try to dictate the terms by saying he will only consider resigning with a few teams, which would torpedo his value for everyone else. If he does try to force his way somewhere, I would have to think the Lakers would be near the top of his list. And they do have the assets required to get themselves in the conversation.

 

[DJ]

Those firsts would almost be useless on a team with LeBron, George and Leonard

Not when the Spurs draft like they do.

 

[DJ]

So, this would not be for the faint of heart because it would come with an immense amount of risk, but, there is a pathway for the Lakers to be on he level of the Golden State Warriors next season.

I am sure many of you Laker fans would hate it because of the risk though.

Here goes:

Renounce Randle
Sign Paul George
Trade Ingram, Ball, 2 firsts and Deng for Kawhi
Sign LeBron James

That would leave you with:

LeBron
George
Kawhi
Kuzma

With Hart off the bench and whatever vets you can get to sign for cheap. The problem is that the LeBron signing would likely have to come last with how he likes to delay his FA decisions. But, that would be the beginnings of team capable of beating Golden State.

If we can get Leonard and James, fuck PG.

I say we get Cousins.