Where do the Lakers go from here...?

[shopson67]

Yeah if Lebron got max $35 and PG got $30 they are looking at $116.1 mil and that is with the 12 mil from Randle. Without Randle they are right at the cap

If they renounce everyone except Randle, they have Ball, Ingram, Kuzma, Hart for $16,564,080. Stretch Deng ($36M/5) at $7.2M and add in Randle's cap hold of $12,447,726. Total is now at $36,211,806. Cap is $101M, leaving $64,788,200. I believe there is a minimal cap hold on open roster spots to be figured in as well. They come up just short of $65M in cap space, so small concessions from the max might have to be made.

Regardless, I think the Lakers only get one max player this summer.

 

[shopson67]

Where'd you hear that?

LeBron's Future: James Might Not Sign for the Lakers Because of Kawhi Leonard

Everything is a rumor right now of course, as is Kawhi's availability.

 

[trojanfan12]

Besides, is that really the team you want to root for? A team full of hired hands after watching these kids develop the past few years? Where is the attachment? It's bad enough to expect to get two of these guys; all 3 is fantasy land.

You know what kind of team I want to root for? The kind that can win championships. I don't care how it's put together.

I have loved watching the kids develop and grow and I don't really have a problem if the Lakers would decide to stick with the kids and see what they can become.

However, if those kids don't develop into the next Warriors or even the next OKC before KD, Harden and Ibaka left...then what?

As for expecting. I don't expect anything except for the Lakers to do everything they can to improve the team and get back into contention asap.

I also don't understand some of this "stand pat" talk when speculating about what the Lakers will do.

The Lakers have been very open about their intentions. They have carefully set themselves up so that they would have the most cap space available of any team this off season. The reason for that is to chase max level players.

Given that, why wouldn't folks be speculating about what is possible, even if some of it may not be probable?

 

[Black Adam]

How long do you want the Lakers to cower in fear of the aging Warriors? 3 more years? 2 even? Gotta start paying guys like Ingram then...

sorry, just thinking of the LONG TERM...

you know, the time 2 or 3 years down the road after where we sold our souls to attain 1 aging superstar and have jack to show for it, PLUS have Cleveland's current contract dilemma...

as i said, pass...

 

[LogicMan]

IMO Spurs will hold out as long as they can to see what Boston and Philly would throw at them

I think Lebrons move is almost the first step in what could be a very eventful offseason

 

[msgkings322]

sorry, just thinking of the LONG TERM...

you know, the time 2 or 3 years down the road after where we sold our souls to attain 1 aging superstar and have jack to show for it, PLUS have Cleveland's current contract dilemma...

as i said, pass...

This conversation again, boring. They would be adding 2 guys not 1 and contending without losing anyone important. But hey it's your team, enjoy whatever you want.

 

[Black Adam]

This conversation again, boring. They would be adding 2 guys not 1 and contending without losing anyone important. But hey it's your team, enjoy whatever you want.

only "boring" because you don't wanna hear it...

and i'll do just that. i'm not a sellout...

 

[msgkings322]

only "boring" because you don't wanna hear it...

and i'll do just that. i'm not a sellout...

Yeah winning titles is selling out, I love all the selling out the Warriors have been doing lately

 

[Black Adam]

Yeah winning titles is selling out, I love all the selling out the Warriors have been doing lately

CLEARLY you missed the point...

what makes you think LeClown is winning a damn thing if he washes his arrogant ass here...?

THAT is what you ain't getting...

 

[msgkings322]

CLEARLY you missed the point...

what makes you think LeClown is winning a damn thing if he washes his arrogant ass here...?

THAT is what you ain't getting...

Well, I already know why you think LeBron and Paul George plus Ingram, Ball, and Kuzma won't get you titles, but I don't understand your take.

 

[Black Adam]

Yeah winning titles is selling out, I love all the selling out the Warriors have been doing lately

and now that YOU bring it up, seems to me the Warriors are built for the LONG TERM...

 

[Black Adam]

Well, I already know why you think LeBron and Paul George plus Ingram, Ball, and Kuzma won't get you titles, but I don't understand your take.

seriously...?

 

[trojanfan12]

LeBron's Future: James Might Not Sign for the Lakers Because of Kawhi Leonard

Everything is a rumor right now of course, as is Kawhi's availability.

That article doesn't make a whole lot of sense. It says Lebron wouldn't be coming this summer because the Lakers know they can Kawhi next summer?

That seems to imply that they won't even pursue Lebron this off-season because they think they can get Kawhi next off-season.

That would be taking a pretty big risk because if the Spurs and Kawhi work things out as I think they will, it would mean they would pass on Lebron for a chance at Kawhi that may not work out.

So they could end up getting neither.

 

[msgkings322]

seriously...?

I mean, I get that you hate LeBron more than you like winning titles but I just don't understand why it's such a thing for you.

 

[trojanfan12]

sorry, just thinking of the LONG TERM...

you know, the time 2 or 3 years down the road after where we sold our souls to attain 1 aging superstar and have jack to show for it, PLUS have Cleveland's current contract dilemma...

as i said, pass...

I really don't understand why people keep saying the Lakers won't have their young core.

Assuming the Lakers got Lebron and PG. They would be signing them as FA's, not trading for them. PG is still fairly young and the only young player the Lakers would be losing is Randle.

When Lebron leaves/retires, they would still have PG and the current young core minus Randle who would be entering their prime. They would also have the playoff and hopefully championship experience gained from having signed Lebron and PG.

 

[ANGELAKERAMS]

I don't think he hates LeBron.

I think he doesn't want the Lakers throwing max money at a guy that will be 36 with alot of mileage on him.

He has been very fortunate to not get any major injuries, but father time is undefeated. At some point, he will break down regardless of how well he keeps in shape.

Saw it with Kobe. Lots of miles, and one freak injury while trying to drive to the basket, and nothing but injuries followed until he was a shell of himself.

It will happen to LeBron as well at some point during his next contract. Only question is, which team is left footing a max contract when it happens.

 

[trojanfan12]

I don't think he hates LeBron.

No, he hates Lebron. Been pretty clear about that.

I think he doesn't want the Lakers throwing max money at a guy that will be 36 with alot of mileage on him.

He'll be 36 in 3 years.

He has been very fortunate to not get any major injuries, but father time is undefeated. At some point, he will break down regardless of how well he keeps in shape.

This would be my biggest concern. That it could be Steve Nash all over again. Having said that...Nash had some known issues with his back. Lebron has had zero injury history. I can't even remember him having a sprained ankle.

Saw it with Kobe. Lots of miles, and one freak injury while trying to drive to the basket, and nothing but injuries followed until he was a shell of himself.

Kobe had a history of injuries throughout his career and probably played through more of them than he should have. Lebron has no injury history.

It will happen to LeBron as well at some point during his next contract. Only question is, which team is left footing a max contract when it happens.

There's no guarantee at all that Lebron will suffer some debilitating injury. Just as there is no guarantee that he, PG or anyone else the Lakers might sign of any of the current young players won't.

There's a risk that any player can get hurt every time they step onto the court. You don't not make moves because a player might get hurt.

 

[WiggyRuss]

I really don't understand why people keep saying the Lakers won't have their young core.

Assuming the Lakers got Lebron and PG. They would be signing them as FA's, not trading for them. PG is still fairly young and the only young player the Lakers would be losing is Randle.

When Lebron leaves/retires, they would still have PG and the current young core minus Randle who would be entering their prime. They would also have the playoff and hopefully championship experience gained from having signed Lebron and PG.

because lebron will make them trade them.

 

[msgkings322]

because lebron will make them trade them.

Oh wow, you're starting to jettison LeBron from your love shack before he leaves you first. Smart move.

 

[trojanfan12]

because lebron will make them trade them.

Doubtful. I think Lebron is smarter than that. If he wants to play with one other max guy and a bunch of older vets...he can do that in Cleveland.