Durant Poll (where does he go)

[shopson67]

Hindsight is 20/20. There are quite a few teams that took a look at Whiteside and passed. The Heat didn't even see Whiteside coming. The only reason they signed him was because they were desperate for a big, so they took a flier. That's why they didn't sign him until the season was over half way done.

Of course, I'm aware of the circumstances. It's just painful to have a guy emerge that you will now chase with max money that basically slipped through your fingertips once already. To a lesser extent, it could happen with Bazemore this summer as well.

 

[shopson67]

Disagree. After Stern nixed the CP3 deal, the Lakers went all in on Dwight/Nash in an attempt to get another championship or 2 before Kobe retired. They knew going into that deal that if it didn't work, they were going to "bottom out." It was going to be unavoidable.

The mileage on Kobe and how much he played had literally nothing to do with Kobe's Achilles injury. Every doctor that has commented said as much, including the one who performed the surgery. It could have just as easily happened stepping off of a curb.

The only truly questionable things that the FO have done are the coaching hires of Mike Brown, D'Antoni and Byron. Dr. Buss himself signed off on both the Brown and D'Antoni hires. They appear to have also gotten the coaching hire right this time by hiring Luke.

Considering the position that the Lakers were in after the Dwight/Nash deal blew up, they've actually done a remarkable job gathering young talent through the draft, including getting Clarkson and Nance as arguably the steals of 2 of the last 3 drafts.

Dr. Buss may have signed off on the D'Antoni hire, but he was essentially hospital-ridden by then. The torch hadn't been officially passed, but in reality Jim was already in control and has always had issues with Phil.

The combo platter of throwing away draft picks to get a decrepit Nash and then doubling down with D'Antoni was a terrible idea, especially after making the big trade for Dwight, who clearly did not fit the D'Antoni system.

The Lakers STILL owe two 1st round picks to those trades, so they will continue to hurt the Lakers development over the next 3 years at least. Only by extremely bad luck have the Lakers been able to add Russell and now probably Ingram. Further injuries to Kobe and Randle missing essentially his entire rookie season played into retaining those picks, as did the front office flubbing their free agency attempts for several summers.

But really, it all comes down to Stern and the CP3 deal. Obviously, with CP3, there would be no Nash deal. There would be no D'Antoni hiring. I like the chances of Phil keeping a CP3, Kobe, Dwight core in contention, and the Lakers would still have at least CP3 to help lure free agents with Kobe now retired. Don't get me wrong, fate has served the Lakers well in the lottery these past few years, and Kupchak continues to make solid draft decisions which have put the Lakers in solid position to potentially build a contender, but the struggles of the past few years were Stern and Buss children induced IMO. RIP Dr. Jerry.

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

Both Durant and Lebron go to the Lakers.

Lebron comes of the bench!

 

[shopson67]

Anyway, enough of old stuff that can't be changed, and on to the upcoming summer "festivities". Ingram appears to be locked in, so it's all about #32 and free agency now.

I think Durant likely signs at least (essentially) a one year deal to give it one more shot with Westbrook (and maximize his money). Maybe the Lakers have a better shot to get him next year if (when) the Thunder fail again, and the Lakers may be left with the decision to either build depth around 2nd and 3rd tier guys, or attempt to keep enough cap space open for next summer. It's a tough call to slow play this rebuild, and any hesitation this summer could put the Lakers unintentionally in limbo. If they consider waiting for next summer, then Durant decides not to sign a long term deal elsewhere, their options immediately shift and may have already missed on several other targets this summer. The situation is different with Whiteside (as he isn't going to sign a one year deal), but if they wait for him and don't get him, they will also miss out on other targets.

The #32 pick is very difficult to project, but this draft should provide some quality targets. While this draft may not provide a lot of top end lottery talent, it does seem to be very deep in quality role player types.

 

[shopson67]

Both Durant and Lebron go to the Lakers.

Lebron comes of the bench!

PG: Russell, Clarkson
SG: Ingram, Williams
SF: Durant, Lebron, Brown
PF: Lebron, Randle
C: Whiteside, Randle

Think of the defensive switching that would allow, with a lot of length throughout. Walton will probably run a fair share of small ball, which could put Randle at center at times in the Draymond role.

Probably not enough money left for Whiteside, but while we're reaching for the stars lol...

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

PG: Russell, Clarkson
SG: Ingram, Williams
SF: Durant, Lebron, Brown
PF: Lebron, Randle
C: Whiteside, Randle

Think of the defensive switching that would allow, with a lot of length throughout. Walton will probably run a fair share of small ball, which could put Randle at center at times in the Draymond role.

Probably not enough money left for Whiteside, but while we're reaching for the stars lol...

If they're going to sign both Lebron and Durant, they might as well trade the pick to Miami for Whiteside (Sign and trade deal)

 

[tlance]

PG: Russell, Clarkson
SG: Ingram, Williams
SF: Durant, Lebron, Brown
PF: Lebron, Randle
C: Whiteside, Randle

Think of the defensive switching that would allow, with a lot of length throughout. Walton will probably run a fair share of small ball, which could put Randle at center at times in the Draymond role.

Probably not enough money left for Whiteside, but while we're reaching for the stars lol...

Cmon man. Be realistic.

How are you going to sign 2 $30 million max players and a $25 million player while still keeping all your young talent?

That squad would be disgusting, but also very impossible. why speculate on something that can't happen?

 

[trojanfan12]

Dr. Buss may have signed off on the D'Antoni hire, but he was essentially hospital-ridden by then. The torch hadn't been officially passed, but in reality Jim was already in control and has always had issues with Phil.

I understand Phil and Jim had their differences, that's why they handled not hiring him the way they did (having Mitch call him in the middle of the night). Dr. Buss did more than sign off on D'Antoni, it was what he wanted. He wanted a return to Showtime style basketball and D'Antoni's system was as close as it gets.

 

[trojanfan12]

The combo platter of throwing away draft picks to get a decrepit Nash and then doubling down with D'Antoni was a terrible idea, especially after making the big trade for Dwight, who clearly did not fit the D'Antoni system.

At the time, pretty much everyone said it put the Lakers back in the championship. Because of his athleticism, Dwight could have been very good in D'Antoni's system. He just didn't want to play in it because when his system plays in the half court, it uses a lot of pick and roll which Dwight doesn't like (even though he played a lot of pick and roll in Houston).

The problem for Dwight wasn't D'Antoni's system, the problem was Dwight. I'm not saying that D'Antoni was the right coach. Just that his system wasn't the issue as far as Dwight.

But really, it all comes down to Stern and the CP3 deal. Obviously, with CP3, there would be no Nash deal. There would be no D'Antoni hiring. I like the chances of Phil keeping a CP3, Kobe, Dwight core in contention, and the Lakers would still have at least CP3 to help lure free agents with Kobe now retired. Don't get me wrong, fate has served the Lakers well in the lottery these past few years, and Kupchak continues to make solid draft decisions which have put the Lakers in solid position to potentially build a contender, but the struggles of the past few years were Stern and Buss children induced IMO.

Agree with most of this except the Buss kids part. While there is plenty to criticize re: coaching hires, no one was getting the Lakers out of this when the Dwight/Nash trade blew up. Not even Dr. Buss in his prime.

 

[trojanfan12]

Cmon man. Be realistic.

How are you going to sign 2 $30 million max players and a $25 million player while still keeping all your young talent?

That squad would be disgusting, but also very impossible. why speculate on something that can't happen?

I agree that there's no way that happens. But, the Lakers will have $65 million in cap space this year and the cap takes a huge jump the following years as well. So, without looking to deeply into it, it looks ridiculously improbable, but not necessarily impossible.

They'd also have to destroy the record Cleveland just set for payroll and luxury tax to make it happen.

 

[Mecca]

It's a bit disingenuous for a Clippers fan to call a Lakers fan spoiled, since the Clippers enjoyed the spoils of that Stern/CP3 BS. Without that, the Clips would still be the perennial lottery team that they had always been before.

Um......

Is your sarcasm button malfunctioning?

It was a joke.

 

[tlance]

I agree that there's no way that happens. But, the Lakers will have $65 million in cap space this year and the cap takes a huge jump the following years as well. So, without looking to deeply into it, it looks ridiculously improbable, but not necessarily impossible.

They'd also have to destroy the record Cleveland just set for payroll and luxury tax to make it happen.

Durant and LeBron is actually possible (unlikely, but possible). Just not Whiteside too. It would take over $80 million to get those 3. While their young studs are on rookie deals, they still make way to much to allow that.

 

[Mecca]

Durant and LeBron is actually possible (unlikely, but possible). Just not Whiteside too. It would take over $80 million to get those 3. While their young studs are on rookie deals, they still make way to much to allow that.

Plus, Lebron would need more help.

That lineup might night even win the Pacific, let alone the Chip....lol

Same division as the Champs...

 

[trojanfan12]

Durant and LeBron is actually possible (unlikely, but possible). Just not Whiteside too. It would take over $80 million to get those 3. While their young studs are on rookie deals, they still make way to much to allow that.

Depends on when they got them and when the rookie deals are up. They couldn't add all 3 in one off-season, that's for certain. But, if Durant or Lebron were to do the 2 year deal with opt out after year 1, they could pull it off by picking up Lebron/Durant and Whiteside this year and the other of Durant/Lebron next year.

But, I think we can pretty much all agree that it ain't happening anyway, so no real point to discussing it.

 

[tlance]

I don't know. That would be a group built to knock off the Dubs. Add Durant and LeBron to the young guards? Crazy. You have shooting, versatility and depth. The only thing they would need is a couple defending/rebounding bodies to match up with some of the bigger teams.

Lack Of experience might cost them in year 1, but that group would immediately be either 1 or 2 in the NBA. Especially since they would weaken OKC by signing Durant.

 

[tlance]

Depends on when they got them and when the rookie deals are up. They couldn't add all 3 in one off-season, that's for certain. But, if Durant or Lebron were to do the 2 year deal with opt out after year 1, they could pull it off by picking up Lebron/Durant and Whiteside this year and the other of Durant/Lebron next year.

But, I think we can pretty much all agree that it ain't happening anyway, so no real point to discussing it.

But yeah. Ain't happening.

 

[Mecca]

Depends on when they got them and when the rookie deals are up. They couldn't add all 3 in one off-season, that's for certain. But, if Durant or Lebron were to do the 2 year deal with opt out after year 1, they could pull it off by picking up Lebron/Durant and Whiteside this year and the other of Durant/Lebron next year.

But, I think we can pretty much all agree that it ain't happening anyway, so no real point to discussing it.

Hey, if you are gonna dream, dream big.

The Lakers could easily do what they did with Hill, Lin, Hibbert and use big money, short years deals as a placeholder this Summer and have 3 max slots next year.

The cap goes up $20 million more...and the ufa crop is much deeper.

Get 1 max guy this year.....Then give a guy like Noah or Deng 2 year deal, at 15 mil plus, with a team option for next year.

 

[trojanfan12]

Hey, if you are gonna dream, dream big.

The Lakers could easily do what they did with Hill, Lin, Hibbert and use big money, short years deals as a placeholder this Summer and have 3 max slots next year.

The cap goes up $20 million more...and the ufa crop is much deeper.

Get 1 max guy this year.....Then give a guy like Noah or Deng 2 year deal, at 15 mil plus, with a team option for next year.

I agree. I think Whiteside is the one they would have the best chance at getting, so I'd like to see them get him this time and then see who's available/what they need next year.

 

[Mecca]

But yeah. Ain't happening.

Outside of Howard, Pau, Noah and maybe Conley.....I don't think we are gonna have that much free agent movement.

I'm not convinced that Barnes, Horford or Bazemore are out the door.

But, I don't think I'm buying the Warriors matching a max deal either.

 

[Mecca]

I agree. I think Whiteside is the one they would have the best chance at getting, so I'd like to see them get him this time and then see who's available/what they need next year.

Yeah, he should be priority #1.

Of course you contact Durant and Bron.

But, unlike other years, they don't have to sit on their hands and wait for those guys to make up their mind.

They have plenty of money.