Any doubt PG-13 is in LA next summer?

[True Lakers Fan]

Another option for this summer is the Lakers may be able to package one or even both of their picks (assuming the keep their lottery pick) and 1 young guy to get him. This would allow them to get PG without gutting the young core.

If the Lakers get that pick I think Indiana might prefer it for PG but it won't be enough. The other thing is Magic might need to fly out there and get Larry drunk, have a couple of ladies give him a good time and then do the trade

 

[True Lakers Fan]

Damm it those deals really look worse now. Four years. No wonder Jeannie fired both of them

 

[trojanfan12]

If the Lakers get that pick I think Indiana might prefer it for PG but it won't be enough. The other thing is Magic might need to fly out there and get Larry drunk, have a couple of ladies give him a good time and then do the trade

Good luck getting Larry drunk. His ability to put away beers is legendary. In his playing days, he was in a bar in an opponents city. A couple of patrons recognized him and started buying his drinks thinking they'd get him drunk and he'd be hung over the next day and not play well.

At closing, he thanked them for the beers and then dropped 40 something on their team the next night.

 

[True Lakers Fan]

Good luck getting Larry drunk. His ability to put away beers is legendary. In his playing days, he was in a bar in an opponents city. A couple of patrons recognized him and started buying his drinks thinking they'd get him drunk and he'd be hung over the next day and not play well.

At closing, he thanked them for the beers and then dropped 40 something on their team the next night.

Well I knew that was long shot, But you could slip him a mickey I've seen people like that and then had a person renting a room from me that was staggering after one beer. To be fair though he drank that cheap cheap -Malt liquor that will eat your stomach lining. I eventually got tired of his bs and made him move

 

[wildturkey]

This is why the Lakers shouldn't trade for PG, period. Not this summer, not at the deadline next year. It's Melo to the Knicks all over again. Everyone knew Melo was going to NY yet the Knicks gutted their roster to get him in a trade anyway.

I say there's a decent chance he can still end up elsewhere but unless you start hearing word that he might listen to other teams, don't bother trading for him if you're LA

 

[trojanfan12]

This is why the Lakers shouldn't trade for PG, period. Not this summer, not at the deadline next year. It's Melo to the Knicks all over again. Everyone knew Melo was going to NY yet the Knicks gutted their roster to get him in a trade anyway.

I say there's a decent chance he can still end up elsewhere but unless you start hearing word that he might listen to other teams, don't bother trading for him if you're LA

I say trade for him if you don't have to give up too much. Trading for him yesterday would have been stupid because, based on reports, the Pacers wanted something like 3 of the young guys.

In the summer, when the reality that they will lose him for nothing starts sinking in, they may be able to get him for a pick and 1 of the young guys. I'd be good with that.

 

[shopson67]

I was referring to 2017 summer.

There's not really any reason for the Lakers to trade for PG at this point (if the rumors are true about his free agency plans in 2018). Why spend all your young assets on a free agent you can just add with cap space a year later? Now, if Indiana comes to the realization that PG is gone (and he certainly didn't look happy yesterday) and trades him relatively cheaply, then the Lakers could consider it.

The Lakers could then trade a few of the young assets if desired to put another player with PG in 2018.

 

[shopson67]

Another option for this summer is the Lakers may be able to package one or even both of their picks (assuming the keep their lottery pick) and 1 young guy to get him. This would allow them to get PG without gutting the young core.

They can't package both picks since they won't have a 2018 first (to Philly if they keep their pick this year). Can't go two consecutive years without a 1st rounder. They could get around that by making the pick then trading the player though.

 

[trojanfan12]

They can't package both picks since they won't have a 2018 first (to Philly if they keep their pick this year). Can't go two consecutive years without a 1st rounder. They could get around that by making the pick then trading the player though.

Yeah, that's kind of what I was alluding to. Didn't explain it very well. In essence, it would be similar to when the Lakers got Kobe. Deal is in place and the Pacers tell the Lakers who to pick.

 

[tducey]

He'd be a good one for the Lakers for sure, could be the guy that helps turn the team around.

 

[True Lakers Fan]

In reality it is not a slam dunk that Paul George comes to Los Angeles by trade or free agency this summer or next in 2018 for several reasons

1. Indiana could get lucky and bring in enough talent that PG wants to stay and be a contender - Los Angeles is could still be three years away from being the contender that is desired.

2. PG could be traded to a team that is or becomes a contender and by the time he is a free agent, could be drawn by the team he is on that he wants to stay and continue to be a contender and win rather then go to Los Angeles that has been mired in poor leadership since Dr Buss died

For example: I am not convinced a trade to the Bulls would be enough to change PG's mind because they have a history of bad decisions, but a trade to Miami could be enough. Pat Riley is a good gm and knows how to win players over most of the time. Another destination - Houston. Houston is already pretty good with Harden carrying the team.

But once the Lakers brings the team into the playoffs, their possibilities jump upwards and there will be others if he is gone for good

 

[flyerhawk]

Just because a player is saying one thing today doesn't mean he will keep saying it when it comes to decision time. Lots of examples of players "changing their mind" and going for the money or a contender.

Not many examples of stars going to play for a team because they prefer the team.

Knicks are constantly claiming that so and so player wants to play for the Knicks. Yet there isn't much evidence to support that claim.

If the Lakers have to wait until 2018 then they better dramatically improve otherwise George is going to have to think long and hard about going to a poorer team.

 

[Kold]

Long ways from 2018, we'll see what's goin down when we get there, but it seems as if we got a good shot as it stands now

 

[trojanfan12]

Just because a player is saying one thing today doesn't mean he will keep saying it when it comes to decision time. Lots of examples of players "changing their mind" and going for the money or a contender.

Not many examples of stars going to play for a team because they prefer the team.

Knicks are constantly claiming that so and so player wants to play for the Knicks. Yet there isn't much evidence to support that claim.

If the Lakers have to wait until 2018 then they better dramatically improve otherwise George is going to have to think long and hard about going to a poorer team.

Star players also don't typically let it be known throughout the league that they only want to play for 1 of 2 teams.

NBA Rumors: Paul George ‘Hell-Bent’ On Joining Lakers In Free Agency?

The Knicks saying that so and so player wants to play for them isn't the player saying it. It's the team saying it.

The Lakers aren't saying that Paul George wants to play for them, Paul George is.

 

[True Lakers Fan]

Star players also don't typically let it be known throughout the league that they only want to play for 1 of 2 teams.

NBA Rumors: Paul George ‘Hell-Bent’ On Joining Lakers In Free Agency?

The Knicks saying that so and so player wants to play for them isn't the player saying it. It's the team saying it.

The Lakers aren't saying that Paul George wants to play for them, Paul George is.

I understand that part and I agree that there shouldn't be a high priority to trade for PG, but if PG were to land on a team that were to go to the finals next year - Who's to say he wouldn't change him mind. Reminds me of the saying a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, Now if the Lakers could trade this summer and not give up too much, I say yes, but I am thinking that the Lakers need one more year before getting serious in the free agency. By summer of 2018, the Lakers will have only two years on Deng and Mozgov's contracts and might be able to unload them

 

[shopson67]

Just because a player is saying one thing today doesn't mean he will keep saying it when it comes to decision time. Lots of examples of players "changing their mind" and going for the money or a contender.

Not many examples of stars going to play for a team because they prefer the team.

Knicks are constantly claiming that so and so player wants to play for the Knicks. Yet there isn't much evidence to support that claim.

If the Lakers have to wait until 2018 then they better dramatically improve otherwise George is going to have to think long and hard about going to a poorer team.

After this season, there is no benefit left for the Lakers to tank. I would expect the front office to get more aggressive once that lottery pick is (hopefully) secured for this summer. In fact, had they not struggled to this point and kept themselves in the running for that pick (or the rest of the bottom-dwellers improved more, as the Lakers do have more wins already then they had last year), they would've been more aggressive at this trade deadline.

 

[flyerhawk]

After this season, there is no benefit left for the Lakers to tank. I would expect the front office to get more aggressive once that lottery pick is (hopefully) secured for this summer. In fact, had they not struggled to this point and kept themselves in the running for that pick (or the rest of the bottom-dwellers improved more, as the Lakers do have more wins already then they had last year), they would've been more aggressive at this trade deadline.

I don't think the Lakers were planning on tanking this season. That was an unexpected hiccup to their process. They are certainly tanking NOW but there is a reason why the front office was blown up.

 

[trojanfan12]

I don't think the Lakers were planning on tanking this season. That was an unexpected hiccup to their process. They are certainly tanking NOW but there is a reason why the front office was blown up.

Agree. Jim Buss did the Mozgov/Deng deals in a desperate attempt to save his job. Everyone knew Jeanie was going to hold him to his timeline despite his attempts to hedge.

The unexpected hiccup was injuries and I think he also believed that Mozgov and Deng would play better than they have.

The tank became official when Mozgov and Deng were benched.

 

[shopson67]

Agree. Jim Buss did the Mozgov/Deng deals in a desperate attempt to save his job. Everyone knew Jeanie was going to hold him to his timeline despite his attempts to hedge.

The unexpected hiccup was injuries and I think he also believed that Mozgov and Deng would play better than they have.

The tank became official when Mozgov and Deng were benched.

I don't think the Mozgov and Deng signings were misguided in theory (veterans were needed to balance the roster), they just overpaid in a market that was tough to read due to the increased money available. Everyone got more, but some were overpaid, like those two (and the length of the contracts is even more puzzling; I certainly assumed that there would be a team option in both deals). The Deng signing was a reaction to losing out on their first few wing targets (including Bazemore).

 

[WiggyRuss]

I don't think the Lakers were planning on tanking this season. That was an unexpected hiccup to their process. They are certainly tanking NOW but there is a reason why the front office was blown up.

i think jimmy buss really screwed them- in he placed his own interests above the long term interests of the team. In retrospect it looks like the Deng and Mozgov signings were panic signings meant to try and jump start the Lakers into playoff contention in ordert o make Jimmy look better and maybe save his job.

I mean- right around the exact time he is fired- Mozgov goes to the bench indefinitely nad starts collecting DNP-CD's in the FIRST year of a four year deal.

Its plain as day that Jeanie and Magic would never have made those 2 moves- because they werent good for the franchise's long term prospects. Jimmy tried to save his ass- and i bet he was pissing himself with excitement in November until the bottom fell out and reality set in.

Now Jeanie and Magic will have to perform some real magic in order to clear those guys as soon as they can.