Where do the Lakers go from here...?

The Oldtimer · May 20, 2018

tlance said:
This proves his injury history is nothing to worry about.

Prior to this year, every one of those is a very minor injury. Given Pop's tendency to sit stars with a hang nail during the regular season, this should not concern anybody.

The saga of Kawhi Leonard's mysterious quad injury has been one of the strangest storylines in the NBA this season. Originally, Leonard was expected to just sit out the preseason, but his debut kept getting pushed back, with Gregg Popovich at one point saying he had never seen something like Leonard's injury.

Eventually, the Spurs star debuted on Dec. 12 against the Mavericks, but played sparingly in the following weeks, as the Spurs tried to work him back slowly. Leonard, however, could not get over the soreness in his quad, so last week the Spurs decided to shut him down once again. Then, on Monday, there was a big report from Adrian Wojnarowski, which said the lingering quad injury is causing discord between Leonard and the Spurs -- a reportLeonard's camp denied.

tlance · May 20, 2018

The Oldtimer said:
The saga of Kawhi Leonard's mysterious quad injury has been one of the strangest storylines in the NBA this season. Originally, Leonard was expected to just sit out the preseason, but his debut kept getting pushed back, with Gregg Popovich at one point saying he had never seen something like Leonard's injury.

Eventually, the Spurs star debuted on Dec. 12 against the Mavericks, but played sparingly in the following weeks, as the Spurs tried to work him back slowly. Leonard, however, could not get over the soreness in his quad, so last week the Spurs decided to shut him down once again. Then, on Monday, there was a big report from Adrian Wojnarowski, which said the lingering quad injury is causing discord between Leonard and the Spurs -- a reportLeonard's camp denied.

Agreed.

Probably just semantics here,

It isn't his injury history that has anybody worried. This particular injury might scare somebody away if he isn't back at 100%. Nothing that happened prior to 2018 points to Kawhi being an injury prone player though. The quad thing could be real.

But, my bet is that this was nothing more than a power play. I think Kawhi is 100% right now and has been for quite some time. I could be wrong, but that is my belief based on everything that has gone down.

Shanemansj13 · May 20, 2018

The Oldtimer said:
Kawhi Leonard's injuries.

1/17/2018 Sore Right Quadriceps

01/07/2018 Partial Left Shoulder Tear

12/23/2017 Sore Right Quadriceps

05/14/2017 Sore Right Quadriceps

Sore Ankle 0 5/09/2017

Sprained Left Ankle 03/10/2017

Concussion 02/06/2017

Quad Contusion 01/23/2017

Sore Hand 12/28/2016

llness 03/23/2016

Right Quad Contusion 02/21/2016

Sore Left Calf 12/07/2015

Gastroenteritis 11/14/2015

Upper Respiratory Infection 12/19/2014

Torn Ligament, Right Hand 10/27/2014

Eye Infection 04/14/2014

Sore Hand 01/22/2014

Hand 12/21/2013

Yeah if you look at most or all of those, no concern. As as that quad is fine I would trade for him in a second.

trojanfan12 · May 20, 2018

DJ said:
Got enough people hitting on my e-lady.....sheesh.

I'm playing the long game on that. So I don't think I count yet. :dhd:

trojanfan12 · May 20, 2018

tlance said:
Agreed.

Probably just semantics here,

It isn't his injury history that has anybody worried. This particular injury might scare somebody away if he isn't back at 100%. Nothing that happened prior to 2018 points to Kawhi being an injury prone player though. The quad thing could be real.

But, my bet is that this was nothing more than a power play. I think Kawhi is 100% right now and has been for quite some time. I could be wrong, but that is my belief based on everything that has gone down.

Yeah, that whole thing is really weird. Even though more guys seem to have their own team of doctors...I don't think you see guys go against the team doctors too often.

Also, he's a guy that no one ever hears anything from. But now all of the sudden there's supposed to be tension between him and the Spurs. Don't remember ever hearing about this Uncle that seems to be involved either.

I'd be interested to see if @TheKlaw or @Hornsstampede2.0 are hearing any more about it.

trojanfan12 · May 20, 2018

Shanemansj13 said:
Yeah if you look at most or all of those, no concern. As as that quad is fine I would trade for him in a second.

Yeah, I would have no problem if the Lakers decided to trade for him as long as there were assurances that the quad is fine.

True Lakers Fan · May 20, 2018

Retroram52 said:
I respectfully disagree here TJF12. At some point, using the grass-is-greener-on-the-other-side approach can disrupt what you have already built to the long-term detriment of the club. Have not the Lakers already done this multiple times in the recent past?

Kawhi might be that good but so what. Trading potential assets who may be just as good or better in a couple of years that Kawhi is now to obtain a guy who may or may not improve the Lakers present developed level of success in the win/loss column may be just as a bad a crap shoot as the draft.

Is trading an Ingram, Kuzma, Ball, and a number one for Kawhi going to be the move that now continues the improvement in wins and losses we have already attained with the young core? Maybe. The chances are good that if Magic did do that trade, we'd have to wait to get more talent to put around Kawhi so that we could get back to the level we already have.

Losing that much talent to get some of it back in Kawhi is just a fools-gold mentality and I for one implore the Lakers to continue with the GS/Icon's model of building your own talent and dynasty from the draft while judiciously adding a few more pieces rather than shooting for the stars with one guy and losing the young talented core responsible for the success you have already developed.

According to lakersnation.com - The Spurs are looking for a grand slam home run in a trade for Kawhi - If they go that route. In short they will want to break the bank of the team getting him - That's not worth it for a one year contract. Now if Kawhi is willing to sign a contract extension and knows where he is being traded to for the next two years after the 2018-2019 season, then that might be a consideration. But ppg and rebounds some of our young players are scoring as much. Kyle Kuzma was scoring machine when he started out, but Luke Walton changed him up and wanted him to focus on other skills in passing, defending and rotating off players - that's why Kuzma's numbers dipped I personally think the Lakers have a good core and would want a pretty sure bet beyond 2019 before giving up two or three players and then end up with nothing in 2019

Retroram52 · May 20, 2018

I agree TLF. PG coming here is defintiely a doable and maybe even LeBron but because we have to trade to get Kawhi, Popovich would use that opportunity to demand way too much as you have adequately stated. Popovich hates the Lakers and he would want to screw us over as much as he could by asking way too much.

The price is just too much for a guy who may be the league's third best but if LeBron don't like each other as has been reported and we have guys right now who are doing some of the things Kawhi has done, why would we do that trade just to have the guy and short-circuit the progress that is presently continuing?

The Oldtimer · May 20, 2018

trojanfan12 said:
I'm playing the long game on that. So I don't think I count yet.

LOL, do you ever count?

Mecca · May 20, 2018

Here's a good breakdown of what every team needs, their draft picks and cap situation, including who has the mid level exception and who doesn't....

Biggest NBA free-agency, trade and draft decisions for every team

True Lakers Fan · May 20, 2018

Retroram52 said:
I agree TLF. PG coming here is defintiely a doable and maybe even LeBron but because we have to trade to get Kawhi, Popovich would use that opportunity to demand way too much as you have adequately stated. Popovich hates the Lakers and he would want to screw us over as much as he could by asking way too much.

The price is just too much for a guy who may be the league's third best but if LeBron don't like each other as has been reported and we have guys right now who are doing some of the things Kawhi has done, why would we do that trade just to have the guy and short-circuit the progress that is presently continuing?

Besides that there are several things to consider

Even if Paul George who wanted to come to the Lakers never comes, and Leonard does the same thing - The Lakers now has a core of players who other coaches through out the league believes they are now a playoff team.
You keep Lonzo Ball, and work on his shot and conditioning, Ingram is working on his conditioning just as Kuzma is and resign both Isaiah Thomas and Julius Randle and we would have the team

Starters

PG - Lonzo Ball
SG - To be determined?
SF - Brandon Ingram
PF - Julius Randle
C - To be determined

Bench

PG - Isaiah Thomas
SG - Josh Hart
SF - To Be Determined
PF - Kyle Kuzma
C - To Be determined

Obviously even one free agent signing would be a huge improvement - and possibly resign Brook Lopez who said he would sign for less money with the Lakers if they are a contender, - I think that either Paul George as SG or Kuzma - and the Lakers are a playoff team - I think it's unrealistic to believe that we can go from missing the playoffs entirely for 5 years to a title contender in one season. It can happen, but It's more realistic to believe that it's a process that is happening.

True Lakers Fan · May 20, 2018

Retroram52 said:
Here is a thought. The Lakers should float the trade of Deng for Gasol and Ingram and Ball for Kawhi. GAsol says he wants to play three more years and that trade would be a great addition of a former Laker who could then retire as one. Then we can add PG and LeBron as max players, keep Randle, select Ball's brother in the draft to take his place, and voila, everyone is happy.

At the very best possibility - the Lakers could match Randle and then agree to trade him to the team of his choice so they get something back. Now if Randle wants to stay with the Lakers, then Ingram or Kuzma or both with Deng - so that the other team gets to developed young players in their rebuilding process. The Lakers should have bought out the dude and taken the hit this year on luxary taxes. If they had paid him off - this year, then his salary as I understand it drops off the bench, but they can waive and stretch. If he signs with some one - whatever he signs for comes back to the Lakers. Gasol is over the Hill and The Spurs are not going to give us Kawhi for less then everything - that ship is not even the water - so Kiss Kawhi good bye for now - next year he will be a free agent if he doesn't agree to a contract extension in a trade

The Oldtimer · May 20, 2018

Mecca said:
Here's a good breakdown of what every team needs, their draft picks and cap situation, including who has the mid level exception and who doesn't....

Biggest NBA free-agency, trade and draft decisions for every team

Mecca, good comment!!! Some good stuff in your post. :suds:

Retroram52 · May 20, 2018

Yea, I am increasingly leaning toward the notion that the only good action this summer for the Lakers in FA that makes the best sense, all things considered, is signing Lopez, Randle, and PG. If LeBron changes his mind late in the summer after all the play-off stuff is done, then maybe that might be a good FA signing as well.

trojanfan12 · May 20, 2018

The Oldtimer said:
LOL, do you ever count?

Not if I can help it.

trojanfan12 · May 20, 2018

Retroram52 said:
Yea, I am increasingly leaning toward the notion that the only good action this summer for the Lakers in FA that makes the best sense, all things considered, is signing Lopez, Randle, and PG. If LeBron changes his mind late in the summer after all the play-off stuff is done, then maybe that might be a good FA signing as well.

Honestly Retro, that seems the most likely scenario, imo. Although, I don't know if Lopez would re-sign. If I understood his quote, he meant he'd sign for less if the Lakers were a contender. With PG and improvement from the youngsters, the Lakers are likely a playoff team, but not a contender.

As far as Lebron, if he wants to join the Lakers with 1 other max guy, the young core and some solid vets signed in FA...I'm good with it.

I wouldn't want to see the Lakers trading away the young guys because Lebron wants veteran players.

The exception would be if they were trading for Kawhi. If you have a chance to get Lebron, Kawhi and PG together...you have to do that. Especially since PG and Kawhi are young.

WiggyRuss · May 21, 2018

tlance said:
Agreed.

Probably just semantics here,

It isn't his injury history that has anybody worried. This particular injury might scare somebody away if he isn't back at 100%. Nothing that happened prior to 2018 points to Kawhi being an injury prone player though. The quad thing could be real.

But, my bet is that this was nothing more than a power play. I think Kawhi is 100% right now and has been for quite some time. I could be wrong, but that is my belief based on everything that has gone down.

I read something about this quad injury that is actually concerning and makes it possible that it keeps coming back--- a "chronic" condition- which is exceedingly rare for a muscle- but is possible.

From what I have read the muscle gets denser and like balls up basically never fully heals and as its anticipating the same movements again and again it never really gets loose and healthy.

From what I have read its not just a pulled muscle- its how his body has reacted to it- and its developed into a chronic condition.

While it might get okay for a while- there is certainly no guarantee that it could not pop right back up again- especially in a guy like a pro athlete who puts such excruciating strain on those muscles almost every single day for months and months on end

for the first time- i might be a little worried if i was going after KAwhi from what i have read recently as- it would not surprise me if this type of injury pops up again down the road even if it is technically healed.

WiggyRuss · May 21, 2018

They wrote: “Leonard's camp has come to believe the issue has more to do with an ossification, or hardening, in the area where the muscle has been repeatedly bruised, and then an atrophy, which in turn affected the tendons connecting the muscle to the knee.

The Spurs have always called the injury quadriceps tendinopathy, which is a disease of the tendon that has a degenerative effect on the muscle by keeping it in a constant state of exhaustion.

“The treatment course for each diagnosis [a muscle issue vs a tendon issue] is different, which has become another source of tension in the relationship.”

Mecca · May 21, 2018

WiggyRuss said:
They wrote: “Leonard's camp has come to believe the issue has more to do with an ossification, or hardening, in the area where the muscle has been repeatedly bruised, and then an atrophy, which in turn affected the tendons connecting the muscle to the knee.

The Spurs have always called the injury quadriceps tendinopathy, which is a disease of the tendon that has a degenerative effect on the muscle by keeping it in a constant state of exhaustion.

“The treatment course for each diagnosis [a muscle issue vs a tendon issue] is different, which has become another source of tension in the relationship.”

If this is indeed the case, it could definitely be a long-term problem.

But, I honestly believe Kawhi is playing opossum.

Let's see how healthy he gets, and how quickly that happens, once that super max is on the table or he forces his way out of the Alamo.

shopson67 · May 21, 2018

True Lakers Fan said:
Personally, I don't think LeBron is a good fit for the Lakers. The Lakers have a lot of young talent that will get better only if they continue in the same direction and LeBron handles the ball too much. Now if the argument for LeBron's camp comes to the Lakers and says he will share the ball, let the point guard contribute his share and get everyone involved without the Lakers having to trade their young core - then I think that could work - but I am not going to hold my breath. I think LeBron who is 33 years old has the potential to become a liability - unless he agrees to only a two year contract with perhaps a team option for a third and I just can't visualize LeBron agreeing to all of that - I think he wants a lot more control then what Magic Johnson is willing to give him and there is the problem with signing the LeBron

If the Lakers could sign Paul George, perhaps resign Brook Lopez and Isaiah Thomas, the Lakers would be a playoff team and then wait till next year to add another player.

The only value of Brook and Thomas for the Lakers would be as short term cap space holders. I don't know if I can take another season of watching Brook continuously take 3s or Isaiah getting destroyed on defense.

Where do the Lakers go from here...?

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