Where do the Lakers go from here...?

Heatles84 said:

I was told that the Spurs should thank their lucky stars if LA is willing to trade Ingram for Kawhi only.

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Shanemansj13 said:

That isn’t unordinary for you

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Shaqdaddy11 said:

I know if Kawhi comes an and explicitly says that he's going to sign in LA in 2019 no matter what, other teams aren't going to offer them a great package.

And even in that situation the Lakers won't ( and can't) lowball the Spurs. It'll take AT LEAST 2 out of their 3 young stars, plus picks.

But if somehow they managed to get lebron and PG, I hope they wait it out for a year then.

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True Lakers Fan said:

He would be screwing himself big time when negotiations began - So far he has only put enough information out like Paul George did to force the trade, but be able to deny them

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Shaqdaddy11 said:

ESPN and Woj reported that Leonard will be telling teams he plans to sign in LA in 2019

Sources: Pop meets with Kawhi in California

"Leonard wants a trade to Los Angeles, preferably the Lakers over the Clippers, league sources said. He has privately maintained that he no longer wants to play in San Antonio and will eventually alert rival teams considering trades for him that his intention is to sign in Los Angeles when he can become a free agent in 2019, league sources said."

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True Lakers Fan said:

I believe he did all of that - I just don't believe he will force the issue outside of the trade. I think it could end up like the Paul George event last year. I am just happy seeing the Lakers in the hunt - I think something is headed our way for Lakers fans.

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Shaqdaddy11 said:

The thing is, last year Paul George never came out publicly and said he's planning to sign with the Lakers in 2018. Being an LA native there were rumors that it was his preferred destination, but that's it.

If he actually did come out and said that, there would be no chance in hell OKC would have offered Sabonis and Oladipo. The Lakers would have then easily been able to get him for Clarkson/Randle and the picks that turned out to be Kuzma and Hart.

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shopson67 said:

...and that can be taken two ways. Having better players around you, including an all-star PG, draws the defense and opens up shots and driving lanes. Sure, he may get fewer shots, and that shows with better shooting and fewer points. We have all seen them play. In fact, head to head Kuzma got the better of Tatum. In the first meeting, Tatum didn't play much and Kuzma only had mediocre stats. In the second game, Kuzma had a huge game with 28 pts to Tatum's 4.

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True Lakers Fan said:

That combo could easily be Chris Paul and Lebron instead and I don't think Leonard will come out and say that he is only signing with the Lakers next year - He would be screwing himself big time when negotiations began - So far he has only put enough information out like Paul George did to force the trade, but be able to deny them

For me it's a sign that sooner or later, the Lakers will make some good hits even if those hits aren't Lebron, George and Kawhi - We going to get something

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shopson67 said:

I think Ball is more of a team defender, whereas Smart is a one-on-one guy. I never said one was better than the other, just that Ball does have stats that indicate he is a solid defender as well.

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ANGELAKERAMS said:

If Leonard really wants to go to the Lakers, they should just wait and get him without giving up anything.

They keep their young players and get to ensure Leonard is fully healed by playing a full season before signing him.

No reason for the Lakers to jump the gun. That is something little Buss would do. If this FO does something stupid like that, it will be no different than the previous one they are still trying to recover from

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tlance said:

Leonard isn't screwing himself at all by saying that. He is screwing the Spurs.

Wherever he ends up signing his next contract, it will be for the maximum allowable amount unless he decides he wants to accept less.

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ANGELAKERAMS said:

If Leonard really wants to go to the Lakers, they should just wait and get him without giving up anything.

They keep their young players and get to ensure Leonard is fully healed by playing a full season before signing him.

No reason for the Lakers to jump the gun. That is something little Buss would do. If this FO does something stupid like that, it will be no different than the previous one they are still trying to recover from

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Heatles84 said:

If you sign Lebron and Paul George, you don't wait around for a year to sign Kawhi. Things can change in a year. The Lakers weren't aggressive in trying to get George, and there's a realistic possibility that George may re-sign in OKC, which could impact Lebron's decision.

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Kold said:

There's no way we keep those 3 draft picks tomorrow

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flyerhawk said:

However just about every serious hoops fan would agree that Smart is the better defender, by a wide margin.

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