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Where do the Lakers go from here...?

trojanfan12

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The only other factor here is that Kawhi does have some leverage.

He might try to dictate the terms by saying he will only consider resigning with a few teams, which would torpedo his value for everyone else. If he does try to force his way somewhere, I would have to think the Lakers would be near the top of his list. And they do have the assets required to get themselves in the conversation.

Yeah, to me, Kawhi trying to force his way to the Lakers is probably the Lakers best shot. As you point out, it will drive down his value.

I would guess that some team that feels they are close will try to put together a package that would be better than the Lakers and hope that a deep playoff run/title would convince him to stay (similar to OKC trading for PG). But who knows?

As we've all said, this should be an interesting off season.
 

Retroram52

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Magic has already stated and intimated on several occasions that Ingram, Kuzma, and Ball aren't going anywhere. Randle mught go but not those first three.
 

msgkings322

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Magic has already stated and intimated on several occasions that Ingram, Kuzma, and Ball aren't going anywhere. Randle mught go but not those first three.

I tend to agree. They are going to try to get PG and LeBron to join. They can keep those 3 if they do. LeBron will be courted by many, including a team or two we aren't considering.
 

trojanfan12

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Magic has already stated and intimated on several occasions that Ingram, Kuzma, and Ball aren't going anywhere. Randle mught go but not those first three.

True, Magic did say that and I have no doubt that he meant what he said.

However, there are certain players that, if you have a chance to get them, you do whatever you have to. Even if it means trading a player(s) that you have previously said were untouchable.

Kawhi is one of those players. Also, at the time Magic said it, no one thought Kawhi would be available.
 
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WiggyRuss

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16% chance the LeBron to LA rumors die tomorrow.....

that aint much of a chance but its something!

im def not counting on it--- could you imagine how pissed off the rest of the league would be if the Cavs jumped in the lotto?

Mickey Arison would probably shiv Gilbert in the bathroom in the next owners meeting, lol.
 

Black Adam

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16% chance the LeBron to LA rumors die tomorrow.....

that aint much of a chance but its something!

im def not counting on it--- could you imagine how pissed off the rest of the league would be if the Cavs jumped in the lotto?

Mickey Arison would probably shiv Gilbert in the bathroom in the next owners meeting, lol.

lol rooting for you to be right...

#stayyourassinClevelandLeClown
 

Retroram52

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True, Magic did say that and I have no doubt that he meant what he said.

However, there are certain players that, if you have a chance to get them, you do whatever you have to. Even if it means trading a player(s) that you have previously said were untouchable.

Kawhi is one of those players. Also, at the time Magic said it, no one thought Kawhi would be available.

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.
 

trojanfan12

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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?

It's not using the grass is greener approach when you are getting a proven top 5 player who is still early in his prime. Kawhi is arguably the 3rd best player in the league. That's not taking a flier on Dwight Howard hoping he'll stay or signing Mozgov and Deng in a desperate attempt to stay relevant.

Also, banking on unproven young players only works if they turn into the Warriors or even OKC a few years back. Most of the time, that doesn't work.

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.

If it would mean Kawhi coming by himself, I would agree. However, the Lakers would have to trade for Kawhi which means salary has to go along with him. That would net the Lakers Kawhi and still leave them enough cap space to sign to max level guys or sign 1 max level guy, keep Randle and land some solid vet role players looking for a ring.

The Lakers could trade for Kawhi and still have the cap space to get Lebron and PG. Or they could get Lebron or PG and keep Randle.

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.

Yes, because Kuzma probably isn't traded. If I recall correctly, the potential trade suggested was Ingram, Ball, Deng and a #1 for Kawhi. So, we wouldn't be waiting for more talent to join him.

Having said all of this, I don't think the Lakers are getting Kawhi unless Kawhi wants to be a Laker bad enough that he would try to force his way to the Lakers by saying he won't re-sign with anyone else.

Even then, I think some team would make a better offer in the hopes that they can convince him to stay.
 

shopson67

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16% chance the LeBron to LA rumors die tomorrow.....

that aint much of a chance but its something!

im def not counting on it--- could you imagine how pissed off the rest of the league would be if the Cavs jumped in the lotto?

Mickey Arison would probably shiv Gilbert in the bathroom in the next owners meeting, lol.

I'd say the LeBrexit talk should be in full force now. Didn't get lucky in the lottery, lost game 2 after he was trying to do it all himself, plus took a shoulder to the face. It's not a series until someone loses at home, but that game ended with horrible momentum for the Cavs.
 

shopson67

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Yes, because Kuzma probably isn't traded. If I recall correctly, the potential trade suggested was Ingram, Ball, Deng and a #1 for Kawhi. So, we wouldn't be waiting for more talent to join him.

Having said all of this, I don't think the Lakers are getting Kawhi unless Kawhi wants to be a Laker bad enough that he would try to force his way to the Lakers by saying he won't re-sign with anyone else.

Even then, I think some team would make a better offer in the hopes that they can convince him to stay.

Kawhi won't be a Laker unless he comes as a free agent. If that is going to be what the trade request looks like, might as well forget about calling. It's not like Kawhi's health isn't a concern right now...
 

Black Adam

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I'd say the LeBrexit talk should be in full force now. Didn't get lucky in the lottery, lost game 2 after he was trying to do it all himself, plus took a shoulder to the face. It's not a series until someone loses at home, but that game ended with horrible momentum for the Cavs.

yeah as much as i hate to admit it that talk only intensifies from this point forward...
 

LogicMan

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actually you guys are in a interesting phase of the rebuild. but getting Kawhi would be a big deal, and you might attract alot of upcoming FA's with that direction
 

trojanfan12

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actually you guys are in a interesting phase of the rebuild. but getting Kawhi would be a big deal, and you might attract alot of upcoming FA's with that direction

Agree. The Lakers are in a great position right now. If they play their cards right, they could be back in contention fairly quickly.

They won enough games with their young guys and played a fun enough style of basketball that they should be able to get FA's to take them seriously this off-season.

With Cleveland only getting the #8 pick, not having much, if anything of value to trade and with what looks to be the first time Lebron misses the finals in 8 years, it's looking like he'll be leaving Cleveland.

I've heard several "experts" claim that PG to the Lakers is all but a done deal (although I don't put a ton of stock in that) and they could even put together a package that may be able to get them Kawhi (although that's probably a long shot).

They are also set to have the most cap space of any team in the league.

As long as they don't do anything Short Buss level stupid, they should be able to add some great pieces over the next couple of seasons.
 

tlance

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Kawhi won't be a Laker unless he comes as a free agent. If that is going to be what the trade request looks like, might as well forget about calling. It's not like Kawhi's health isn't a concern right now...

If you gave up all those assets alongside Deng, it would give you a really good shot at landing LeBron.

I really think LeBron will try to go where Kawhi goes. It is really his only chance to beat GS.
 

trojanfan12

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Kawhi won't be a Laker unless he comes as a free agent. If that is going to be what the trade request looks like, might as well forget about calling. It's not like Kawhi's health isn't a concern right now...

I think the Lakers would be smart enough to get assurances that Kawhi will be fully healthy before they made such a trade.
 

trojanfan12

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If you gave up all those assets alongside Deng, it would give you a really good shot at landing LeBron.

I really think LeBron will try to go where Kawhi goes. It is really his only chance to beat GS.

I think it depends. I still expect Kawhi and the Spurs to get things figured out so he stays there.

If that's the case, I doubt Lebron will go to the Spurs. But yeah, if he really does move, then I'd expect Lebron to try to go where he does.
 

shopson67

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I think the Lakers would be smart enough to get assurances that Kawhi will be fully healthy before they made such a trade.

What is the point of such a trade? Now you have Kawhi and all your young talent is gone.
 
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