AD will not sign extension and has requested a trade.

[rmilia1]

The thing about this trade is taking back that Hill contract they won't be about to sign another max contract until summer of 2021. They won't be able to next summer unless a FA takes less and Kawhi wouldn't do that.

Even worse then . Even a team with AD and LBJ needs another guy. Assuming KD stats put a team with LBJ and AD isn't beating GS by themselves

 

[WiggyRuss]

The thing about this trade is taking back that Hill contract they won't be about to sign another max contract until summer of 2021. They won't be able to next summer unless a FA takes less and Kawhi wouldn't do that.

i think that with LeBron, AD, and Hill alone they would be looking at about about 80-85M in cap commitments next summer.

Deng also has his stretched amount so i think that adds like 6M.....im not exactly sure what Deng adds but i think its 6M to next years cap....so, they would be sitting at about 90M with just LeBron, Davis and Hill......which leaves little room to maneuver

 

[WiggyRuss]

Even worse then . Even a team with AD and LBJ needs another guy. Assuming KD stats put a team with LBJ and AD isn't beating GS by themselves

if they had LBJ and AD if they had the right role playersi think they would be fine- they would need plenty of shooting, and some good rebounders- kidn of like what the CAvs had---- and thats not that easy to get.

 

[shopson67]

Agree with much of this. However, on D-Lo, at the time the Lakers traded him, he didn't look any better than any of the other young guys either. He showed flashes of what he could be, but nothing really consistent.

In fact, last year, he looked pretty much like the same guy he was with the Lakers.

This year though, he seems to have really started putting things together. He's part of why I find it funny that some folks want to act like it's time to give up on the Lakers kids. This is D-Lo's what? 4th year? and he's finally starting to live up to his draft status.

He's got his shooting percentages up a bit, but really his other stats are pretty much the same. Taking 2 more shots, 1 more assist, but that's about it.

 

[rmilia1]

I mean, say the Knicks get the #1 pick (or even #2)....Davis calls up KD or Kyrie and says- hey ill sign long term in NY if you come with me.

If I am the Pelicans id rather have Knox and the #2 pick and whatever else they can attach than the Lakers offer- i think we could both agree on that.

Similarly with the Celtics--- if the Celtics offer Tatum, a lotto pick (the Sacramento pick) say Rozier, and a couple other firsts, id rather have that package than the Lakers package.

But at least the Lakers - with an offer of Ingram, Ball, Kuzma, 2 firsts and taking back Hill's deal are making it interesting and putting out a viable package right now.

Why would you rather have an underachieving Knox and the 2 pick instead of 2 already legit NBA starters ( kuzma and ingram ) and Ball ( who is already better than knox ). Seems weird . Basically you're saying you'd rather have RJ Barrett and Kevin Knox instead of Kuzma, Ingram and Ball?? That makes no sense to me

 

[shopson67]

i think that with LeBron, AD, and Hill alone they would be looking at about about 80-85M in cap commitments next summer.

Deng also has his stretched amount so i think that adds like 6M.....im not exactly sure what Deng adds but i think its 6M to next years cap....so, they would be sitting at about 90M with just LeBron, Davis and Hill......which leaves little room to maneuver

Deng is $5M in dead cap. Spotrac is your friend. Los Angeles Lakers 2019-20 Salary Cap

Stretching Hill would leave the Lakers with about $26M in cap space reportedly.

 

[WiggyRuss]

Why would you rather have an underachieving Knox and the 2 pick instead of 2 already legit NBA starters ( kuzma and ingram ) and Ball ( who is already better than knox ). Seems weird . Basically you're saying you'd rather have RJ Barrett and Kevin Knox instead of Kuzma, Ingram and Ball?? That makes no sense to me

Ingram is going to be due for a contract extension soon- and I have not seen anything that shows me I want to commit a long term contract to the guy.

Kuzma is a real asset- but PF's that can score and play no defense are not exactly difficult to find in the NBA. Kuzma was also a 4 year college player and likely does not have much more of a ceiling as a player if you ask me. Dont get me wrong- i like Kuzma a lot- but his age, ceiling, position, and lack of defensive tools mitigate his value.

Knox was (is?) 19 when the season started- and has shown potential to be a high level player. If I were to bet on the ceilings of Ingram, Kuzma and Knox, at this point, I would probably go Knox considering his age- and the fact that he is so far away from restricted free agency also helps his case.

Knox had a rough October and November- which is not a surprise on a bad team as a 19 year old kid that hurt himself in the preseason with an ankle injury- but since then he has been pretty freaking good. At his age- with no one around him he has shown that he can score, and he can shoot the 3 a little- which is extremely rare for a guy his size and his age.

Barret is going to be the #2 pick- a 6'7" combo guard that has elite athleticism.

If I am ranking these guys- especially for a Pelicans team that would likely rebuild after selling Davis- taking Knox- a young kid still years from restricted free agency with a high celing- and Barrett- a young kid with an immense ceiling still years from restricted free agency, makes a lot of sense.

Not only that but hte Knicks could also throw in DSJ- who at worst has similar worth as Lonzo Ball.

 

[rmilia1]

if they had LBJ and AD if they had the right role playersi think they would be fine- they would need plenty of shooting, and some good rebounders- kidn of like what the CAvs had---- and thats not that easy to get.

And the Cavs still couldn't beat GS without a Draymond suspension and a miracle even after doing everything right

 

[WiggyRuss]

And the Cavs still couldn't beat GS without a Draymond suspension and a miracle even after doing everything right

well shit- thats what happens when a team has 4 of the top 20 guys in the league.....Draymond to close out the Cavs and could not do it.

Richard Jefferson said it in his article on the Player's Tribune- not all championships are equal- that is a Finals that will live large for as long as they play basketball.

When LeBron has his hall of fame ceremony one day and they play a montage of his greatest plays- the hammer will be The Block.

Kyrie could go onto have a inner-ring hall of fame career and he will still never top The Shot.

Coming back down from 3-1 against the team with the best record in the history of the NBA just stands for itself- esp. when you consider Cleveland's sports history.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Even worse then . Even a team with AD and LBJ needs another guy. Assuming KD stats put a team with LBJ and AD isn't beating GS by themselves

But that combo wouldn't need a max player to compete that would just put them over the top imo. They could bring in a guy for around $20...not sure who??? And some decent pieces around them. Might not be nearly enough to take down the W's if KD stays but it's worth a try. Worst case you have AD on L.A. after Lebron leaves and try to build around him.

 

[rmilia1]

Ingram is going to be due for a contract extension soon- and I have not seen anything that shows me I want to commit a long term contract to the guy.

Kuzma is a real asset- but PF's that can score and play no defense are not exactly difficult to find in the NBA. Kuzma was also a 4 year college player and likely does not have much more of a ceiling as a player if you ask me. Dont get me wrong- i like Kuzma a lot- but his age, ceiling, position, and lack of defensive tools mitigate his value.

Knox was (is?) 19 when the season started- and has shown potential to be a high level player. If I were to bet on the ceilings of Ingram, Kuzma and Knox, at this point, I would probably go Knox considering his age- and the fact that he is so far away from restricted free agency also helps his case.

Knox had a rough October and November- which is not a surprise on a bad team as a 19 year old kid that hurt himself in the preseason with an ankle injury- but since then he has been pretty freaking good. At his age- with no one around him he has shown that he can score, and he can shoot the 3 a little- which is extremely rare for a guy his size and his age.

Barret is going to be the #2 pick- a 6'7" combo guard that has elite athleticism.

If I am ranking these guys- especially for a Pelicans team that would likely rebuild after selling Davis- taking Knox- a young kid still years from restricted free agency with a high celing- and Barrett- a young kid with an immense ceiling still years from restricted free agency, makes a lot of sense.

Not only that but hte Knicks could also throw in DSJ- who at worst has similar worth as Lonzo Ball.

You're forgetting that if Knox ends up great he ain't staying in NO lol. You have to take into consideration who you are as a franchise when making these deals . Ingram and Kuzma aren't elute but they're both good and both guys you can keep imo. Knox is either going to end up slightly better than those guys and ditch the pels in his prime OR end up just as good as 1 of them but then you get 1 good player instead of 2. Personally I don't like Barrett . He's a high volume shooter who shoots a poor %. He's Westbrook without the rebounding , passing , athleticism or toughness . Now if the Knicks get the number 1 you've got my interest but I doubt the Knicks are giving up Zion for AD

 

[rmilia1]

But that combo wouldn't need a max player to compete that would just put them over the top imo. They could bring in a guy for around $20...not sure who??? And some decent pieces around them. Might not be nearly enough to take down the W's if KD stays but it's worth a try. Worst case you have AD on L.A. after Lebron leaves and try to build around him.

If you're the Lakers you're not looking to compete though . You're looking to win titles

 

[Shanemansj13]

So you have AD and Lebron, if you stretch Hill at most you are working with $24 for a #3 and team around these guys. That doesn't give you much room to work with but they would have options.

Cousins-already played with AD but if he got somewhat healthy it could be a good get
Tobias Harris - not sure it is a good fit with Lebron and is he getting max? you never know these days
Vucevic
Randle

I would think they would likely want a shooter around Lebron and AD, getting another big would seem pointless so more options...

Brogdon
Dragic
Bledsoe
Rozier
DLo
Rubio LOL
Redick - could get him for less so they could add more pieces
Bogdanovic
Danny Green - see Redick

 

[Shanemansj13]

If you're the Lakers you're not looking to compete though . You're looking to win titles

Well of course, but if KD stays in GS....I don't care who you have it is going to be difficult to get a better roster than what they have under the cap. Only way to trump that is getting 3 max guys or close to it.
AD & Lebron is about as close as you can get with two players in the NBA though.

 

[rmilia1]

Well of course, but if KD stays in GS....I don't care who you have it is going to be difficult to get a better roster than what they have under the cap. Only way to trump that is getting 3 max guys or close to it.
AD & Lebron is about as close as you can get with two players in the NBA though.

Well that's my point . Hold off . Sign Kawhi this summer then AD next summer . Keep the other guys and now you've got a shot . Anything else and you're just settling for WC finals ( at best )

 

[Shanemansj13]

Well that's my point . Hold off . Sign Kawhi this summer then AD next summer . Keep the other guys and now you've got a shot . Anything else and you're just settling for WC finals ( at best )

There is no guarantee they can get Kawhi or any other max FA this summer. They actually haven't even shown interest in being with the Lakers

 

[rmilia1]

There is no guarantee they can get Kawhi or any other max FA this summer. They actually haven't even shown interest in being with the Lakers

I'd take that risk as opposed to giaranteeing you're not winning a title in the next few years . LBJ is no spring chicken so I'd risk trying to hit a homer instead of a double so to speak

 

[True Lakers Fan]

Tatum, Rozier, and a couple of picks is better than anything the Lakers could offer.

If the Knicks get a top 3 pick, that pick plus Knox and a pick is better than what the Lakers are offering.

Now you're being a hater and not objective

And they are not going to give up Tatum

 

[WiggyRuss]

You're forgetting that if Knox ends up great he ain't staying in NO lol. You have to take into consideration who you are as a franchise when making these deals . Ingram and Kuzma aren't elute but they're both good and both guys you can keep imo. Knox is either going to end up slightly better than those guys and ditch the pels in his prime OR end up just as good as 1 of them but then you get 1 good player instead of 2. Personally I don't like Barrett . He's a high volume shooter who shoots a poor %. He's Westbrook without the rebounding , passing , athleticism or toughness . Now if the Knicks get the number 1 you've got my interest but I doubt the Knicks are giving up Zion for AD

well --- what if Kuzma or Ingram end up being great? are they staying? They are MUCH closer to leaving than Knox who was just drafted.

typically - if a guy is worth a max and you offer it to him- he accepts it instead of taking the QO- basically no one ever takes the QO over a max- they could have Knox for years and years to come- and Bender as well if they would get him

Or- you could get Ingram- and offer him enough money to stay- but there is nothing that i have seen that makes me think Ingram is worthy of a huge deal that he might get offered in RFA.

I think that if i am a rebuilding franchise id like the two most high ceiling guys like Knox and Barrett that are the farthest from free agency, wouldnt you agree?

 

[True Lakers Fan]

Off the top of my head:

• any offer that includes a top 3 pick in the upcoming draft would instantly have at least one chip that's better than any individual chip the Lakers are offering
• any offer including Jason Tatum would instantly have at least one chip that's better than any individual chip the Lakers are offering

That's wishful thinking.