A Little FA News

[wildturkey]

Considering everything coming out of Dragic's camp, I'm lowballing PHX hard if I trade for him at all. It sounds like he'll come to LA in free agency (NY is the other team but the triangle does NOT suit him at all) so there's no real pressing need to get him right away. But if we must have him now, the absolute best offer I'd give is Jordan Hill, the two 2nd rounders we have this year, and whatever cap filler is needed to match the salaries per CBA rules (like throw in Ellington if need be). In no way will I give up 1st rounder for him knowing he will likely come to LA in free agency, not Houston's and especially not removing our protections on our current pick which PHX has rumored to want done. And Hill is the player I'd trade because 1) He's likely getting cut loose at the end of the year to clear space anyway and more importantly 2)It hurts our chances to win games this year and thus keep our Top 5 pick.

If PHX says no and he goes elsewhere, so be it. I'm fine with pursuing Brandon Knight or Reggie Jackson in FA or using the top 5 pick on Mudiay or Russell to fill that guard spot.

 

[trojanfan12]

Even if he gets traded to a team other than the Lakers, they may still get him in FA. I just heard on the radio that Dragic told the Suns that he wants to be traded to the Lakers, Knicks or Heat.

But the Suns have been talking to the Rockets, Kings and Celtics.

 

[OutlawImmortal]

If Dragic cares more about the city rather than the state of the team then I definitely like our chances of signing him in FA. I'd consider trading anything except Clarkson, Randle, and the top 5 pick this year.

 

[Retroram52]

So what. Continue to build with the draft and other FAs. Man, we get so fixated on a guy and for what? Dragic is good but worth a max contract? What has he done to deserve that? Once again, the Logo model doesn't go running after some dude when the goal is to build your own guys and add FA pieces.

 

[trojanfan12]

So what. Continue to build with the draft and other FAs. Man, we get so fixated on a guy and for what? Dragic is good but worth a max contract? What has he done to deserve that? Once again, the Logo model doesn't go running after some dude when the goal is to build your own guys and add FA pieces.

Getting the top 5 pick to add to Randle and picking up a top FA like Dragic IS the Logo's model and it IS what the Lakers are attempting to do to get back in the hunt quickly.

That's how the Shaq/Kobe Lakers were built. They traded to get the rights to Kobe, added Shaq via FA and then added other role players via FA and the draft.

And yes, Dragic is worth a max deal. Think Steve Nash in his prime (but Dragic will actually play a little D too).

 

[lakersrule]

The Lakers stand pat, which isn't a bad thing. They keep all that cap flexibility and don't improve at all which would threaten losing that 1st rounder.

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

With Dragic moving to the Heat now (one of his preferred teams), I don't see him leaving Miami in free agency.

Unless he get sick of being #3 behind Wade and Bosh though.

 

[wildturkey]

Might be of note but our pick now goes to the Sixers instead of the Suns if it falls out of the Top 5 this year. The Suns traded it in all the madness of today.

FWIW, I'm glad the Lakers didn't do anything. I didn't think they had anything of value to trade in the first place but you never know what will shake out so I'm glad they didn't force their way into something stupid. I'm a bit bummed the Suns got Brandon Knight though. I had him pegged as the under the radar PG the team should really go after in FA instead of Rondo or Dragic. Maybe he'll still explore the market but its hard to imagine the Suns dealing away 2 of their 3 PGs without knowing Knight will sign with them.

 

[trojanfan12]

Might be of note but our pick now goes to the Sixers instead of the Suns if it falls out of the Top 5 this year. The Suns traded it in all the madness of today.

FWIW, I'm glad the Lakers didn't do anything. I didn't think they had anything of value to trade in the first place but you never know what will shake out so I'm glad they didn't force their way into something stupid. I'm a bit bummed the Suns got Brandon Knight though. I had him pegged as the under the radar PG the team should really go after in FA instead of Rondo or Dragic. Maybe he'll still explore the market but its hard to imagine the Suns dealing away 2 of their 3 PGs without knowing Knight will sign with them.

I'm glad about that too. It sounds like the Suns tried to get them to remove the top 5 protection and I'm not surte what else they wanted. I'm glad the Lakers stuck to their guns. I'd have loved to get Dragic, but not at the expense of that potential top 5 pick.

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

Might be of note but our pick now goes to the Sixers instead of the Suns if it falls out of the Top 5 this year. The Suns traded it in all the madness of today.

I'd rather the Sixers have it than the Suns!

 

[Retroram52]

Here's the link of all the trades. I am glad the Lakers did nothing and kept that top five pick protected.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/nba-exploded-one-craziest-trade-213418342.html

 

[trojanfan12]

Here's the link of all the trades. I am glad the Lakers did nothing and kept that top five pick protected.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/nba-exploded-one-craziest-trade-213418342.html

Me too. If the rumors are correct, the Suns wanted the Lakers to remove the top 5 protection from this years pick. That was too much to ask and I'm glad the Lakers didn't panic and agree to it.

Would have loved to get Dragic, but not at that price.

 

[Retroram52]

Phoenix ended up getting two number ones from Miami for the Dragic brothers and Cleveland's 2016 number one in another trade with the Bucks and the 76ers. The greedy bastards wanted to rip us off and I am glad the Lakers didn't take the bait.

 

[trojanfan12]

Phoenix ended up getting two number ones from Miami for the Dragic brothers and Cleveland's 2016 number one in another trade with the Bucks and the 76ers. The greedy bastards wanted to rip us off and I am glad the Lakers didn't take the bait.

Not only did they not take the bait, but if the rumors are true, the Lakers wanted the Suns to extend the protection to top 10.

 

[OutlawImmortal]

Riley gives up two first rounders and gets the Dragic brothers, LeBron does the same thing and gets Mozgov.

 

[Retroram52]

Like I stated, these greedy bastards want the world. They pull the same sort of crap here in Phoenix, hoodwinking the public to get major tax breaks and subsidies and the freakin' people bought their BS. The only way I would set foot in the arena here in Phoenix is if and when the Lakers are in town and even then I would be hesitant. The prices for concessions and parking are a joke and they gouge you every chance they get.

 

[Retroram52]

I find it sort of interesting that Garnett returns to the Wolves after all these years and Prince returns to Detroit.

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

I think Phoenix screwed themselves over by giving up both Dragic and Thomas. Their whole offence is built on their guards.

I would laugh my ass off if they don't make the playoffs AND the Lakers get to keep the pick!

 

[Retroram52]

Me too Shaqdaddy11.

 

[lakersrule]

I'm glad about that too. It sounds like the Suns tried to get them to remove the top 5 protection and I'm not surte what else they wanted. I'm glad the Lakers stuck to their guns. I'd have loved to get Dragic, but not at the expense of that potential top 5 pick.

I laughed when I read that Phoenix wanted the Lakers to drop the top 5 protection, but probably not as hard as the Lakers front office laughed.