AD narrows it down to two teams

[trojanfan12]

What is that leverage? That they'll hold onto AD until the deadline and get even less for him? Or are you talking the Celtics facade?

The leverage is in 3 areas, imo.

1. Ainge is apparently undeterred by what Rich Paul said. If he truly is undeterred, he may be willing to include Tatum, which would make the Celtics offer tough to beat. Without Tatum, the Lakers have the better offer. With Tatum, it's damn near a coin flip and would be determined by whether Griffin likes Tatum or Ingram better. Based on their health so far, Griffin may decide he likes Tatum better.

2. The Lakers HAVE to get something done. The season fell apart on them last year and the FO has, at best, looked inexperienced and at worst, incompetent. Because of that, no top tier FA's seem to be interested in being Lakers. If they manage to pull off the trade, the roster looks more appealing to FA's and the Lakers FO looks a lot more like they might have some idea as to what the hell they're doing.

3. The longer this drags out, the more teams other than the Lakers will be emboldened to throw their hat into the ring, even if they know for certain that it's only a 1 year rental.

 

[trojanfan12]

Ingram isn’t even as good as brown. And I don’t even like brown.

lol

Good thing you're not a GM.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Considering the situation the Lakers are in and that AD is a once a decade type player...I'm not sure there is such thing as an overpay.

Right, if they lose Kuzma, Ingram AND Ball...you are getting AD paired up with Lebron. You automatically go from possibly making the playoffs to possibly the best duo in the NBA...and that is before making more FA moves or possibly getting another star/AS type of player.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Ingram isn’t even as good as brown. And I don’t even like brown.

Brown could be an AS type of player eventually but more of a role player at this point. No way he is close to Ingram right now. Ingram can be a 20+ ppg scorer....I really don't see that in Brown's future honestly. He is a pesky defender and I like his energy.

 

[True Lakers Fan]

Griffin is just pushing for as much as he can get. That's also the only reason Ainge is still in the mix; prop-up competition to try to force the Lakers to overpay.

I think the best offer the Pelicans got was back in February - The offer clearly is not going to be quite as good and I'd like to keep Kuzma. Lonzo Ball - not that great any way in my opinion and Ingram is going to be a good player, but nothing to indicate he would be as good as Davis

 

[flyerhawk]

Really wanna see Denver make that move.

That's my favorite.

I thought Portland should've put up CJ for Kawhi. They might be in the finals now.

It would be a bold move for the Nuggets and that deal would probably do the most to make the Pelicans good immediately. Not as much of a chance to get the home run player though.

 

[True Lakers Fan]

Right, if they lose Kuzma, Ingram AND Ball...you are getting AD paired up with Lebron. You automatically go from possibly making the playoffs to possibly the best duo in the NBA...and that is before making more FA moves or possibly getting another star/AS type of player.

If I could keep Kuzma - then I would, but if keeping him is a deal breaker, sadly - I let him go.

 

[flyerhawk]

I think the best offer the Pelicans got was back in February - The offer clearly is not going to be quite as good and I'd like to keep Kuzma. Lonzo Ball - not that great any way in my opinion and Ingram is going to be a good player, but nothing to indicate he would be as good as Davis

The Lakers are allegedly willing to deal everyone except Kuzma right now. And if the Pels told them that the deal was done if they threw in Kuzma, the Lakers probably throw Kuzma in as well.

So the Lakers offer really hasn't changed since April.

 

[flyerhawk]

Right, if they lose Kuzma, Ingram AND Ball...you are getting AD paired up with Lebron. You automatically go from possibly making the playoffs to possibly the best duo in the NBA...and that is before making more FA moves or possibly getting another star/AS type of player.

They are an also ran unless they can bring in a few more top flight players. Not necessarily max level players. But starters.

 

[trojanfan12]

The Lakers are allegedly willing to deal everyone except Kuzma right now. And if the Pels told them that the deal was done if they threw in Kuzma, the Lakers probably throw Kuzma in as well.

So the Lakers offer really hasn't changed since April.

Exactly. The only reason they aren't including Kuzma now is because this is a real negotiation as opposed to whatever the hell that was at the deadline.

I love Kuzma...but as a Lakers fan, I'd be pissed if they didn't get an AD trade done because they wouldn't give him up.

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

You knew of a story by Patrick Britton from The score? I guess.

Ignore the part where the source is Zach Lowe? I guess.

 

[trojanfan12]

They are an also ran unless they can bring in a few more top flight players. Not necessarily max level players. But starters.

That, or they'd need to get another star level player and filler (particularly shooters).

I'm not talking about getting a superstar level player like Kawhi. But they could contend with say...Lebron, AD, Kemba or Butler and some shooters. Especially if they can bring in solid vet min. type guys.

 

[True Lakers Fan]

The Lakers are allegedly willing to deal everyone except Kuzma right now. And if the Pels told them that the deal was done if they threw in Kuzma, the Lakers probably throw Kuzma in as well.

So the Lakers offer really hasn't changed since April.

I like Kuzma - I really do - but he is expendable for Davis - That's the bottom line. With Anthony Davis and LeBron James - there is a third slot for a maximum contract player and almost guaranteed that the Lakers would get what they want. The nicest part about that is getting to shut the mouths of the biggest asswipes in here called Wamu and Wiggy

 

[shopson67]

Considering the situation the Lakers are in and that AD is a once a decade type player...I'm not sure there is such thing as an overpay.

There is when there is no other trade partner. This Celtics nonsense is just that; nonsense. Sure, if the Lakers bowed out the Celtics would be quick to underpay with their Brown/picks offer for the rental risk, but otherwise they aren't going to complete.

 

[True Lakers Fan]

That, or they'd need to get another star level player and filler (particularly shooters).

I'm not talking about getting a superstar level player like Kawhi. But they could contend with say...Lebron, AD, Kemba or Butler and some shooters. Especially if they can bring in solid vet min. type guys.

If the Lakers gives up Ball and Ingram for Davis, they still have the spot for a maximum contract and suddenly Leonard must might decide he still wants the Lakers - I personally think that ship has sailed, but there will be others interested like Irving - Durant - not so much any more

 

[The Q]

It would be a bold move for the Nuggets and that deal would probably do the most to make the Pelicans good immediately. Not as much of a chance to get the home run player though.

Porter is the hr swing in that deal.

 

[shopson67]

Exactly. The only reason they aren't including Kuzma now is because this is a real negotiation as opposed to whatever the hell that was at the deadline.

I love Kuzma...but as a Lakers fan, I'd be pissed if they didn't get an AD trade done because they wouldn't give him up.

It's posturing, plain and simple, on both sides. Pels could take a lowball Celtics offer, which makes the Lakers priorities change and work towards cap space next summer for AD if they want.

 

[OregonDucks]

Knicks get Durant, Kyrie and AD?

Oh I'd love it.

 

[shopson67]

Porter is the hr swing in that deal.

Nuggets are doing no such thing for a rental. There are only 2 teams in play with the Pelicans wanting the trade done before the draft. If they were interested, they would already be in play.

 

[shopson67]

Knicks get Durant, Kyrie and AD?

Oh I'd love it.

Except they may only get hobbled KD...Kyrie headed to Brooklyn to play with DLo apparently, and the Pels don't like the Knicks' trade pieces.