Lakers 2018 Off-Season Thread

Lakers open in Portland, with the home opener vs the Rockets.

 

I really think the Lakers are going to Limit Lebrons Numbers during the season and have him control the 4th. Get him much lower minutes with so many young kids on the team. Until the playoffs roll around and i expect a smaller rotation.

 

Yeah, ideally they'll play him a little more early in the season to get everyone on the same page and used to each other. Then scale back his minutes and have him sit out a game here and there.

Then start playing him a little more later in the season going into the playoffs.

 

Apparently Mr. James has added muscle in his return as a Laker.

 

Cant wait to see Defenses have to cheat on Lebron and he slings it to a wide open Kuz or Ingram. Its gonna be sweet. Or, Lonzo can take wide open 3's for a change, something hes good at.

 

YEa, looks like Luke is going to play James at Center during the course of games. The Lakers version of the Dubs "smallball"!

 

Even after signing with the W's and getting a ring or two riding the bench, this dumbass still can't get out of his own way fast enough when he is away from basketball.

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/report-nick-young-arrested-incident-police-163726988.html

 

The last vestige of that idiot short buss's tenure has finally been waived. Don't know the exact details but apparently a large portion of the contract was bought-out. Gonso!! Good riddance. Now we can get on with it!!!

Lakers Waive Luol Deng | Los Angeles Lakers

 

Looks like the Lakers under Magic and Pelinka, used the stretch provision and waiver to buy-out to move Deng.

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/report-lakers-luol-deng-reach-buyout-agreement-164553048.html

 

Yeah. I don't completely understand it, but apparently the Lakers will pay him the full $18 million for this season, then the buyout and stretch happen. He apparently agreed to take $7.2 million less in the buyout.

The most important thing about it is that it will give the Lakers $38 million in cap space next off season and they didn't have to give up any assets to do it.

All things considered, it was something of a home run by Magic and Pelinka.

 

I agree TJF12 and this was a win-win for everyone. Now the Lakers can sign Leonard after a year in Toronto or someone else. Magic continues to make all the right moves as we move closer to being back-in-the-hunt!

 

Looks like a bunch of ex-Lakers are headed to Minnesota to try-out for Thibodeau including major interest in Luol Deng. WTH?

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/nick-young-corey-brewer-reportedly-154309490.html

 

Nwaba apparently has moved-on to Cleveland and he got paid, so to speak. I thought for sure this guy was going to be a Laker but with all the signings apparently he was going to be relegated to the G-league.

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/official-cavaliers-sign-david-nwaba-201339178.html

 

Looks like the Lakers are targeting Klay Thompson next summer as several articles have intimated. Thompson is countering with his so-called loyalty to remain a Warrior for life but lots of money has a way of challenging that assertion.

 

This could be interesting. I think his loyalty to the Warriors is genuine and he doesn't seem to be a guy who cares if he's the highest paid player or not.

However, his Daddy won a couple of championships with the Lakers and is the color analyst on Lakers radio broadcasts.

I would think that winning a title or 2 with the same franchise that his Dad did and playing in front of his Dad every night might be enticing.

I think he stays with the Warriors, but I also think that if he leaves, it will be to the Lakers.

 

Yea I agree TJF12. We shall see how this one plays out. In the meantime, maybe this guy wants Kobe to come out of retirement. Weed-head himself.

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/andrew...k-30-four-years-flaming-league-220745127.html

 

Talent was never an issue for him. As the article points out, it was always health and maturity.

If he's grown up and is healthy, he's only 30 (so in his prime). However, he's also more of a traditional big, so fit might be tough unless he's learned to shoot the 3.

If he can stay healthy and has matured, he could at least help a team coming off the bench.

If he's at least serviceable from 3, he could be a starter as a more athletic version of Lopez.

 

Yea, Magic just might take him seriously if all of the things you mentioned are reality, TJF12. If he is willing to work then coming off the bench would be a good fit and maybe play some big-man D. We shall see if he hooks up with us or somebody else. Apparently Thibodeaux is taking aging and old ex-Lakers. Maybe Bynum will land there.

 

He might not be old enough for Thibs. lol

 

GO LAKERS! But I hate LeBron. Isn't that a sad situation?