The #2 pick

[Retroram52]

It looks as though your choice is probably the correct one, Shaqdaddy.

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

Whatever happens tonight, we're going to have an exciting player for the future. It's going to be either Towns, Okafor or Russell and i'll gladly raise a beer if (or more precisely, when) we get one of those guys!

 

[Louie26]

And I don't hate Cousins.

I just don't like adding cap space for a player that plays a position they can just draft and put their cap focus elsewhere.

Gotta respect your thoughts and opinion here!!

Sounds like now we're gonna take DeAngelo Russell with the second pick. Wondering if Aldridge is an option??!!

 

[Retroram52]

That seems to be the consensus Louie26.

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

Gotta respect your thoughts and opinion here!!

Sounds like now we're gonna take DeAngelo Russell with the second pick. Wondering if Aldridge is an option??!!

A few weeks ago he wouldn't have even considered coming to the Lakers. Now it's one of his top choices. I have a feeling something happened behind the scenes to change his mind.

 

[Louie26]

Well let's see. That would be one of the following: Aldridge, Deandre Jordon, Marc Gasol, and Greg Monroe.

I'd take Aldridge over any, but rumors I've heard are Monroe likes NY. FWIW.

 

[Louie26]

I've wanted Russell for quite some time, but if we don't get a big out of this mess, I'll flip shit!!!

 

[TheSnowdog]

Well if they trade the number two, how is that going to work out with the Cousins trade if we trade away the #2? Or are we keeping the #2 and are we now drafting for the Kings with a trade later on that includes Russell, Clarkson, and Randle. If the Cousins trade is off, picking Russell still does not fill our need for a big unless we are adopting the Dubs model for future play.

As far as I know (someone can correct me if I'm wrong) technically Lakers can't trade the #2 pick because of the Stepien rule so if a trade is going down Lakers would do the pick at #2 but picking for whatever team they would be trading with
It's all semantics I guess but officially the trade would not be known until after Lakers pick at #2 but of course there will be leaks

 

[TheSnowdog]

Dang if the reports are true that is disappointing

I was hoping the Sixers could snag Russell

 

[Retroram52]

Well, the number 2 pick is not done being in question. The Celtics are now talking with the 76er's about the number 3 pick because they want Russell. Perhaps those talks will eventually include the Lakers. I am not sure the connection, but the Celts really want Russell and Ainge has connections with Rivers. Who knows at this juncture what may happen.

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

Despite the last few seasons being ridiculously disappointing, it is quite nice to get excited for a night like tonight especially as we'll get a damn good player out of it.

It starts at midnight here in the UK so it's not too late. I'll be having a beer or two and enjoying it tremendously!

 

[wlk3]

Been in and out reading the posts... Fwiw I'd like Russell... Also think Cousins is a player that needs to be in the right situation... Not sure if the Lakers are that, but I'd look damn hard it... He is a special player, but you never know how guys like him work out (Iverson and Rasheed Wallace come to mind)... With Randle staying I'd like Gasol, Cousins, Aldrigde in that order only because Aldridge is the older player... We need a defender down there and Gasol is that plus a playmaker to take some of the pressure off some of these young guys... Excited to see what happens and where we are headed... Here's to the future...

 

[trojanfan12]

I'm loving the rumor that the Lakers pick Russell at #2. Great choice. Okafor didn't do so well at his second workout. Russell killed it. I think a Russell/Clarkson backcourt going forward is very dynamic. Both can create. Both can score. Great length and athleticism.

It also opens the door to possibly grab Aldridge or Love in FA.

 

[Louie26]

It also opens the door to possibly grab Aldridge or Love in FA.

Is there a scenario where we get both Love and Aldridge??

I'm having second thoughts on Aldridge. Yes, he's an amazing player, but he's 29 years old, 5 years older than Cousins. So basically we're trading one headache for another, IMO.

I'd like to have a guy who can be here for a while and be the face of the franchise!

Just not sure who that person is?

 

[trojanfan12]

Is there a scenario where we get both Love and Aldridge??

I'm having second thoughts on Aldridge. Yes, he's an amazing player, but he's 29 years old, 5 years older than Cousins. So basically we're trading one headache for another, IMO.

I'd like to have a guy who can be here for a while and be the face of the franchise!

Just not sure who that person is?

The only scenario to get both Love and Aldridge (that my limited intellect can think of) would be the Lakers signing Aldridge during this FA, Love re-signs with the Cavs with a player option after the coming season, opts out again and then signs with the Lakers next summer when the cap goes up and Kobe's contract comes off the books.

For this year, they will have enough to sign a max guy and a solid role player or 2.

 

[Louie26]

Despite the last few seasons being ridiculously disappointing, it is quite nice to get excited for a night like tonight especially as we'll get a damn good player out of it.

It starts at midnight here in the UK so it's not too late. I'll be having a beer or two and enjoying it tremendously!

Not sure there's been a more true statement made!

 

[tomodach10]

If they draft Russel and don't land a big in free agency, it will be a failure!! Just draft Okafor and be done with it!! I hope they just do that.

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

If they draft Russel and don't land a big in free agency, it will be a failure!! Just draft Okafor and be done with it!! I hope they just do that.

There are loads of bigs in free agency this year. Although I'll be happy if we get Towns or Okafor, Russell is my guy for this draft.

 

[tomodach10]

Russell is not all that!!

 

[lakersrule]

Russell is not all that!!

Okafor certainly has questions as well. I don't think they can wrong with either one.