Yeah that was mentioned in Rob's radio interview yesterday with Mason and Ireland. He said Zubac showed great things in his minutes and is a pillar worth building around. Strong, strong words.
Finding a big of Zu's skill level at his age is a treasure. Not only will he be a cheap asset for the next 6+ years, his desire to develop AND play for the Lakers makes a perfect storm as a motivator for him to be great. Unless we're bringing back a Top tier star in a trade, Zu and Ingram are nearly untouchable for me. Again, I wouldn't be in ANY rush to get some mid-level stars right now. While the Cavs and Warriors superteams exist, I'd rather be developing our team and making moves to put us in a position to snag the right star when available when our team is on the cusp of contending.
What you mention about the superteams is a bit of a dilemma. Would it be nice to have PG-13? Sure. But I'm not sure it really does much other than let us compete for the 7-8 seed next season as opposed to the season after when at least a couple of these kids break through. It's a tough pill to swallow, but there are no moves we can realistically make that would put us in a position to compete with the Warriors and Cavs within the next 3 years. Our 3 most promising players can't legally drink yet. They are at least 4-5 years away from being major contributors on a championship team, even if a prime Paul George is there guide them.
Exactly right. IMO that's PG's role with the Lakers. PG will be there to teach the youngsters we keep, how to win, and get us just good enough that other FA take a look at us as we improve. Then in about 3 years, we will be positioned to contend when LBJ and the Warriors start their decline.
Any plan that involves trading Zubaca is a plan I'm not with. he's not at a stage where he's the main piece and, as a throw in, we're gonna lose out on his future worth. Simply not worth it, no matter the situation.
If Zu has the skills we think he does and two more years on his contract, doesn't his salary explode in 2019/2020? That's not six years. That's three.
His contract will be similar to Clarkson's, yes? If he develops the way we think he will, his salary would be a bargain even in years 6 imo.
Zu's position is complex. I don't claim to understand all of it: Remember that JC's contract exploded in his third season, not his sixth, and JC's salary was what it was because he agreed to the terms. Zu loves the Lakers, but if he's very good, why wouldn't a team throw a ton of money at a 21 year old seven footer? If Zu matches the starter criteria - 41 starts or 2000 minutes in a season by next year or the year after - then he becomes a special RFA. I THINK his QO would be equal to about $3m, a max QO for him would be five seasons at max with 7.5% raises, fully guaranteed. So, his contract would go: 2016/17: 1.0 2017/18: 1.1 (Next season) 2018/19: 1.1 2019/20: 3.0 to 30M 2020/21: 3.2-32M 2021/22: 3.4-34M 2022/23: 3.6-36M 2023/24: 3.8-38M So, he might not be a bargain in year six. He could be one of the highest paid players in the league. All depends how he develops and what other teams think of his abilities.
Yeah; second rounders who end up massively outperforming their predicted value really have a lot of resources to extract cash from teams in the new CBA. I mean, it's a good idea, but it's not like it perhaps once was.
But the dilemma still stands where how much of your young talent is worth parting with? We really, really need this pick so we can keep Zu, Ingram and Russ. Giving up any of them makes me question whether or not it's worth it. Of those three we need at least 2 to end up great. Not good, but great.
Which is why we really shouldn't trade for George. If our team really develops into what we think it can be, and we can create some space to sign him outright, I think that's the path we should follow without needing to gut our team. Maybe we should set our sights on Butler instead of we do snag a Top 2 pick.
thats why I keep saying it sucks to be in this position where we're not quite sure which of our young players might pop and become an all star. I'm honestly not sure about any of their ceilings FOR SURE, including Clarkson. It sucks, but we're just going to have to pick our horses and run with them IMO and hope we picked right.
I said I'm not sure, but it looks like those are the way it goes. He doesn't HAVE to get max, and the "max" might be more like $25m.
Zubac at year 3 would be at most 25% of the cap because he'd lack the experience to move past the 0-6 year threshold. The max amounts are (as of today's 102 salary cap): 0-6 years- 25% or roughly 24.5 million first year salary 7-9 years- 30% or roughly 29.5 million first year salary 10+ years- 35% or roughly 34.5 million first year salary There is a chance that Zubac could get the 5/30% rule contract IF he meets ANY of the following criteria: Named to the All-NBA First, Second or Third team at least twice Voted as a starter in the All-Star game at least twice Named the NBA Most Valuable Player at least once So unless he has a meteoric rise to prominence starting NEXT season (2017/2018), he will only be eligible for a 4/25% contract which would be roughly worth roughly 4/105 (again assuming the cap doesn't move from 102 million). In reality, he'll probably be worth a Clarkson-ish deal. A little higher or a little lower.
OK cool, but if this is true.... we may have to consider limiting his minutes and starts.... even if it's not fair for him.