Rondo Trade: C Bags Asked For Randle (6)

Some people are balking at Rondo for $15M but want Dragic at that? He's not going to demand the ball or take it out of Kobe's hands. He's not a floor general. He's not an elite shooter from 3. He's not a good defender. What is it you like? He dribbles quickly and can score?

 

I know there's holes in Rondo's game, but I just don't understand why so many people don't want him. There's maybe 3 players in the NBA right now that are unquestionable to Laker fans: LeBron, Durant, and Davis. That's about it and we've got no shot at them if we don't start stockpiling assets that they could find attractive. It's not enough to sit on LA as a destination team. That's not going to convince a guy like Durant to jump ship. It didn't convince LeBron. Davis isn't available for years.

So what are we waiting for then? For all the fans that don't want Rondo (and I'm not trying to be a jerk, I'm genuinely wondering) what DO you want? Dragic isn't a better player than Rondo. He won't draw as much attention as Rondo. He won't bring FAs like Rondo would. Neither will Greg Monroe or Robin Lopez or any of the other half-way decent players out there available to us. To get someone like Durant you need someone like Rondo. It's not impossible to get him now, but it's a lot less bloody likely now that he's a Mav instead of a C bag. It'll take one of the greatest sales pitches in the world to drag him out of a winning situation in Dallas and put him in a rebuild like LA. But besides that, a lot of you guys don't even want him. A majority I'd say.

So you'd rather settle on guys like Dragic? He could end up costing a similar amount when it's all said and done. If Rondo isn't a great defender, then what is Dragic? Don't get me wrong, we're probably going to have to settle on making a run at Dragic, but I'd much much much rather have Rondo on my team. Not just for the warrior to put next to Kobe, but for the draw it would bring. The buzz it would cause. The people who would look at LA and say "oh okay they've got a couple pieces now". Dragic is good, but as good as he is he's STILL someone that people underrate and look over. You don't think that applies to the players too?

 

Actually the word around the league is that they'll set an artificial cap. Next summer will be 66.5 million. The summer after that will most likely be around 70 million because the NBA is going to try to "ease" the new cap into place. The idea being that the new CBA was designed to help small market teams and if the cap explodes in two years it would effectively end the advantage that was given to them. Big market teams would again be able to offer more money and the new CBA "anti-Laker/Knick" plan would be rendered ineffective. Whether the NBA lawyers end up causing another lock out is up for debate, but it's their plan as of right now to restrict the new cap to around 70-73 million instead of 80 or 90 million so I wouldn't get my hopes up too high about that.

I am as optimistic as I can be about the new cap even being at 70 million, but you also have to consider another side: why would Durant leave OKC for LA if we don't already have pieces in place? Cap space is great, but who else comes available that summer? Who else is available at that point that would make Durant say "oh okay cool I can go team up with THAT guy?" If there's nobody else WORTH that money at that time, then Durant will say "who cares about that extra cap space? Over here I have Russell Westbrook who might not be perfect but gives me a chance to win every single day".

Rondo right now is 28 years old. We'd be able to sign him to a 4 year deal so the end of his contract would be 32 years old. The reality is if we don't start getting big name free agents soon, we'll be looking at a 6-7 year long rebuild. We need to start getting players and Rondo is the kind of player that can attract other players. If you really want a 2-3 year rebuild you NEED Rondo or Marc Gasol or LaMarcus Aldridge. Which of those were we most likely (although still not very likely) to get this summer? Rondo. Why would either Gasol or Aldridge leave winning situations to come to LA? Money? Their teams can offer more of it. The weather? The women? The business opportunities? Do either of those guys look like the type to want those things over winning? I don't see it.

If you want to trust this 2-3 year system then this summer you better hope the Lakers find someone to give a max contract to that's worth it. If not, we're in for another 3-4 years at least. I have faith in the Lakers, but it might not be up to them. A lot of acquiring a player is being in the right place at the right time.

Actually no Durant is available as a UFA in 2016-2017. Again though, he's not going to just go to LA for the money. Durant is one of the best players in the game and he has no ring yet. He's much much much closer right now in Oklahoma than he would be in LA in two years IF we don't start acquiring Championship level talent. Rondo is one of those players. Who else in UFA this summer is too? Not even max contract level guys, just guys that could contribute to a Championship. Maybe Wes Mathews, but he's not really the type that would draw other players here. Maybe Dragic? I don't know if he's a Championship level guy though.

Guys like Durant who make money hand over fist don't NEED Los Angeles anymore to make money. They'll make a little more sure, but is enough to off-set the desire to win a ring? Will Durant want to be 28-29 years old with no Championship and go to LA with even less likelihood at that point of winning? I don't see it. Maybe he does, maybe he doesn't. I'll tell you though if we had a roster that could compete right away with him AND all the other things you talked about too, then I see us being a far far far far more attractive destination. Right now though we don't look good for a guy in that situation. If I were Durant I'd stay in OKC or go to Washington before I went here.

 

I kinda wonder this myself. I feel Dragic does go along with the "stop swinging for the fences and get some good 2nd tier players in here" feeling many are shifting to, but that he's not max guy. He doesn't seem like a game changer for the reasons you listed, he seems like a 2nd tier or really good PG, that is constantly supposed to be a breakout PG star, but kinda seems to be what he is going to be already. 8 seasons in, really good player, but never taking that next leap. I'd take him, but not for close to $15 mil, though sadly that might be his value in this market.

I think maybe we're just used to having such mediocre to bad PG's that a really good one looks better than he is. Rondo, on the other hand, can be a game changer. Steps up his game in the playoffs, tore it up in the finals as a rookie, possibly best PG defender out there, assist machine/floor general. So he can't shoot, every player has flaws. Oh well though, if he stays in Dallas so be it, maybe if they somehow suck he still considers coming here to take over after Kobe.

 

FWIW I don't want LeBron here. LBJ in LA would mark a hiatus from my Lakers following.

 

I would have loved to have Rondo for that price. I was only balking at the max contract talk. 15 mill would have been great. Agreed with others, Rondo was the most likely guy of the top FA's that we could have gotten here. If Marc goes deep into the playoffs with Memphis as it looks like he will do, he'll be off the table. He'll be off the table most likely anyway because they will give him the max (deservedly so). He said he wants to stay and they said they want him to stay. I like Aldridge but he plays the same position as Randle. I'm not sure I want us to go in that direction. Great face up PF, but a position that I'm not enamored with filling. I'd rather have a PG, wing or C. Those are our weak spots. What about Kawhi Leonard? Any chance to pry him away from SA? Ah, I see he's restricted - never mind.

 

I can't imagine Kawhi leaving that team. He's their second messiah.

 

Yeah, I know, just wishful thinking T. Bummed about no Roundo.