2019/20 Players' Transactions: Breaking News , Trades, Free Agents, And Rumors

I agree with realdeal - not long ago I was mentioning that I'd love to have another PG to run the offense and have Russell play more shooting guard which I think is closer to his nature. That said they could also split duties basically. I'd love to have Ball as a Laker.

 

That's definitely true. I'd have to hope that Ball could be the one stepping up as a leader and Russell's maturity issues could take a backseat to a kid more suited to lead.

 

I don't see that happening with Ball or any of the rookies projected in the top 5. Doesn't mean any of them can't become the leaders of a team or aren't good leaders but they're just too young.

I'd happily be proven wrong but from everything I've seen from Ball, Filtz, and Jackson they just aren't ready to command a team or lineup.

For Ball, I think of those 3 guys it will take him the longest to adjust to the nba game. Laker Film Room put out offensive and defensive videos (see below) that perfectly reflect many of the concerns I have not even talking about his shot. Lack of Pick and Roll experience, defensive footwork mechanics, inability to create off the dribble (can do this in college, but pros??).

 

I don't know how you could watch Ball and not think he's a natural leader. That's maybe his greatest asset at the next level. He's a level-headed, competent floor director. That'll be the thing that translates the easiest. You need proof: he took a UCLA team that was completely unimpressive last year and turned them into a feared program again basically overnight.

As for his game translating: I've already said it'd be a work in progress elsewhere, but I've also broken down how he COULD be effective:

 

That is definitely true about Ball changing the program at UCLA. I've heard commentators say this a number of times watching there games. I'm not worried about the person Ball is or might become. I just think he's going to be surprised by the speed and different coverages the NBA has to offer against PGs and struggle more so than Russell did his first year.

 

That's true, but I still think he'll find ways to be effective. In the process that I built (simplified a bit though it may be), I think there's ways in which Ball would be a good add here. I think Ball will translate, it's just about being smart and figuring out what translates easiest.

 

Reports from multiple GMs that the Magic turned down Cousins for Vucevic and (Evan Fournier or draft picks).

This makes me wonder again about...

Sacramento
Lakers trade Clarkson (or Young), Randle, Deng, and a 1st (from Lou Williams) for Cousins and Gay.
Sacramento gets - at worst - a starting SF, starting PF, sixth man, and a late first rounder. They also get something out of the SF position, which is something they won't get from Gay this season.
Lakers get - Cousins and out from under Deng's contract.
Smooth sailing: Very little change in team salaries over this and next season. By year three, Deng's salary actually isn't a problem, and they can stretch him after that.
Bumpy road: Cousins says he wants to re-sign. The late first rounder might not be enough, so Lakers can offer best first round pick they have to counter this - if they keep their top 3, they send that to Sacramento. Sacramento and LA are in the same conference. Lakers get nothing from Gay this season - and possibly ever - but it's totally worth it to cut ties with Deng.

 

We're getting zip from Deng either...and he's on the floor. I'd opt to trade Young instead of Clarkson. Young's resurgence this season could be a one-off. At least the latter is younger...

 

That's certainly my preference, too.

Russell/Huertas
Clarkson/(Blue - need someone)
Ingram/Nance/Gay(not playing)
Cousins/Black/(Lavoy Allen - in trade for Williams)
Zubac/Mozgov/(Sanders)

We'd be young as hell, might keep the pick, but we'd have tremendous upside.

 

I am extreamly conflicted about that move.

It would be a much better lineup on paper, and we get out from under Deng's contract, but Cousins is such an uncontrollable, and as of right now, unlikeable wild card, I still don't know if he might make things worse than just letting the youth develop without an emotional idiot on the court.

 

Teague is similar to Hill, but 28 years old albeit likely to cost a lot more. I actually don't think Hill's contract will be crazy. What teams are looking for 31 year old PGs?

 

Would you do 2/35 for him? It's probably single season overpaying but it's shorter.