Why do we want to go after Okafor anyway? We have Zu who could end up being almost as good and a ton of money wrapped up in Mozgov.
We don't. I'll say this though: Brewer's expiring contract (for salary-matching purposes) and that Rockets' 1st round pick will be useful assets for when the Lakers go star-shopping this summer.
Bold prediction: Paul George is a Laker by the end of the trade deadline. Jeanie: Mad about not getting superstar Mitch and Jim: Tried getting superstar and failed leading to getting fired Magic: Talking up young players saying they are untouchable and how great they can be And no I'm not putting down the pipe
Especially if we somehow keep ours. The expiring deals of Black and Brewer equal out to be about 14.6. Package that with a top 3 pick and a late first rounder, and maybe Clarkson? Players like Butler and George all of a sudden become real possibilities.
Not by the end of the trade deadline, but by next season? There are scenarios. Problem is we would need a second star for it to even be worth it.
I could see a Paul deal this summer IF we keep out Top 3 pick. I could very easily see it. However in order to do it, we'd have to also bring in a second star. Paul George has said repeatedly he wants to win. He might not stay here if we don't get him help.
Am I the only one who wouldn't trade our top-3 pick (if we land it)? Would rather roll with that stud and our young guys and try signing George/Cousins/whoever outright in free agency, but that's just me.
Yup. Key reason why I was in favor of trading Lou. Getting that 1st round pick and assisting in losing to help keep the Top 3 pick. Having all these assets makes it a lot more plausible to trade for a Butler/George without parting with BI/Zu or even Russell. Inundate them with quantity and quality.
Do we want Paul? I know he has the Clippers playing well every year, but damn. He's got only a couple years left at that level.
At this stage, after looking at who is out there in the Top 3, I'd absolutely trade it at #2-3, maybe at #1 too. The only player I see being a surefire high level player is Fultz. I think Ball very well could be, but he's got a lot of holes in his game. I think Josh Jackson and Jayson Tatum and Dennis Smith and all the other kids in that range are huge question marks with limited ceilings. If I could get Paul George for the #3 pick (and likely another piece), I would absolutely take a long, long look at it.
I don't know if you are the only one but if the Top 3 pick helps lands say Paul George this summer, I'd do it without hesitation (provided neither BI/Zu are involved). This way you are guaranteed that player. I'm not saying the Lakers will whiff on prime free agents like they have in recent past - with more talent on the team and the FO shake up, I'd assume better success - but it's still an uphill battle in free agency. You're trying to lure a player away from their own team who is most likely offering a massive contract, you're competing with numerous other teams, you're reliant on having enough cap space yourself etc etc. There is a reason the Knicks opted to give up a ton for Melo at the deadline rather than try and sign him outright that following summer. That guarantee that you got him. Granted it didn't quite work out that great for the Knicks but that has more to do with Melo and that team than the situation. What you can't dispute is that they got their guy. I want the Lakers to get their guy and I've experienced enough failures in free agency in recent summers to not want to hang my hat on that.
No. I'm with you. We're in a weird middle ground. We're SO young, that even if we were to get, let's say both Butler and George, how do they fit with our kids? They will be out of their prime by the time the kids at all the other positions are ready to start winning. It's tough.
To be clear, I'm not outright opposed to any move like that. My preference would be to land Fultz, Ball, or Jackson, though. Any one of them fit so well onto this squad. Fultz for obvious reasons. Dude's a flat-out stud. I'm coming around on Ball. I like his game, and he's got good size for his position as well. Jackson would be the infusion of elite athleticism this roster sorely needs. For as high as I am on the futures of Russell & Ingram, they're both average athletically. Jackson is a monster on the wing who can do pretty much everything at both ends except shoot. For me, that's the one skill that's most easily learned through repetition. Can't teach his athletic ability or length.
trade Russell/Deng/Randle for PG/AL, Trade Pick/Clarkson for Butler, Waive Mozgov, ask Cp3 to take pay cut...and tha da!!!! lol Cp3/hou 1st Butler/Joe Shmoe George/Ingram Nance/al jeff Zu/Black
