It depends because we don't know whats going on. I can tell you, if George wants to come to LA, there is no way Indy gets a good offer for him anywhere. It means they will have a weak position in talks with the Lakers because they can't present significant counter-offers. But thats only if George really is hell bent to become a Laker. Thats the big question. I'm also sure that their position gets even weaker at the trade deadline because teams won't offer anything for 2 months of Paul George. Especially smaller teams will not offer him a max since he is not going to get them anywhere (he is not a franchise player). If George isn't as hell-bent to become a Laker, we don't have a lot of leverage to begin with.
Then we have a lot of leverage. It's like a burning bush and people(non Lakers folks) are still refusing to admit it. I'm just saying, a possible trade involving George would have to present a scenario where the Pacers will at least improve from a situation of having no PG in their team. Or they'll take the 1 year. Better that than engaging in a trade when it's virtually the same as letting PG walk. They can still somehow use PG's presence this off-season to at least improve their team. Unless right now, they're thinking of an absolute rebuild. About being hell bent. Yes he is right now. But a lot of things can happen in one year. That's one whole season. Thunder may acquire a good player or two to significantly improve their team. Boston's rookie may have a break out season. So does Philly and every other team. And PG in free agency may sign to one of those improved teams if he sees a decent chance, an opportunity of winning a title. I think that scenario would trump whatever emotional attachments he has for the Lakers. Right now, the field is heavily favoring us. If we don't take it not that we should, a year from now, we maybe looking entirely at a different set of options which does not involve PG. And my account name would become a laughing stock around here. Sent from my E6533 using Tapatalk
In Russell's case I think it's important, because clearly, his performance is elevated when slotted at the 2. It's not so much the position but the role they're asked to play, but this past season Russell's production as a PG was 80-90% of his production as a SG.
Or I can create a new account. Say BallinLA perhaps? At least this time, whether he gets traded or not, it'd still make sense. Sent from my E6533 using Tapatalk
This is all very fair. Honestly at this point we're just going by the information available to us and right now we have the most leverage. Unless there's a trade partner out there that we don't know about, we're in pole position. Unless something comes out of George's mouth though to quell the rumors, then there's not much else we can go by. Hopefully it all comes to fruition.
Naw, if it came to that, you could just ask me to change your user name..... but it won't come to that if we got PG anyway
Maybe good ole straight arrow Mitch would not have taken advantage of the situation but I fully expect Winking Guy and Rob the Shark and the Black Mamba himself to fully take advantage of the fact that Kobe is PG's idol since he was a kid and now he's going to be tutored by him in Kobe's private gym this summer.
Of these three, being a Kobe homie, I fully expect he'd pull out all tricks he's got in the bag to "brainwash" PG. It'd be his fault if it doesn't happen. But no pressure Kob. I'll get over it, eventually. Like I have a choice. Sent from my E6533 using Tapatalk
I agree, but the deal Mason proposes is still way too much. I don't think we can get him for peanuts, but we definitely shouldn't get fleeced.
I still remember hating Mason back in the days Kobe was carrying Smush and the rest of the scrubs, calling him Ballhog Bryant and just hating on him every day on his radio show. F*** his input on how Magic, Rob, Kobe and Luke go about acquiring Paul George.
The Mason deal seems like his idea as opposed to something actually being discussed. I don't mind Mason, but a lot of his takes on anything other than baseball (he's real good there) sound like that guy that you know never actually watches sports and he comes in with an opinion that makes it painfully obvious he has no clue what's going on. Like, "Derek Fisher was an amazing player and will be in the Hall of Fame."
Yeah, and I want Paul George to enroll at UC, use his last two years of eligibility and bring my Bearcats a title......wish in one hand...