I haven't seen anything from PGs camp that says Lakers only. Could someone link that? I must have missed it. It would definitely make me feel better about the moves so far.
If PG gets traded to BOS & they get Hayward too... I have a hard time believing he'd come here after 1 year.. Unless he hates it there or they fail miserably. He'd have to really Love LA to leave a top team in the East, full with 3-4 All Star caliber players, to come play for a lottery team in his Home Town.. Hopefully I'm wrong..
I agree with most of what you said other than the stuff about Russell. It's crazy to me how quick this narrative about him essentially being a team cancer has picked up. Feels like the vast majority of us were salivating at the idea of Lonzo and DLo playing together in the back court just a week ago. But yeah, while my post was pretty negative I do still think Magic and Rob end up pulling it off. Because yeah, there really is a revitalized aura around the franchise. Even if it's being embellished, once we make the first big move I think there will be a lot of momentum. I just don't want to fully drink the Kool Aid yet. It feels like I'm having to talk myself into a lot of the same things as the past few seasons.
If you're looking for a link that would directly implicate PG being an ungrateful player who screwed up his own team big time, you won't find it. All you can see is "his agent informed the Pacers he won't be re-signing after FA" then a common follow up from all journalists, Indy folks included saying "he will be going to the Lakers". Sent from my E6533 using Tapatalk
Well no, we definitely can't overpay. I'm moreso upset about the poorly timed Russell trade. It really seemed like it was supposed to immediately lead into a George trade, but Magic/Rob jumped the gun and didn't have the foresight to anticipate hardball from Indiana.
Primarily yes. But not necessarily the only purpose. It was a good move no matter. We had to get rid of at least one of our two trashes if we have to make a big splash come 2018 FA. Offering for a PG trade was due diligence. Of course we had to make on offer but the target really was 2018 iwltb but having him a year earlier on the roster would've made that big splash almost inevitable especially if our team displays some significant jump in competitiveness and potential. As it is, without him, we'd have to hope our current lineup would be enough to push us past 40w, should be the target ceiling. Sent from my E6533 using Tapatalk
I hear ya....I'm a bit bias with the entire Russell situation. I was not a fan of his from the start. That being said..I would have liked to see him play SG next to Ball too.
If he really wants to play for the Lakers , he can't sign an extension with the enemy regardless of the current state of both teams . Simple as that
Forget any "rivalry". If Paul George wants to take the money due to him, he won't sign an extension with anybody. If he gets traded to the Lakers, he's not likely to sign an extension there either. He stands to gain a ton of money by hitting the market as a Free Agent. Again: if this is only about winning, then the Lakers were never the best option. Unless we find a way to pair George with another great FA, we're just going to be a slightly better version of the Pacers for him anyway.
That's still an if though and it's still a real question mark. If they don't work out, then we're probably worse than Indiana team. Not to mention we're in the same division as the Warriors. The fact he wants to come here is nothing less than a miracle.
I think if they do develop though free agents will come. If the Lakers don't get any good free agents soon it probably means Lonzo and Brandon didn't pan out like anticipated.
I think this is 100% true. If Lonzo and Ingram don't show something truly great this season, nobody is coming probably including Paul George.
Based on how our players progressed last year, I think Lonzo, Ingram, Zubac, Randle, and Nance will be considered one of the best young cores by the end of the 2018 season. There's no evidence that they'd stop developing so I think it's pessimistic to think otherwise.
I'm really intrigued to see Randle this season after seeing how much better shape he's gotten himself into. What it really tells me is the guy is still committed to getting better and progressing as a player. Like with most players I think Lonzo will make him a much better player.
well obviously if PG is traded to Bos it only means he signed the 3yr ext. so next yr wouldn't matter anyways.
Even with our pass FO letting us down each year, this is probably the least excited I've been for FA. I don't expect us to do anything.
He's never stopped caring and developing. Randle made the biggest stride from 2015 to 2016. I expect the same this year.
