Need to be a LakersBaller and know of Lonzo's grandpa's relationship with the Tamale Lady and what PG was traded for in real terms to appreciate the shirt though.
I'm not sure how birds right work if PG is traded at the next deadline but I for one wouldn't want to give them anything if there's no benefit for PG $ wise to get here at the deadline. I want OKC to lose him for nothing, not that they gave up much but I rather have OKC lose both Russ and PG for nothing, it only serves our benefit as another WC team is less talented/competitive
If we're a borderline playoff team and it's looking like we wouldn't want to give Randle a big deal anyways, I wouldn't be opposed to trading Clarkson and Randle for PG at the deadline. Assuming OKC isn't doing great and/or George has signaled that he's likely not going to stay anyways, I could see them wanting Clarkson/Randle. Clarkson is a good bench scorer on a good value contract. Randle is obviously a promising young talent that just might not be part of our long term plans. For us, we get George to try to jump into the playoffs. Make ourselves more credible and it's easier to build a super team when one of the superstars is already there. Most importantly, dumping Clarkson in the process gives us more spending room.
While I agree with your thought process its highly unlikely that both LA is within striking distance of the playoffs and OKC is struggling. If OKC is strugging, I'd take chances and wait, OKC, like Indy wouldn't want to help us out either especially since we're in conference. Would not shock me if they sent him to some one else for even less of a return.
On this morning's Bill Simmons Podcast, he had NBA writer Chris Ryan on to discuss Hayward & Free Agency in general: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bill-simmons-podcast/id1043699613?mt=2#episodeGuid=tag:soundcloud,2010:tracks/331729859 I know & understand most Lakers fans' negative opinion of Simmons since he's an unapologetic C Bags homer, but he definitely has some sources around the league. He's not on Woj's level, but for example, he was far & away the first person I heard on his podcast weeks ago talk about how likely it is that LeBron wants to play in LA, and this was well before other reporters started echoing that sentiment. Anyway, Paul George came up, and here's a transcript of what was said regarding PG & the Lakers (around the 13:45 mark): "If I was a Pacers fan, I know they had to get rid of Paul George, I know he's leaving, I know he's gonna play in LA in a year, like we all get it. OKC is renting him for a year. They have no chance of re-signing him. He's going to LA. Like, the possibility of 'Oh if they do well, maybe he'll'--he's not staying. He's going to LA. The whole league knows he's going to LA." And later in the pod, there was talk about LeBron being conspicuously silent and not recruiting FA's to Cleveland this week. He doubled-down on LeBron to LA and they speculated a bit on who else might go to the Lakers with PG & LeBron. Obviously, this is just talk from "sourced" writer/fan, and not a Woj or Shams type "news-breaker", but it does line up with a lot of the chatter we've been reading since last year. Bottom line remains, the kids need to ball out this season, and Magic & Rob need to hope & pray they're as charming as they think they are. Gotta land big fish next Summer.
Yeah man I'm telling you guys... This LeBron chatter is real and this Paul George stuff is real too. Everything I've heard from anyone with a source says it's basically a lock for Paul George. The Lakers have their guy and they're going to get him in the summer no matter what, it's why the market was horrible for him. I'm sure OKC would love to have him back, but I'm also sure they appreciate that he'll play for them one year and clear about 20 million off their books in the summer. As for LeBron I think he's looking at Lonzo and at Ingram and maybe a few other young guys. If they look like real studs, and once Paul George commits, LeBron will follow too. There's massive pressure on the young guys to look the part of a young superstar. Ingram turned a few heads at the end of last season. Ball has people's attention. I'm eager to see what the kids look like and whether or not they can do their part in this game.
The last two sentences hit it on the head. I will not just assume George will be a Laker in any case. I might be paranoid but that does not mean I'm not being followed.
This is the player we'll see in a Los Angeles Lakers uniform in a year. It'll be well worth the wait. He'll be the third best player to wear a Lakers jersey in the last two decades (that's coming from a huge, huge Pau fan).
Well shoot. Let's hope George maintains his hardline...Lakers or bust attitude. I am still optimistic he'll be in P&G next season.
As Lakers fans, we're kinda walking a fine line this coming season in regards to our ultimate goal of PG in P&G next season (see what I did there?). Obviously, our first instinct is to root like crazy against OKC in hopes that this Russ-George partnership goes up in flames and he's left counting the days until he signs with the Lakers. However, OKC's GM Presti is as crafty as they come. If their season goes terribly over the first 4 months of the season, I could see him trying to flip PG for assets at the deadline. Depending on how the Cavs are humming along at that time, I would rather flip PG for Kevin Love (under contract for beyond the season) than watch the inevitable flame-out a few months later. That's just one example. Despite being a rental, you could see teams take a flyer on PG and Presti might be better equipped to get a nice bidding war going than Pritchard seemed able to. Obviously, on the flip side, we don't want this Russ-PG partnership to go too well, either. Albeit unlikely, we don't want PG falling in love with playing alongside Westbrook and in front of that rabid fanbase. I'll keep my fingers crossed for a respectable start and a 4 or 5 seed and 1st or 2nd round playoff exit by OKC. That would be right in our sweet spot for PG to LA and fortunately, that's probably the most likely outcome.
depends on Russ too though, if he doesn't sign the extension this off-season, Presti is pretty much handcuffed, do you start a firesale and dump everyone or sit tight and hope for a miracle in the playoffs
Yup couldn't agree more. Funny you mention Love. He was the guy I thought might be Presti's plan B. Being Love and Russ are good buddies from their UCLA days
i first misread this as hairline and started trying to make lebron connections. root for the likely outcome: 2-4 seed, 2nd round or wcf loss. a sound beating vs gs would be the best, i think. really hammer home that you want to be in a place that has some young players, just in case durant doesn't turn an ankle in the playoffs...
True. Also doesn't help Presti that Russ is about as unique a personality as there is in the league. I wouldn't be shocked if he plays his entire career in OKC, nor would it surprise me that this coming season is his last there. Dude is one of a kind.
i love westbrook. it's off topic, but i just like that dude. ferocious on the court, quirky off. it's like me, if i were athletic and had talent.
