We really need to hope we win at least 30+ games, our young players neee to look good, and we play the Thunder 4 times. We need to not get destroyed in those 4 meetings with them. George has now said it's overstated he wants to come here, you can take that at face value, or you can say he's putting it out there that we need to be competitive and obviously bring in another star with him. Obviously we don't have a pick next year and George is watching, so we have every incentive to win as many games as possible. We need to do everything we can right now to sign the best free agents available to make that happen. Hell at this point I'd take Rondo, and Afflalo is still out there too. I guess a trade is a possibility as well.
doesn't matter what PG says, we just need to worry about our own. Even if PG says theres no chance I stay in OKC I still wouldn't be all that confident he comes here if we're still a 20 win team and bottom 3 of the league. IF mgmt is operating with the sense PG is in the bag regardless of what we do this up coming season, they're gona have egg on their face.
What else can he say? Look, PG would be great to have; however, 2018 is loaded to begin with and we have money. We will get better with or without him. Either come along or not...
You're missing the point. Big stars don't just go to lottery teams. The idea of having a locked in big FA in PG next summer is what makes us more appealing in that 'loaded 2018'. But first, just like how everyone said it, we need to win a lot more than just 25 games or regardless of cap space, we'll be nothing more than just another rebuilding team with no picks to work with. Sent from my E6533 using Tapatalk
Good point too. What the heck is he supposed to do? He was always going to have to say something like this in a new city. I don't think he's lying necessarily, but he also painted a clear picture how LA can get him. Show competitiveness and clear two or more max slots.
Yeah and apparently, looking for our priced rookie in an insignificant summer league game of LAL that evidently, he looks forward to watching is "overstated". We see you Paul. Sent from my E6533 using Tapatalk
Well, he isn't actually locked in unless the Lakers got assurances through the back-end from his agent (Aaron Mintz) and not officially until he signs on the dotted line. He can't help us recruit until that's official. Or maybe he's whispering to LeBron now for all we know and there already colluding with each other to play on the biggest platform in the NBA with a chance to take down the Golden State Warriors. I'll never take what an FA says at face value the year before they enter the free agent market because things are constantly fluid and change all the time. I've said we need to win more; I was the one who asked @therealdeal "do you think PG comes to a lottery team?". We need to win more irrespective if he comes or not. Look, I'm not worried about it right now. I'll deal with this next season.
a lot less than he did. he laid out specific scenarios involving him staying there, specifically stated that the lakers were not ready for him, specifically mentioned that he and westbrook might recruit others there. in other words, he said things directly contradictory to the idea that he's heading to la no matter what and then recruiting another star to join him. and as someone else suggested: we can have all the money in the world, and if you can't get that first star committed, you're mozdenged. so, what could he have said? nothing. "i'm excited to get to work. we're going to try to win a championship in okc this year. i'll deal with FA next summer."
He would get bood at every home game for at least the first part of the season if he left it that wide open. Whether he meant those newest comments or not, he couldn't go into the season with his team or the Thunder fans thinking he didn't care about being there this year and that he's gone next year no matter what
Maybe that's a little too much to ask from PG. He can't show half dedication to his current team by saying those things or he'd better say trade me now to LA or you'll get nothing from me while I'm here. But we are all speculating here. We can't really know for sure what's going on in his mind. I'd rather have those suspensive conditions be expressly imposed on those teams than on us had we had him in the trade. Sent from my E6533 using Tapatalk
I don't take what any FA says at face value, man. We've seen so much happen these last 5 years with players teaming up, colluding, forming super-teams, etc. KD said he wanted to retire in OKC. Dwayne Wade in Chicago? Would we have thought that 2-3 years ago? DeAndre Jordan being held up inside his house by the Clippers all to re-sign with the Clips. Paul going to Houston? Melo leaving New York (speculation) where he apparently loves the lifestyle probably headed to Houston? Paul is in a great situation, no doubt, and we knew the risk trading for him now. We just have to deal with it.
Yep but we got fans wanting to dump deng at all cost even if it means costing us talents that win gms because we need that 2 max contract slot open cause those 2 max guys will come just like that to join a possible bottom 3 team
Well for starters these are not illusions below. First one is amazingly gone now and no stress and getting screwed trying to do that last minute in 2018. And the second guy is here. 2018 he would have been somewhere else. He's still an excellent NBA center.
I mean, if we're honest about OKC's roster outside of maybe their starters they aren't that good. If you add Paul George and another all-star to our roster we aren't far off of what they have. You could probably say if Westbrook and George were on this Lakers roster it's better than OKC with them. They have Adams, Kanter, McDermott, Roberson, Patterson, Felton. Not exactly amazing.
Cracking up at anyone putting much stock into PG's public comments at this point. As others have stated, he basically said exactly what he needed to while leaving his future WIDE open. As for the "overstated" comment in regard to his desire to play for the Lakers, who is motivated to not be completely forthcoming about PG's future: The player who has to play this coming season in another market with those teammates & coaches in front of those fans & press, or the well-connected basketball media (incl. Woj & Amick) without a dog in the fight? Hmmmm....
