^That sort of summer has Lakers written all over it. Big names and a seemingly home run hit to try and contend. Their injuries are what concern me the most.
If we drafted a center, I'd still say we'd acquire one in the free agent market or bring Davis back to start at the beginning of the season. It would ease our rookie into a starting role; similar to what we wanted to do with Randle with the acquisition of Boozer. Either way, give me a max, a dirt-cheap Rondo, and I'll roll with it. No more 20 seasons, please.
It's definitely starting to look something like this. I think we'd be damn lucky to have RHJ fall there, but if you switch it around and say Anderson at #27 and Dakari Johnson at #34 it's essentially the same (with Anderson having the solid upside instead of Upshaw). Cool beans though. That team is a playoff team I think. It's built deep and besides the incredibly young Center rotation, I think we're a versatile and powerful puncher once the team gels a bit. I could see Rondo taking something like 2/12 with an optioned 2nd season. Even if we max out Love, we're looking at a strong base to entice future FAs AND compete nicely for next year. I don't love Randle at the 3 until I know he can hit a jumper regularly, but that's definitely what I think the FO would like to see. Clarkson (18)/ Rondo (30) Kobe (28)/ Ellington (20)/ Brown (cleanup) Randle (25)/ Young (23)/ RHJ or Andreson (cleanup/D-League) Love (30)/ Kelly (18) WCS (20)/ Black (25)/ Love (5) Something along those lines.
^ Clarkson at only 18 MPG? I understand if we get Rondo he'll obviously need his minutes, but that seems a little low for Jordan. Maybe cut a few minutes from guys like Kelly and Black, move Kobe to SF for some time and get Clarkson minutes at SG.
I'm playing I was wondering if anyone would catch it. Nah, it'd be more like a full split at the position. Probably something more like: Clarkson (20)/Rondo (28) Kobe (28)/ Ellington (15)/ Clarkson (spot minutes) Something like that. Maybe a little less minutes from Rondo, but something along those lines.
I'm uber excited about Randle. I love the kid's game and attitude. I don't want him traded, but I just don't like him at sf if we get Love. If we get Love and draft Winslow at 5, would anyone be ok with trading Randle for WCS + a nice (Stauskas, Gary Harris, etc) young piece from whomever drafts him around 6-9? Maybe those teams don't value Randle as highly as us fans? I don't think I do it. I'd rather try to make randle at 3/4 and Love at 4/5 work, even though they're gonna struggle out of position.
I agree with you about Randle playing SF, but I'd let it play out for a year. We can always trade Love or Randle down the road for another quality player, so I am OK with collecting ANY asset this summer. (btw Rondo is not an asset)
To be fair, he's teaming with LeEntitled. It seems like he's rubbing off on Love, because he was a much more likeable player in Minne.
You have to remember that it's also Love's first playoff run. I'm sure he's pissed that he can't participate in it.
I'd be furious too if someone dislocated my shoulder. Pulling down on an arm with full weight is a MMA move.
All this time we thought Rondo was recruiting Love to Boston when they hung out. Turns out they were plotting to stop Lebron from forming another big 3 that would stand between the Lakers and a title for multiple years. That's next level teamwork right there. Well played sirs. Welcome to LA.
I agree that the move wasn't intentional, but Love gets every right in the world to be pissed off. Judging his character based on an emotional postgame interview is just plain wrong.
Agreed. Similarly for Olynyk. Too many reactionary judgments; sometimes we need to distance ourselves from that emotion to make a more reasonable judgment.