Lakers - Kings- Trade Very Unlikely; Both Teams Focused On Draft

I don't buy into the Lakers giving up 2 of the 3 assets (#2, Randle, Clarkson) for Cousins. Seems like a lot. However, if they indeed pull the trigger, I wonder if they're lining up the vision of their rebuild up with the intention of making a serious push at Kevin Durant with a lineup ready for him to win a title as soon as he signs.

For instance, say they package the #2 and Clarkson for Boogie. Then, in accordance with similar rumors we've heard this offseason, they give Wade a 2 year deal at 18-20 mil per year, then sign Rondo for another 2 year deal with the remaining cap money, throwing in a player option on year 2. That would essentially give us a rough starting five next season of:

Cousins
Randle
Kobe
Wade
Rondo.

Following year, assuming Kobe retires, you try to sell Durant on LA in a starting five of:

Cousins
Randle
KD
Wade
Rondo

Then, the following year, when Rondo and Wade come off the books and the cap grows even more, make a push at Westbrook to reunite him with KD and a new surrounding cast centered around Cousins and Randle.

Obviously, a lot of this is pipe, but I'm merely trying to assume a specific angle the Front Office may be taking to tie all the recent rumors together.

 

I wonder if a Tobias Harris sign & trade and us possibly removing the top 5 protection from the pick we sent to Orlando are at play here.

 

Can't gut your team and hope Cousins, 20th year Kobe, and scrubs takes you to the promised land. And have your future mortgaged. Makes zero sense.

 

Agreed. If that's what Sactown wants then take a hike. No way I'd do that deal.

 

That's what I would have thought. Discussions are exploratory; nothing too serious going on. The 3-way does make it an interesting scenario but a deal like this would likely be done during free agency when the Lakers have the cap space to absorb Cousins salary.

Either way, I wouldn't be surprised if Clarkson, Randle, or Okafor were moved in deals for a potential star moving forward in future scenarios...

 

Jerry Buss, is that you?

 

No. That's not happening. ESPN just came on and said that Sac would want Randle, Clarkson, and our number 2 pick. Stein also threw out a scenario whereby which Orlando, Sac, and the Lakers have had exploratory discussions in a 3-way deal that would result in Cousins being a Lakers; specifics unknown.

 

I always liked Vlade.....

 

I'm guessing that's what he's speculating. Cousins is going to be dealt, though. That's inevitable Sacramento is a joke of a franchise. Not only that, George Karl runs a 'pace and space' scheme. He doesn't feature bigs in his 'system.' I'm thinking that Cousins will get frustrated with all the losing in Sac, he'll have an issue with they style they play, Karl will get frustrated with him, and he will ultimately leave this season or next at the very latest.

I don't know where he'll land, obviously. It's been very obvious too me though, he needs a change of scenery. I love the talent, the production, the player. He's a nut, but I think in the right situation under the right conditions, he flourishes. Not to mention his contract for the next 3 years is not bad at all, he's only 24, and we'll surrounded him with the right talent to ease some of the pressure on him if he ever did become a Laker.

I love the Lakers Front Office, though. Mitch will not lose in any negotiation. It's not happening and he won't sacrifice our future. We'll the stay the course, develop our young talent, and when the timing is right, add that 'transcendent' talent that we'll need on the wing. We're in a great position, fortunately. We just have to be patient and strike when the iron is hot.

 

I like Cousins but I never realized he missed so many mid range jumpers, really pulls his FG% down. A bit Josh Smith-like in that regard, minus the 3s.