2022-23 Team Developments: News / Trades / Free Agents / Rumors

Defense will continue to be a major issue even if the Lakers get Kyrie.

 

1. we talked about it, but it may not have ever been possible.
2. not sure it's not better, actually. again, can't stress enough how problematic building around kyrie has been for years now.

 

What a mess. Soap opera fodder. As the World Bricks

 

I.e, if the Knicks can trade Barrett + filler for Mitchell, they may want to revisit the Randle + Fournier for Russ idea so that they can clear long term salary and position themselves to get players that fit better next to Spida/Brunson in upcoming free agencies.

I still don’t think Randle is a great fit for our roster, and his contract is pretty bad. But anything to get rid of Russ. I’d pull the trigger on that trade if the other options go away.

Although I’d hope that we could do something like that while keeping both FRP’s. Because in this scenario, we wouldn’t be “dumping” Russ. We’d be the ones having long term undesirable salary dumped on us, and we’d be giving up an attractive expiring contract.

 

Yeah, Rob completely undervalued what great defense our Championship role players brought. Say what you will about them, but every single move Rob has done since trying to “upgrade” that team has blown up in his face. Thems just the facts.

 

I liked Randle but the dude literally left the Lakers because he didn’t want to play with LeBron. Why would we want to force that odd pairing?
I’m Kyrie(and either Harris or Curry), and if we’re lucky, secondary trade for shooting or bust.

 

yep. if we're taking on salary going forward, no picks go out (unless it's for a star, i just don't see that happening).

i liked randle better before we made a couple solid center signings, though.

 

Here's everything Stein had on Russ in his latest...

 

Randle makes no sense in our team and is a terrible contract. I would want picks to do that.

He would only be serviceable if AD would miss a lot of time again. Which with make the season irrelevant so he actually doesn't bring any value.
Would only do it with picks and accepting the fact that we would be long rebuilding

 

If the option is a Knicks deal or running it back, I'm doing a Knicks deal.

I would give them Russ and Gabriel for Randle, Fournier, Reddish, and a protected 1st (cause those contacts are lengthy).

We get size (all 3), shooting (Fournier) and wing we like who we can mold into a defensive wing (Cam).

It's not an ideal fit by any stretch, but I think Randle is better than last year's numbers and you can buy low on him to a degree. It lessens the impact of the solid signings we made at C, but gives AD a long term front court mate.

 

We should stick to our guns on the Kyrie trade IMO. NY will still have a Covid Vaccine requirement in place when the season starts. I just can't see them walking back all that tough talk they made, about availability and being totaly committed to the team, in regards to Kyrie. The longer they keep him, the less leverage they have IMO. If we pick up Randle and Fournier, we are going to be stuck with them for awhile. Irving, Curry and Russ are all on expiring deals. I like that idea better.

 

I don't think many were on the Hayward train. I was terrified that we'd sign that deadweight contract. Dude has played in 40-something % of available games in the past 5 years and he turns 33 this season. His injury list in that period of time reads like an anatomical description of the human body. I was shocked when Mitch/MJ gave him that deal. Mitch hasn't made such an important move since Mozgov/Deng. And as expected, Gordon quickly rewarded him with multiple injuries. We should stay away from that piece of **** at all costs. Kelly Oubre is nothing to write home about either.

 

I don’t hate this plan. If we don’t get Kyrie, LeGM is going to dip at the end of this season anyway. AD will follow shortly.

 

Yup. Might as well trade LeGM if you make this deal because the fit is awful.
Making a bad trade for a guy who’s a bad fit to try and “fix” the former bad trade for the bad fit is just dumb- really dumb. This would only happen if Mitch and Jimbo were still in charge.

 

Lebron James isn't going anywhere . I thought so at one time but he'll retire as a Laker. Bronny will get his two way deal too.

 

Just like Westbrick isn’t getting traded…