The real problem here, is that without Lebron James, Austin, Rui and Dorian, aren't going to be a strong enough core around Luka, to be a contender in the Western Conference. You want to know why we are 2-12 in our last 14 playoffs games? Because Denver and now Minnesota, had two players that matched our two superstars output, and the rest of their role players, simply outplayed ours. Same scenario, mostly close, competitive games, that got away from us in the 2nd halves, especially in the 4th quarter. I don't think people truly realize, that if Lebron retired this summer, we aren't going to get this huge salary cap relief. We are 50M over the cap as is, and Rui and Finney-Smith are on expiring deals this summer. I know DFS has a player option, but I can't see him realisticly expecting, some team to pay him more than the 15M he gets for opting in. So where does this leave us without Lebron? At best..a modest upgrade in salary for Rui,which keeps the current core intact, with a full 12-14M MLE, and the expiring contracts of Gabe and Kleber to dangle for a trade. Is that enough to be a contender moving forward? No IMO. We need Lebron to play at least one more season IMO, and we are going to have to move some guys this summer, or by the trade deadline. Lebron keeps us in contention for 1 more season, but Rob has to pull off some deft moves this offseason, or we are going to be middle of the pack at best in the West moving forward. Keep in mind, Austin is absolutely opting out of his contract, after next season.
The way some of you guys think is odd. Why would LeBron James who loves competition and playoff basketball give up. He’s going to have 5 months off soon enough, you’re telling me he won’t give it his all, in what may be one of his last playoffs? Cmon now. I think LeBron opts out and signs a 3 year deal. He may not finish that contract, but it’ll give him guaranteed money moving forward for as long as he wants to compete. I think DFS does the same. This will open up the full MLE for us. We will look to package Knecht, Gabe, Kleber, Shake and Rui for something in some form or combination. There is some interesting UFA and I think multiple teams blow it up. Pelicans, Denver, Bucks, Atlanta, Philly, Memphis, Kings all with a shot.
Yeah I don’t understand the whole let’s hope LeBron retires talk unless he’s unwilling to take a pay cut, which I can’t imagine the guy is one of the richest athletes ever so taking a pay cut won’t hurt him at all financially. The man is still playing defense at an elite level and is still a top 10 or top 15 player at worst. The issue is LeBron is the anchor of our defense and that’s asking too much of a 40 year old player. Get a real defensive anchor at center and lessen that burden on LeBron and I see no reason why we can’t make one more legitimate run with him next year.
Lebron at 40 is still clearly our 2nd best player. Him retiring doesn't give us any real cap relief anyway. We absolutely need Lebron to come back next season or we are burnt toast. Whatever salary we'd have left, must be moved to aquire another superstar caliber player, and after giving them up, will that be enough to still be a contender? NO..unless it's a guy like Zion, who comes with a lot of questions marks on health. I wouldn't be mad though, if we could flip Gabe, Kleber and DFS for Ayton. He's only 26,and Luka would get a lot more out of him IMO. Now we still have Rui and Dalton to dangle for an impact player in the low 20's range.
It doesn’t matter much at this point, but yeah, the physicality the Wolves have been able to play with has kind of been silly. We can’t make up for that on TOP of not being as athletic
that's exactly why i didn't mind having pat bev. team could really use an enforcer, especially with luka here now someone who won't let the opponent get away with s*** like that
We decided to keep Len instead of Jemison. Yeah I know Jemison ain't winning this series but not having a center who could actually mis it up was a mistake. Let Sota set the tond
Finney-Smith was reputed to be one of those type of guys, but TBH I think Vando is more in line with that mentality, than Finney-Smith. Hell Reddish too, I think Cam would have been more useful, than Len has turned out to be.
Yeah Cam you could at least throw.on Ant and not send help. No one like to mention it but Lakers pre Luka trade would be winning this series. AD and Max basically solve Minnesota.
Unfortunately this is true, but I can understand the allure of Luka post Lebron. Ironically, the very thing AD complained about, incessantly in some folks opinion. The lack of another quality big, is biting us in the a**. How many people around here thought that AD, should have just " manned up"? A lot.
Rui is next summer...according to hoopshype and we have nearly 40M of dead weight expiring in gabe, vando, klieber maybe throw in Rui into the mix, dfs can opt out n take less per yr but longer contract
I do the Luka trade every time but this was a very good Lakers team pre Luka trade and agree the irony that both really could have used another big is not lost
Rui's contract is expiring just like Gabe and Maxi next season. https://www.basketball-reference.com/contracts/LAL.html
