Stephen A Smith - Kevin Durant favors the Lakers if he leaves OKC

Discussion in 'Lakers Discussion' started by ElginTheGreat, Sep 29, 2015.

  1. LaVarBallsDad

    LaVarBallsDad - Lakers Legend -

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2014
    Messages:
    16,172
    Likes Received:
    31,056
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Offline
    Batum has a good to great year will get overpaid by a small market team while we are pursuing Durant. Barnes will sign an extension with GS, IMO.

    DeRozan is a possibility. Rumor has it that he wants a Max deal which I think is at 23.5 million. He's making 10 million right now, and I believe Toronto will go in a different direction and opt not to re-sign him.

    If we sign him, I think he takes a discount with us and we settle around $18-19 million.
     
    LTLakerFan likes this.
  2. Weezy

    Weezy Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2014
    Messages:
    18,725
    Likes Received:
    75,986
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Anaheim
    Offline
    Yeah, I'm not sold this happens, but it's not as simple as why would he play with a bunch of 20 year olds. Basically what real said I agree with. If these 20 year olds pan out, they become really good players on rookie deals. Then we have Lou, Bass, possibly Hibbert, and more money. Playing with a young team IF they live up to potential also means he will have guys continuing to grow and improve as he ages.

    OKC is not stacked, they have a big 3 and a solid cast around them, it's just that their top 2 players are that good. Does Durant want to keep playing with Westbrook though, we don't know. Westbrook is a very ball dominant player and alpha personality, it might not work long term, and Westbrook might also move on. Durant comes here and he gets the keys to the franchise, he's a top 2 NBA talent, the fans here go crazy for him and his stardom shoots up.

    He's a star for sure, and he can continue to be in OKC, but he kind of got forgotten after suffering some injuries for only one season, which is kind of silly. I doubt that happens in LA, and although he says he's happy in a small market and a low-key guy, it doesn't mean LA might not really appeal to him. Despite recent trends, I still believe taking the Lakers to a title is appealing to some players, the legacy and the history there still matter to some, as does having your jersey retired and hanging in staples center.
     
    therealdeal and LTLakerFan like this.
  3. sirronstuff

    sirronstuff - Lakers Legend -

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2014
    Messages:
    31,781
    Likes Received:
    77,189
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Your time is running out Ham
    Location:
    Laker Purgatory
    Offline
    I noticed Durant talking some crap this offseason. I kind of liked that....
     
    revgen, lakerjones and LTLakerFan like this.
  4. lakerjones

    lakerjones Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2014
    Messages:
    10,782
    Likes Received:
    32,108
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    La La land
    Offline
    OKC made a monumental mistake in not amnestying Perkins and retaining Harden. They have been hurting (literally with their injury history) ever since. Not sure that ditching Scott Brooks for Billy Donovan will improve Durant's opinion of the FO, either.

    While KD is a loyal guy I think his time there might actually be through coming up. We'll see how it all plays out of course. But the Lakers would be a great opportunity for him. I'm still not convinced that OKC is a true contender yet.
     
    revgen likes this.
  5. LTLakerFan

    LTLakerFan - Lakers Legend -

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2014
    Messages:
    36,718
    Likes Received:
    61,049
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    So Cal
    Offline
    Aren't KD and Billy already best buds? That's an honest question. I thought he was a top notch potential coach (college anyway) and I saw KD and him sitting buddy buddy in the stands enjoying the Final Four (I think it was, no further back than Elite 8). So....maybe there's no guarantee they are going to be tight and KD being the loyal kind (seems but who knows) ....stays in OKC?
     
  6. sirronstuff

    sirronstuff - Lakers Legend -

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2014
    Messages:
    31,781
    Likes Received:
    77,189
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Your time is running out Ham
    Location:
    Laker Purgatory
    Offline
    winning solves a LOT of problems

    If OKC isn't winning, I'm sure other options will be under consideration. Of all options available, I think LA is positioned as a solid option to consider.
     
    lakerjones likes this.
  7. LaVarBallsDad

    LaVarBallsDad - Lakers Legend -

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2014
    Messages:
    16,172
    Likes Received:
    31,056
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Offline
    I wouldn't say best buds. I think they have a working relationship. KD said some positive things about Billy at the time of his hire. We'll see how that relationships grows throughout the season.
     
  8. LaVarBallsDad

    LaVarBallsDad - Lakers Legend -

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2014
    Messages:
    16,172
    Likes Received:
    31,056
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Offline
    If Durant and Westbrook are healthy, they're a top 4 team. They'll win games. Best case scenario for our team. Fighting for the 8th seed and making the PO's.
     
  9. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2014
    Messages:
    28,475
    Likes Received:
    62,061
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Offline
    With Durant on our team? No I don't think we're fighting to make the Playoffs. I think with Durant on the team we're definitely a Top 4 team in the West just like OKC is except we'd be positioned to be great for years AND have extra cash to spend.
     
    SamsonMiodek and sirronstuff like this.
  10. LaVarBallsDad

    LaVarBallsDad - Lakers Legend -

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2014
    Messages:
    16,172
    Likes Received:
    31,056
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Offline
    I was referring to Sirron's comment: 'if OKC isn't winning.'.
     
    sirronstuff likes this.
  11. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2014
    Messages:
    28,475
    Likes Received:
    62,061
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Offline
    Well if Westbrook goes down again...
     
    sirronstuff likes this.
  12. lakerjones

    lakerjones Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2014
    Messages:
    10,782
    Likes Received:
    32,108
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    La La land
    Offline
    Or KD or Ibaka.
     
    sirronstuff likes this.
  13. sirronstuff

    sirronstuff - Lakers Legend -

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2014
    Messages:
    31,781
    Likes Received:
    77,189
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Your time is running out Ham
    Location:
    Laker Purgatory
    Offline
  14. Alcindor

    Alcindor - Lakers Starter -

    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2014
    Messages:
    2,659
    Likes Received:
    5,955
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Rancho Cucamonga
    Offline
    Stephen A puts bad voodoo on a Durant acquisition simply by talking about it. Any media does really but especially him. Back in OKC the "he's leaving us for the bright lights of the big city" stuff starts and gets in their head a bit. That happened with Love. The only thing these guys will chase is winning and our only hope of signing Durant is if our youth pan out in a big way this year so that we have assets that can be kept or traded as seen fit to get contending core around KD quickly. If Russell, Clarkson, Randall & even Upshaw all beast then we have a hell of a lot to talk about with teams. Keep a couple, trade a couple, keep them all, either way it puts us back in a power position.
     
    Last edited: Oct 1, 2015
    Ryanwestlombardi likes this.
  15. Chillbongo

    Chillbongo - Lakers 6th Man -

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2014
    Messages:
    1,103
    Likes Received:
    1,356
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Offline
    I get that completely. And I would be ecstatic if this group ends up being that good.

    But look at it from Durant's perspective. Do you guys really think he's talking to his agent like, "so if the Lakers young-guns pan out, Hibbert returns to form, they keep the veterans and Kobe stays healthy, the Lakers are my #1 option"

    Doubtful. He most likely has other teams on his radar with the Lakers as a distant after thought. Sure, if we make noise and make the Playoffs, that'll change come seasons end. But I'm talking about RIGHT NOW.

    Right now, the Lakers are not on KD's radar, and rightfully so.
     
    Kenzo and LaVarBallsDad like this.
  16. LakersN4

    LakersN4 - Rookie -

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2014
    Messages:
    364
    Likes Received:
    161
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Offline
    Small ball lineup of Rusell-Clarkson-Kobe-KD-Hibbert with Lou Will lighting it up off the bench, and Randle possibly giving us a traditional lineup. That's pretty terrifying for opponents. We could play 4 on 5 on offense and just let Big Roy hang back at halfcourt to run back and protect the rim. Good luck.
     
  17. Battle Tested20

    Battle Tested20 Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2014
    Messages:
    9,213
    Likes Received:
    24,866
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Technical Data Analyst
    Location:
    Fair Oaks, CA
    Offline
    I think it would be a mistake to go after Derozan. I personally would much rather go after Harrison Barnes if he's still available then Demar. No question. Demar may be a better all around scorer but Barnes is a better outside shooter and definitely better on defense. Plus from a professional standpoint and how he carries himself in interviews Ive been impressed with that side of Harrison Barnes before he was even drafted and hearing him talk in pre-draft interviews.
     
  18. Battle Tested20

    Battle Tested20 Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2014
    Messages:
    9,213
    Likes Received:
    24,866
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Technical Data Analyst
    Location:
    Fair Oaks, CA
    Offline
    This too is a good point. I really think a lot of this will have to do with how OKC plays this year and where they finished. If they are out in the first or 2nd round I think that boads real well for him leaving and joining another team, but if he makes it to the Finals or even Conference Finals that may be enough in his eyes especially with a rookie coach to say OKC could still win a ring.
     
  19. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

    Joined:
    Sep 7, 2014
    Messages:
    28,475
    Likes Received:
    62,061
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Offline
    The difference is Barnes is Restricted and Derozan would be opting out of a Player Option.

    I like Barnes a lot, but Derozan is also a homegrown kid from USC and I think he's a pretty good fit. He's an uber-athletic scorer. I think he'd fit pretty well with what we're trying to do. An Eddie Jones-ish kind of vibe which fits with the young group that wants to run. I don't think he's a perfect fit, but after Durant and barring RFAs, he's my pick.
     
  20. ElginTheGreat

    ElginTheGreat - Lakers MVP -

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2014
    Messages:
    11,014
    Likes Received:
    30,587
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Offline

    I would definitely be ok with Derozan.
     
    lakerjones and therealdeal like this.

Share This Page