2019/20 Players' Transactions: Breaking News , Trades, Free Agents, And Rumors

If you guys think the Lakers are trading one of their biggest recruiters for Paul George, let alone both, you're crazy.

The Lakers aren't giving up Russell or Randle unless they're getting an All-Star back, plain and simple. Their agent wants all of them in the same place to consolidate power, but would be fine if they were traded for an All-Star because it helps protect their value on their next contract.

Russell and/or Randle for Porzingis? It'll never happen. If it does, kiss Paul George goodbye.

 

I don't think he's as good as ESPN makes him out to be already, but I think he can be. If we walk away from the last 4 years of futility with Ball, Zinger and Ingram, I will be happy.

Here's the thing. Randle is a weird player for us. He's coming up on the season where we would have to extend him. So far he hasn't shown he deserves a max (or close to it really). I know he and PG-13 share an agent. Are we going to get bent over a barrel with Randle in order to accommodate PG-13? I am very nervous about the Randle situation. There's also a minutes issue. Randle, Ingram, Russell and PG-13 can't all start (unless we don't take Ball). Do we get in a situation where we pay all for of them max money to appease the agent? Someone is making max money that isn't even starting? Allowing one agent to dictate a franchise that much could be dangerous.

 

I keep reading this sort of thing where Randle is expecting a ton of money. Some dweeb on ESPN710 this morning threw out that "he wants 20 million dollars". Where the eff did that come from? Randle hasn't earned that much money and while yes his agent will fight for more, I'm positive he'll be had at a reasonable amount given his production. Pelinka isn't going to get pushed around.

However, I want George in a Laker jersey first with a 4 year contract before I start messing around with anything else. As of today, Randle costs the team 4-5 million dollars. Next summer he costs 12.5 in a cap hold. I'm happy to keep that cap hold, get George, and then give Randle the deal we negotiate. If we need 12.5 million, move Clarkson who can easily be moved for a pick. Randle's financial situation isn't dire at all and if paying Randle and Russell are what we need to get George (and thus another FA who wants to play with him), then sign me up today. When the time comes, we can waive or trade Deng and Mozgov as needed.

As for the position crunch, I don't care at all about that. Someone will end up on the bench and that's okay with me. I care about being competitive and having a roster that can be dynamic and having all these kids and adding George makes us that much more dangerous.

 

#2 for Porzingis? I'm in. Russell for Porzingis? No.

 

I'd rather trade Randle and 28 for Porzingis.

 

So would I, but even Phil knows that he would literally be putting his life in jeopardy making that deal.

 

Ramona Shelburne says they want Jackson so... I don't know what to think anymore.

 

Russell
George/Clarkson
Ingram/Brewer
Porzingis/Randle
Zubac/Mozgov

It's not bad.

 

I think Ingram might go first, Russell 2nd or third (Fultz), and Randle...10-15. Ingram went #2, behind one of the best draft prospects ever.

 

That's a tough one. I did this with the last draft not too long ago, but the recent movement on Fultz has changed my mind a bit. If we're only including Laker lottery picks as they were coming out of college:

1. Ingram
2. Fultz
3. Ball
4. Russell
5. Tatum
6. Jackson
7. Randle
8. Fox
9. Isaac
10. Monk

I mean obviously if we put our guys back into this draft, they all go in the Top 5 easily. It's hard to predict Jackson or Tatum being more impressive than this version of Randle with the ball in their hands. If we take them out of college I think it looks more like this. Ingram gets the slight nod for me as a biased Laker fan just because he's so unique physically and he showed much more winning in Duke. That one could flip. Fultz next. Ball after that because of his stellar statistical and win production. Russell after that because he had just the most tremendous run there leading up to the draft. He was shooting up draft boards with highlight plays and a decent NCAA run. Tatum and Jackson before Randle because they have a little more of a traditional path to success at the NBA level. They're prototypical wings in size with some guard ability as well. Randle is next because coming out of college he was a fantastic big man prospect. He was the double-double machine for Kentucky and lead them on a deep run with a talented squad. Of course we know now he tested extremely well athletically. Fox after that because of his interviews. The production on the court and his play is more and more underwhelming the more you watch it, but when you hear him speak you can't help but feel he'll figure it out. Isaac and Monk round it out. Isaac for his incredibly unique athleticism, Monk because he gets buckets better than anyone in this draft.

 

Last year, Ford had Simmons and Ingram 2nd and 3rd behind Anthony Davis in pre-draft hype for the past 5-6 years. Now they're bums. The guy's entire job is the NBA draft. If he says it sucks, nobody watches or reads his stuff. The guys is a hype machine. Listening to Ford makes you less informed than if you were to watch the chicks on the View do an NBA draft breakdown.