f*** you, Magic. You tenure as the FO exec will be as significant as your coaching one was. No, scratch that, it will be much worse.
Nothing. Since there is no way to assess whether they would have been in playoffs regardless. See, you are in the best possible "I told you so" position. Russell sucks -- "I told you so". Russell becomes an all-star -- "He needed a change of scenery". My side of the argument can't possibly win here.... Like taking a candy from a 2y.o. What will I do if I am right and we suck? Come here gloat when my team for the last nearly 30 years sucks for a decade?
So I would just like to point out that Year One of Byron (the Jeremy Lin Era) essentially netted us nothing. We sat through that season and now have nothing on the roster to show for it. I don't even know what to say at this point. I think Doc said it in another thread, unless Russell was a cancer with a capital C, why do the move now? If we don't have a PG-13, lined up, what the hell is the point of clearing Mozgov off now? Even if we DO have PG-13 lined up...Why not wait until next offseason when Russell may have another year of shining at the 2-guard spot, and Mozgov's deal is LESS toxic? Why are we jumping at the chance to dump a salary that can't possibly affect us this offseason unless we are making a run at Blake Griffin or something, at which point I would be even MORE pissed.
I think we're overthinking some things and underthinking others. I think more was going on with D'Angelo than we know. We'd heard rumblings for a long time that the kid didn't have the drive and was too immature from beat reporters and everyone else. Even the guys on ESPN710 said they knew the kid was way too immature off the court and they're not that well connected. I think the move was made now because it sheds a locker room issue and it sets a tone for the other kids in more ways than one: shape up or you're out obviously and we're nothing but serious here. We're about winning and we're about the Lakers. If you don't take pride in both of those things, there's an exit sign waiting for you. I also think there's some chess going on with the financials here. Pincus pointed it out: Not only does Paul George want to come here, but we've cleared a massive amount of money and will be able to pay him huge money AND still have money left over for another major piece (maybe LeBron). Not only is this good for the Lakers, but now if you're another team vying for George do you give up anything at all? The Lakers now have the clear path. They've got it sewed up for them and if I'm a team debating renting George, I'm not giving up anything of value. Nothing. I'm giving them a package of 2nd rounders and maybe some high paid young guy. If I'm the Thunder I give up Oladipo and a 2nd. I'm not about to gut my team and have Paul George walk to the Lakers along with some other "hero" FA. I'm upset, but now that the shock has passed, I'm going to try to come at this from another angle. It's undeniable though that the Lakers have now put themselves out on a razor-thin edge. If this falls through and we get nobody or we get just Paul George and we end up trading for him... this is a failure.
I'm giving your comment a like because it's an even-handed approach, but I just don't know why they did it now. I get the "Open up the second slot" thing, but even that could have been done next summer by stretching and/or trading a young pup with one of the contracts. This feels reactionary. Like I said, maybe Russell is a major problem in the locker room, but I just don't know how bad he could have been to warrant this type of move. Teammates seem to like him well enough.
I think the move happens now to set the tone now this summer instead of next summer and because it's a big blow to other teams who might have been thinking the Lakers weren't in a strong position yet. The Lakers' position now in regards to George is rock solid. It's possible this move right now crushes all other trade options that the Pacers have. Now they're forced to settle for two late firsts. That's what I'm thinking right now.
Hey trust me I'm a fan of the young guys. Moving them this freely and this willingly is making me extremely nervous... but if we end up with Paul George part of that is sort of just validated. I just find it strange that after all the talk of "don't gut the team" there's this move and the rumor that Randle is next. Man... The plan better be airtight.
Marcellus Wiley has said same thing, he didnt name names but said alot of people that had direct contact with dlo didnt think je was a hard worker and didnt take his workouts seriously
If he didnt trade Lou we probably dont have this pick right now actually. 27 and 28 have a chance to be better than Russell or at worst depth on super cheap contracts.
