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

I'd say 75% or so from my perspective. There's a ton that can change from now until then which is where the wiggle room comes in. Maybe OKC can swing a crazy trade no one sees coming and then give Westbrook/George a new running mate which changes the landscape. Maybe George gets badly injured (*knock on wood*) and that leaves him wanting more guaranteed money from OKC. Maybe Westbrook shows him a hitherto unknown night life, business life, opportunity rich environment that George feels comfortable with...

But all in all, there's a reason teams weren't giving up more for him even if he's a rental. Boston has 19 picks they could have offered that wouldn't have cost them a thing. They also had veterans they could given up that wouldn't cost them too much in the win column. Nobody was willing to buy in and that tells me very clearly that George's agent has assured teams he's leaving. The Lakers confidence this summer tells me they know something we don't know. As of today, right now, I think the Lakers are 100% convinced. I'm not there, but I think there's a reason we're approaching this the way we are. I don't think it's an accident that one of the main reasons we went after Pelinka was his reported willingness to go backdoor with agents and players in order to collude to get them here. It was one of the reasons Kupchak was fired and just reading the clues in front of us, it's clear what they meant by that.

 

In your opinion sure. You don't like Ball for some reason and Ingram has a ways to grow. I'll wait until Ball does his thing and see what growth we get out of Ingram and Zubac on Friday. There's no proven stars, but there's a reason the Lakers are doing all this and George is at least step one. The LeBron talk is a little more smoke than substance, but George is certainly substance at this point. He is the one who said don't gut your team, so we didn't. Obviously he sees enough of what he likes.

 

I think they're counting on George. LeBron would be a massive positive for the Lakers, but George is the main fish they're after.

You have LeBron and George along with Zubac, Ingram, and Ball (and maybe Randle). LeBron with less responsibility can last another 2-3 years at a very productive level. Another couple years after that as a wily vet. That's enough time for the kids to either prove they can do it or be moved for guys who can.

Again though: As much as I'm seeing the LeBron smoke, I'm more focused on George. George brings one more guy with him and we're back in the conversation quickly and everyone can be happy again.

 

That's all totally possible, but I just see too much smoke to think that him leaving for LA isn't at least a possibility. I'd say it's still a dark horse for now just given our roster makeup, but I think it's still there in the back of LeBron's mind.

Even if he does leave us hanging though there's still a solid FA class next year along with George. There's still Chris Paul (eh), Dwayne Wade (eh), Westbrook, DeAndre Jordan, Brook Lopez, Aldridge, and Cousins. There's a few lower level options like Kanter, Parker, Ellis, Favors, Joe Johnson, Danny Green, Corey Joseph, Ariza, and Lou Williams.

 

I agree with that. I've been saying all along the young guys need to prove it in order to convince anyone to come here. There's massive pressure on Luke, Magic, Rob, and the young players in Lonzo and Ingram especially to come through. If they don't, I expect us to make a move during the season for some more established player in order to solidify our bid in the summer. There's a lot of work to be done still for sure.

 

Mitch and Jim get so much hate for botching the premiere free agent meetings. I mean, were they bad? Of course. But even if they blew them away, no one was signing here in those years. Kobe’s massive contract and zero veteran talent made us about as attractive as a hooker with a decade old crack addiction.

People are talking about signing here now because a giant piece of our cap isn’t being occupied by a Farewell Tour Kobe. Lonzo and Ingram are attractive young pieces to play with, and unlike in years past, we have enough to lure TWO max free agents, not just one.

I don’t think Lebron is coming. I really don’t. I do think George probably will. For us to get into title contention, Lonzo and Ingram have to develop into all stars. Plain and simple. If they do, we’re good to go, and that’s whether or not PG-13 or anyone else signs with us.