Luol Deng Discussion: No #Dengdump, Rather Stretched Into Cash

Two late 1sts and Zubac or one proven young guy and a protected 1st should be enough to do it.

I'll give them Hart or Kuzma and a Top 10 protected 1st or the Cleveland first and the 2020 pick and Zubac. That's it. It'd hurt to give up one of the youngsters, but if it can net us George, LeBron, and keep Julius then it's worth it.

 

My opening offer is Hart, Zu and the Cleveland pick. They will counter and I'll counter back with adding the 2020 pick. I go as far as Kuzma and the Cleveland pick, but no further.

 

It would depend on the return probably. If it's something that's going to cost us 2-3 million for 3 years, then I'm probably keeping a kid and giving them a draft pick.

 

Everything is so close with the money, I think we can trade Deng and take back a player that makes 3 million or so a year and that'll do it.

 

Why would you open with Hart? That’s a last resort to me, not an opening offer. I love Hart, dude is like Ariza, we will miss his hustle and defense years from now still if we let him go that easily. He’s quickly become one of my favorite players, it would sting so much to lose him for LeBron. I’d offer Zu and Bryant before bringing Hart into it.

 

I must have some Jeanie Buss in me. I hate losing any of the kids. I could let go of Zu and Bryant if I had to. I’m not giving away anyone else.

 

...don't forget to add Ennis.

 

You have to give up something of current value. Zu and Bryant with a pick isn't a serious offer. Ya know when you look down teams rosters for crap contracts to make salaries match up in hypothetical trades? that's pretty much Zu and Bryant to every non-Laker fan. I'm sure every team has some players that show flashes of brilliance, but don't pan out.

I love Hart. He's one of my favorite players on the team. But I'm thinking pragmatically and we probably get hung up on if we don't offer at least him and a pick. Like I've said before, at this point, with the way Julius is blossoming, I give up everything not named Ingram, Ball and Kuzma to get rid of Deng so we can keep Randle. I even give up Kuzma if I'm able to keep Hart and only give up one pick.

 

Billups, Burke and that other guy in the broadcasting team mentioned this as well. They said that IF the Lakers strike out on James, George or both, there's Leonard and Butler. None really sold on that either, Leonard will be retained I'm sure and Butler possibly even with the injury.

 

That's my fear too. If we miss the opportunity this summer, I think next summer's chances are far slimmer. At least with LeBron and George there's significant smoke heading our direction. Next summer there's nothing... If we miss now, we're married to the team we have today. I don't hate that, it's just not as good as it could be.

 

I do see Johnson and Pelinka making the pitch to both James and George while doing whatever is creatively necessary to retain Randle. I'd be loathe to see Randle go. How convincing they can be remains to be played out.

George with like playing with James who will set him up plus a lively, young core that's better than OKC's not named Westbrook (or Adams). I see Anthony opting in...not giving up that money.

James? Given how Cleveland is still disjointed even with the new acquisitions and won't be fixed easily even with Love coming back. Barring a sudden change of heart, I don't think he stays.

 

Agreed on all fronts. I think we've hit a perfect storm of hype and realistic expectations. I'm hopeful we leave this summer with at least one of George or LeBron along with our burgeoning young core. I'm sure there'll be some moves that'll upset us, but if we come out of the summer with at least one big FA, it'll be a big win for us. At least then we'll be truly competitive again. If we can snag both while keeping most of the young guys together, I think we're in for a real treat for the next decade or so.

 

I can’t be swayed on this, I’m not rational on this. I love Hart, I will be sad like I was when we lost Ariza and want to trade for him back or sign him again the rest of his career.

Regarding the rest of these posts on free agents, you guys want some real comedy, Stephen A said this morning we should stop focusing on LeBron and PG and move on to Durant and Klay. Yeah, THAT sounds more realistic, 2 guys from a probable dynasty are going to leave their team together and join us, just ditch Steph Curry and come here.