Thanks for clarifying the Curry part. That makes more sense. I would love to be able to turn Deng into Paul George if we can, but I'm trying not to get my hopes up on that front. If I'm OKC, I don't want salary back in that case. They're going to do what they can to get below the tax threshold if George walks. If Carmelo opts in, I could see them trying to shuffle him out for expirings, but otherwise they're dangerously close to the luxury tax threshold even without George's 20 million dollars (let alone a raise to 30 million). If we could turn Deng into Paul George, then for sure I'm all about it. Otherwise, I'm just preparing for trading him for cap room. It's a tough use of resources, but I can't get my hopes up that we'd trade him for George. Even I'm not that optimistic!
Vash, along with not believing that both LBJ and PG added to all of our best young guys with hopefully BroLo coming back .... wasn't going to be enough and then adding further carnage to our young core with 2 or 3 more "acceptably" gone out of BI, Zo, JR and Kuzma to then bring in A. Davis .... too, to me was my kind of fandom abhorrent. Not to mention how adding brittle already a major superstar salaried AD to LBJ's and PG's salaries going forward was off the charts "top heavy". But then it's OK for those advocating that?
Yay, another 20-10 game by Jules...what's that? Another L. Meanwhile AD had every out and built in excuse to call it a wrap after Boogie went down, but they're in and we're out. Move the needle. Jules on the year is currently leading our team in pts, rebounds and FG%, yet is averaging a net +/- of 0....haha. That's the very definition of empty stats. AD meanwhile puts up video game numbers and is leading his team in +/-. AD is making 25M next year, ironically that is Jule's max which Fandles believe he's worth. I've said that I would trade a re-upped Jules, BI and future picks for AD. Does that sacrifice some of our depth...absolutely, since its a 2 for 1 at a minimum. However Deng is still on the books and he'll help round out the roster if we find a a team that we can either dump him to (TPE) or a team that will trade other bad contracts for. Either way, with AD, George and Bron, Deng could look so much better playing with those dudes, while we increase his trade value. Plus, I'll tell you this....its easier to sell ring-chasing vets to take less money to come join a team of Bron/PG/AD vs Bron/George/Jules. Yeah, we'd be top heavy no doubt. But 3 all-stars that actually move the needle vs 2 all-stars and a player with potential is an easy choice to make. Plus AD had growing pains no different than the ones our young guns are going through. His injuries came because his body was rounding out into a NBA body. Also alot of that responsibility is his to carry on that Pels team. He's doing these numbers by himself...but imagine how much his game opens up with players like Bron/PG. Jules's game would reach new heights too if you allow him to play with stars, but how high can AD's ceiling rise if you partner him up with stars? You can't be serious if you would rather choose the latter between allocating your resources in a Bron/George/AD top heavy team vs a Bron/George/Jules max scenario. Come'n man, really? Btw I'm one of BI's biggest supporters...but this is AD we're talking about here, who's young, in a guaranteed lengthy deal, proven All-star, proven defensive player and if we have him, those C Bags don't. I'll miss BI and Jules, but that's a player worth trading them for.
No .... versus 2 all-stars and 2 players with soon to be all star talent (if not the votes) .... to further be whacked after losing Russell and Nance and Clarkson of our cost controlled talent ... to bring in another superstar. Can see why you and some like this. But don't short shrift what we are giving up in BI and Randle. Or Kuzma and Randle on value bang for the buck salaries going forward compared to where AD is now. And not my kind of fandom which is to a good degree as well home grown player based. Apologies. You can lose the snarky attitude.
I believe that it's a fair point Julius doesn't impact the win column enough. I believe that's also a fair point in distinguishing him as a max player in a vacuum. But you're coming off very hard on Julius these days and I think Julius still deserves quite a bit of praise for his growth and effort this season. Sure, he might not be worth a max deal if everything is equal, but he still deserves a good contract and a solid role with the Lakers going forward. I also think it's still very fair to consider Anthony Davis injury prone. He has immense talent when he's playing, but he averaged less than 70 games per season for 4 years. If he plays all 8 remaining games, that'll mean he's played back-to-back 75 game seasons which is a good sign, but he's still frequently banged up. Every time he hits the deck, I feel like world stops for a second to make sure he's okay. He needs better strength and conditioning coaches. Either way, I'm not happy that we're all snipping at each other about this. I'm going to revisit the Julius trade/extension/whatever talk in 8 games when the season is over. I just want to enjoy these guys until the end of the year.
Randle will be an All-Star. AD is already an established Superstar. He's the type of player that can turn the whole franchise around. Can never say NO to that.
Randle .... and BI ....and maybe Kuzma too (likely in several years) (again talking talent not votes even) ...3 all star level talents in 2-3 years maybe sooner for some ... that some scenarios were OK if only Lonzo was left to play with 60% of the all new store bought team. To each their own.
No reason for NO to give him up either. They are improving and going to the playoffs, but I don’t think he’s even ever won a playoff game yet. Seems hard to fathom. That being said, I suppose it always depends on how much you give up to get a player like him, and if he has a clean bill of health.
Real, I'm coming off dismissive, cause I just can't understand what Jules has done to really warrant the support. Back in the day, I went to town for LO cause alot folks didn't appreciate the type of impact he could have for our team. But not once did I feel it was necessary to break the bank for him. You had to keep him...but not at all costs. We were 1 piece away...then Pau came and all was right in the world. Then came the time he had to re-up...again, I didn't believe you had to throw bank at the guy, but we had to figure out a way to bring him back even with an Ariza for Artest swap. He ended up getting 4y/33M and all was right in the world cause that was a fair deal. LO helped us get to the Finals 3 times and helped us come away with hardware twice. He eventually embraced getting demoted to the bench and became 6th man of the year. He had earned the right to stay on the team and for fans to demand LO get paid to remain on the squad. Compare that to Jules.....what has dude done to have a #PayJulius campaign? What has he done where Fandles would rather look past Bron and AD to keep the dude? I understand there is preference in that some want a slow burn with young guns to root for. They rather not sacrifice potential for proven talent on a shorter window. I get all that...but if you're going to chalk us up as not playoff bound due to it being Luke's fault for not playing Jules more, even tho he doesn't push the needle and you're going to give Bron a phantom injury thinking Jules is immortal even after having a red shirt year his rookie year and you're going to say the FO mistreated dude cause they refused to pay him before and better up the price now, even after yet another losing season he helped "lead" us to, then sorry if my posts sound so dismissive proving otherwise. Btw, AD is pipe...but so too is shrugging off a 3 star alignment so that Jules can remain on the roster. What y'all smoking?
No again. You having trouble reading today or remembering? It was shrugging off AD so Randle, Ingram and Kuzma could stay on the team. You were one of the if only Zo comes back it's cool camp. I think. Not my kind of fandom. But I understand it's ring at all costs for you I get it. But don't misrepresent what we are giving up like it's no big deal.
I mean the simple answer is that he's our guy. We drafted him, we've groomed him, and every year he's put on a Laker uniform he's improved. He deserves some love. That's all I'll say as I've now removed myself from contract discussions on our players until the end of the season!
LT: Did a quick search and this is the first time I brought up Anthony Davis: Being a BI stan, I even said that I would be in favor of moving BI for AD cause it would lead to a super team that can compete for #17 right now. I'm not part of the camp where every young gun sans Zo needs to be traded for AD. I would like to hold onto as much youth as we can...but Jules has to go since his contract would allow an AD trade in the first place and I'm sure some combination of picks and a young player has to go to make this pipe dream even somewhat realistic. So to paraphrase: Jules ain't worth the max. Jules shouldn't be priority #1 this summer. I still want Jules, but with star veterans around him, cause I don't have faith in him being "the" guy. Its title or bust. My opinions matter, yours don't. LT can't read or remember. Sirron is my broll. Zen needs sleep cause he's exhausted. tada is a Fandle that can Handle my critiques. My posts are quite bullyius towards Julius, but if I ever saw dude in public, my lips would be Chaplin. And now I will remove myself from these contract discussions, cause I kept it way too Real and Wore out my welcome. Instead Travis will hold it down in my stead with his end of the year contract....or is he still ducking Lakers Discussion like DLo ducking a Swaggy fade?
the last 2 years AD put up some great numbers but couldn't get his teams to the playoffs. Empty stats? I'm not trying to actually say Jules is at AD's level, but I'm kind of sick of the "empty stats" excuse to drive down Randle's value. Maybe last year that would hold some weight, but Julius was the catalyst in a lot of our team development this year. No he's not AD and he won't get to that particular level, but all signs point to him working hard and competing at an all-star level for the foreseeable future.
Wallangong: I'm not even the biggest AD guy, but dude has put up numbers, got to the playoffs in his 3rd year, never missed an entire season due to injury, 5x all-star, 1x all-star MVP, 3x Blks champion, 2x All-defensive team and 2x All-NBA. Its true that he missed the playoffs the last 2 years, but after Monty helped take them to the postseason in 2015, Gentry came on board and they missed the cut in 2016. Then last season had a big trade that had Boogie come on board midseason and they had to adjust their game plan cause both those dudes pretty much play the same role as each other. Either way, those are excuses and you're right in that he didn't push the needle then so I can see how those stats are empty. But this season, he is using his stats to keep the Pelis afloat even when most, if not all, predicted they would free fall after the Boogie injury. Dude is the #1 pick, recently turned 25 in March and is making 23M this year. Jules at 23, has none of those accolades, none of those stats/achievements, hasn't been the unequivocal leader of a team in taking them to the postseason, yet some Fandles want Jules to take home a boat load of cash. 12M is his qualifying offer....by design the CBA projected that number based off where he was picked in the draft and how many minutes he played as a starter. You obviously start with that number and work your way up. But if AD is making 25M next season and Jules's max is 25M, you think we're getting good market value on that contract? Jules at 15M is beyond fair in today's market place. Not to mention, it helps him stick in LA cause who wouldn't want that type of deal on their books? He becomes a valuable trade commodity and the Lakers will love to keep the guy on the books because of the value he brings along with that type of modest cap hit. If he's overpriced, its endless rumor mill fodder for him throughout the life of that contract. Not to mention, fans like me will continuously harp on him not being worth that type of money. Its ridiculous that we're on the verge of coming up out of MozDeng and fans want to be frivolous with our cap. Don't get it twisted. I want Jules here...but obviously at the right price. I've been saying LaBron and George hopefully take a paycut too. Sirron: It depends on who you ask. If you ask LaBron or Deng, then of course you are. Same way if you ask Fandles about me. So in a way, we're brolls. Plus disagree with me all you want, I'll just exhaustively essay the f*** out of you till you submit. #epiphanied
