I didn’t see this posted earlier and just came across it. Thought it was funny and true. The one year huge money KCP signing was genius on our FO’s part, allowed us to communicate with Rich Paul all we wanted Spoiler: Language
Klutch Sports is the new GM of the Lakers , this is the cost of doing business with Lebron , we all knew it We're fine as long as Noel isn't chosen over Randle
I'm OK with this honestly especially if we get Kawhi via trade. That'd s great deal for one year for us. KCP is an OK defender and has become a solid shooter. It's not like there was anything else available for a rental. The key now is to get Kawhi.
My confusion with the KCP deal is, unless Kawhi is coming with Hart going out, we now have 3 players who all bring something similar to the table. Lance/KCP/Hart. Two I get, three feels redundant.
Verstile, defensive wings are what we need to go toe to toe with the Warriors. All that depth is going to be killer even if we dont make a Kawhi deal.
We also have several guys that can run point besides Lonzo. Lebron obviously, Ingram, Lance, and potentially Hart. Maybe they see the backup PG position as being filled by committee, so they just want guys that can play 2-3 positions.
I was about to post in the Lance thread, maybe he's our backup point guard? I remember reading the Pacers signed him to play pg for them last season. Lonzo/Lance KCP/Hart Ingram/Kuz Lebron/Kuz Randle/McGee Maybe that's our nine player rotation and we're just going to roll with this?
If that's the case, I assume it's more: Lonzo/Lance Ingram/Hart LeBron/KCP Kuzma/Wagner McGee/Randle Randle more and more is looking like the odd man out. You still use Randle significantly at the 5, but you start with McGee to "set a tone".
I don't disagree, but we'll see. I'm actually starting to think the Lakers aren't planning on trading for Kawhi.
I'm feeling that way, too. I think if the price were right and SA came to their senses about what kind of return they will get for Kawhi, we would pull the trigger. But Lebron leaking out that he's patient, Leonard saying it's Lakers only and that he might sit out the season, us signing McGee, KCP and Lance on one year deals . . . we are calling their bluff. We could just sign him next summer and keep our young guys.
This signing is a head scratcher...I honestly don't like KCP that much and at $12m...I definitely do not like him that much. We bid against ourselves...nobody else was going to give him this. Most he'd get is MLE which is like $9M. But I guess like others said...this is the cost of doing business with LeBron. We took care of KCP and we'll take care of him for another year as well. He wasn't BAD for us last year but he wasn't GREAT either. But then again...with PG13 not coming...were we ready to rely on Hart as our starting SG? I think it's a safe play here...
If this signing meant we got Lebron then I'm all for it. Otherwise, I would have preferred if we threw an offer at Ariza instead of KCP.