Just watch this highlight video, highlight videos cure all Kidding, your concerns are valid. My stance is, if we miss on Kawhi, Kyrie, Butler, etc, Russ is the legitimate next best option, and if he doesn’t work out he’s always tradable again because he’s so young. To me it’s always never a bad thing to sign the best player available as long as you don’t overpay, because that becomes an trade asset. Where if you split the money between like Bogdanovic and Beverly and it doesn’t work out, is their trade value the same as a 24/25 year old former all-star in Russ? I’m not sure it is.
I stand corrected about Kyrie. I just saw on nbatv on the bottom ticker that Kyrie is expected to sign a 4 year $141m deal in Brooklyn.
He’s restricted though, where Russ is expected to be renounced once Kyrie agrees to sign, we can’t be waiting on guys with restricted status and be missing out on other valuable players in the process. I can’t see the Bucks not matching on him, Giannis has said he wants that team retained as is as much as possible. It’s kind of like Rozier, you do not go after that guy, because even if he does sign an offer sheet with you, the C Bags will wait until the absolute last day to match or even not match just to screw us out of making other moves.
Since he’s not associated with the Lakers, any time he wants, but not WITH the Lakers or representing the Lakers. He could be talking to him/his people now.
That makes sense to me. I’m just more curious if AEG or anyone has asked things to go a certain way with however Magic does his thing or if @Mr. Rambis has heard anything as far as working with that or that part of the plan with his pitch
Also heard Lakers would like to get Beverly for the minimum if Kawhi does come, but they understand it's unlikely. Other considerations for minimum contracts are Rondo, Lopez, KCP, Seth Curry, and DeAndre Jordan. There has been little discussion as to whether any of these players would accept the minimum, though. -Mr. Rambis
Of those I'd think KCP and Rondo would do it for the right situations (minutes/starting). Jordan I could see if he got a start next to 3 stars. Lopez I could see. I would be shocked if Seth came for the minimum. He seems like a guy who will get the Room Exception somewhere.
Mr. Rambis, Do you know the rough figures on how much money Kawhi would make off the basketball court (is marketing, new balance deal, etc) if he signed with the Lakers compared to the Raptors? The Lakers are a global brand but the Raptors run to a championship this season made Kawhi the king of a entire country. Kawhi’s appeal isnt just to Toronto but all of Canada now. I’m assuming that boosts his offcourt earnings too
I like Brogdon, but he's not nearly the creator that Russ is. He's a better defender and at this stage as of now a more consistent stand still 3 point shooter. But Brogdon isn't going to be a great player to give Lebron some minute running PG. He's not as experienced with the pick and roll. Both are good options, but I'm going with Russell over Brogdon. The ceiling on Russell is bigger, he's younger, and fits a ton of needs for us too.
Like hearing Lopez (either one), Curry, and DeAndre. I think any of those guys requires the room exception though. Don’t want Rondo, but he seems a likely minimum guy, hopefully as a bench player. I can see us spending the room exception on KCP though, and if we do I’ll be pissed, if we don’t have Kawhi, or annoyed if we do.
I'd offer the Room Exception to both Seth Curry and DeAndre Jordan and sign whichever one accepts it first.
@Weezy @TIME Yes they'll have to decide where to use which contracts once they talk to these guys and get a feeling of who's looking for what. They also understand many will be gone by the time Kawhi makes a decision so that will narrow the pool. If KCP doesn't get bigger money elsewhere the understanding for a while now is that Klutch will push to bring him back. Rondo will be pursued if we do get Kawhi and don't have room for a better point guard. They value his veteran presence in a team that will at that point undoubtedly be contending. He also made a great impression on the coaching staff last year. -Mr. Rambis
I offer the Room exception to Curry, not DeAndre simply because the end of games will see AD/Lebron/Kuz/Kawhi/and the point guard who ends up being on the roster. I'd rather use our best (and only) asset to get that position taken care of rather than on a player who will likely see only 20 minutes a game. Seth Curry is phenomenal from 3 as well. And...imagine the pitch. "Seth, remember all the times your brother beat you up...let's win three titles in a row...cause he never did that."
@Mr. Rambis Do we know if NB made good money in Canada off the championship run? Asking because of this tweet:
I'm no expert, but considering Kawhi didn't even get top 15 in jersey sales, I'm betting they didn't.
