I'm as high as anyone here on Julius, but he's also 20 years old coming off of an entire season lost to a broken leg. I don't think it's absolutely mandatory that we pencil him into the starting lineup playing 35 minutes a night right off the bat. We need talent, and Love has that. Let's get some good players on this team, and sort them out from there.
Well for me I dislike the cost. Sure he's an elite rebounder and 3 point shooter but I don't want to pay him upwards of $20 M. Something about him also makes me think he's somewhat of a prima donna. Maybe it was the issue with him in Minny with Rubio getting the max, then the trade rumors, then his ill fitting in in Cleveland, but it's safe to say the Kevin Love stock has dipped in my portfolio. The defense thing is absolutely an issue, and as a far 3rd reason, yeah it may take away from Randle. Though I'm one of the weirdos who think Randle may be able to operate as a 3 of sorts.
I've been in favor of Love this entire time for pretty much the reasons you laid out and still feel like he ends up with us if he leaves Cleveland. I've been quiet on this because I honestly just got tired of having the same argument over and over again.
I'm not against Love at all. I think Randle splitting minutes at 3/4 would work. And if the experiment fails we'd have a young allstar asset at the trade deadline. Maybe Cousins would be available. Or Butler. Or Durant. Who knows, but it's good to stockpile on high value assets.
I don't mind Love. I think he's better than people give him credit for, but I can also see why people wouldn't want him. Getting Love means either getting rid of Randle, putting him on the bench, or moving him to the 3. In addition to that, Okafor + Love could potentially be a really bad defensive pairing.
Only issues I have with Love are cost and injury issues. But if we get him we get talent so who could really be upset? The other problem: Love at a high price means less cash to fill the rest of the roster. I'm in favor of spending on a max level guy but if you get him you need to have a reasonable expectation that he'll play 70+ games... I don't feel that way about Love.
I'd be down with signing Kevin if it helps us recruit another top flight free agent next year... maybe DeRozan?
If we get a chance to sign Love, we do it. Plain and simple. We need to sign at least one established superstar in this free agent class. My eye is on KD in 2016, and we have to have some pieces to attract him to LA. Plus, a Love/Okafor/Randle frontcourt is eerily similar to our 2009-10 Gasol/Bynum/LO championship one.
My problem with love is injuries/defense Also signing him makes us have less money to spend on our role players Were not winning anything by signing guys to vet min contracts.
We are if we get a max level player for 70+ games. I'm not 100% sure that Love is that guy, but if you get a legitimate max player you get competitive right away. Mitch has shown some great ability to find gems on cheaper deals. I have faith he can do it again if we are able to grab a max guy.
Agreed a max guy that is a superstar definitely gets u competitive but love as that guy isnt the answer I want a max guy that isnt kevin love
Just came here to post this... Innnnnnnteresting... Nail in the coffin for the Cousins deal. We aren't sacrificing cap space if we feel like we could get a max level player. Aldridge/Randle Okafor/Black
Marc Stein@ESPNSteinLine 4m4 minutes ago ESPN sources say Lakers appear to be passing Dallas on list of likely destinations for Aldridge should he leave POR. San Antonio still No. 1
LaMarcus Aldridge, Kevin Love, DeMarcus Cousins. Thank God, I'm a Lakers fan! Oh, and a top 2 pick! Let's go, Mitch. Do your thing!
