2022-23 Team Developments: News / Trades / Free Agents / Rumors

yeah, i don't see how one could expect us, standing in 13th place right now, where we've been for weeks, to compete for a title under any circumstances. the kind of trade that could make that happen isn't available to us (or anyone, imo) right now.

that said, IF we got into the 6 spot (we won't), one could make a case that there would be some similarities to that rockets team (and the state of the western conference--no real dominant team).

i've been saying all year that all trades should be made with next year (and beyond) in mind. we just weren't going to win with westbrook eating 50 million.

 

Zach Harper and Shams have started a daily newsletter with The Athletic (looks like they took Stein's idea and made a fancier format).

Few things worth sharing...

Teams who could jumpstart action

Players to keep an eye on

Also an OG update -- Pelicans and Pacers join the waiting list

 

There is a bunch of problems with us competing for a title "with this roster".

It begins of course with a healthy two superstars, one who seems to be made of glass and the other who is approaching 40. AD has missed 24 of 52 games (46%) this season and has missed about that percentage during his time as a Laker throughout. James has missed 11 games, isn't able to play back to back's anymore (2 more of those still on schedule) and is likely to miss a handful more before the season is over- and that is just on soreness alone, God forbid he actually sustains an injury.

So those who are assuming we can compete with the roster as is evidently are expecting that to change yet I have my doubts.

Do you know how many consecutive games the two have played this season? NOT EVEN FIVE. Twice they have played together four consecutive games....that is it.

Assuming that changes, AND IT ABSOLUTELY HAS TO FOR ANY CHANCE OF CONTENTION then the rest will be up to Ham and what he does with the rotation.

I ask everyone here that with the expected soon return of Austin Reaves, what would be your pecking order of minutes be? Who would be in your ideal 8-10 man rotation and list them in order.

For me, assuming we don't add anyone else....it would be:

1. F Lebron James
2. F/C Anthony Davis
3. F Rui Hachimura
4. G Austin Reaves
5. G Dennis Schroeder
6. G Patrick Beverley
7. C Thomas Bryant
8. G Lonnie Walker
9. F Wenyen Gabriel
10. F/G Troy Brown Jr.

Those are the ten I am using. And as much as I would love an addition (shooter) to perhaps add to that mix; I am certainly NOT using Russell Westbrook because it DOES NOT give us the best chance to compete. I want to use Max Christie more, but I realize that isn't ideal during a playoff push which is why I have him at #11. Gabriel brings energy and I would like to use him more in that regard but understand Rui has hurt his minutes. I think we need Walker's athleticism and his outside shot as well because our team is lacking it so much.

Anyway you look at it, IMO Westbrook does not need to be a part of it. He hurts this team more than he helps it.

Not only am I extremely skeptical that AD and LBJ will stay healthy and start playing together more often but I am even more so that Ham will have the balls to bench Westbrook completely.

If he isnt traded- both of those things will need to happen for us to compete (and even then I question whether we will have enough shooting)- and I am not holding my breath

 

Weighing up what is more likely to happen to us in the playoffs between:

1) early exit due to AD/Lebron injury

2) early exit due to roster shortcomings

I'd say 1) is more likely. The problem is we can't address that and we definitely can't plan with that in mind, while we can and should address the roster so 2) doesn't happen if by miracle our main players keep healthy.

 

I actually like it way more competitive the bottom of the barrel team being a Cinderella like. Ncaa comes out of. No where and runs the bracket

 

Melo anyone off the bench ch for shooting?

 

Nyet

 

Recap:

-DFS: doesn't sound like they're actively shopping him, but they're listening. They weren't two months ago. Jazz like him, but probably not enough to trade for him as it doesn't really align with their plan this deadline.

-Thybulle: neither are sure he's available and haven't confirmed the latest rumor that GS is interested in him. Kings like him, as well.

-Bojan: both hear Pistons are serious about keeping him. No new update.

- Bones: one of the most likely to get moved. He wants a larger role and has had disagreements with the coaching staff. One of Denver’s only avenues to improve. Minny and Charlotte are in the mix. Haynes doesn't think Denver deals with Minny over how the Tim Connelly departure played out.

- Barton: Haynes is hearing he is open to leaving the Wiz and wants to land on a contender. Mentioned a team like Bucks and Nets would make sense.

- Crowder: think he's on move. Bucks are the favorite. As of a month ago, Crowder thinks the Bucks are the most likely destination. [Since Bucks were granted permission to meet with him, seems inevitable]. One of the teams in the 3 team deal that wasn't (Bucks-Wiz) think Crowder might get bought out. Stein and Haynes think they'll get something for him.

-Cam: Stein thinks he has to be moved. They can't sit on him the rest of the year after giving assets to get him, even if it only is a 2nd and an expiring. Haynes has heard the Mavs like him, but as Stein said they've had problems matching salaries (Bullock is a Thibs guy, not a Knicks guy) and Haynes said there's a good chance the Cavs make the trade for Cam.

-OG: Haynes thinks he gets moved. OG wants to move on. With as tied in with Klutch as Haynes is, I think he might know better than most on this one. Haynes has spent some time with the Pelicans recently and they really like him. Could become a competition between Memphis and NO from keeping him from the other.

 

I kind of get why the Pistons would keep Bojan, they're going to be under some pressure to at least compete next year. They got a lot of buzz as a possible low playoff seed last offseason and that went to s*** pretty quickly. I'd still trade for Reddish even after the Hachimura trade as we could still use another wing but I doubt we do it. As for OG, does New Orleans plan to play Zion at the 5 in crunch time? I'm not sure he's shown enough defensively to be confident in that quite yet. If Memphis gets OG, they're my favorite to come out of the West. Dillon Brooks will 100% shoot them out of a big playoff game, they need someone like OG to take over that spot.

 

Chicago is starting to slide 5 of there next games Memphis bkn Portland spurs Cleveland

Okc plays warriors and Lakers next

12th spot here we come

 

If LaVine was available, of those other three teams I can only see the Knicks beating our offer of both firsts. A starting lineup of Reaves/LaVine/LeBron/Hachimura/AD would be pretty fun if they ever actually played together. I still just don't see Chicago moving him.

 

Couple Laker items on Jake's pod:

1) does not think Russ gets moved. Lakers like what Russ opens up for AD when Bron is on the bench.

2) after Lakers spent a couple days in NY, he's a New Yorker, he's hearing around MSG and Barclay that Bojan is still the apple of our eye.

 

if charlotte wants hyland, rozier might be on the move?

 

Good thing the Russ + AD with no LeBron lineups have been bad for a season and a half now

 

yeah, that all sounds made up.

 

lots of rumbles that dallas will move wood (which is weird to me). saw some dallas fans say they'd like to dump contracts on us...i'm in:



lol. we'd be in tax hell, so no way we do it.