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

When has Westbrook been injury prone?

 

lingering quad injury the last couple seasons

 

i think this is where the vet mins come in. wes probably re-ups and gets a bigger role, for example. btw, everyone's least favorite center (gasol) can shoot the three a little.

 

Absolutely. He brings the Mamba mentality with him.

 

still dont like his ninja turtle face lol

 

come on shooters, don't you want to play with Lebron, AD and Westbrook?

 

And this is why this was always going to be the best 3rd star option...


We can keep THT, The Eagle, AND use the MLE

 

Yeah we need shooting, but there is value in just relentlessly attacking the rim. Giannis is similar in that he can offer that without being a great shooter too. Westbrook won’t let these guys play soft when LBJ is out too. I like it!

 

come on jeannie open the purse a lil more n buy some 2nd rders

 

Of course! Glad to see that the media has finally given confirmation. They were a little slow today! But hopefully everyone can rest easy now!!

 

I'm sure Pelinka has something up his sleeve

 

Looking at the ring chaser pool...

Perimeter: Melo, Ariza, Iggy, Ellington, Baze, J. Teague, Rivers, Bradley, Snell

Bigs: McGee, Dwight, Gibson, Boogie, Blake, Jeff Green, Ed Davis.

Also talks Jordan might get bought out in Brooklyn.

Does Millsap want to take the MLE and get a ring?


We can afford to can these guys when free agency opens while everyone else is trying to get Lowry and the like

 

The one positive is this really should make AD at the 5 and Lebron at 4. Relative to position they are not exceptional shooters at the 3 and 4 spots but when compared to 4/5s they become actually better then league average.

They could be terrifying if they can add more shooting and/or THT/AC improve their 3pt's and Westbrook stop wasting possessions with pull-up jumpers. He's so good at attacking the basket either from drives/posts up that it makes sense for him to initiate plays with AD/Lebron at the 4/5 spot.

 

Got a little insight into the logic behind the trade.

1. Westbrook brings the Lakers another scoring threat who can create for himself and for others. Previously, LeBron was shouldering this load, and it was not sustainable given his age. When LeBron went to the bench, the Laker offense would stall, and Vogel couldn't really do much. A bench of Harrell and Kuzma was supposed to solve this, but we all know how that played out. Now, LeBron can coast as Westbrook drops 30 & 10.

2. Mentality. The criticism of many of the Lakers players in the playoffs is that they gave up. Westbrook is the exact opposite of this. He plays hard 100% of the time, and will find a way to contribute even if his shot is not falling. With Westbrook on the team, the FO feels like they do not lay down and get run over by hungry teams in the playoffs.

3. Filling out the roster. No matter what, the Lakers did not have the cap space to add the types of players they needed to fill out the roster. Now with a star trio that can go head to head with Brooklyn, the Lakers feel as though veteran free agents will line up to sign with the team, and they can easily get some shooters and defensive players that way. Beforehand, there were some questions as to whether or not the Lakers could still compete with the top teams, especially if they sustained some injuries. With this trade, there is no doubt. Players love LeBron and Westbrook. It should be a much easier job for the FO, despite the large salary commitments.

Hope everyone is excited for a fantastic 2021-2022 season! The Lakers look poised to compete for a championship once again!!!

 

I feel like Melo is destined to sign here in a few days.

 

I mean what team in the West is better? Seriously

 

I'm sure that one of Billups first moves as coach, was to tell Melo he needs to be looking elsewhere for employment.