Hey @johnnyboy ! I believe I've posted some updates in scattered places here, but with regards to free agents, here's my sense. Feel free to ask specifics if I missed anything. -Kawhi: still ongoing, but things are mostly on pause for the finals. Feeling internally is Ballmer is behind a lot of the anti-Lakers media coverage, and is probably up to something bigger too. -Kyrie: AEG was asked to prepare a pitch last week. He's been in touch with LeBron, Kobe, and various others. I've confirmed Kobe is recruiting him as a favor to Pelinka, but Kobe wants no mention of him and the current state of the Lakers front office in the same sentence. It's bad for his brand. He's doing as much as he can but quietly. Lakers are not the only team Kyrie's seriously considering, though. -Kevin: Haven't heard a word from Rich since KD's injury, nor has AEG. No idea what's happening there. -Jimmy: Mostly smoke as far as I can tell, with regards to the recent news. Jimmy's interested in LA but he's a firm backup plan as of now. -Boogie: Maybe a backup, also. Haven't heard much in a while.
Hi @SmoothOperator ! Great question. Fortunately, players, especially older ones, don't listen to the media when making decisions. They know how badly the media can mess up, usually at their own expense during the season. The state of the front office is important to them, but they get this information from agents and actually talking to folks at the management level. There have been many cases where agents of free agents (confusing phrasing!) have come to AEG, as they're a minority owner and big business partner of the Lakers, to get insights into how the Lakers operate. Clippers are being considered because of a number of reasons, including their new owner and the resources he has, front office stability, good coaching, and clean slate. Lakers already have LeBron which can hurt the egos of many of these stars, don't have the best front office right now, coaching is a question mark, and a low net ownership worth relative to other franchises. That's where much of this disconnect is coming from. Ultimately though, the Lakers can offer the better business opportunities, which has huge value. That income often exceeds an NBA salary. It'll depend on how players value all of those factors, and how bad the front office dysfunction actually is to them. If they feel it's mostly media drama, it won't matter. If they see actual problems when doing due diligence, it'll be bad for the Lakers.
Hi @OmarE ! Great questions! I don't work for AEG. I'm an independent consultant, but really more of a dealmaker who facilitates global partnerships. I have strong relationships with the AEG execs and have been working with them for a number of years, so I'm pretty friendly with them. They also know I'm a die hard Laker fan so they generally tell me stuff if I ask. But remember there's a level or two of indirection there, and generally by the time I hear something major, it's already leaked to the media. It's not easy to get insider information. It's only because I work closely with folks at the top level. I'm not even sure if I'd call what I have, "insider" information, compared to the likes of the ESPN folks, who know far more relevant things. That's a tough question to answer. I'm scared that if I answer that, folks will take my opinions too literally as me predicting who the Lakers will sign! I will say my dream scenario is for us to trade for Anthony and sign Kevin or Kawhi. As of right now, there's traction with Kawhi and Kyrie, but it's very far from a done deal. The Kevin angle is not very active right now. And there are back up plans with players like Jimmy and Bradley that are on the table too. Best, Mr. Rambis
That graphic is actually a huge understatement! Based on what I know anyways. For LeBron, for example, his 4 year projected non basketball-related income before taxes was north of $800MM. If the Lakers end up pitching KD, I imagine it will be hundreds of millions too, for the duration of his contract. For Kawhi, I believe when I last saw the numbers, they offering over $200MM as a projection if he signs. For the Clippers, it would be much less, I would imagine.
Great information. If I were representing one of these elite level athletes, focusing on the total revenue opportunity would make the most sense for a guy that is less concerned about chemistry and winning opportunity. Not sure that is Kawhi though- he's got his own drummer.
Not to be pedantic about this, but presuming this is a GoT reference, it's "King in the North." I agree nobody is going to get cancer from this, but is it so hard to just get the friggin' quote right? Is that asking too much?
People bungle quotes as I do and I'm a quote guy. Funny enough I bungled that very same quote on facebook the same way, seconds after watching the show.
Unfortunately, my alternate reading filter just kicked in so that now it has erotic undertones. Sigh.
Hey guys I am super late to the party and this place. Who is Mr. Rambis or why are we believing him? Not doubting him, just curious
some food for thought...he mentioned how much FO loved kidd and hollins before there were any rumors n now both are on the coaching staff....good enough for me
supposedly.....up to you to judge for yourself....eveybody as "sauces" why do people believe people like screaming A smith?
Welcome Nzahir, As a rule, I'd say take all insider info with a grain of salt. I'd say most here are smart enough not to put too much stock into any insider info, but Mr. Rambis hasn't been proven wrong on anything yet.
