Seriously though, I do think we’d have to give up everyone to get him. Just the logistics of what we’d have to work with in terms of the contracts we can use to make salaries match. Pairing Lebron and AD isn’t enough. So I think the goal would have to be to sign a max free agent and then trade for AD. In which case, we’d have to give up pretty much everyone else to make salaries work, and NO would demand our best assets knowing how desperate we’d be to finalize the super team. If we don’t go for another max and decide to absorb AD into our cap room, then we could probably keep one of Zo or Ingram. But I don’t think NO would accept that, and I don’t think that’s our ideal scenario either. Just Lebron, AD, one of the young core and no flexibility to add onto that.
You're absolutely right @OX1947 ! But there are some contextual factors at play here too. Paul is an up and comer. He does not have the connections of more experienced agents for things like endorsements. Instead, he fights for player empowerment against owners. That is his selling point, and he used it to sign Anthony Davis. Anthony Davis does not want to wait until free agency because it is likely that both his preferred destinations (Lakers, Knicks) will have used up their cap room by then. Sign and trades are possible still, but it is much tougher. Look for Rich Paul to make a lot of noise this summer. Some brave GM may take a risk with an Anthony Davis rental, and that would not reflect well on Rich Paul.
Hey @Punk-101 ! Great question, but lots to unpack. My computer is almost out of battery and no outlets are nearby at this airport so hopefully this will do. There have been conversations between David Griffin and Rich Paul about trading Anthony Davis here. David likes Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball, and would most likely do a trade if Boston does not want to offer Jayson Tatum. However, Pelicans/Saints ownership does not want to send Anthony Davis here, and if they put their foot down it will be a tough roadblock to overcome. Reasons why are complicated and deep, but I can explain later. Cheers, Mr. Rambis
Seems like they value Lonzo an awful lot if they are willing to force Kidd into any situation. I think they are all staying. We sign Kyrie and another shooter and call it an offseason. We could do worse than a starting five of McGee/Lebron/Ingram/Irving/Ball with Hart and Kuzma off the bench.
As it appears the front office looks content in keeping Lonzo and developing him (JKidd hire), wouldn’t targeting a free agent who is ideally a shooting guard, like Jimmy Butler or Kris Middleton actually make more sense than Kyrie? Kyrie may be the bigger “star” but I’m unsure how he fits in a starting lineup with Lonzo. Having Kyrie makes Lonzo essentially a 3 and D player, and Lonzo isn’t good enough of a shooter to stand in the corner and shoot open 3s. Having Butler or even Middleton would make more sense if we are keeping the kids and can create better spacing.
Hey @tada ! I'm going to give you more the business perspective. Right now, since we have a new coach, the basketball perspective is a little murky at the moment. We have no idea how Jason Kidd plans to use most of these players. His pitch to Pelinka, Rambis, and Jeanie was more centered around mentoring Lonzo into a Jason Kidd 2.0. There was not as much substance to it as Ramona is reporting. So, long story short, Lonzo is the most valuable and coveted piece. He is the easiest to market. Afterwards, Kuzma is up next. He connects well with the fanbase and forms a good duo with Lonzo. Ingram, from what I understand, was very coveted as a basketball asset last season, but his recent medical concerns and the fact that he's due for a big payday soon, raise some question marks. Hart is essentially irrelevant. For the right player, like Anthony Davis, there is no loyalty to any of the young players.
Your analysis makes complete sense @SmoothOperator ! However I'm giving you the AEG perspective on these things. They want a big name to pair alongside LeBron. The dream would be a Big 3 of Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, and LeBron James. We could probably earn $500MM in a fiscal year with that trio, even if the team doesn't make the playoffs! But it is a longshot
Mr. Rambis, I would also like to know more about your insights to Kawhi’s Uncle Dennis and his agent, Mitch. When Kawhi was demanding out of San Antonio, rumors out of his camp was his preferred destination was the Lakers. The most recent rumors of where Kawhi ends up next season is the Clippers. If it were up to Uncle Dennis and his agent, where would they steer and try to influence Kawhi to actually go at the current moment?
Dennis reminds me a lot of Lavar Ball, without the media front-end. At the end of the day he really just cares of Kawhi's best interests and doesn't want him to be taken advantage of due to his complacent nature. But in doing so, he is quite vocal about what he wants, more than anything else. A lot of the media leaks you hear come from Dennis, though. Kawhi and Frankel are pretty tight-lipped about most things, from what I understand. Dennis wants Kawhi in LA, with a preference for the Lakers, probably because he sees the earning potential after being quotes his cut in this New Balance deal. He'll settle for the Clippers if that's what Kawhi decides. But if Kawhi pushes to stay, he will resist. It ultimately may not matter, though.
What do you think the Lakers plan B and plan C are if they strike out on Kawhi, KD, Klay, Kyrie and can’t trade for AD? Do they max out for Kemba or Butler or do they roll with 1 yr deals again to save money for AD in 2020?
There isn't a clear answer, unfortunately. Allow me to explain. Magic had a 2 summer plan originally. He was betting on getting one big FA or Davis. The odds at the time were decent. Dennis was being vocal about LA, Kevin and LeBron met several months ago in LA to discuss media ventures, and Kyrie was always generally intrigued. On top of that, Rich Paul told him Davis was going to request a trade and come too. There was no backup, as Magic knew he'd likely be let go if he didn't deliver. Now, there is a lot of murkiness in the Lakers FO, as there is a decent power vacuum and Kurt is striving to fill it. If he's successful, he'll have a big say in what the backup plan is. Otherwise, I'm not sure who will step up. At this point it'll likely rest on Pelinka. It's doubtful anyone outside the Laker circle will have a major say.
Magic expected that Jeanie would fire him just over 2 years after she made him PBO if a second A level star did not sign this summer?
