lol, i think that's supposed to be a feel-good piece but almost feels like a hit piece (ayton sounds like he's having a psychotic break).
That's quite an eye opening article about Deandre. This guy actually burns with passion, it seems, in wanting the NBA to see who he really is competitively speaking and talent wise. Not at all unlike Luka's mission this year. I and others mentioned it multiple times before the season started that virtually the entire squad no BS .... had an important career year coming up for each of them. Including LeBron. But prior to this article I had no inkling that Ayton had THIS much demonstrable energy and passion in the locker room, and with his teammates. And then there is Austin Reaves being the guy who says something to him and teaches him something (simplifying the game for him) .... that in all his time in the NBA, no other coaches or teammates ever had. AR has really stepped up as a leader this year, and embraced JJ telling HIM early on it was HIS team too .... and wanting that leadership from him. Great Stuff!!!
Book It. Or some FO gymnastics to make it happen. The repeater tax, it would seem logical to assume Mark Walter will pay willingly to keep the players on the team that the Lakers already have here and they and JJ want to keep going forward for planned periods of time.
He looks like he's in heaven every time the camera is on him lol. Real worried that he's going to price himself out of the Lakers price range at this rate - he's going to be spoonfed like a baby whose mom wants him to grow up to be a sumo wrestler with the Big 3. Some idiot GM may overpay for him but pair him with guards like George and that fanbase is going to get frustrated with the over-priced not great DeAndre from Portland
Deandre would be a fool to leave this situation after what he has been through and has to know that. And Walter I don’t see as an owner that will let so hard to attain talent leave once it’s here. He’ll find ways and pay the repeater tax strategically.
Lakers don't have bird rights. I think he may go for a promise that the Lakers would keep him whole if stays by overpaying on his second contract
Yeah that’s what I meant with Mark finding ways and just generally keeping talent including with Bird rights we do have, eating the tax.
Totally agree The management will find a way to keep him They can't let a big that is part of this winning chemistry to just walk
