Here is an interesting tidbit. Lebron knows the Cavs are in cap hell and his second best player is a poontang, mentally. Lebron is about the big show. He has to see the core of the Lakers younglings getting to higher talent status. If PG commits, he has to see an opportunity to lead a 3rd team to a title, do it in a Laker uni, against the C Bags in the biggest rivalries in sports, as well has get the guy who ruined his Cleveland retirement party in Kyrie. Lots of story lines there and that's not even counting taking out GSW in the process.
I thought there weren't but a couple teams with much cap room? Guess some new teams are willing to blow players out for him?
I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again, if a another team offers Randle a big offer sheet of $20+ mil per, you say thank you for your time here and good luck to you. We can’t spend 4 years $80 million on a player like Randle. He’s a really, really good player, but he’s not a star, and we need legit stars here. If he gets PAID like that and he takes it, good for him and his family, he’s earned it and he should take it. The absolute most I would be comfortable with matching here is probably 4 years $72 mil, but I feel much better about 4 years $60 mil or so.
Not believing that line until I see it. A "lot of teams" willing to throw big money at Randle? I'm not convinced.
You know I love Randle, but no, we're not going to pay him $80M. I mean, if someone else does, good, I am glad for him, he's a good guy. But we aren't spending that kind of money on him.
Yep! But IF we lock up PG/Bron and IF Jules does sign a hefty offer sheet, I think we should match. Figure out the trade later...like say when AD/Kawhi demands out of Nawlens/SA. After the Dwightmare, I don't want LA to ever have a valuable asset walk with nothing to show for it.
Oh for sure, IF we somehow managed to get agreements from those 2 early on in free agency, then there’s no reason not to retain Randle. You pay whatever tax you have to and are happy to do so because you have a winning team again. Then he’s locked up if he turns into an all-star, and he’s tradable if you want to go in another direction, because he’s still young enough to have upside for other teams. But IF he signs a huge offer sheet before PG and LeBron are figured out, I move on. I honestly think these players are going to figure this stuff out behind the scenes though. These guys can’t easily be texting? PG can’t inform Randle, “hey, don’t sign anything right away, I’m coming to LA”? If LeBron and PG talk and decide to come to the Lakers, if LeBron wants Randle on this roster, all he has to do is tell him to wait, that he’s signing here and to just hold off until it’s done. We have no idea what’s going on behind the scenes, but that sort of thing is easy to imagine, and I’m sure happens plenty. Happened with Wade and Bosh in Miami, happened with KD and the Warriors.
If a team does offer Randle a big offer sheet that actually makes the decision easier for the front office. BOOM see ya! Where I see it being an issue when the offer is borderline... where it is feasible and reasonable to pay Randle but by doing so the FO would hinder the plans of bringing on two max free agents. I love Randle but I think the days of the FO making stupid signings are over... not that I think signing Randle is stupid. Just that signing him for $20+ million is stupid. Rob and Magic have shown a lot of savviness in a short period of time by putting this franchise in a great position to make substantial jumps each year through deft drafting and through cap flexibility for top FA signings.
