I always thought LMA was a long shot (regardless of the rumors) The only reasonable motive for him leaving Portland is to win, and win now. The Lakers are a 21-win team = long shot. He's not an ideal fit anyway. DeAndre on the other hand, seems be leaving for the fame and glory. Which alot of young players look for. I think we have a better chance with him.
Should've had Magic in on the recruiting meeting. Could've sold the Lakers probably better than most.
The concern with him for me is his statements about having a bigger role offensively , he has 0 offensive skills, it could end up like dwightmare...pouting for touches.
I don't want Monroe. I'd much rather go after Harris even if he's a RFA. But I understand that the FO thinks they have to go after a big even if it's a lousy fit because they passed on Okafor for Russell. And I can't help but wonder if we had picked up a real center (Okafor) in the draft if that wouldn't have had more sway for LMA. But that's going to be water under the bridge soon I think. I'm definitely questioning the FO though. Have been since the draft.
Monroe is a fine young player, but I am not thrilled about him right now. I don't think he fits well with this team. I mean, someone has to do the dirty work, play some D and intimidate his opponent. Is Monroe that guy?
I'm taking the glass half full approach thinking Russell is going to be the best player from the draft, nervously yes, but I saw a talented PG when I watched him this year.
I'd take a chance on Monroe... then use him as trade bait for when Cousins implodes in Sac midseason.
Monroe is a post presence something we lacked this year. comparable to Pau in terms of scoring and rebounding. Defensively inept but a load scoring wise, most probably better production this year than Okafor if he was drafted by us.
Yeah anyone who isn't a fan of Monroe but like Okafor needs to go watch some Monroe footage. If Okafor is like Monroe his rookie year, that's basically Okafor's ceiling. They're both great post players that aren't that explosive and don't play much defense. If we leave this summer with essentially the best young PG prospect AND a great young C prospect... Isn't that a good thing?
Except that we won't be able to defend at all. We don't need a scorer. If our young guys step up the way we want them to, we'll have plenty of scoring. We don't need a scoring center, except if he can play good D. I don't see the point, honestly.
Harris isn't a world beating defender either, but plenty of people are high on him. The point is to build a young team capable of growing together and that's what we'd be accomplishing with either of those guys.
