If what is being is correct that the Pelicans want Ball/Kuz/Zu/1st rd pick and say we do that deal, without resigning anyone that drops off the books incl. KCP/Rondo/Chandler/McGee/Lance/Beasely this summer to regular FA type deals, then with a roster of LBJ/AD/Hart/Mo/Svi/Bonga and counting Deng's 5 mil that's about 76.5 mil and a cap that is 109 mil leaves us with 32.5 mil to shop with. A report is saying Klay would take less than his max to come here if AD comes. Max for him would be slightly more than that 32.5 figure but probably close enough one would think to get it done. That leaves: 5- Mo 4/5- AD 4/1 - LBJ, Bonga 2/3 - Klay, Hart, Svi 7 players and a lot more to sign with only the room exception (4.7) and vet minimums to use. 3 super stars 1 great role player in a 3rd year Hart and 3 noobs, 2 of which might be useful next year. It's a lot of space to fill with little money. A thought I had was that Boogie may not command a max deal by this summer and may be willing to do a 20-25 mil type 1 year deal in which case we'd have a little space to sign another player. I would rather have Klay than Boogie of course, but it's "maybe" an option and not one that I've read anywhere but playing for the dubs I kind of doubt Boogie is gonna get to display what he would need to in order to get a max deal come summertime, at least from a market he would want to go to and Klay is no guarantee to sign. KD would get several mil more a year on a max deal and he has already said he is all about the money so he can go get old in New York. Yet another option if Klay won't come is to use the space for role players, tier B type sharp-shooters. Putting shooters around LBJ/AD is a good idea. Wouldn't mind Kyrie coming either. He and AD would have the team after LBJ is done and still be in their primes (29-30-ish) and maybe a title or 2 already.
You forgot to include Ingram in your calculations. I think you need to create like 30 million or so of cap space, that way the threat for a free agent to walk into it is there, but then offer them a couple prospects in a sign and trade in order to get the free agent a full max deal.
True I did. BI would have to go in the initial trade as well (maybe we retain Zu, maybe not) and one of KCP or Rondo to make the money work but it changes little, we would still be in that area of 32 mil. If we trade for AD the prospects for doing any S&Ts for another max guy would likely be gone in the AD deal.
One thing which really comes to my mind regarding the A.D situation : Do you think Magic already knows he's going to strike out this summer as he's willing to sell the house for A.D ?
I don’t think so, I just think he’s thinking a bird in the hand is worth more than in a bush, plus AD might be the best possible fit next to LeBron... better than any names available this summer.
I think right now magic is the bidding against himself, the last offer is litle to much even for AD. I have feeling thar he is trying to satisfy lebron first then the lakers. I am not sure that guting team so we could have LJ + AD + maybe borderline all star plus scrubs and g league players real threat to GS in next two years, considering that AD allways is missing some games every year and wouldnt be surprised if lebron starts missing more and more games. And plus it might not look like a big deal now but remember billy king and pho trade, those 4 picks might hunt us later if something goes wrong. Just to make it clear i want to trade for AD but we shouldnt be so desperate and offer everything. I know it want to happen but my dream scenario would be. trade LJ for AD + 10 mill expiring + 1rd pick (which could be top 5), NO would accept anything for 3y of lebron. then trade BI + Hart + pick + fillers for beal sign kawhi for max and roll with starting five of ball,beal,kawhi,kuzma,davis...that team is young and would be favorites for next 5 years...
I mean, if you take everything out of the equation as far as who their agents are, why Lebron came here (set up his post basketball life), and all the other little things, from a basketball perspective, AD straight up for Lebron makes the most sense because it would give us a superstar who is the right age as it pertains to the rest of our team. BUT you can't take all that other stuff out of the equation. Lebron isn't getting moved. Maybe if we were the C Bags since Ainge would trade his own dying child for a mid-first rounder.
I know i am aware that magic probably has selled his soul just to get lebron,and i am sure that he gave him some promises that he doesnt want to break, and with lebron influence on nba and rest of sport world that in the end we would be pictured as the bad guys. I dont blame lebron for taking care of himself,that is perfectly fine,but i have feeling that magic feels like he ownes him something. That is probably the main reason he is going ALL in, i am grateful him for choosing us but right now he didnt do nothing to deserve such a status,he aint magic,kobe or kareem so far he did less then fisher. So i dont want lakers to become his hostages,i want what is best for the lakers i dont care about his next 2 good(probably) years One more time,so you dont think i am against, i am for the trade but without rushing only becouse we feel like we owe something to him.
Can someone please find the quote or video where magic claims we have enough shooting or don't need shooting because we have playmakers. Thanks
I think our band of misfits have done much better shooting than I anticipated and we're still awful from the perimeter. It doesn't help the plan was for Bron to operate more from the post and find the open wing for a 3 or cut to the basket, he has no interest in that. Magic and Kobe both have said he has to do this to prolong his career. Oh well.
so grandpappy west just sold the farm for cap space like his brethren across the hall. will he better capitalize on it? if he does, do we fire everyone?
The post is a lost art. Nobody in the league operates from the post anymore. Embid probably has the best back-to-the-basket game in the league at this point. If Shaq came into the league right now, he'd average 40 points a game.
Embiid doesn't even really play with his back to the basket. He faces up most of the time. IIRC Shaq called him out for this. The problem with the post is that teams can crowd the player mid post up and it usually results in a turnover or bad shot. The key is you need a good passer out of the post which can then generate lots of opportunities along the perimeter, or at the rim if you attack the closeouts properly. Inside/out basketball isn't dead, but players who are a threat to facilitate and score from the post are very rare. Gasol is a dying breed.
