Official 2016 Free Agency Thread

I wonder what Westbrook would cost us? Honestly, it's not really worth it to me when we might be able to sign him outright and all he does is drain some assets to make us a 45 win team...at best...and that's if we hold onto Clarkson (since he is the most ready to contribute next season). Westbrook ain't signing an extension no matter how happy he is with his destination. Just too much to be made based on next year's cap rise. I honestly think we have a shot at him in the offseason. And by that time our young pups may be worth more in trades to build around him, or maybe Westbrook becomes our "Kobe" to put butts in the seat while we continue to nurture our young.

 

It's funny I've heard it both ways. I've heard Durant leaving means Westbrook could hunker down and insist on leading the franchise forward himself. I can see that. I've also read that if he were truly committed to the Thunder he'd have given them that indication and he hasn't yet. In fact with Durant leaving most of the smoke has been around Westbrook looking elsewhere in the summer. In that case, I trade him now for assets I like.

It's an interesting dilemma. If you're another team (besides the Knicks) that you know Westbrook wants to go to, why give up anything? Call the bluff and force him to come to you, right? If you're not the only team though and there's another city on the list that can make the move to get him, you could lose the opportunity forever. It's a really tough call.

Now the problem is... If you're the Lakers can you even trust your instincts that say Westbrook is interested? Unless he calls Mitch himself and says "I want to be a Laker" I can't imagine we can just take anybody else's word on it. Then the second question is: Durant just left this guy because he couldn't play a team oriented game and needed to dominate the ball. We're now adapting the same model that Durant was convinced Westbrook couldn't do. Do you want him now when it's unlikely you can compete with the Warriors for the foreseeable future?

In my opinion: yes I want him here and if I KNOW he wants to be here, I'm not trading for him. The most I'd even consider offering for him is Russell because I don't know that the two can coexist along with Clarkson. My instinct is to wait until the All-Star break and see where we are. If we're competitive, I'm not interested in any trade no matter what. Westbrook will want to join a competitive team. If we're not competitive and we're on his list then I might make the move to get him depending on what it took. It's impossible for me to pass on an MVP candidate if it doesn't cost me too much. I'm sure other teams can make better offers, but they might not if he doesn't sign an extension.

Tough, tough call. I know the vast majority of people here say it's an easy no, but it's not that easy to me. Having Westbrook on your team changes everything and as long as you can retain some of the young group (namely Russell or Ingram) then you can be competitive now as well as later. We understand the risks more than most, but boy... a bird in the hand...

 

I'm with you except I think there's a very good shot Westbrook gets moved. OKC has never shied away from pulling the trigger early and if they feel like Westbrook is gone, they'll move him before they get Duranted again.

I also agree that the price would likely get too high as somebody stupid would throw a stupid offer at him. I'm not interested in a bidding war. My offer ends at Russell/Randle/Lou or something of that nature. That leaves us with Clarkson (probably the best of the youngsters today with a high floor already) and Ingram who is your best shot at a second star I think. It also would leave solid young assets like Nance Jr., Zubac, and to a lesser extent Tarik Black to go with a couple of decent vets and we can finagle some cap room too. The C Bags probably top that offer and I let them do that probably and then take a shot in FA.

All of this kind of leads back into this FA discussion: We've got 20 million left and if I'm the Lakers I try to work a 2/20 million for someone decent but I'm also not against giving another huge contract even if that means we don't have a max slot next year. Screw the max slot. Let's get competitive and then next season we'll dump whatever we have to if we can get someone interested in our team. The best way to get Westbrook's attention is to be competitive. Let's spend all our cash, get competitive, and then take our chances in the summer.

 

I think he wants a 2 year deal (guarantee against injury) with a player out after 1 to cash in on the next wave of money being thrown around.

 

To be honest I'm not sure Wade would even consider us and I'm still 99.8% sure this is all a facade to force Riles to pay up.

The Nuggets are nothing special and they live in Denver of all places, but they won twice as many games as us last season unfortunately. I'm also guessing they're one of a few teams that are still willing to play the "Wade Might Leave" game.

 

It's been reported today he wants a third year, something like 3/60 probably but would settle for 3/50-57 or so if he got it.

 

I agree but that's assuming he'd want to sign here. We haven't gotten meetings with anyone else, I don't know if Wade would even look in our direction.

 

He's gonna sign with Denver so he can be traded to Cleveland in December since they can't afford him. He wants to help LeBron take down the Evil Empire but wants to get paid too.

 

DEN is so guard heavy too. Starting to agree with some that this is just a move for Love near the trade deadline.