Official 2016 Free Agency Thread

Meh. LeBron and KD aren't going to team up with just Butler and the kids. They'll want more proven talent. If you can get KD and LeBron to team up...you're talking about being in the NBA finals every year for 5-7 years potentially. You want to ensure they have the best supporting cast they can possibly have....and I think KD and LeBron aren't going to want Randle and Russell on the squad if we can fetch a guy like Demarcus Cousins, a dominant big and top 10 player, for that package.

I agree with you though....I HOPE the front office doesn't actually do this. We have to build the right way this time and be patient. This self imposed deadline though can really screw things up....

 

Like most, the playoffs have made me really sour on DD. Out of the top tier FAs, I'd say we have the best odds of landing him though. I don't dislike or hate that idea of getting him, but he's not a leader of a team. I'm not sure he'd be the #1 guy on our team if he was the only FA we landed. He is a name and the most attractive FA wing to the fan base, excluding Durant.

Personally I'd much rather have Batum. I think he's the ideal glue guy. But he doesn't have the ties to LA that DD has and we have no advantage over the other teams fighting for him. And on LA's side of things, he's not as "sexy" or "flashy" of an addition as a DD.

I think our realistic best case scenario is Whiteside, DD, and a couple vets to round out the bench.

 

I'd be OK with that summer. DDR is not playing well in the playoffs, but that doesn't mean he isn't a good player. He'll be a nice piece for us to attract other FA's in the future. Same with Whiteside. And our young core can maybe develop and play better with Whiteside and DDR in the starting lineup instead of Hibbert and Kobe (jesus...talk about MAJOR upgrades)

 

Sounds like Demar Derozan responded to his critics today. 34 points on 22 field goal attempts. His team is in a position to win the series.

 

It'll go 7. DD's team still sucks. However, if he chooses to stay, he must love that city; that team is destined for mediocrity for a long time given their salary cap situation if they pay him and stand pat.

 

yeah, i think i suggested a couple pages ago that he'll re-up there for the max and be traded/demand a trade within 18 months.

 

If I'm the Lakers I definitely go after DDR as he's had a subpar playoffs and there's a small chance the Raptors are eliminated in the playoffs earlier than expected.

 

We desperately need a wing but if we keep the pick and get Ingram/Simmons, I wouldn't mind going after a quality vet like Deng for cheap.

 

55% chance of keeping the pick and 39% chance of getting one of Simmons/Ingram not too bad odds if Jerry's luck is still with us. Getting one of those 2 changes things a little for the FO. They know fans are going have a renewed patience somewhat. We're going to look even more like a project to star FAs as we can't neglect our youth. The long-term plans are going to be all about them unless there is clear evidence of a few star FA's making a move to come over here in which case I think they would break up the youth and use them, or a few of them, as assets to trade for vets to quickly put a champ team together. Problem with that is Randle and Russell really haven't started to show their potential values at all yet. They need another season under a different coach to start building that up.

 

I disagree. Randle averaged a double double as a rookie. Russell had a stretch where he was averaging 20, 5, and 5 in March. He was playing like a superstar point guard in that stretch. Both guys made plenty of progress as the season went on despite Byron. Are they ready to lead a team? No, but I'm sure free agents can see these guys both have that kind of talent and they both had flashes and some great stretches of showing that. They just need the right coach and veteran leaders around them.

 

What I said again was they "really haven't started to show their potential values at all" meaning a GM is not going to value them in a trade like he would in a few years time. It's easy for a GM to now say "yes they've shown flashes but..." where as in a few years both will likely have proven themselves much more. As for FA's any wanting to win a championship right away aren't gonna count on our youth to help anytime soon. Not Randel and Russel for a few more years imo.

 

agree with Alcindor, Russell and randle neither have trade value nor FA appeal right now. this is why, imo, FA strategy should focus on a couple other young guys with growth potential (a biyombo type, maybe) and some solid vets (like a deng) to keep the team competitive and focused.

big stars won't want to play here, and I understand why. and the most valuable asset the lakers could have would be the pick, rather than the players. draft picks are like new cars--they lose like, half their value when you drive them off the lot.

 

Byron Scott was a Free Agent repellent. I don't think we're in position to get the KD's of the world, but we are sure in a better position than we have been in years past; and in even better position that now Scott is gone. I'm feeling confident that we'll have a better summer we have had than in years past.

 

Was Wiggins proven at the time of the deal for Kevin Love? No. In most cases that a star is traded it's usually for unproven pieces that could be great. That's the gamble teams have to take when they're dealing their disgruntled star. Most teams aren't gonna wanna trade for a veteran proven star because they're likely in rebuilding mode thus they have to settle for the young players who haven't proven much in part because they haven't gotten the chance. If the Bulls could get someone like Russell and/or Randle for Jimmy Butler when it's clear they aren't going anywhere you telling me they decline that deal? No chance.

 

Stop. You're killing me. Putting Randle as available just like that. Same with Russell just like that. After the flashes and performances already we have seen that say potential greatness? Putting and between them as available ......NOOOO!!!! I'm barely OK with Clarkson if it HAS to be.

 

Wiggins was a #1 with a lot of hype and the T-Wolves had pressure to make a deal. This is not an equal comparison at all. My point (again) is that our 2 young guys could very well pan out to be amazing and consistent players in a few years and consequently be more valuable as assets. Why you are arguing that is beyond me. No where did I say they have no value now. Just imo little value compared to what they could have. Of course a situation could arise now where we get someone good now if a team is pressured to make a deal and their GM believes in one of our kids, there are exceptions to everything.