Official 2016 Free Agency Thread

I don't know we'll see, but there are whispers that Vogel might not return. George obviously likes playing for him and if he was fired I could see PG getting frustrated with that. I don't think anyone really expects him to stay. The team as constructed doesn't have a very high ceiling. They're not really a FA destination unless Turner develops into a star, but he's still 2/3 years away from reaching that imo.

 

My co-worker's husband is good friends with PG. I'll ask her if there's any smoke.

 

That actually wasn't meant to be a personal shot at you or anyone else.

And I want to say I was one of the first guys who mentioned us bringing in Deng and people rejected it, but anyways.

I don't mind bringing in most of the names mentioned, but DeRozan is being heavily underrated on here as of late. And I'll keep saying this, we're going to sign multiple players so most of the debating going on here isn't going to matter in the end in my opinion.

I'll leave it there to keep from going in circles on this one.

 

You make the deal for George with whatever pieces they want and you don't look back.

 

I wouldn't trade our entire core for PG, if we keep our pick and pg is unhappy and wants out then there's no other deal better than Clarkson, + top pick plus 3rd team to get more picks for them, Lou and Nick young trade bait etc.... Imagine

Dlo
PG
Free agent
Randle
Free agent

 

Paul George is a top six/seven player in this league. A franchise player. If we got him you could book mark Westbrook coming here next season. The guy has so much respect around the league after coming back with avengance after that devastating leg injury. It's a no brainer. If it's just Clarkson and the pick the C Bags would probably top that offer.

 

Very rational opinion but I just don't think we have the luxury of picking from a position of power. We don't have much leverage to view it as you do. IMO. I think you have to go for the "sexy" names first in our case. That being said, I'd be happy with most of those guys. Not a fan of batum though.

 

Would you guys trade the 2016 1st rounder, Clarkson & Randle for PG? We'd probably take another player back too.

I don't think Indy's ready to accept a rebuild though.

 

I would trade Russell as well. If that's what it took and I'm as big a fan of the kid as anyone on this board. George is one of only maybe six or seven players I'd trade him for.

 

Ya, Lakers have to do that in a heartbeat. Indy wouldn't do that though.

 

I'm ALL IN for PG13. And yes, THAT is a player you trade the entire core for and our offer beats EVERYONE's offer if that happens. If you can somehow hang onto one of Randle, Clarkson and Russell and still get PG13 while taking back a bad contract like Monta Ellis to help the Pacers truly rebuild....do it. But yes, yes yes on PG13. That's literally a guarantee of KD and Westbrook coming here....i mean the flood gates would open once you got Paul George.

 

Lou+Pick+clarkson+Russell for PG and Monta
Sign Horford or Whiteside and some depth such as Afflalo, Deng, cheap vet point guard,etc as FAs
Sign Durant and Westbrook the following summer.

2018 champs

Westbrook/Monta
George/Afflalo
Durant/Deng
Randle/Nance
Whiteside or Horford/Black

 

Not to mention a star player that is about as close to Kobe Bryant as you can get and happens to be in a commercial SAYING he'll be Kobe Bryant...give me that guy.

Also, not to mention how much respect he has around the league from guys that we're trying to get (KD, Westbrook, Cousins basically all the Team USA guys)....The Lakers WILL be a destination again if they can land PG13. And what a great start it would be to Luke's coaching career to get a team built around PG13 (and possibly pair him with KD and others).

 

That's a lot for one guy, but I wouldn't be opposed.

I want to understand the thought process here - gamble the future for guaranteed success (Paul George) because we don't know if Randle/Russell/Clarkson will actually pan out? Is that the idea?

We know we'll get 5-7 years of PG and thus likely a Westbrook or Whiteside as well. We'll be able to contend.

Would it be different if we had Towns/Wigins instead of D'Angelo and Randle? Towns/Wiggins essentially opens up Minny's window for the next 10-15 years. Does Minny trade for Paul George or do they keep their young core. Which one and why?

 

The Wolves have better players. If we were in the Wolves position, I wouldn't trade Wiggins, Towns, or LeVine. No way. I'd build through free agency.

 

If I was Minnesota I'd trade Wiggins and Lavine, but not Towns because he has a chance to be a great, dominant big man. He's so much further ahead of everyone in the draft. There is still time for guys like Russell and Porzingis to catch up, but they have a long way to go. I think Russ could catch up in 2-3 years, but the Lakers don't wanna wait that long for him to become a franchise player. If they can get one for him now they will. As long as the player is a legit franchise player I'm fine with it.