Official: Unsubstantiated Trade Suggestions, Speculation, And Rumors

The pick they received is supposed to in the 20's, and I'd be fine with it.

 

Yeah, just read that news about Ezeli myself. So a Lou for Ezeli trade is certainly a no-go for Portland given it costs them $.

The way I read that is they are willing to include a pick alongside Ezeli in order to salary dump him. That's why teams under the salary floor who can outright absorb his contract are mentioned. I can certainly see Philly and Brooklyn being interested in such a move.

 

Unfortunately Calderon doesn't really help either. Portland doesn't just want to dump the 1 million guaranteed to Ezeli next season but the remainder of his contract this season. Portland has the 2nd highest payroll behind Cleveland at 120 million. With the luxury tax at 113.3 million, removing the 7.4 million contract off the books in terms of luxury tax calculations is significant. One way for the Lakers to stay in the mix is to involve one of the teams with cap space to absorb Ezeli right now. The Sixers, Nets and Nuggets were mentioned but then there is also Utah, Minnesota, Phoenix and Indiana.

I'm looking at Utah. They are 4th in West but there is a sufficient gap between them GSW, San Antonio and Houston. They are in that next tier with the Clippers, Grizzlies and Thunder. With only a 0.5 game edge over the Clippers for 4th, they could look to get some help at the deadline and be more stout come playoff time. One need they could look at is bench scoring. Their top 5 scorers are all starters - with only two above 14ppg - and no full time reserve is averaging even 9ppg. So Lou could go there and be a nice boost to a Utah team that ranks 3rd lowest in points.

So I'm thinking 3 way trade:

Jazz get: Lou Williams. See above as to why.

Blazers get: 2023 2nd round pick via Lakers (Top 55 protected). In other words, Blazers likely don't get anything in the deal because the value to them is dumping Ezeli for the financial savings. Unless in 2023 the Lakers are a Top 5 team, which in that case I don't think the Lakers care to lose this pick.

Lakers get: Festus Ezeli, 2017 1st round pick via Portland and 2018 1st round pick via Utah (less favorable between Utah and OKC). Yes, two 1st round picks. Portland seems willing to give up a 1st to unload Ezeli and doesn't make sense for that pick to go to Utah since the Lakers are taking on the contract of an injured Ezeli. Then Utah is getting Lou Williams, so makes sense they should give up something of value themselves. They don't owe any picks yet have 5 owed to them between now and 2022. They can easily afford to part with a mid-late 1st rounder in 2018 for Lou Williams. Hence forth, two 1st round picks to LA!

 

I like it!

 

The Jazz aren't giving up two 1sts for Lou. One is coming from Portland, per the whole salary dump thing. The Jazz are giving up one 2018 1st rounder, in which they have 2 and are giving up the lesser one. That's an incredibly cheap price to pay for Lou Williams, who can be a huge boost to them this season (and next given he is under contract).

Also it cracks me up that I take the time to write up a long trade idea and I get 1 like whereas a short rebuttal saying "Nah, I don't think it'll work" gets 3 likes. Kind of makes me less inclined to post things like that. This place is like Instagram in how it does a number on your confidence LOL

 

Cue my making spending money on obvious non contenders and giving up draft picks...thing.

 

After the Grammys tonight all the musically inclined LakersBall posters will trickle in and "Like" your trade like me.

 

TLDR

 

That's actually pretty terse for a typical EE post

But it's usually worth the read.

 

I'm just giving him a hard time. I don't think this thread gets a lot of traffic, but maybe if this becomes a real possibility it will. I personally can't seem to find the energy to invest in "what if" scenarios much if at all.

Contending sure changes everything doesn't it....

 

I question your fanhood! glove slap

 

If the maker of Laker gifs can be questioned, no fan is safe!

 

NO! There will be no laughing or merriment of any sort until one of our team's breaks .500. It is decided.

 

I'm just naturally verbose. It's why my username itself is repetitive

I have abundant energy when it comes to "what if" scenarios because often it is more exciting than the "what is" scenario.

 

Lou/chi 2nd for Ubre

Wash strengthen bench for playoffs, we take flyer on a young, rangey, athletic wing (looks likes a potential ariza/bazemore type)


Then
Young for Morrow/okc future 1st

Okc needs wing shooting and here they get one. We get next available okc 1st