Optimism Discussion: The Laker's Sky Is Not Falling

Sarcasm …. LeBron’s really NOT his favorite player.

 

:Vogelshocked:

“The disrespect“

— JH (Probably)

 

…I have waited so long for the day when the Westbrook thread would be moved to NBA discussion and it is finally here. Nothing can ruin this afternoon at this point.

 

Piss off, Russ.

 

We needed 3pt shooting, a true starting PG & size+youth+flexible contracts.. We improved in all these categories. IMO

 

I can finally watch (and hopefully enjoy) games now with Russ gone!

 

We got three starters for Westbrick and the pick sent isn't unprotected

straight robbery

 

I think the Lakers got a better return for Westbrook than the Nets got for Kevin freaking Durant

Dlo is corny to me, but he's an actual NBA starter who flirts with being an All-Star. And I'd rather have Vanderbilt and Beasley than Bridges and Johnson. The NBA is crazy.

Westbrook is the most erratic player I've ever watched. He is entrusted with responsibility and tons of usage and It's madness.

Getting 2 legit rotation players and Dlo on top of ridding Westbrook is a huge upgrade for this team. Can't wait to see them take the floor!

 

I’ll miss you bro



can we get the real dirt on Lebron now?

 

Wtf? Nets got FRPs and 2 legit starters that are better than all players we received. How on earth we got a better return?

Anyway, it's amazing we moved on from Russ. And actually got 3 decent players, who makes us better than we were.

We don't have a team to compete for the title but we got better and start a new chapter where we can build for the future.
Let's do it

 

One of the big wins from the trade is it gives us stuff next season. Keeps us out of free agency (no Dray overpay...yay!) and we don't have to go minimum shopping for a whole new roster... again.

Here's a little blurb from Pincus about that

 

A nice trade overall. Let's see how the pieces fit. Approvement in D and 3pt shooting for sure.

 

purp's obviously overstating, but i'm not sure bridges and johnson are better than russell. depends on team need. the talent haul is underwhelming for bkn, particularly when they owe their own draft picks going forward due to the harden deal. i actually figured they'd try to get more talent and fewer picks. but phx didn't have that to offer, really. and i bet bkn didn't want ayton because he's overpaid for his actual on-court value.

anyway, we got three rotation players--all of whom are young--for russ. and the pick is top-4 protected and turns into a second. that's pretty amazing.

i think it's too late to do much this year, but we're a much better position for next year right now.

 

yeah, we suddenly have options everywhere, too. it's worth noting that we actually didn't really take on any salary in any of the trades. it's clear that we're planning to operate over the cap (yay!), but if things went horribly, we don't have to be stuck in tax hell.

my guess is we retain everyone we've picked up, though.

 

Suns are clearly in win now mode and if healthy, are a scary team. In terms of the type of player you want to have guard KD - Vanderbilt fits that mold perfectly. Not saying he's a "KD stopper," but that's the exact type of player you'd want to have to at least try and slow him down.

I'm all in on including that '29 1st for Bojan if the Pistons are open to it. A lot of new pieces so maybe we still miss the play-in, but add Bojan to what we got yesterday and if we find a way into the playoffs, this team has a puncher's chance.

 

Here's what I'll say about the Suns in a matchup against us: they gave up Bridges and Crowder. Who's guarding Bron? KD in the 4th, but their perimeter D is a lot worse now. Also, if AD is healthy, he's a Suns killer.

We can throw Vanderbilt, Rui, Bron, and AD at KD.

We have to put up a lot of points to stay with them, but they can't guard us.