[Dog_ShammdogParticipant]

 The Lakers are in an interesting position with cap space to sign at least one max player this offseason and only three players currently on the roster that factor significantly into their future plans. Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle are playing producing and playing at a high level but are undervalued on the trade market due to the Lakers front office telegraphing their availability. They also have some quality veterans that could help a playoff team in Brooke Lopez, KCP and to a lesser extent Corey Brewer. Unfortunately I cant put the $18 million/year Luol Deng on that list of quality vets because I have not seen him play and the last time I did, it was ugly….

Personally, I want to see the lakers unload Randle by the deadline because I can’t see them resigning him this offseason unless they strike out on the stars and he agrees to a 1 year ala KCP’s deal, OR he takes a major paycut. I don’t see either happening. I saw rumors today about the Lakers interest in Marqueese Chriss and I really like the idea. Even if it was a straight up Chriss for Randle trade, I’d take it as opposed to watching randle walk. They wouldn’t have to pay chriss this offseason and would have another young player on their cores ‘timeline’. He’s also a great athlete that can stretch the floor from three and block shots (when he’s engaged and knows what he’s doing.

I wouldn’t have as much of a sense of urgency to move Clarkson if I were the Lakers front office because he’s on a reasonable deal already and won’t hurt their chances in free agency. But if LA can get expiring contracts, draft picks and/or young players that may have some untapped potential in return, I’d absolutely approve.  Mario Hezonja is pretty high on my wishlist personally. 

So, what does the forum think the Lakers should do going forward? What do you think is actually going to happen? Any specific players you think LA should target in trade or free agency?

 

[dmo21Participant]

 Would the Lakers take Dudley and Chriss for Clarkson and Randle? They get a young guy with potential that’s still on his rookie deal and a guy on a cheaper and shorter contract than Clarkson. Phoenix gets the two best players of the deal, so I’d just assume they’d say yes (even though Randle will be a free agent).

[CoachWyersParticipant]

They would never take Dudley’s contract.  They could also probably get Chriss and a draft pick for Randle.

[dmo21Participant]

If we’re looking at contracts in reference to saving money and clearing cap space for 2019 free agency (their new goal), then Dudleys contract is better than Clarksons. Less money. Less years. We’ve also seen that the Lakers will trade better players to clear up money.

I would agree that the Suns might have to throw an additional pick to make this trade work. But Randle and Clarkson have low market values because the Lakers have been trying to trade them all year. Plus, Randle is a free agent so their is some risk there that he doesn’t end up signing with Phoenix in the off season. 

[zcnumerounoParticipant]

 I just think the Lakers need to accept the fact that they are no longer a marquee free agent destination. The sooner they accept that, the sooner they can rebuild and build a contender.

How many times over recent years have they struck out trying to sign stars in free agency (I mean, now they say they’re focused on the 2019 free agent class!)? I think they just need to bite the bullet and build like other teams. Like the OP said, maybe try to buy-low on young underacheiving talent, such as: Chriss, Stanley Johnson, Hezonja, etc.

I would say that PG-13 is the most likely star to head over there, but that’s looking less and less likely as the Thunder look legit and PG has said he likes it there.

2019 may prove me dead wrong, but I believe the Lakers need to reevaluate how they’re trying to build this team.

 

 

 

[Dog_ShammdogParticipant]

I agree that LA isn’t a marquee destination but mainly bc I don’t believe that "marquee destinations" are much of a thing anymore without a talented team already in place.  The super team era did away with that. Buying low on young talent is exactly what I’ve been wanting LA to do and you put it better than me. The last few seasojs I’ve wanted free agent’s like Tyler Johnson and Tobias Harris to be prioritized and for LA to value their picks more. For the same amount of cash they spent on Mozgov and Deng they could’ve had Harris, Johnson and taken a flyer on another young player, but their "win now" delusions set them back years imo. 

If LA can make it to the playoffs next season with their young core leading the way, I do think they’ll land marquee free agents and officially "be on the map" when it comes to relevant teams in the NBA. I’m not sold on PG-13 staying in OKC though, I won’t be surprised if he winds up in LA after this season if OKC doesn’t have a decent showing in the playoffs and maybe even if they do. 

Overall, LA absolutely needs to reevaluate their methods of operation and start playing their cards closer to their chest, and not just bc of the tampering fines. Randle and Clarkson both lost significant value when LA telegraphed it so badly that they were on the trading block.

 

[r377Participant]

 

Probably one of the worst run teams in the league.  The Deng and Mostov contracts were really bad (especially since the Lakers were not competing)

 

 

 

You trade Russell (who could be one of the best players from his class) for a 30yo Broken Lopez on a $20mill contract.  Zubac can play, but doesn’t get any minutes.

 

 

 

I still think D angelo Russell will be better than Lonzo Ball.

 

 

 

I think they just gotta keep their contracts/salaries low and rebuild through the draft.  Get a few cheap, good locker room vets to help groom them.

 

 

 

No All-star caliber player will want to come to the lakers – there about another 20+ teams with more chance of winning a championship….

 

 

 

They need to get rid of Magic Johnson

 

[Dog_ShammdogParticipant]

 I was so sad when Russell got traded, especially knowing that the Mozgov debacle was the only reason Russell had to eventually be moved.  I’m not willing to say that Russell will be better than Lonzo but I do think that Russell’s going to be very good and for a long time. Especially as a scorer. Getting Kuzma out of the deal softens the blow a bit but who’s to say he wouldn’t have still been available at 30 overall? 

The Lakers are under new management now but I haven’t been overly impressed thus far.  Telegraphing Randle and Clarkson being on the trade block and tanking their value was an awful way to start. I’m not getting my hopes up about this offseason and apparently neither is the front office, but I do think the Lakers will make a splash by 2019 free agency if their young core continues it’s development.

 

 

[HobbyOGParticipant]

 We traded Russell and got the Nets pick and drafted Kuzma. Russell and Ball have both been injured this year so it’s to early to say if it was a bad choice. But Kuz has paid off for us so far. 

[r377Participant]

 bump for D angelo Russell being better than Lonzo Ball.

Another big game for Russell blowing out the Celtics.  33points for Russell today and Nets in playoff spot

 

[MopgrassParticipant]

 Since LaVar said Walton had lost his team, the Lakers are the most winning team in the league (since the beginning of January). I like the coach. They won’t keep it up or make playoffs or anything, but they are playing great for being the team giving out the most rookie minutes. Keep the coach. 

Magic tried to hype up the fan base. He made exact promises. Everyone knew his playbook. That’s fine for baseball with 28 players on each team and less restrictive trade rules. When you want to trade someone, everyone knows what your options are and everyone talks. The least you could do is hide your strategy. I’m glad they’re rethinking their strategy. 

I like the idea of rebuilding. Hezonja should be the top target. He’s exactly what they need. Shooting. Chriss… if he shoots a better % from 3. For their model, they only want athletic guys who can hit 3’s. That’s why Zubac hasn’t gotten playing time. He totally doesn’t fit their model. It’s a shame because he’s really promising on offense. 

 

 

[Ahkasi ClayParticipant]

 Lakers winning coincides with Ball being out of the line-up.

[OhCanada-Participant]

 The whole things messed up. Everyone thinks they are superstars on that team too much limelight. They’ve got Kyle Kuzma driving around in a 70’s Deville in his practice uniform, theyve got Ball making albums and marketing triple B’s and Jordan Clarkson really thinks he is humanities last hope the guy has the biggest ego I’ve ever seen. These things arent normal though this doesnt happen with Denver’s players or Memphis. For some reason the lights shining on the Lakers makes everyone think they are Lebron James and this is why they will scratch the rebuild as soon as they can and trade for established players if they can get a Paul George or Lebron James in free agency (which is easier said than done).

[Ahkasi ClayParticipant]

 Teams only offering 2nd round picks for Randle. (?)   (Yeah he has hit his ceiling but he can be a decent role player on a good team.  I think he is worth at least a late first rounder)

[HitsterParticipant]

Teams know Randle might be available in the summer so why give up assets to get him now. It may be a lottery team with cap space who sign him and Lakers don’t match.

Deng and Mosgov on 4 year deals was just stupid, two years or even 3 with last year being a team option would have made much more sense.

Lakers have under $50 million in cap for next year so will have around that amount or a bit over to spend on FAs if they don’t resign Randle. They could waive and stretch Deng’s contract over 5 seasons giving them around $11 million extra in cap space this summer. That would mean $61 million approx. in cap space.

They are unlikely to land LBJ but could have a realistic chance to get at least one of both of DMC and PG13.

[mgreener_34Participant]

 I think people are being too pessimistic towards the Lakers, and are taking the media too mch into account. I actually like what the Lakers are doing. Magic is a PR nightmare so far, but the team is in an okay position considering what he walked into. This year was a year of developement and seeing who stays and who goes. Lakers only have 34 mil committed next year, and half of that goes to Luol Deng. Shedding Clarkson and Moz was huge for this team. 

They have played all the young guys, and have seen a bunch. The 2017 draft did them a solid as all of Lonzo, Kuzma, and Hart have all played great. I think Ingram has proven the doubters wrong over the last ten games for the Lakers, and has excelled as a point foward since Lonzo went down. Likewise, I think Julius Randle might be someone worth paying if you strike out in FA. Ball, Ingram, Hart, and Kuzma are all locked up cheap for years. Getting a good young PF/C who grabs boards is something most teams don’t let go so easily. IF they do retain Randle, I don’t see what’s so different about a core of: Randle-Kuzma-Ingram-Hart-Ball compared to what the Magic, Suns, Kings, and pretty much any other team that blew it up around the same time the Lakers did. 

Be patient. The Lakers are in a fantastic spot, and have some awesome young players, and the ability to sign free agents. That is how you rebuild a true contender, and is the same approach that Ainge is doing with the Celtics.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Author]

Posts