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- Posted on: Tue, 07/10/2018 - 8:37am #68884
Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipantI know the prevailing line of thought is that anytime you have the best player in the world on your roster, you have to do whatever you can to maximize your chances to win. The lakers as currently constructed are probably not built to seriously contend this season. However, that could change with the addition of Leonard. He clearly wants to be in LA right now and the lakers have the assets to make a deal for him. However, I don’t believe that would be the smart move.
By signing a 4 year deal lebron has signaled that he believes in the young players on the team and is willing to take a patient approach. You could argue that might not be the wisest approach given that he will turn 34 this season but that’s besides the point. The price for Leonard at this point would likely include at least 2 of Ingram/kuzma/ball and 2 future firsts. That’s way too much to give up for a player who may or may not be completely healthy. You have to think about the long-term health of your franchise first and your ability to stay relevant even after lebron declines or retires. I think the smart move would be to wait out San Antonio until the price drops or just to sign kawhi outright next summer. If it means they miss out on him, so be it, but at least you still have all your assets and cap space next summer and are in a good position going forward. I know it could be a risk considering lebrons age, and the fact you want to maximize his time on the roster in his prime, but imo going all in for kawhi now would be an even greater risk.
So what are your thought Lakers fans?
0 - Posted on: Tue, 07/10/2018 - 9:35am #1121994
Memphis MadnessParticipantNot a Lakers fan, although I have been watching them since the early Nineties and were my first "home" team.
I would wait until next year for AD/Giannis/Klay/Dray or whenever those guys come up for free agency.
Even with Kawhi, there top guys would basically be all small forwards although they would have to move either Ingram or Kuzma (or both).
Kawhi is banged up though, and that might be a degenerative, lingering injury.
I would go with LeBron/Ball/Ingram/Kuzma/Hart/Javale/Rondo and see what happens. I can see Mo Wagner being a quality piece for them right away, too.
0 - Posted on: Tue, 07/10/2018 - 10:06am #1121999
CoachWyersParticipantI am a Lakers fan and if I am the FO I hold firm that I will not include Brandon Ingram or Lonzo Ball in any offer. If Lakers could get Kawhi for Kyle Kuzma, Josh Hart, Luol Deng, 1st round pick I would do that. Although I rather have Kuzma he could be replaced with Carmelo on the cheap, Hart is a nice young 3 and D guy but with Lance Stephenson added he wouldn’t be missed if you can add a player like Kawhi, and you get rid of Deng’s contract. With the added cap space look to make an offer to Clint Capela for $21mil per slightly below the $25mil he is looking for and much higher than the $15mil Rockets are offering. Would Rockets offer probably, but he would be the perfect C for the Lakers.
0 - Posted on: Tue, 07/10/2018 - 11:17am #1122005
nateoak10ParticipantI don’t think they should keep any name off the table, a chance to get a real super star is rare and you don’t know if your guys will ever even being nearly as good as Kawhi. That being said, there’s gotta be a limit on what you give up. Two first rounders, Hart and one of the three other young guy to me is the most I’d give up. And I would pursue that today because we saw what could happen if you don’t with PG. If Philly grabs Kawhi there is a chance he stays because of how good of a situation that really would be for him as a star on maybe the best team in the East. It’s also risky to delay your process another year when Lebron is gonna be 34 going on 35 next season.
0 - Posted on: Tue, 07/10/2018 - 12:44pm #1122017
The GoatParticipantIf Kawhi can be got, go get him now while you can. Very real chance he is a Clipper, Sixer or re-signs as a Spur by this time next year.
When its time to eat, you dont hold on to seeds instead of trading them for fresh fruit. Lebron is on board – its time to eat. Give up Ingram and whoever else and go get Kawhi. May as well also throw the building at Capela.
0- Posted on: Tue, 07/10/2018 - 4:09pm #1122040
Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipantBut what if kawhi is not completely healthy and doesn’t get back to the same level? What if his injury continues to nag him and slow him down? And would a top heavy team with lebron, kawhi and whatever is left over after the trade be enough to take down the warriors? I don’t think so.
Worst of all, what if you trade Ingram and he develops into a superstar player on kawhis level in his own right. Than you’ve basically sacrificed your whole future for a few years when you might not be able to beat the warriors anyway. It’s just too risky imo.
If lebron had only signed a one or 2 year deal than I’d probably look at this situation differently but since you know he will be there at least 3 years you have to take the patient approach. They could still get Leonard (or a similar player) in free agency next summer, plus pair him with lebron and a more developed Ingram, kuzma and ball. That could be a perennial contender that would be built to last for years, even after lebron declines or retires.
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- Posted on: Tue, 07/10/2018 - 3:47pm #1122036
Ahkasi ClayParticipantYou need to go now, or risk another PG Situation.
0 - Posted on: Tue, 07/10/2018 - 7:10pm #1122054
stifler101ParticipantLakers fan…don’t sell the farm this early! We’ve got LeBron and some vets & young players he’s excited to play with. Zo, BI, Kuz, Hart & even Wagner & Mykhailiuk all show some promise and I’m not willing to give up three of those guys plus 2 first rounders plus 2 more pick swaps (which is what the Spurs are reportedly asking for) to get a year of Kawhi. Hopefully he’s there as an UFA next year, but even if he pulls a PG-13 on us I’ve got to believe in the program the Lakers have going now to identify young talent, develop that talent, and nurture some blossoming stars from that young core. The future is bright; no need to overreact. Go Lakers!
0 - Posted on: Tue, 07/10/2018 - 8:17pm #1122059
BeastMode716Participantplus the Draft picks they want – Kawhi Leonard just turned 27! U have 2 of the top 5 players in the Entire NBA
And Kawhi will succeed Lebron as your franchise player in 3 or 4 years! Ingram, Kuzma, Ball – these are nice players but None will get many shots or have the ball in their hands that often anyway if Kawhi comes in Free Agency
U can Not pay them all – so what’s the point? Lebron likes playing w/ Vets.
We gotta put this in perspective – Kawhi would be the BEST player Lebron EVER played with – they would just need that Stretch 5/C player Lebron luvs to shoot 3’s from the corner & fill out the rest of the Roster but that is a team that could compete w/ the Warriors b/c Kawhi could Def Durant
And the Lakers would have TWO players the Warriors really can not match up w/ defensively
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