[highflyer0Participant]

This is a very interesting time to be a Lakers fan.  On the one hand, we have the best player in the world and will probably be making the playoffs for the first time in 5 years.  On the other hand, LeBron is 34 years old and we are pretty far off from challenging the Warriors at this point.  

They have have this big plan for next year’s free agency, but I think there’s a fair chance they strike out.  I doubt Kawhi wants to play with Lebron.  Klay is likely to stay with GS in my estimation (for whatever that’s worth).  Durant is a wildcard, but I’d very surprised if he came to LA.  The team as currently constructed is not good enough.  They win a couple and then lose to a bad team.  Their defense is inconsistent and their outside shooting is horrid.  But there are flashes of how great they could be if they just added one more bigtime scorer.  

It’d be hard to see them punt this year and wait for free agency, because, even though LeBron is a superhero, you never know when he’s going to start slowing down.  He seems to still (somehow) be in his prime, and that makes it very tempting to go for it all ASAP.  The kids aren’t ready yet.  Guys like Ingram and Ball have a ton of pressure on them right now, and it’s mostly unfair.  And that’s where it gets really complicated. 

Right now, neither Ingram nor Ball are stars.  But, for those of you who may not watch many Laker games,  there are moments when they really do look like they are headed in that direction, especially Ball.  I know Instagram highlights and internet memes make him out to be a joke, but I don’t think most people realize how close Ball really is to being a GREAT player.  And by close, I don’t mean in terms of time, but in terms of skillset.  He may never develop his scoring, not even in ten years.  But average scoring ability is literally all he needs in order to become a Jason Kidd type of impact player.  When he is on his game (which, admittedly, is not very often), he is the best or second best player on the court for stretches.  If you happen to catch one of his good games you’ll see what I mean.  It’s important to remember that he was injured all offseason and was not able to work on his game.  We may see a very different player next year.  Ingram, to a lesser extent, has also shown some flashes of greatness.  Last year, as a 20 year old, he went toe to toe with KD and scored 30+ points in a close loss.  

But, then again, Ball may never shoot above 32% from three or develop even average finishing ability at the rim.  Ingram may never become a knockdown shooter from 3 or midrange and always be a high usage, ineffecient player that plays okay defense.  I honestly am not sure what LA should do.  Would you wait it out and see what happens in free agency?  Or would you make a trade for a guy like Beal and go for it this year?  It’d be a shame to waste LeBron’s time here, but I’m nervous about giving up on Ball and/or Ingram so early.  Yet, I’m also nervous about holding onto them.  If it were me, I think I’d offer BI for Beal and see if the Wizards bite.  There’s the risk that Ingram could develop into a star, but Beal fits perfectly with LeBron and Lonzo.  It seems doubtful that BI has enough value to get that deal done though, especially since it seems as though the Wizards are gunning for the playoffs after the Ariza trade.  What about Kemba? Any other ideas?  I’m curious to hear everyone’s thoughts.  

[cohenbc1Participant]

 If you could trade Ball and Ingram for AD, then yes, that’s a no-brainer. But Beal isn’t that much better than Ingram, and Ingram is still growing by leaps and bounds. 

Unless you can trade them for a true superstar, hold on to them and see how good they are by the end of this year. Also, in case you hadn’t noticed, the Warriors have lost a bit of their edge. They will probably turn it on later in the season, but if someone were to knock them off in the playoffs, the Lakers have as good a chance to reach the finals as anyone.

 

[MopgrassParticipant]

Per 36 minutes…

 Ingram without LeBron: 28pts, 54% FG, 75% 3PT, 5 AST

Ingram with LeBron: 15pts, 44% FG, 19% 3PT, 2 AST. 

Ingram is excellent. He should either be the 6th man or be given more time to adjust on how to work with LeBron. It took Kevin Love 3 years. Ingram hasn’t even played 3 years in the NBA. The idea that they should trade him is ludicrous. Who is driving this? 

 

 

 

 

  

[highflyer0Participant]

There have been a lot of rumors about him being dangled in trades.  He is a tough fit with LeBron because he takes a lot of dribbles before he makes his move, unlike a guy like Love or Bosh etc.  He definitely plays much better when LeBron isn’t in there with him.  

[Andv1 WaitingParticipant]

 You have already answered it: 

Lebron will never fully allow Ingram to be Ingram(not intentionally) as you have highlighted with stats…

I agree Ingram is a very very good player does tend to iso a little to much for my liking and may never be an amazing catch and shoot player..But for him to be the best he can be it will probably take a trade to a team that allows him to be him, as I don’t know if his ego will handle being made 6th man as I think he has said in an interview(something along the lines of I ain’t coming off the bench) he isn’t overally keen on that role just now..

No-one is driving it but most media places have said Lakers want to possibly pair one of Dame,Wall,Beal and A.D with Lebron..This leads to mentioning of what will it take to get these players- A package of some of these players Ball,Ingram,Kuzma and Hart + probably picks…

 

[MopgrassParticipant]

I feel like Beal is the only one James would truly be okay with. He’d be excited AD was joining, but he’d be so upset when he saw his own opportunities disappear. This is an alpha problem. Dude is an amazing player. Doesn’t know how to manage his ego even if it’s good for him.  

[halfdecayedParticipant]

 Right now I really like how Kuzma fits with Bron, I think he could be the 3rd star on a championship team in the near future.. Do I trade BI for Beal ? Of course I do, but would the Wiz accept it ? doubt it. No I’d go all out on AD but what would it take ? Im keeping Kuzma honestly. You can get Hart, BI, picks, but do you also have to give Lonzo up in that deal? Tough decisions coming for the Lakers, because it looks more and more like they might strike out in FA..

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

First off, a straight up Ingram for Beal swap wouldn’t work under the salary cap since Ingram is still on his rookie deal. Therefore, there would have to be several other players involved to make salaries match. Also, moving Ingram in a Beal trade would make it much more difficult to put together a competitive package for Anthony Davis (who is the lakers primary target at this point.) The lakers need to keep as many of their assets as possible in the case davis demands a trade, especially considering the offer a team like the celtics would likely be able to conjure up. Is getting Beal now worth possibly losing out on the chance to get Anthony Davis in the future? I definitely don’t think so. He at best puts them in better position to probably get to the second round of the playoffs this season. They would still be stratosphere’s from being able to seriously challenge the warriors.

I still say the best approach is to be patient, let the young players continue to develop, and wait and see what the trade or free agent market is like this summer. Unless a deal comes along for a bonafide superstar who puts them firmly in championship contention, I’m not moving any of the young core players. You have to remember that no matter what happens this season, you still have at least 2 more guaranteed years of lebron. 

 

 

[juves4783Participant]

i agree with everything above.  the lakers built this team on one-year contracts with hopes that rondo can mentor ball and i think to see how ingram fits with lebron before potentially moving him.  any trade with ingram would likely require moving a big, expiring contract so unless it’s for a big name, i don’t see the lakers making that move to keep cap flexiblity in 2019.

one trade that i thought made sense was ingram to sac for a deal involving hield.  both are on rookie contracts and hield is a much better fit with lebron.  the lakers could probably throw in a beasley or stephenson contract and get another player on a rookie like justin jackson, skal or harry giles.  would guess the lakers would probably need to get some picks to balance the trade since ingram >>> hield overall.  maybe move kcp and bring in a vet like z-bo (who is also on a one-year contract and can provide some low post punch).

don’t really like throwing out trade ideas but since this post was about trade ideas….why not.

 

 

 

  

[halfdecayedParticipant]

 Yeah this is gonna be a no for me dawg. 

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