This one has gone much too far

HurricaneDij25 · Post #1 » by **HurricaneDij25** » Fri Feb 1, 2019 8:08 am

Seriously, what is so great about L.A. that literally every great player wants to be traded there? Obviously we dealt with this situation first hand with Mr. George, and I'm with Chuck that the NBA needs to take a stand and block any potential Anthony Davis transaction involving the Lakers. It is collusion at this point. Is it just me or am I rambling simply because this was not how I was brought up as a basketball fan??? And hell, I'm only 30...

Watch on YouTube

Post #2 » by **pacers33granger** » Fri Feb 1, 2019 3:18 pm

Yeah it's definitely collusion, but the league has let it go on forever. There's the LA lifestyle and endorsement opportunities, but I'm shocked stars really want to gut a team of talent to play with 34 year old Lebron. It's either caring about things outside of basketball or believing that LA will always find a way to win.

Post #3 » by **boomershadow** » Fri Feb 1, 2019 3:40 pm

The NBA recognizes that there is a lot of money to be made off these deals, and that's the hardest thing of all to say no to.

pizza guy · Post #4 » by **pizza guy** » Fri Feb 1, 2019 7:11 pm

I'm sure the league loves it. They know how much the Lakers mean to the bottom line, so when they're better and competing for titles, it's huge $$$. Same reason the Knicks get all the talk. The NBA wants LA, Boston, NY to all be competitive. A Finals-level team in Indiana, or Portland, or Milwaukee, or even San Antonio isn't worth jack to the league. It's all about rating and revenue.

Wizop · Post #5 » by **Wizop** » Fri Feb 1, 2019 7:52 pm

It's more complicated than that. who is the league after all? a bunch of owners only a few of which are in the biggest markets and those that are have big ticket sales and big local TV deals. none of the other owners think of themselves as having bought the Jersey Generals. do you think it doesn't mean jack to the NFL when Green Bay does well or to the NCAA when a small school in South Bend does well or to the NBA when the best player takes Cleveland to the finals? ratings turn on a lot more than the market size of the cities with good teams.

basketballwacko2 · Post #6 » by **basketballwacko2** » Tue Feb 5, 2019 3:14 am

The NBA is in on it! They want a top franchise in LA face it the NBA is crooked.

Post #7 » by **Scoot McGroot** » Tue Feb 5, 2019 2:49 pm

Meh, if LA has to pay a realistic, historic haul for AD AND has to take on Solo Hill's contract, then I'm ok with it. Lebron's getting much older, and if they do these rumored deals, they'll have no other assets to trade for another future "disgruntled star", and they'll have to use Hart/Wagner as the sole assets to get rid of the guaranteed contracts of Solo Hill/Isaac Bonga. Zubac is up for a pay raise, and don't forget about the Luol Deng dead salary cap space, and they're at a point where they're asking any possible free agent additions to take a pay cut just to fit in. Sure, they might get one to do so, and they might then get "ring chasing vets" to sign there, but they have no depth, no picks, maybe Josh Hart or Ivica Zubac, and Lebron hitting the end of his career while making $40m a year.

pizza guy · Post #8 » by **pizza guy** » Tue Feb 5, 2019 3:37 pm

Scoot McGroot wrote:Meh, if LA has to pay a realistic, historic haul for AD AND has to take on Solo Hill's contract, then I'm ok with it. Lebron's getting much older, and if they do these rumored deals, they'll have no other assets to trade for another future "disgruntled star", and they'll have to use Hart/Wagner as the sole assets to get rid of the guaranteed contracts of Solo Hill/Isaac Bonga. Zubac is up for a pay raise, and don't forget about the Luol Deng dead salary cap space, and they're at a point where they're asking any possible free agent additions to take a pay cut just to fit in. Sure, they might get one to do so, and they might then get "ring chasing vets" to sign there, but they have no depth, no picks, maybe Josh Hart or Ivica Zubac, and Lebron hitting the end of his career while making $40m a year.

I don't know how they're going to make all of that work. The number of players going one direction has to fit into a team's roster and all that. But, yeah, if LA has to give up everything rumored in that "godfather" offer, they really aren't left with much, and they'll have to fight through the Western Conference with very little depth. Plus, AD + Solo doesn't exactly solve their lack of perimeter shooting, so who knows how well it's going to work, at least this year.

I hope Lonzo does end up in PHX as well. He's not a bad fit with Booker, and maybe the media will settle down on their love fest anytime the guy has a 10pt, 10 ast game.

Post #9 » by **Scoot McGroot** » Tue Feb 5, 2019 6:10 pm

pizza guy wrote:
Scoot McGroot wrote:Meh, if LA has to pay a realistic, historic haul for AD AND has to take on Solo Hill's contract, then I'm ok with it. Lebron's getting much older, and if they do these rumored deals, they'll have no other assets to trade for another future "disgruntled star", and they'll have to use Hart/Wagner as the sole assets to get rid of the guaranteed contracts of Solo Hill/Isaac Bonga. Zubac is up for a pay raise, and don't forget about the Luol Deng dead salary cap space, and they're at a point where they're asking any possible free agent additions to take a pay cut just to fit in. Sure, they might get one to do so, and they might then get "ring chasing vets" to sign there, but they have no depth, no picks, maybe Josh Hart or Ivica Zubac, and Lebron hitting the end of his career while making $40m a year.

I don't know how they're going to make all of that work. The number of players going one direction has to fit into a team's roster and all that. But, yeah, if LA has to give up everything rumored in that "godfather" offer, they really aren't left with much, and they'll have to fight through the Western Conference with very little depth. Plus, AD + Solo doesn't exactly solve their lack of perimeter shooting, so who knows how well it's going to work, at least this year.

I hope Lonzo does end up in PHX as well. He's not a bad fit with Booker, and maybe the media will settle down on their love fest anytime the guy has a 10pt, 10 ast game.

In terms of roster spots, it's not as much of an issue since it's a rebuild. But, Clark and Frazier could be sent back to LA without having to match salaries since they're on minimum salary exceptions. So, if they do Ball/Ingram/Kuzma/KCP/Rondo deal, with Ball going to Phoenix for pick (to New Orleans) and filler to LA, then NO could take on Ingram/Kuzma/KCP/Rondo for AD/Solo/Frazier/Clark. I don't see any issue with the inclusion of Frazier/Clark for NO, and they're at least warm veteran bodies for LA to finish out the year.

basketballwacko2 · Post #10 » by **basketballwacko2** » Wed Feb 6, 2019 7:04 am

Scoot McGroot wrote:Meh, if LA has to pay a realistic, historic haul for AD AND has to take on Solo Hill's contract, then I'm ok with it. Lebron's getting much older, and if they do these rumored deals, they'll have no other assets to trade for another future "disgruntled star", and they'll have to use Hart/Wagner as the sole assets to get rid of the guaranteed contracts of Solo Hill/Isaac Bonga. Zubac is up for a pay raise, and don't forget about the Luol Deng dead salary cap space, and they're at a point where they're asking any possible free agent additions to take a pay cut just to fit in. Sure, they might get one to do so, and they might then get "ring chasing vets" to sign there, but they have no depth, no picks, maybe Josh Hart or Ivica Zubac, and Lebron hitting the end of his career while making $40m a year.

As long as LA has to pay up. I agree with Sir Charles that all these guys saying they want to go to LA is getting tedious. If there is tampering which we know happens after the PG situation then the league needs to start slapping the snot out of the offending team or teams. What LA and Magic were allowed to get away with regarding PG was down right criminal. They only got a slap on the wrist. Magic could have and should have been suspended for a year or more, they could have lost a #1 pick or more. Remember what happened to Minn over the Joe Smith incident. That was not tampering but the Wolves paid a very heavy price for breaking the rules.

https://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/01/nba-joe-smith-illegal-contract-timberwolves

Like you said if they have to give up Kuzma, Ball, Ingram and Hart and 2 #1 picks plus KCP or Rondo and take on a overpaid role player like Solo then it's not a case of the big market abusing the smaller market.

In the long run the Lakers to one on the chin where Paul George was concerned. Their attitude of entitlement backfired and PG resigned with OKC. But only because the Pacers FO had the guts to stand up to them. Remember they were trying to dump Mozgov or Deng on us with a late #1 and Randle and Clarkson!! I said at the time I'd bench PG for the season rather than trade him for that.

Post #11 » by **Scoot McGroot** » Wed Feb 6, 2019 12:53 pm

The offer was generally the two late 1sts that became Kuzma and Hart. I remember Randle being held out? Clarkson was for sure in and then our choice of Deng or Mozgov.

It was a bad offer. It was a pitiable offer. But, it also had all of the same processes of Magic that we’re seeing now, down to the “we’re pulling out of negotiations!” Followed by a “we’re waiting for the Pacers to rengage and negotiate in good faith”. Magic has had the same MO so far in his deals.