Game 25: Los Angeles Lakers (9-15) @ Charlotte Hornets (9-15) - WIN - 10-15

[Pythagoras]

Luke is starting to get a handle on this whole rotations things.

Nance in the teens for minutes. Kuzma and Randle good minutes. I was hoping down the stretch we would go with a Ball/Clarkson/KCP/Ingram/Randle lime-up but Kuzma was playing well, so no need to take him out.

More and more I want to keep Randle & Clarkson. We would have $45M in cap space if we stretch Deng and keep Randle and JC. We could bring in a Paul George and sign one other player for 10-15M. We could then re-sign Julius to a contract that’s fair for him and the team.

This. Teams will be pressed for cap space this year, and so this a great year to pounce on some second tier talent out there for a discount. Looking at guys like Barton, Favors, and Reddick in particular. There’s probably a couple of others out there.

Sometimes talent just forces your hand though. I have to think if Clarkson and Randle keep playing like this and the team has a run this year, (both of which I think will happen), Magic/Pelinka will recognize that keeping Randle/Clarkson and adding one max FA and another nice piece is better short and long term than gutting the team for two max guys.

[Spanish_Laker]

After years of tanking and suffering, we are starting to see the development of our young core. Both Clarkson and Randle are pure beasts, keep him in LA and let's build around these guys. I don't want another 2013 fail Lakers all over again with grandpa LeBron and company.

[Michael Lucky]

don't worry Grandpa Lebron is probably going to the 76ers, or heck maybe the rockets.

[The Skyhook]

Randle and Clarkson are making it harder and harder to want to give up for a second max free agent.

[RingsDontLie]

don't worry Grandpa Lebron is probably going to the 76ers, or heck maybe the rockets.

Simmons and LEbron on the same team...what? Lebron needs shooters and a closer that can hit from deep, not someone that plays like him, lol. 76ers would be a joke.

Rockets is a better fit. Both Harden and CP3 can play off ball just fine. Harden is a good closer as well...so Houston is the perfect fit and is probably the only team that has a shot against a Durant-led GSW team.

[Poetry-In-Motion]

Randle and Clarkson are making it harder and harder to want to give up for a second max free agent.

That's a great point... three months ago Randle and/or Clarkson in a salary dump was on everyone's trade checker. But now... yeesh... I don't think you even consider it, especially with the probability of landing a second max free agent player being lower than say a few months ago (of course I am just guessing).