Kawhi on draft day...?

[milesfides]

Miles, you mention KD and Bron. Then throw Kawhis name in that mix. But your basing that on what? He hasn't played all year. Dudes injured. Damaged goods. Ingram is young and I'll take him over damaged goods. You say he's NOT really hurt? But that he's disgruntled and quit on his team? I'll take Ingram over that as well.

1) I'm basing it on the fact that Kawhi has been regarded as a consensus MVP and DPOY candidate for the past few years.

2) Second, I'm basing it on the fact that the highest and most reputable reporters, Adrian Wojnarwoski, Zach Lowe, and others have suggested that Kawhi's injury or lack thereof ISN'T the primary issue. Kawhi has already been medically cleared by the Spurs' medical staff, which has been credited for not only Tony Parker's return, but also extending Tim Duncan and Ginobili's careers. This is why Pop and Kawhi's teammates are frustrated with him. Ultimately, the reason why Kawhi is out is because "he and his group" is choosing to stay out. That's not my guess; these are the current facts on both sides.

3) Disgruntled, sure. This has ALWAYS been the reason why players leave for somewhere else. Shaq. Lebron. Kevin Durant. Chris Paul. Kyrie Irving.

Even Kobe - did you forget?

[TylersLakers]

Interesting poll on Twitter by a really good follow, @reed_NBA.

He's a Laker fan, obviously and he presented the following:

Read on Twitter

As I responded on it, I don't see an argument for keeping the young core in that scenario. Having Randle, George, Kawhi and one of Kuz/Lonzo/Ingram is massive.

After over 2000 votes, it was split 50/50.

[stan francisco]

Pre-injury I had Leonard as the best player in the league. Nobody played both ends at such a high elite level as he did. He was dominant on both ends, arguably the best and most efficient scorer amongst all swingmen, AND one of the best wing defenders the league has seen.

Passing the physical after serious injury doesn't put him back up at that level. I'm not giving away our core without knowing exactly what version of Leonard we'd get.

[LAKESHOW]

When a player usually has an injury,. Ingram out 2 weeks. Lonzo out 1 week. Meaning, there's a specified time allotment. Ankle injury, a few weeks. A specified injury. A specified time. BUT A WHOLE YEAR? Hayward from Boston is out a whole year! That specifies a devastating injury. With Kawhi out for a whole season therefore specifies what? A devastating injury! But some folks are saying with ease, lets go get him! Now if you say he's been faking?!? That also specifies something. That's all I'm sayin.

[tugs]

Zubac with the Spurs though

[MachoMan]

was listening to Sam Vecenie & Cole Zwicker on Vecenie's recent Game Theory podcast and they kind of walked through all of the offers teams could and likely would offer to San Antonio to acquire Kawhi.....and their conclusion was similar to my thoughts in that the only real way the Lakers likely could make a competitive offer would be to include both Ingram and Ball in a package. Some packages they mentioned...

Boston - Tatum, Brown, Morris, 1 or 2 Draft picks....
Philly - Fultz, Saric, Covington, 2018 Lakers 1st Round Pick
Portland -Package built around CJ McCollum, Zach Collins, etc.
Denver- Murray, Harris, Faried, Draft Pick(s)

of course these teams would have to have some level of confidence Kawhi would sign long term. If I was confident I could land PG-13 and Lebron in free agency, I would offer anything on the roster.

[milesfides]

I don't think Boston would make that trade considering they haven't seen Gordon Hayward play yet and Kyrie is injured (and often is EDIT: Out for season and playoffs!)...also Tatum and Brown are absolute studs, two of the best defenders in the league who can hit the three...I think Tatum is untouchable (he's had a historic rookie season - highest true shooting ever for a rookie, youngest to lead a 50 win team in minutes, etc.). He's already a star at 19, he's going to be a superstar.

Philly's offer? I think Fultz' mysterious injury and lack of sample size kills it.

I don't think any of the other packages are better than Brandon Ingram, a re-signed Julius Randle, and a first. Ingram replaces Kawhi at the wing, and Randle and Aldridge are a great match.

[Trips71]

I think Kuzma may have just sealed Kawhi departure to the Lakers. Pop had to be watching Kuz last night and thinking "Damn, this guy would look great in a Spurs uniform".

[MachoMan]

I don't think Boston would make that trade considering they haven't seen Gordon Hayward play yet and Kyrie is injured (and often is EDIT: Out for season and playoffs!)...also Tatum and Brown are absolute studs, two of the best defenders in the league who can hit the three...I think Tatum is untouchable (he's had a historic rookie season - highest true shooting ever for a rookie, youngest to lead a 50 win team in minutes, etc.). He's already a star at 19, he's going to be a superstar.

Philly's offer? I think Fultz' mysterious injury and lack of sample size kills it.

I don't think any of the other packages are better than Brandon Ingram, a re-signed Julius Randle, and a first. Ingram replaces Kawhi at the wing, and Randle and Aldridge are a great match.

I do not think Tatum is "untouchable" for a second, and there is even an argument that his value may never be higher, also known as Ainge's sweet spot for moving a guy. I think the Celtics may not part with both (Tatum/Brown), but swap out Brown for Rozier and make it 2 1st Round picks. I also think Fultz still has very high value around the league. I disagree with your thoughts overall...I do not think Ingram (w/2 years rookie contract), Randle (@ market value), and a late 1st Round pick is a very attractive package.

[TheHartBreakKid]

Two of Ingram kuz and Lonzo? I would be cautious as hell about That and that’s even assuming PG is a lock if we get kawhi.



Ingram and lonzo is a no way in hell, and either one with Kuz could easily be a move we could end up regretting.

[TheHartBreakKid]

was listening to Sam Vecenie & Cole Zwicker on Vecenie's recent Game Theory podcast and they kind of walked through all of the offers teams could and likely would offer to San Antonio to acquire Kawhi.....and their conclusion was similar to my thoughts in that the only real way the Lakers likely could make a competitive offer would be to include both Ingram and Ball in a package. Some packages they mentioned...

Boston - Tatum, Brown, Morris, 1 or 2 Draft picks....
Philly - Fultz, Saric, Covington, 2018 Lakers 1st Round Pick
Portland -Package built around CJ McCollum, Zach Collins, etc.
Denver- Murray, Harris, Faried, Draft Pick(s)

of course these teams would have to have some level of confidence Kawhi would sign long term. If I was confident I could land PG-13 and Lebron in free agency, I would offer anything on the roster.

Assuming those teams would actually make those offers and kawhi is actually open to resigning with them for the trade to go through (let’s keep it real he’s going to have a short list that’s prOnably going to be either LA team, Boston, Philly, and maybe New York .

The lakers should not offer Lonzo and BI in any situation. Let Boston or philly have him if that’s the case. A package around just Ingram and Kuz probably beats the clipper or knicks best package anyways.

[MachoMan]

^^^we likely disagree on Ball's ceiling in the NBA or on Kawhi's impact on the court.

[Penberthy]

was listening to Sam Vecenie & Cole Zwicker on Vecenie's recent Game Theory podcast and they kind of walked through all of the offers teams could and likely would offer to San Antonio to acquire Kawhi.....and their conclusion was similar to my thoughts in that the only real way the Lakers likely could make a competitive offer would be to include both Ingram and Ball in a package. Some packages they mentioned...

Boston - Tatum, Brown, Morris, 1 or 2 Draft picks....
Philly - Fultz, Saric, Covington, 2018 Lakers 1st Round Pick
Portland -Package built around CJ McCollum, Zach Collins, etc.
Denver- Murray, Harris, Faried, Draft Pick(s)

of course these teams would have to have some level of confidence Kawhi would sign long term. If I was confident I could land PG-13 and Lebron in free agency, I would offer anything on the roster.

Assuming those teams would actually make those offers and kawhi is actually open to resigning with them for the trade to go through (let’s keep it real he’s going to have a short list that’s prOnably going to be either LA team, Boston, Philly, and maybe New York .

The lakers should not offer Lonzo and BI in any situation. Let Boston or philly have him if that’s the case. A package around just Ingram and Kuz probably beats the clipper or knicks best package anyways.

Any? so youd rather have them than a starting 5 of:

Lebron
George
Kawhi
Kuz
Randle

[Ballerhogger]

I’m kinda in favor of this getting rid of
Deng as well would be nice . Losing Ingram would hurt but not the worst deal

[zuju]

I saw one post in one of the recent threads here compared some of the all time greats, who won multiple champions e.g. kobe, duncan, Shaq etc., with kawhi, george and our young cores.
No doubt kawhi is one of the best player in terms of both offensively and defensively in today's NBA. That's why, he is regarded to be a player at the same level / bracket with those all time greats who won multiple champions .
However, those all time greats had 2 common traits which I think Kawhi lacks, the ability to keep themselves healthy / ready for every game and the desire to win

Kawhi seems to be quite injury prone, missing quite a number of game every season. Those winners could keep a relatively healthy body/condition. Most of the time, their injuries are relatively minor and they could return to action quickly. Once Shaq hurt his toe and decided to delay the surgery, Lakers started to fall. Once Kobe got caught by the Achilles injury, Lakers fell again.You have to provide the team stability, time for players to mesh rather than being a a part of an ever changing roster.

Before this season, I though Kawhi's desire to win was one of the strongest in today's NBA. But now, this impression vanished. If he is actually fit for games, his desire to win will drive him to the courts, just like kobe, duncan and MJ. Even he wants out next season, he should not miss any game for such reason. He still has the chance to win it in SAS. It's a lack of sportsmanship If he is not fit for games, he is either a slow healer who is very injury prone or he has a serious injury which may affect his game in the future.

At the end of the day, Kawhi's relationship with SAS and its players may not be that bad as we think or his desire to leave the team may not be strong or may not even exist. At this point, Lonzo and Ingram, who have not physically matured, may be given more chances before being included in trades

[Javier Acosta]

I saw one post in one of the recent threads here compared some of the all time greats, who won multiple champions e.g. kobe, duncan, Shaq etc., with kawhi, george and our young cores.
No doubt kawhi is one of the best player in terms of both offensively and defensively in today's NBA. That's why, he is regarded to be a player at the same level / bracket with those all time greats who won multiple champions .
However, those all time greats had 2 common traits which I think Kawhi lacks, the ability to keep themselves healthy / ready for every game and the desire to win

Kawhi seems to be quite injury prone, missing quite a number of game every season. Those winners could keep a relatively healthy body/condition. Most of the time, their injuries are relatively minor and they could return to action quickly. Once Shaq hurt his toe and decided to delay the surgery, Lakers started to fall. Once Kobe got caught by the Achilles injury, Lakers fell again.You have to provide the team stability, time for players to mesh rather than being a a part of an ever changing roster.

Before this season, I though Kawhi's desire to win was one of the strongest in today's NBA. But now, this impression vanished. If he is actually fit for games, his desire to win will drive him to the courts, just like kobe, duncan and MJ. Even he wants out next season, he should not miss any game for such reason. He still has the chance to win it in SAS. It's a lack of sportsmanship If he is not fit for games, he is either a slow healer who is very injury prone or he has a serious injury which may affect his game in the future.

At the end of the day, Kawhi's relationship with SAS and its players may not be that bad as we think or his desire to leave the team may not be strong or may not even exist. At this point, Lonzo and Ingram, who have not physically matured, may be given more chances before being included in trades

Where do you get the missing a lot of games because injured? Alsdo Pop develops the whole 15 man roster in regular season games so a lot of times the starters get to rest. Did he miss a a lot of playoff games?

[zuju]

I saw one post in one of the recent threads here compared some of the all time greats, who won multiple champions e.g. kobe, duncan, Shaq etc., with kawhi, george and our young cores.
No doubt kawhi is one of the best player in terms of both offensively and defensively in today's NBA. That's why, he is regarded to be a player at the same level / bracket with those all time greats who won multiple champions .
However, those all time greats had 2 common traits which I think Kawhi lacks, the ability to keep themselves healthy / ready for every game and the desire to win

Kawhi seems to be quite injury prone, missing quite a number of game every season. Those winners could keep a relatively healthy body/condition. Most of the time, their injuries are relatively minor and they could return to action quickly. Once Shaq hurt his toe and decided to delay the surgery, Lakers started to fall. Once Kobe got caught by the Achilles injury, Lakers fell again.You have to provide the team stability, time for players to mesh rather than being a a part of an ever changing roster.

Before this season, I though Kawhi's desire to win was one of the strongest in today's NBA. But now, this impression vanished. If he is actually fit for games, his desire to win will drive him to the courts, just like kobe, duncan and MJ. Even he wants out next season, he should not miss any game for such reason. He still has the chance to win it in SAS. It's a lack of sportsmanship If he is not fit for games, he is either a slow healer who is very injury prone or he has a serious injury which may affect his game in the future.

At the end of the day, Kawhi's relationship with SAS and its players may not be that bad as we think or his desire to leave the team may not be strong or may not even exist. At this point, Lonzo and Ingram, who have not physically matured, may be given more chances before being included in trades

Where do you get the missing a lot of games because injured? Alsdo Pop develops the whole 15 man roster in regular season games so a lot of times the starters get to rest. Did he miss a a lot of playoff games?

He played 9 games this season until now. I would wonder why he misses so many games if not for injury.

[Javier Acosta]

I saw one post in one of the recent threads here compared some of the all time greats, who won multiple champions e.g. kobe, duncan, Shaq etc., with kawhi, george and our young cores.
No doubt kawhi is one of the best player in terms of both offensively and defensively in today's NBA. That's why, he is regarded to be a player at the same level / bracket with those all time greats who won multiple champions .
However, those all time greats had 2 common traits which I think Kawhi lacks, the ability to keep themselves healthy / ready for every game and the desire to win

Kawhi seems to be quite injury prone, missing quite a number of game every season. Those winners could keep a relatively healthy body/condition. Most of the time, their injuries are relatively minor and they could return to action quickly. Once Shaq hurt his toe and decided to delay the surgery, Lakers started to fall. Once Kobe got caught by the Achilles injury, Lakers fell again.You have to provide the team stability, time for players to mesh rather than being a a part of an ever changing roster.

Before this season, I though Kawhi's desire to win was one of the strongest in today's NBA. But now, this impression vanished. If he is actually fit for games, his desire to win will drive him to the courts, just like kobe, duncan and MJ. Even he wants out next season, he should not miss any game for such reason. He still has the chance to win it in SAS. It's a lack of sportsmanship If he is not fit for games, he is either a slow healer who is very injury prone or he has a serious injury which may affect his game in the future.

At the end of the day, Kawhi's relationship with SAS and its players may not be that bad as we think or his desire to leave the team may not be strong or may not even exist. At this point, Lonzo and Ingram, who have not physically matured, may be given more chances before being included in trades

Where do you get the missing a lot of games because injured? Alsdo Pop develops the whole 15 man roster in regular season games so a lot of times the starters get to rest. Did he miss a a lot of playoff games?

He played 9 games this season until now. I would wonder why he misses so many games if not for injury.

Wants to be traded and Pop + RC hoped he changes his mind?