loveshaq007 wrote:Anderson Hunt wrote:Trade #1:
Dump Wood into any team with 3m of space (will probably have to attach a 2nd)
- This move is critical. This gets the Lakers 3m under the second apron and gives them, among other things, the ability to take back more salary than they give out. Very important for future moves.
Trade #2:
Trade Hachimura, Reaves, and Vanderbilt to CHI for Zach LaVine, their 2025 first round pick (via POR), and two seconds
- After the Lakers get 3m under the second apron, they can now get busy making real trades that count. The Lakers can do a deal like this where they take back 1.8 million more than what they send out. This move is crazy risky, but could definitely payoff. LaVine, if healthy, provides them with much of what they need, even though his salary is astronomical.
Trade #3:
Trade Vincent, Hayes, and return Portland's first round pick (via LaVine trade) to POR for Robert Williams III
- This trade saves them 1 million additional dollars under the second apron (about 2.2m total). This is another extremely risky move that could pay huge dividends. Williams' skillset is exactly what they need as the number two bigman on the team, but he's made of glass.
Trade #4:
Trade Russell, Reddish, and a heavily protected LAL first round pick to BRK for Cam Johnson
- Still under the second apron (about 2m under), the Lakers can make their final move that will ultimately send them back over the second apron by around half a million for the remainder of the season. Haggle over the pick protections but get the deal done.
They're left with only ten players:
PG - James - Schifino
SG - Christie - James
C -- Davis - Williams
PF - Johnson - Lewis
SF - LaVine - Knecht
I sign four old, veteran guys to mentor that young second unit and provide depth and toughness.
Of note, I'd sign two more big body bigmen because Williams will almost surely get hurt at some point, so they need to make allowances for that:
PG/PF
James Johnson (37)
- Yes, he's my third string PG (and PF).
SG/SF
Wesley Matthews (38)
- On the team to really push Baby James, Lewis and Knecht.
C's
Bismack Biyombo (32) and Dwight Howard (38)
- Two defensive bigs for Jokic and when/if Williams goes down again.
These minimum signings send the Lakers almost 12.5 million into the second apron.
Over the apron, there would be zero more moves for the rest of the year.
You are now resigned to a veteran starting lineup plus Christie and a very young and inexperienced second unit plus Robert Williams III.
Frankly, I like it. The starting lineup with Williams coming off the bench is solid, and honestly, I'd tune in just to see the three young guys (Knecht, Lewis, and Schifino) get burn. Baby James will get defensive spot minutes here and there, out of the main rotation, but he'll be the tenth man unless 38 year old Wesley Matthews beats him out (quite possible).
Signing the four old guys is very important, because you set up a situation for the young guys to succeed but for it not to be handed to them. James Johnson could beat out Schifino for backup PG minutes and Matthews could snatch up Knecht and/or Lewis' minutes as well. Everyone'll be pushed.
all of this is still keeping us as a subpar team and we lose a future first for cam.
all lavine trades were rejected by 15 teams!!! so let's finish this:
Trade Hachimura, Dlo, gabe Vincent, and wood to CHI for Zach LaVine and two seconds.
Vando and reaves should only be in a trade for a super star: Vando, reaves Hayes,and 2 FRP.. for lauri and Kessler
Subpar?
I'm a simple, humble man. Tell me acquiring Williams and LaVine will blow up in the Lakers' face because they'll both get injured, and I'll have to concede, but subpar?
A healthy LaVine with James and Davis is better than a healthy Reaves with James and Davis. Period.
Further, my proposed team, for the cost of a protected first and two role-players (Hachimura and Vanderbilt), is demonstratively better than the current team. Add to that, my proposed team leaves an opportunity to develop the youngsters, making a way for the future.
My next point to you is that your trades wouldn't work, in my opinion. Chicago is desperate, for sure, but I believe they want pieces they can use, not spare parts and more problems with players who don't want to be in their building (Russell) and have no role on the team.
Also, you mention Reaves and Vanderbilt should only be traded for "superstars". What the hell is that? You're making sports debate show talking points. Aside from the very simple fact that in no reality would Danny Ainge trade Markennan and Kessler here for the package you suggested (they'll be better offers), even if he did, he'd require, bare minimum, for those picks to be unprotected and he'd also demand the Lakers completely unprotect the pick they already own from the Lakers (from the Westbrook trade).
You'd be against giving up depth pieces in Hachimura and Vanderbilt and one heavily protected pick for LaVine, Robert Williams III, and Cam Johnson (three extremely realistic and feasible trades, btw), but you're for mortgaging the Lakers' entire future to Ainge who is a serial rapist when it comes to trades?
Admittedly, I always propose trades that lean slightly towards the other team because it's all too easy to conceptualize trades through purple and gold colored glasses.
You're trades are unrealistic for Chicago and Utah.
You could argue that my LaVine trade is also unrealistic because the Lakers would never relinquish their beloved Austin Reaves (who has a top 5-10 contract in the league) for LaVine (who has quite possibly the worst). I'd argue that you're right. They, more likely than not, wouldn't, but I'd argue that they should.
LaVine's demise is overstated. When healthy, he's as good as Booker. He just needs a point guard (James).
It's a tremendous risk, but a risk the Lakers should take. It's the kind of move that has soooo much potential to payoff (because of the perfect fit) that James would take a 20-30 million dollar haircut next summer to sign an MLE addition.
This team is subpar. My proposed team has potential to bring number eighteen home.
