RealGM

Part 1 | The Kobe Issue posted here
Part 2 | Embracing a new reality

So it was no surprise to hear Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak mention trades as an avenue to help rebound from the worst chapter in franchise history.

"I do think we do have pieces that we can be in the discussion this season with other teams," Kupchak said in late September. "We didn't have as many pieces a year ago as we did this year, not to say that we'll be any more active than we were a year ago."

In regards to assests:

"Basically what the Lakers have right now, at the top of the list is D'Angelo Russell, who has not played in the NBA, and Julius Randle, who has not played in the NBA," one agent said. "Now you've got two picks who have not played in the NBA as your most valuable assets. That's bad."

Every insider with whom ESPN spoke said Russell, the No. 2 overall pick in this year's draft, is the Lakers' clear-cut top asset.

Second-best? Either combo guard Jordan Clarkson, a 2014 second-round pick who was an All-Rookie first team selection last season, or forward Randle, a 2014 lottery pick whose rookie season was cut short by a broken right leg after only 14 minutes of playing time.

Said another executive, "I'm not a huge fan [of Randle]. You're not going to get a lottery pick [for him]. I can tell you that."

Said another executive, "I have my concerns about Russell and he didn't help his value in summer league, but he was a guy that around the league was a consensus top-five pick only a few months ago and I think there are a teams around the league that value him very highly."

ESPN Lakers Series Part 3: Assets and liabilities

Atleast this is a bit less sensational.

who's that executive ? Billy King ?

the Lakers will keep Randle

Some messed up logic in NBA FOs I guess.... Sounds like they talk exclusively with Kings executives.

On the one hand "Russell is their top asset." or Only asset based on some of the comments.
On the other hand "Clarkson and Randle haven't done anything in the NBA" so they're essentially worthless...

And "Clarkson doesn't make any money." Really?!?! His commercials and the second largest Asian population in the US, say he does.
3.4M Filipinos in the US... 4M Chinese... Total population around the globe is over 1B...
I get that he may have been saying that Clarkson is really only worth his salary as an asset, but aside from the fact that even in basketball terms, that's idiotic... It also seems tragically shortsighted from a marketing standpoint, for an NBA executive.
Hmmm... Analytics bro.

Baxter Holmes and Doc Rivers must play golf together or something.

The timing on all of this just seems weird. If you were to ask me I would say we are slowly on the upswing. We have Good young talent, something we haven't had in a while, and we're sitting pretty with cap space after this year. Yet it seems like we are getting flamed with these articles.

Did I not predict this in the last thread?

ArC_man wrote:Did I not predict this in the last thread?

ArC_man wrote:I'm guessing Part 3 is going to be on how Russell is a terrible athlete, Randle has short arms, and JC only played well on a bad team.

In yours opinion Lakers will tank or will be just bad in this season?

Worm122 wrote:In yours opinion Lakers will tank or be just bad in this season?

We'll be about as bad as a team would have to be to blow a 3-1 lead in the NBA playoffs.

ak7 wrote:

Worm122 wrote:In yours opinion Lakers will tank or be just bad in this season?

We'll be about as bad as a team would have to be to blow a 3-1 lead in the NBA playoffs.

kkkkkkkk anserw my question man kkkkk lol nice one man

Kilroy wrote:Some messed up logic in NBA FOs I guess.... Sounds like they talk exclusively with Kings executives.

On the one hand "Russell is their top asset." or Only asset based on some of the comments.
On the other hand "Clarkson and Randle haven't done anything in the NBA" so they're essentially worthless...

And "Clarkson doesn't make any money." Really?!?! His commercials and the second largest Asian population in the US, say he does.
3.4M Filipinos in the US... 4M Chinese... Total population around the globe is over 1B...
I get that he may have been saying that Clarkson is really only worth his salary as an asset, but aside from the fact that even in basketball terms, that's idiotic... It also seems tragically shortsighted from a marketing standpoint, for an NBA executive.
Hmmm... Analytics bro.

Baxter Holmes and Doc Rivers must play golf together or something.

I think what they meant about Clarkson not making any money was in regards to matching salaries in a trade involving him because he's making that 2nd round draft pick money currently.

ArC_man wrote:Did I not predict this in the last thread?

do you work for ESPN ?

After reading the first two parts, I dismissed those who called the series overly negative. After reading this third part, my stance has changed.

There are definitely concerns about the current state of the Lakers, starting from the top (ownership and front office), but these articles seem to be looking at every aspect of the organization through the most negative of lenses. For every negative about our young prospects, there are is an equal or larger number of positives, yet they were completely ignored in this article.

Worm122 wrote:In yours opinion Lakers will tank or will be just bad in this season?

The Lakers won't tank because there is NOTHING in this coming draft that will change a franchise over. And don't even mention Simmons.....dude has a lot to work on, this draft is set to be a weak one and only slightly better than 2013's.

The witch hunt continues...not even amused by this bull s##t anymore.

Kinda funny about the Queens vs Lakers comparison ---- Not even close !!!! Hint ---Maloofs !!!

This year, yes Lakerrs tanked in the F/A market. But look at the state of the team.... All rookies and second year guys...and an injured Kobe. Why would a 30 year old Aldridge sign with the Lakers ? DeAndre ---- are you folks seriously think he will be a franchise player ?

If the rookies and Clarkson live up to their expectation, then perhaps Lakers will be a viable place for free agents in their prime or close to their prime as Lakers are closer to becoming an elite team again.

Remember, it is to the advantage of the entire league to have a great team in one of the marquee teams in the NBA --- Lakers, Knicks etc.

It's beyond stupid to attempt to assess the value of players who have yet to even play a single season. Of course all our assets are "potential" at this point... Just give it time, already! Baxter Holmes is just spinning his wheels here. More trash from BSPN.

DEEP3CL wrote:

Worm122 wrote:In yours opinion Lakers will tank or will be just bad in this season?

The Lakers won't tank because there is NOTHING in this coming draft that will change a franchise over. And don't even mention Simmons.....dude has a lot to work on, this draft is set to be a weak one and only slightly better than 2013's.

nice point man, thank you for the answer,yours opinion the main focus will be Al Horford?

Worm122 wrote:

DEEP3CL wrote:

Worm122 wrote:In yours opinion Lakers will tank or will be just bad in this season?

The Lakers won't tank because there is NOTHING in this coming draft that will change a franchise over. And don't even mention Simmons.....dude has a lot to work on, this draft is set to be a weak one and only slightly better than 2013's.

nice point man, thank you for the answer,yours opinion the main focus will be Al Horford?

No I don't think Horford will be the focus in free agency. Plus he doesn't bring that star power the Lakers want, that's who they want to spend money on as a focus players.

DEEP3CL wrote:

Worm122 wrote:

DEEP3CL wrote:The Lakers won't tank because there is NOTHING in this coming draft that will change a franchise over. And don't even mention Simmons.....dude has a lot to work on, this draft is set to be a weak one and only slightly better than 2013's.

nice point man, thank you for the answer,yours opinion the main focus will be Al Horford?

No I don't think Horford will be the focus in free agency. Plus he doesn't bring that star power the Lakers want, that's who they want to spend money on as a focus players.

In yours opinion wich players the Lakers will focus on the free agency?