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What are some realistic ways to create space to sign two Max players next summer?

You'd have to completely gut the team down to like D'Lo, number 2 pick, Ingram, and Zubac. Literally everybody else would realistically have to be gone.

That said, I'm sure when people talk two max guys they're thinking two of the following three players: Cousins, Westbrook, and George. I don't think Westbrook or Cousins are going anywhere, and after that you're looking at guys like Lopez, Anthony, Jordan, possibly Aldridge. I don't think any of those last four are any better than what's on the market this year, so I'm on the boat that holding out for two max guys next year is a waste of time.

Can't they just get rid of one of the deng/mosgov contracts to create space for 2 max guys?

In 2018 summer, they should have enough space with expiring contracts and doing that.

Dunkz wrote:Can't they just get rid of one of the deng/mosgov contracts to create space for 2 max guys?

In 2018 summer, they should have enough space with expiring contracts and doing that.

You'd definitely have to get rid of both Moz and Deng for two max guys. Also, I think even with expiring contracts and getting rid of Moz and Deng, I don't know that you could still manage it with Clarkson and Randle's contracts on the books, after you factor in cap holds.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/contracts/LAL.html


You really only need to dump one.

It's very doable.

Randle is off the books, so it depends on what you might get him at to resign?

If you can't get it in a good spot don't be surprised to see trades like this next season.

Randle/deng for expiring contract

Mosgov/future pick for expiring contract

Realistically, Two max deals necessitates moving Randle/Clarkson both because you can use them to dump a bad contract while also avoiding Randle's extension and Clarkson's current salary

Dunkz wrote:http://www.basketball-reference.com/contracts/LAL.html


You really only need to dump one.

It's very doable.

Randle is off the books, so it depends on what you might get him at to resign?

If you can't get it in a good spot don't be surprised to see trades like this next season.

Randle/deng for expiring contract

Mosgov/future pick for expiring contract

You're not factoring in A) cap holds, and B) the #2 pick's contract. You need to dump both. I didn't say it wasn't doable, but you definitely need both gone. You also likely can't keep Randle and Clarkson either.

Dunkz wrote:Can't they just get rid of one of the deng/mosgov contracts

If only it were that easy.

It's probably in our best interest to worry about how we perform next season before we dream about a 2nd max player.

We have an unknown in #2, not only in his production, but what he does for everyone else. Randle and Black are in a contract year. Clarkson could always improve his trade value. Russ will be going into his contract year.

There's just too many questions that we won't truly have answers to until April. Arguably July.

Pythagoras wrote:You'd have to completely gut the team down to like D'Lo, number 2 pick, Ingram, and Zubac. Literally everybody else would realistically have to be gone.

That said, I'm sure when people talk two max guys they're thinking two of the following three players: Cousins, Westbrook, and George. I don't think Westbrook or Cousins are going anywhere, and after that you're looking at guys like Lopez, Anthony, Jordan, possibly Aldridge. I don't think any of those last four are any better than what's on the market this year, so I'm on the boat that holding out for two max guys next year is a waste of time.

Theoretically a roster that has Ball, Russell, Ingram, George, Max FA, and Zubac would be a pretty damn good roster in a couple years assuming the young core lives up to potential.

But I agree, the only people I'd be willing to give max dollars to is George, Cousins and Westbrook. I don't see Westbrook turning down a potential supermax from OKC to come to LA. However I do think Cousins is a realistic shot. I just don't see him and Davis working out long term in NO and since he wont be eligible for the supermax in NO, it wouldn't be a drastic loss to leave NO. Could you imagine a starting lineup of Ball, Russell, Ingram, George and Cousins? (sorry Zubac)

dontforget wrote:Theoretically a roster that has Ball, Russell, Ingram, George, Max FA, and Zubac would be a pretty damn good roster in a couple years assuming the young core lives up to potential.

No argument there, that's a hell of a roster to throw at somebody.

dontforget wrote:But I agree, the only people I'd be willing to give max dollars to is George, Cousins and Westbrook. I don't see Westbrook turning down a potential supermax from OKC to come to LA. However I do think Cousins is a realistic shot. I just don't see him and Davis working out long term in NO and since he wont be eligible for the supermax in NO, it wouldn't be a drastic loss to leave NO. Could you imagine a starting lineup of Ball, Russell, Ingram, George and Cousins? (sorry Zubac)

We'll see I guess. I just think Davis is so talented and versatile that they'll figure out how to make it work. (Although it's definitely nice to dream about a Russ, Ball, Ingram, George, and Cousins lineup)

Maybe it's time for the Buss family to sell if they are afraid to eat a little luxury tax. We need an owner like Paul Allen in Portland. Half the league is over the cap. Not sure why the mighty Lakers have to act like a bunch of bean counters.

mcscotty wrote:Maybe it's time for the Buss family to sell if they are afraid to eat a little luxury tax. We need an owner like Paul Allen in Portland. Half the league is over the cap. Not sure why the mighty Lakers have to act like a bunch of bean counters.

Dude, what the heck are you talking about? Portland is **** worse than us cuz of their garbo contracts.
Our available max contract space is determined by the salary cap. You're talking about when teams hold their players and extend over into the luxury tax. That hasn't happened because most of our young players are on the rookie scale.

Okay. So a team can't add players if they go over the cap, just give existing players raises?

Pythagoras wrote:

Dunkz wrote:http://www.basketball-reference.com/contracts/LAL.html


You really only need to dump one.

It's very doable.

Randle is off the books, so it depends on what you might get him at to resign?

If you can't get it in a good spot don't be surprised to see trades like this next season.

Randle/deng for expiring contract

Mosgov/future pick for expiring contract

You're not factoring in A) cap holds, and B) the #2 pick's contract. You need to dump both. I didn't say it wasn't doable, but you definitely need both gone. You also likely can't keep Randle and Clarkson either.

Aren't the cap holds in question just expiring contracts?

Like I know we want to keep Randle in a perfect world, but Young, Black, Brewer?

Pretty sure we are just letting them go. Young might already be gone

mcscotty wrote:Okay. So a team can't add players if they go over the cap, just give existing players raises?

Correct.....you cannot sign a player who puts you over the cap (mid-level exceptions and vet-minimums, etc are excluded).

You can however resign guys....but only up to the luxury cap. Cleveland is over the luxury cap...not sure how that works, unless it was done before the new CBA kicked in???

Those two rules above....that was the real meat behind the CBA about 10 years ago that was supposed to hit teams like the Lakers the hardest. You could no longer just go off into the luxury cap. If you will remember they used to have a multi-tiered luxury tax...then they made the REALLY punishing one if you were over for 3-straight years.....none of that stopped the big markets (for the record, most big markets weren't that great....and the Lakers we usually about #3-#6 in salary...so I have never agreed with what has happened). So they said F- it....and now you just cannot sign guys that take you over the cap. And you can't resign past the luxury cap.

I thnk the Luxury is about $118 mil this year....figure it will be about $122-$125 when Ingram's contract comes up.

Two max signings: $35-mil each for 4 years. Ok...so your at $70.
Moz - Deng - Clarkson: $45-ish - 3 more years (note....they come off books before Ingram comes up)
That's a $116.5 mil right there. You about 3-4 mil shy of the luxury cap. And we just started with the roster. So no-go there.

So let's pretend we traded our #28 pick and Randle to get rid of Mozgov. Let's take a look, shall we?
Two-Max: $70.
Deng - Clarkson: $29ish =$99
Tarik Black - Brewer: About $14.2 = $113ish
Russell - Ingram: $11ish = $224 So that's a no-go. And we're looking at a roster 8-9 deep. And our lotto will be about $5.5


Can you sign the guys next year....get Brewer and Black off the books?
$100.5 (two max + deng + clarkson)
Figure about $18 for Ingram/Russell/Ball =$118.5
Nance - Zubac: $3.4 = $122ish mil. Your over the luxury...9 players deep, and cannot resign Russell the following year. You can try and stretch Deng......but I mean look at that. Your nowhere close to making things work when you have to offer Russell real $$.

Correct my numbers if they are wrong....but from where I am looking.....your going to need to get rid of both Deng/Moz before you even think about 2 max contracts. You have to move one of them before you think about 1 max contract.

We have 2 first rounders, and 2 second rounders this year. Not sure we have any picks next year. We should really try and package something to move at least 1 of those guys this year. It will be harder next year.

If we can move either Deng/Moz to Brooklyn for our #28 and the early 2nd-rounder...and take lopez back (1 year) then DO IT. Lopez can work with Zubac next season.....and the following year we will be able to easily get a max guy. Depending on Randle/Russell's growth...we try and move one with Deng. If both players do really well. And Ingram is balling, and Ball is as good as advertized...and we have our Max guy....then we just stay with what we have and ride out Deng's contract.

This infatuation with free agents is how you end up being desperate and offering money to Mozgovs and Dengs of the NBA. Build well with what you have and if someone valuable becomes an option then entertain it, its pointless otherwise to keep raising fans' expectations with free agency.

Step 1:

Trade 2nd pick and JC for a star PG who plays hard nosed defense and passes first. Include Deng.


Step 2:

Trade 28 pick and Randle (hate to say this) and Include Mozgov in the deal. Bring back an impact PF.


Step 3:

See how things play out, try Ingram at point guard during next season, maximize the impact of our young core, find their sweet spots. I'm not sure Ingram isn't our best PG after next season, no matter who we land at PG this summer.

Deng and Mozgov gone. Go shopping.

JC is a poor fit in Luke's system, period. No loss there as far as I'm concerned. His value might be even lower next season when everybody figures out he never passes the ball.

Randle posted several triple doubles last season. More will come, consistency will improve. It hurts to lose him, but that's also why he could bring big return and help us get rid of Timofei's contract.

mistake post

stan francisco wrote:Step 1:

Trade 2nd pick and JC for a star PG who plays hard nosed defense and passes first. Include Deng.


Step 2:

Trade 28 pick and Randle (hate to say this) and Include Mozgov in the deal. Bring back an impact PF.


Step 3:

See how things play out, try Ingram at point guard during next season, maximize the impact of our young core, find their sweet spots. I'm not sure Ingram isn't our best PG after next season, no matter who we land at PG this summer.

Deng and Mozgov gone. Go shopping.

JC is a poor fit in Luke's system, period. No loss there as far as I'm concerned. His value might be even lower next season when everybody figures out he never passes the ball.

Randle posted several triple doubles last season. More will come, consistency will improve. It hurts to lose him, but that's also why he could bring big return and help us get rid of Timofei's contract.

I really don't see this happening.




I apologize. As I thought next year meant the 2018-19 season, not this next season.

I don't see how we sign 2 max guys for 2017-2018.




However, if next season we are able to dump one/two of the deng/mosgov contracts, lets take a look.

Randle/brewer/black are off the books.


2 max guys (35milx2) 70
Deng 18
Russell, Ingram, Nance, Zubac 16.5
#2 Pick 4.6
Clarkson 12.5
Randle UFA ???? Can also resign and go into luxury tax?
28th pick 1

Total is 122.6

The cap will be higher in 2018-19 and the luxury tax limity as well.

Rob will have to be a little creative to make it all work.

But if finds a way to trade expiring assets and younger assets just for salary dumps, I think its possible.

Ideal salary dump trades

Randle + Deng for expiring contract

28th pick + Mozgov for expiring contract

If we have to add a future pick or Nwaba or another low tier young guy to make these trade possible, you do it.


The key will be can they some how unload salary and have

#2 pick
Ingram
Russell
Clarkson
Nance
Zubac
2 max guys


for 2018-2019

I say its possible and would be a darn good team.