RealGM

First and for-most I’m drinking as it’s Thursday which is Friday for me and plan to leave my job next week and start fresh in the new year. My grammar sucks balls and knowledge of B-ball is limited compared to my younger days – thanks Lakers lol use to be a player follower and knowledge was a lot better and not a team follower – hmm maybe thanks Kobe? Lol


“Most of this is just copied and pasted from the link below I’m just curious to know about the below Q)

For me personally I’m really high on George and Cousins they just fit really well with our Future 3 … But in saying that I’d rather have Cousins over George only because getting a SG is easier then getting a Decent Centre that doesn’t just spend his time on the 3point line all the time - Lolpez

Edit: I would go for Lebron if he was 30 or younger but think his just too old for this team, just my OP he is what 33/4/5? only got a few years left IMO. both George/cousins and others have a good 5+ years left

Cousins is a nut yes, but he is beast

I’m just curious to know 1 thing and 1 thing only

Q) How do you guys feel about having 1 max star vs 2-star max players?

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2724911-how-the-lakers-can-sign-two-max-contract-superstars-in-2018-nba-free-agency

Whether you like it or not – PG) Lonzo Ball SF) Brandon Ingram PF) King Kuz is our future

“We need to build around these 3 players” They're all only 20 years old
From what I’ve been reading we can only afford 1 max star player and have no bench

Superstars available in 2018

Lebron James, Paul George, Demarcus Cousins
Kevin Durant, Russell Westbook (on 5 year contract?) so old link?

“To sign two of the four, the Lakers would need between $61.2 million and $71.4 million in cap space”

Where Do the Lakers Stand?
If the Lakers head into the summer of 2018 with Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Larry Nance Jr., Kyle Kuzma, Josh Hart, Ivica Zubac, Jordan Clarkson and Luol Deng, they would have roughly $47.8 million of the necessary spending power.

This too means If this were to happened and we were to get 2 max players … We have to

Even letting Julius Randle, Brook Lopez and Caldwell-Pope walk as unrestricted free agents, the Lakers are well short of the space needed to sign two max free agents.

The Lakers, sans Clarkson, project to have about $59.4 million, which is close to the numbers needed for George and Cousins together but not quite there to land one with either James or Westbrook

The key is getting out of Deng's contract. The veteran forward is under contract for the next three seasons at $54 million. Shedding him in trade will prove costly, be it in prospects and/or draft considerations.
Without Deng, Randle and Clarkson, the Lakers would have about $76.6 million to spend. Removing Deng could open the door for Los Angeles to either keep Clarkson (under contract at $12.5 million for 2018-19), Randle (who has a cap hold of $12.4 million as a restricted free agent next summer) or free agents in Lopez or Caldwell-Pope.

So, basically in saying that in order to get at least George and Cousins we need to get rid of

Deng, Randle JC, 1-year contracts of Lolpez and KCP

So we might have a chance of keeping JC but having to get rid of the others … If we get rid of the others we’ll have no bench.

1 star and plenty of bench with – Randle, JC, Nance etc
Or 2 stars in George/Cousins and No bench?

Take your pic

1 star (george) then next year Klay (I'm sure we'll want to trade some folks by them or be into a Deng extension and stretch aka the Pincus)

Danny Darko wrote:1 star (george) then next year Klay (I'm sure we'll want to trade some folks by them or be into a Deng extension and stretch aka the Pincus)

I read somewhere a while back that Klay was willing to except less paycheck to stay with GSW?

Klay clearly stated he's going nowhere.

Paul George was quoted as saying he wanted to go a team that had a chance of contending, which took some heat off the Lakers. Obviously we have had contact with his agent, but the implication was that George prefers to play with the Lakers, but a higher priority is the best chance to win.

Second, Lebron won't go anywhere to rebuild a team. He's going on a team that will win now. Cleveland is landlocked with bad contracts and Kyrie leaving hurt them, obviously. So he's leaving somewhere for sure, and we know that he's interested in the Lakers, but it's up to us to offer a contending situation, although he'll have an active hand in making joint decisions in free agency.

Third, Demarcus cousins' agent told teams earlier this year he was interested in going to the Lakers, according to Woz.

I don't think George and Lebron will go to the Lakers alone. They're going together, or to another team that already has at least one superstar. You just have to look at Houson, who is gearing up to try to land Lebron along with Paul and Harden. That's the reality in this league; if you want to win, you need a superteam.

This is why there's such urgency to this year - we need to generate as much capspace as possible without gutting the best parts of our team. I think right now the conflict hinges on Ingram+Deng. There's precedence (Russell+Mozgov) that shows we can probably make that trade, but perhaps that removes a key player that might sway Lebron + George's decision. I don't know. Hopefully we can maximize other assets to save Ingram so we can have our cake and eat it too.

Danny Darko wrote:1 star (george) then next year Klay (I'm sure we'll want to trade some folks by them or be into a Deng extension and stretch aka the Pincus)

any additional money saved by prolonging the Deng stretch (over 3 or 11 years), will be easily eaten up by Randle's extension, which will eat far into max cap space the Lakers will have

napkin math

2019/20 cap - 108 mil
30% vet max - 32.4 mil starting

Salaries on the books
2018/19 30% vet max + 4.5% = 30.3* 104.5% = 31.66 mil
Deng 18.8 mil (3 yr stretch, 6.27 mil, 11 year stretch 1.7 mil, let's say 2 mil because we have to add money to create incentive for deng to get around cap circumvention)
Randle (conservative 4y/60 mil) 15 mil * 92.5% (think Deng/Moz/JC 4 yr contracts with the dip in yr 2) = 13.9 mil
Ingram 10.5
Ball 8.7
Nance caphold (300% of 2.27 mil) 6.82 mil
Kuzma 2.0 mil
Hart 2.0 mil
2019 1st rounder (let's say 2.0 mil, or maybe we trade it with Deng)
Clarkson is moved in his final year
Zubac caphold 4.6 mil (renounced)
TBryant caphold 4.1 mil (renounced)
4 x min capholds - 3.4 mil

total 80-83 mil COMMITTED
capspace available 25-28 mil, not close to Klay, who'll want the full 30% to move (and he'll get it from someone)

can't get close to that max slot in 2019/20 if we don't move Randle or Nance. heck, not even that Deng stretch over a longer timeframe helps all that much.

so really, unless we cut ourselves to the bone in 2019 with PG, Randle, Ingram, Ball, Kuz and Hart and a rookie, we can't afford a max FA in 2019

it's the 2018 double max FA plan or bust.

Honestly the league is set up so you're forced to max out a player that is past their best years. Free Agency doesn't intrigue me much anymore. Paul George is not a star player. 17.4 PER, volume shooter, who doesn't play-make. No thanks. Why should we sacrifice 30% of our cap for that? Add him to our roster, and i'm not even sure we're much better. I'm more amenable to Cousins even despite his character issues though. Lebron and Cousins would be the best grab if we're that desperate to be competitive next year. Personally we're best served developing our core. At least next year, we'll have our pick. As for those tired of us losing, so what? The Lakers are about winning titles, not about coming in 6 or 7th place.

HYPOTHETICAL SCENARIO FOR GEORGE & COUSINS

LAL
P. George

OKC
L. Deng
J. Randle
I. Zubac
2018 Denver 2nd Round Pick
2018 Chicago 2nd Round Pick
(2020 1st Round Pick *Sweetener???*)

2018/19 CONTRACTS

P. George $30,600,000
J. Clarkson $12,500,000
L. Ball $7,461,960
B. Ingram $5,757,120
L. Nance $2,272,391
K. Kuzma $1,689,840
J. Hart $1,655,160
T. Bryant $1,378,242

Total = $63,314,713

D. Cousins $30,600,000

Total = $93,914,713

NBA Projected FIGURES
Cap Space = $102,000,000
Luxury Tax Threshold = $120,000,000
Room Exception = $4,300,000

2018/19 Lineup
Ball/Clarkson/________
Ingram/Hart/________
George/________/________
Kuzma/Bryant/_________
Cousins/Nance/_________


(THESE FIGURES ARE NOT 100% RELIABLE)

milesfides wrote:Klay clearly stated he's going nowhere.

This is why there's such urgency to this year - we need to generate as much capspace as possible without gutting the best parts of our team. I think right now the conflict hinges on Ingram+Deng. There's precedence (Russell+Mozgov) that shows we can probably make that trade, but perhaps that removes a key player that might sway Lebron + George's decision. I don't know. Hopefully we can maximize other assets to save Ingram so we can have our cake and eat it too.

Hmm now 8 pm started drinking at 11am ish ... But starting to sober up a bit lol slow driinking

I agree with everything you said but trading Ingram ... He is in our top 3 untradeable players due to contract, age and pottential the dude is starting to understand anddevelop into a great player once he learns that jump shot look out - he has everything down pack

Is there away a way ... Where we can Trade Deng + Nance, + fillers maybe future pics or something to maybe someone like the Wolves? Thibs likes a good PF having both Deng+ Nance or something along those lines maybe?

RedMamba wrote:HYPOTHETICAL SCENARIO FOR GEORGE & COUSINS

LAL
P. George

OKC
L. Deng
J. Randle
I. Zubac
2018 Denver 2nd Round Pick
2018 Chicago 2nd Round Pick
(2020 1st Round Pick *Sweetener???*)
(THESE FIGURES ARE NOT 100% RELIABLE)

No ... Out of all the players I would not trade RAndle, JC or Nance even for George
George is the most likely player to come here for Free

If I were to trade George it would be KCP+fillers that doesn't include our future 3 or Randle/JC I might and I state Might Include nance if it were to grab us George - Edit: KCP + nance + fillers to grab nance the not Randle/JC or future 3

Michael Lucky wrote:Honestly the league is set up so you're forced to max out a player that is past their best years. Free Agency doesn't intrigue me much anymore. Paul George is not a star player. 17.4 PER, volume shooter, who doesn't play-make. No thanks. Why should we sacrifice 30% of our cap for that? Add him to our roster, and i'm not even sure we're much better. I'm more amenable to Cousins even despite his character issues though. Lebron and Cousins would be the best grab if we're that desperate to be competitive next year. Personally we're best served developing our core. At least next year, we'll have our pick. As for those tired of us losing, so what? The Lakers are about winning titles, not about coming in 6 or 7th place.

As I've explained I would only go for Lebron if he was 30 or younger but he isn't - he on the retirement end of his career sadly - never been a fan, but it is, what it is. - Edit again: Remember George has pretty much been alone in Indy land much like Cousins sure they've had a couple good wings here and there, but unlike everyone else that's been forming super teams yhou can't blame them for that

The other 2-4 guys can give us 5+ years and vet experience

George might not be that star player you want but he has Experience and can teach Ingram and others a thing or 2 - knows how to take big shots etc -

Cousins is just that consistent player you want on your team as a center - minus the nuttyness already explained we can deal with that.

I'm all for developing our core 3 players ... But we need the right players surrounding them and KCP/Lolpez aren't the right vets star players needed to fill the void ...

Just need that 1 star player next season to work with the young core

Bottom line is ... Go for 1 star player the right star player ... Keep our core bench - The Beast Randle, My boy JC who both seem to work hard and want to stay in LA and keep Nance 2018 should be that 1 star player and 2019 maybe that 2nd player ...

Just hope we get that correct star player that meshes well with your core 3 guys

The truth is those two terrible signings by the former regime are still hurting our chances of assembling a superteam in LA.

Spanish_Laker wrote:The truth is those two terrible signings by the former regime are still hurting our chances of assembling a superteam in LA.

It cost us Dlo. The only twist of faith is that we ended up picking up Kuzma in that draft.

We rid ourselves of the first mistake. The second one is still sitting in the bench or at home, Deng.

Getting Cousins and or George via trade would be the best scenario..Both I believe will be available come the trade deadline.

Chips we have are our 2020 first, and two seconds.
One of those two players will make it here with that and I do believe we can add Deng to make the $$ match. If not Brook will be going and Deng will get Pincusd..

I do think Boogie and PG are more realistic than James and both of those guys would be awsome on our team.

I will say that I wish PG was a better 3 point shooter ...

We also have to look at other guys Like Ariza.. he would be nice type of player

i chose to sign 1 star and try to both acquire PG and DMC. which goes to say, we'll need to trade for one and sign the other. how exactly are we able to do that? I really don't know, but I hope we get them at the expense of Deng.

EZ, so you would prefer Deng, Randle and a couple of second rounders over George and cap space to sign Cousins. I know Randle has been playing well, but he is still too predictable, drive with his left hand or try to bully his defender and get called for an offensive foul which is so frustrating to watch. Do you really see him taking his game to the next level? I personally would prefer to keep Clarkson's scoring and improved playmaking off the bench. I doubt Magic is aiming to re-sign Randle and I doubt he would want to re-sign here as he can get paid elsewhere.

If this lineup doesn't give you chills, I don't know what will.

Ball
Ingram
George
Kuzma
Cousins

EZ GG LOSER wrote:

RedMamba wrote:HYPOTHETICAL SCENARIO FOR GEORGE & COUSINS

LAL
P. George

OKC
L. Deng
J. Randle
I. Zubac
2018 Denver 2nd Round Pick
2018 Chicago 2nd Round Pick
(2020 1st Round Pick *Sweetener???*)
(THESE FIGURES ARE NOT 100% RELIABLE)

No ... Out of all the players I would not trade RAndle, JC or Nance even for George
George is the most likely player to come here for Free

If I were to trade George it would be KCP+fillers that doesn't include our future 3 or Randle/JC I might and I state Might Include nance if it were to grab us George - Edit: KCP + nance + fillers to grab nance the not Randle/JC or future 3

I don't know if you missed it, but Deng is part of the trade.

RedMamba wrote:EZ, so you would prefer Deng, Randle and a couple of second rounders over George and cap space to sign Cousins. I know Randle has been playing well, but he is still too predictable, drive with his left hand or try to bully his defender and get called for an offensive foul which is so frustrating to watch. Do you really see him taking his game to the next level? I personally would prefer to keep Clarkson's scoring and improved playmaking off the bench. I doubt Magic is aiming to re-sign Randle and I doubt he would want to re-sign here as he can get paid elsewhere.

If this lineup doesn't give you chills, I don't know what will.

Ball
Ingram
George
Kuzma
Cousins

Yeah, but I would sell high on Clarkson while I have a chance too just like Randle too to make sure we have enough for a superteam.

LakersSoul wrote:

Spanish_Laker wrote:The truth is those two terrible signings by the former regime are still hurting our chances of assembling a superteam in LA.

It cost us Dlo. The only twist of faith is that we ended up picking up Kuzma in that draft.

We rid ourselves of the first mistake. The second one is still sitting in the bench or at home, Deng.

And it might cost us Ingram too to dump Deng.

When is the last time the Lakers signed an All Star Free Agent? We have struck out MANY times over the last few years... Let’s HOPE we land one... The logical fit is PG... Lets hope that OKC keeps losing & that Presti doesn’t figure out a way to dump Melo... Another year of maturation for the young bucks & PG would equate to 10 plus wins...

Lakers won’t package Ingram to dump Deng... Worst case is you let Lopez, KCP & Randle go & stretch Deng...

Lakeshow Baby...