The lakers should wait

[Showtime:Part2]

Hear me out. Yes it’s appealing to try to do everything you can to get ad, but the Kyrie situation changed everything. Id say based on his recent comments he’s basically gone. Whether it’s us or ny, it doesn’t matter. It changes the calculus for Boston. They can no longer send Tatum in the deal if they don’t have Kyrie bc without Kyrie, ad isn’t staying anyway. This therefore allows us to wait till the summer, sign a max fa, and then trade for ad. The only team that could potentially offer a better package at that point is nyk if they land Zion, but again they would only trade Zion if they signed Durant/Kyrie. Also the odds of landing first overall aren’t that high. So nyk would need either Durant or Kyrie to bolt to them AND to land the first overall to have a better package than us.

So let Dell Demps be a bitterbear and think he can wait for Tatum. It allows us to max a guy before trading for AD

[dAdo dA dEvil]

I agree. As I mentioned in other discussions before, pull out the offer and watch the young core grow this season. Sign an star FA in the off season then hope AD signs with us in the next off season. Whether we sign AD or not we have a legit team by that time (2 years from now) of Ball / Hart or Svi / Ingram / Kuz / Zu. That's a complete team already. By that time we still have LeBron and a possible 2nd star player. Add AD in the mix and we are set for the long run or maybe a decade.

[myersia]

I agree. As I mentioned in other discussions before, pull out the offer and watch the young core grow this season. Sign an star FA in the off season then hope AD signs with us in the next off season. Whether we sign AD or not we have a legit team by that time (2 years from now) of Ball / Hart or Svi / Ingram / Kuz / Zu. That's a complete team already. By that time we still have LeBron and a possible 2nd star player. Add AD in the mix and we are set for the long run or maybe a decade.

It cracks me up how so many people just assume we get a free agent this summer. We could strike out. Without ad and a superstar fa we are back to fighting to make the playoffs instead of fighting for a championship. We need AD to get an awesome FA to take a paycut.


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[dAdo dA dEvil]

I agree. As I mentioned in other discussions before, pull out the offer and watch the young core grow this season. Sign an star FA in the off season then hope AD signs with us in the next off season. Whether we sign AD or not we have a legit team by that time (2 years from now) of Ball / Hart or Svi / Ingram / Kuz / Zu. That's a complete team already. By that time we still have LeBron and a possible 2nd star player. Add AD in the mix and we are set for the long run or maybe a decade.

It cracks me up how so many people just assume we get a free agent this summer. We could strike out. Without ad and a superstar fa we are back to fighting to make the playoffs instead of fighting for a championship. We need AD to get an awesome FA to take a paycut.


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If the whole league is against us in making that AD trade happening it is only logical to have a back up plan. Even Charles Barkley is so outspoken on how AD should not end up with us. Yes you are right that we might strike out in free agency this off season but there is also an equal chance that we strike out even if we have AD now. Young stars and pay cut don't usually go together in the same sentence. Pay cut is for old ring chasers. Klay and Kyrie are both champions so I don't think pay cut is an option for toung stars like them, KD as well.

[tviper]

I trust Magic and Lebron to snag the guy they want in July. That said, as we get closer to the deadline, I think NO is going to realize that the deal will get worse the longer they wait. If you notice, each day there is a new story that makes it seem worse for NO. I don't think that is an accident. Lebron is the most powerful player in the league, and I am sure he will get what he wants.

[One Love]

I see both sides but Magic is basically trading the young guns for AD & Irving/Klay/KD of which ANY one of them is BETTER than all the young guns combined...

Lakeshow Baby...

[Kobe System]

I am one of the few who won't trade all of our young guns for AD. I believe in Ball and Ingram like I always believe in D-Lo.

[AmusingFiddle]

As much as I want AD, I feel uneasy giving up Zo or Kuz. We have to keep one of these two. If not, we wait until July 1.


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[LBC SoCal]

I like that some of you are speaking up, lol I thought I was the only Laker fan that doesnt want to trade our youth for AD. Aside from losing our youth, we take on the risk of losing AD after he becomes a free agent. It’ll be like Toronto losing Kawhi, or 76ers potentially losing Butler. Why trade assets when the Lakers can just pick him up after a year. And to be honest...if the Lakers strike out on picking up another big free agent this year then we revert to the plan that was pre-Lebron, develop our youth and think longterm.

Worse case scenario, we trade away all our youth for AD, Lebron’s body breaks down like everyone his age, and AD just leaves for nothing. Lets not let this happen. Keep our guys, see if we can pick up Kahwi or someone big, then assess at that time.

[ROballer]

Major player in this is Kyrie. If we wait:

-Kyrie resigns with Boston, it's over. Ainge can send a much more appealing package that will probably nab Davis, with some chances the move won't be a rental, with Kyrie locked into a contract.
-Kyrie signs with us. It's over for Boston. They have to tread lightly with a possible move, knowing Davis most likely won't stay without Kyrie there. Also, with Boston presumably out of the sweepstakes, our FO can lowball a little bit, we wouldn't have to give up everything and the kitchen sink to top.
We get to keep 1-2 young guys, take it or see Davis walk out in the summer New Orleans...

I don't see any other team being players in this, knowing Davis' desires, except maybe New York. But A LOT has to happen for them to make a case, at least one major FA signing beforehand is a must.

It would be difficult for us to be creative, since Davis' salary is 27 mil next year and all the veterans come of the books.

But:

Ball(8.7 mil) + Ingram( 7.3 mil) + Wagner (2.1 mil) + Mykhailiuk( 1.4 mil) plus this year's pick, late teens(about 2.4 mil) = 21.9
With the 125% trade rule, we would be able to take back 27.3 mil, just about where Davis will make in his final year.

We'd get to keep Kuzma, Hart and Zubac(resigned as a FA if we want to).

[BB_Fan]

Major player in this is Kyrie. If we wait:

-Kyrie resigns with Boston, it's over. Ainge can send a much more appealing package that will probably nab Davis, with some chances the move won't be a rental, with Kyrie locked into a contract.
-Kyrie signs with us. It's over for Boston. They have to tread lightly with a possible move, knowing Davis most likely won't stay without Kyrie there. Also, with Boston presumably out of the sweepstakes, our FO can lowball a little bit, we wouldn't have to give up everything and the kitchen sink to top.
We get to keep 1-2 young guys, take it or see Davis walk out in the summer New Orleans...

I don't see any other team being players in this, knowing Davis' desires, except maybe New York. But A LOT has to happen for them to make a case, at least one major FA signing beforehand is a must.

It would be difficult for us to be creative, since Davis' salary is 27 mil next year and all the veterans come of the books.

But:

Ball(8.7 mil) + Ingram( 7.3 mil) + Wagner (2.1 mil) + Mykhailiuk( 1.4 mil) plus this year's pick, late teens(about 2.4 mil) = 21.9
With the 125% trade rule, we would be able to take back 27.3 mil, just about where Davis will make in his final year.

We'd get to keep Kuzma, Hart and Zubac(resigned as a FA if we want to).

2019 FRP will be key . If knicks get the top pick , they will trade Zion along with their other 3 FRP and Mavs 2FRP pick plus DSJ,Knox,FN for AD. Pelicans will be foolish to not accept the offer.

They will sign KD (38M) and Kyrie (35 M). Their combined salary AD (27M) , KD (38M) and Kyrie (35M) will be below Salary cap 109M. Knicks could be super team if they have KD, AD and Kyrie in their team.

The 2020 and 2021 Free Agent class is not great and teams will not hoard cap space for one more year.

[SlimShady83]

As for the title. Yes I agree with you... The problem is Bron will chuck a little tantrum (spelling) if he doesn't get his way.

Another reason I recon we should trade him and/or can't wait for retirement years.

You need to trade now, cause you never know what FA will bring. FA's been saying they'll come to LA but in the end they don't

get it done through trades.

But that's tampering so I won't say anything right now other wise I'll get a fine lol and unlike these superstars I don't have the $$$ to pay the fine *

[valrond1]

The problem is, as always, people want to rush things. We must think about what we want the Lakers to be in 5 years time. In 5 years most of the top players now won't be top players. Lebron at 39, KD at 35, Curry at 36, Harden at 34, and even AD will be 36 (yes, I am talking about playoff age, Curry and AD were born on march).

Do we want a run at a couple of titles in the next two seasons, or a Dinasty that can fight for the title very year for the next 10 years?

If you want the first one, go ahead and give everything for AD. If not, keep the younglings. They are going to be the stars of tomorrow. Yes, we will have Giannis, Embiid, Simmons, Tatum as top players in the NBA, but also Zo, Ingram and Kuzma will be among the best players by then.

So get AD for a reasonable price or don't get them and get a good shooter in FA next season (that is what we really need)

[Spens1]

No we shouldn't. The youngsters have had half the season to prove themselves to be able to step up to be a good 2nd or 3rd option and for the most part, i'd say they've failed. Kuzma has shown signs but he's far too inconsistent and does some absolutely mind boggling dumb stuff (P.F version of Jordan Clarkson). Ingram cannot shoot a 3 to save himself at this stage, he's gone backwards in this category and Lonzo hasn't shown any improvement at all and has to be the most frustrating recent prospect we've picked up (which is saying something since we've had Russell and Randle in their early stages), i'll straight up say it, we made a massive mistake picking him up instead of Fox, F.O should have gone with their instincts instead of getting caught up in the hype (its the fans fault also, we all clamoured for him or Fultz).

Send the three of them out (and Zubac if needs be, lets face it, we nearly cut him) and get Davis, i can't think of a better 2nd option and future cornerstone anyway. Then we lure a third star here with the near max slot we have (Kemba) and use our draft picks and be smart about it.

[Kobe System]

No we shouldn't. The youngsters have had half the season to prove themselves to be able to step up to be a good 2nd or 3rd option and for the most part, i'd say they've failed. Kuzma has shown signs but he's far too inconsistent and does some absolutely mind boggling dumb stuff (P.F version of Jordan Clarkson). Ingram cannot shoot a 3 to save himself at this stage, he's gone backwards in this category and Lonzo hasn't shown any improvement at all and has to be the most frustrating recent prospect we've picked up (which is saying something since we've had Russell and Randle in their early stages), i'll straight up say it, we made a massive mistake picking him up instead of Fox, F.O should have gone with their instincts instead of getting caught up in the hype (its the fans fault also, we all clamoured for him or Fultz).

Send the three of them out (and Zubac if needs be, lets face it, we nearly cut him) and get Davis, i can't think of a better 2nd option and future cornerstone anyway. Then we lure a third star here with the near max slot we have (Kemba) and use our draft picks and be smart about it.

Send all of them and watch them be an All Star years from now ala D-Lo while we have an injury prone Davis and an aging "King".

[Kobe System]

The problem is, as always, people want to rush things. We must think about what we want the Lakers to be in 5 years time. In 5 years most of the top players now won't be top players. Lebron at 39, KD at 35, Curry at 36, Harden at 34, and even AD will be 36 (yes, I am talking about playoff age, Curry and AD were born on march).

Do we want a run at a couple of titles in the next two seasons, or a Dinasty that can fight for the title very year for the next 10 years?

If you want the first one, go ahead and give everything for AD. If not, keep the younglings. They are going to be the stars of tomorrow. Yes, we will have Giannis, Embiid, Simmons, Tatum as top players in the NBA, but also Zo, Ingram and Kuzma will be among the best players by then.

So get AD for a reasonable price or don't get them and get a good shooter in FA next season (that is what we really need)

I couldn't agree more. Some guys are really impatient.

[Showtime:Part2]

people are misunderstanding my post. I have no issue trading the young guys. I just would rather wait till the summer to do it. A team of lebron and ad and fillers won’t best the warriors/potential knicks super team. A team of lebron, another Max guy, AND ad will beat the dubs. I’m just saying wait to sign a max dude in fa, then flip the kids for ad. The probability of everything going the knicks way is low. And the drop off after the first overall pick is huge

Also who knows, their value is so low around the league rn. One good playoff series and maybe ppl will start calling one of them a future star like they did to Tatum even though he hasn’t improved whatsoever this year . That might allow us to keep one of them. It’s just a kicker

[danfantastk32]

The problem is, as always, people want to rush things. We must think about what we want the Lakers to be in 5 years time. In 5 years most of the top players now won't be top players. Lebron at 39, KD at 35, Curry at 36, Harden at 34, and even AD will be 36 (yes, I am talking about playoff age, Curry and AD were born on march).

AD is 25 btw..soon to be 26. Has a decade in front of him.

Do we want a run at a couple of titles in the next two seasons, or a Dinasty that can fight for the title very year for the next 10 years?

Your assuming what we have is 'dynasty worthy'.....I think it's 'playoff worthy'. This team flirts with the playoffs if Lebron isn't here. Assuming some growth, I'd say in 3-4 years we'd have a team close to the Blazers or Jazz.

As for people wanting to rush things: You need to have patience...until you see the right thing. Patience is about not settling for things you don't really want. But once you see what you want in front of you, you need to strike fast. Grab it, before it's gone.

AD is has another year on his contract. The Celtics will have more to offer. So might other teams. As PG showed us, who knows what unfolds for AD? Lebron is no spring chicken either. Our young core (if we decide to keep them) will start being due real salary soon. So there are certain realities that don't allow for us to slow-cook this thing, unless you think this young group is really going to turn into something.

You'll notice Magic was quick to offer up the entire bunch. You'll further notice NO didn't take much time saying "nah..we're good".

There's a fair amount of shade thrown Magic's direction on these boards regarding his feelings towards our youth, and the coach, and what-no...and that's fine. Where's the interest from New Orleans? If all this is "Magic just hatin"...how come nobody seems super into taking our kids?

Right or wrong....Magic has circled AD as a great piece. If that's what he thinks...and the guy is available, then yes: Move fast.

[valrond1]

Well, with the young core we have a chance of a Dinasty. BI/Kuzma and Lonzo are all poised to be stars in the league, although I only see Ingram as having superstar potential. Remember: only a few top players are really top at 21.
If you give up Lonzo/Kuzma/BI/Zubac and 2 picks, what do you get? Yes, you get AD, and get into the best case scenario, you get Klay in free agency. So you have 2 max and one near max player, and the rest are minimum wage players. You have only Hart as a young player. You are not getting any significant reinforcements from the draft, you can't trade anyone, so, do you think that Hart/Klay/Lebron/AD + a bunch of minimum players will get us a title ? or two? I don't think so. Go forward 5 years. Lebron is gone or at least he is just a decent player at 39, AD is entering the twilight, and Klay is no more a star. Hart is a good role player. Unless we strike gold in one of the few draft picks, that will be late draft picks, where is that team going?

The reason why the Warriors are so successful is because they got their core from the draft, then added Iguodala and had some decent players, then they got KD in FA. Same thing happened to us in the 80s. Yes, we had Kareem, but we drafted Magic, Worthy, AC Green and nearly drafted Byron Scott. That was the core of the Lakers showtime team.

PS: Yes, I had a typo with AD's age.

[milesfides]

Lakers have only one chance to get AD, and that's before next Thursday. They lose their advantage this summer when New Orleans will get more and better deals. And that's not accounting for the resentment against the Lakers.

This summer, AD will likely be paired with prime stars in Boston or NY, have a deep playoff run, and won't leave as a free agent to play with a 35 and 36 year old Lebron who won't be on the Lakers anymore anyways - I highly doubt Lebron Inc. will be patient enough next season to wait for AD in 2020. He will wag the Lakers after they miss on AD, to trade him where he can compete for another ring before his window closes completely.