RealGM

As the title states, is it possible to get LAL a star and remain cap flexibility for 2021? Although I do think 2021 FA is overrated, I want to see what is possible

Guys who expire in 2021 who are "stars" and make some sense:
Conley
Lowry
Derozan
Aldridge
Oladipo
Dinwiddie

Conley is pretty hard to make it work out without moving DG, but I wonder if Utah would take a ton of smaller pieces for him (Kuzma, KCP, Mcgee, Avery, Cook, Rondo, and THT). Also not even sure if that is a good idea for us.

Lowry is the best guy for the Lakers. But that would mean Toronto is paying FVV and rather get some assets now in case they can't pay Kyle in 2021; but I see him staying.

Derozan is not a great fit, but he would be a nice iso guy to create points, especially when Lebron sits. But, I would not move DG for him. Salaries could work if KCP, Avery, and Mcgee opt in. Add in Kuzma and you are at about 22M. Gets close salary wise, can always add in THT, Rondo, or Cook. Or swap Kuzma for our 1st and throw in salary filler.

I like Aldridge as well, but not moving DG for him. My only Q is would SA move a guy like Aldridge or Derozan for basically Kuzma or a late 1st and expirings (can be useful at deadline)

Oladipo is my 2nd choice here, but I don't think DG, Kuzma, our 1st, and salary filler like Mcgee and Avery to take on a useless player for small assets (more 2nds?) is enough.

Dinwiddie I think makes some sense, even though he is also not a great fit. Kuzma, Avery, our 1st, and a future 2nd? I feel like the nets rather keep him for this deal though or try to get a 3rd star

Any thoughts?

Not looking for deals for guys who kill flexibility in this deal: So no Hield, Lavine, Cp3, etc
Also not looking for smaller pieces: Rose, Ariza, Fournier

Cp3 is probably the closest they’ll get to adding star talent since their trade assets are pretty bare.

I know that’s not what you want but Are we discussing realistic ideas or just pure hypotheticals?

I think a cp3-Lebron-AD core would be clear favorites for the next 2-3 years if AD resigns. Don’t really see the issue with flexibility if you can get guys like Danny green and Avery Bradley to fill in the roster.

Commodor wrote:Cp3 is probably the closest they’ll get to adding star talent since their trade assets are pretty bare.

I know that’s not what you want but Are we discussing realistic ideas or just pure hypotheticals?

I think a cp3-Lebron-AD core would be clear favorites for the next 2-3 years if AD resigns. Don’t really see the issue with flexibility if you can get guys like Danny green and Avery Bradley to fill in the roster.

Trying to be somewhat realistic, but hypotheticals are fine

I see Conley being too tough to do salary wise and I don't want to move DG if possible, unless Kuzma could be moved for a replacement 3 and d guy.

Lowry probably stays, but I would love to have him

Oladipo probably not realistic for us, but just a fun hypothetical

DD and LA do not have really high trade value to me. DD is not a great fit and I am not giving up a still really good 3 and d winning guy for him in DG, even though I think KCP is a positive player. LA would be a nice fit at the 5 with AD. Can spread the floor a bit with 3s, but a very good mid range guy and still a good defender

Here is the thing with CP3:
1) He kills flexibility, but I am kind of okay with if we are getting a star back
2) His injury concerns, this is a risky move for a guy with injury history. But if LAL can't win it all this year and we get outclassed by LAC or MIL, then I consider making a big splash
3) How would we match salaries? It will ruin our depth.
DG, Mcgee, Avery, Rondo, Cook, Kuzma, and our 1st I think works. We can even add THT if needed for salary

But this is a monster overpay and will require 1-2 more teams

I would require a future pick or 2 back for this if I am LA.

I bet LA can find a suitor for DG who would throw in a late 1st, LA should get the pick

Mcgee can work with a team who can use a bigger C, like boston. Give OKC a young guy or 2

Etc..., but LA needs to be compensated for this with future 1st(s) and or 2nds

Depth:

Cp3, KCP (if he opts in), Lebron, AD, ?
Caruso

We have the mle and a bi annual and the minimums

Guards: teague, Dragic, Augustin, Burks, Bazemore, Korver, Justin Holiday, Dion, JR, Maybe Collison comes back?
Forwards: Kieff, Portis, Crowder, Melo, Harkless, Caroll, Josh Jackson, Dudley
Centers: Boogie, Dwight, Gasol, Baynes, Ibaka, Kaminsky, Leonard

Now what?

One of the best case scenarios here that is somewhat realistic:

Mle for Ibaka or Marc
Bi annual for Holiday, Bazemore, Carrol or Crowder (last 2 kind of suck now)
Min for Augustin, Dudley, Kieff, Dwight, Korver

Depending how Dion and JR play, they could be min guys (dion likely prices himself out if he is back to being dion)

I don't think the Lakers are getting any kind of all-star talent with the pieces they have. Looking a step or two down from All-Star caliber, maybe a S&T for someone like Gallinari, Dragic? I think they could in theory, maybe throw together enough assets for someone like Jrue Holiday but it would decimate their depth and leave them with no tradeable assets until well after LeBron is gone.

I'm very confused. The Lakers have no assets to get a third star. Their picks are largely tied up. Kuzma maybe could get you a late 1st. No one else on the team has any real value. Green won't bring anything substantial back of you're limiting it to teams who can take him into space.

BullyKing wrote:I'm very confused. The Lakers have no assets to get a third star. Their picks are largely tied up. Kuzma maybe could get you a late 1st. No one else on the team has any real value. Green won't bring anything substantial back of you're limiting it to teams who can take him into space.

Did you read my ideas and see the names I put down?

DG could be used by the team trading the "star" as well, doesn't have to go to a 3rd team

KEMBAtheMETEOR wrote:I don't think the Lakers are getting any kind of all-star talent with the pieces they have. Looking a step or two down from All-Star caliber, maybe a S&T for someone like Gallinari, Dragic? I think they could in theory, maybe throw together enough assets for someone like Jrue Holiday but it would decimate their depth and leave them with no tradeable assets until well after LeBron is gone.

No chance we could get Jrue if you don't event think we can get some of those other names

I also don't see NOLA wanting to help us since they have an interest in us doing worse b/c of the draft picks we owe them

I like Dragic and Gallo, just not sure if a sign and trade is realistic. Also Gallo would probably want a long term deal or a huge 1 yr deal (like 20M+)

If the Heat want to give Gallo a big 1 yr deal and Dragic would take the mle, that would be a pretty nice pick up

nzahir wrote:

BullyKing wrote:I'm very confused. The Lakers have no assets to get a third star. Their picks are largely tied up. Kuzma maybe could get you a late 1st. No one else on the team has any real value. Green won't bring anything substantial back of you're limiting it to teams who can take him into space.

Did you read my ideas and see the names I put down?

DG could be used by the team trading the "star" as well, doesn't have to go to a 3rd team

Yes, I did and my point remains. You've listed salary but not assets to acquire a star.

BullyKing wrote:

nzahir wrote:

BullyKing wrote:I'm very confused. The Lakers have no assets to get a third star. Their picks are largely tied up. Kuzma maybe could get you a late 1st. No one else on the team has any real value. Green won't bring anything substantial back of you're limiting it to teams who can take him into space.

Did you read my ideas and see the names I put down?

DG could be used by the team trading the "star" as well, doesn't have to go to a 3rd team

Yes, I did and my point remains. You've listed salary but not assets to acquire a star.

Here's the thing, most of those guys are not stars besides their names

Lowry is less realistic b/c I think they want to keep him and they will deal with 2021 FA when it comes.

Conley is too tough salary wise, and all those guys I listed for him are worth way more.

Oladipo is probably too hard to get as well for DG, Kuzma, and 1st as main pieces. Can try to send out Avery and Mcgee for maybe some small pieces to send Indi as well. Indi may be looking to move him though. An injured guy who has had 1 very good year and now looking for a max, 1 yr rental for a lot of teams with this news about Miami

You think LA or DD are worth more than Kuzma and or a 1st and decent expiring guys (who usually get something at the deadline)?
If so, name me some better ideas

nzahir wrote:

BullyKing wrote:

nzahir wrote:Did you read my ideas and see the names I put down?

DG could be used by the team trading the "star" as well, doesn't have to go to a 3rd team

Yes, I did and my point remains. You've listed salary but not assets to acquire a star.

Here's the thing, most of those guys are not stars besides their names

Lowry is less realistic b/c I think they want to keep him and they will deal with 2021 FA when it comes.

Conley is too tough salary wise, and all those guys I listed for him are worth way more.

Oladipo is probably too hard to get as well for DG, Kuzma, and 1st as main pieces. Can try to send out Avery and Mcgee for maybe some small pieces to send Indi as well. Indi may be looking to move him though. An injured guy who has had 1 very good year and now looking for a max, 1 yr rental for a lot of teams with this news about Miami

You think LA or DD are worth more than Kuzma and or a 1st and decent expiring guys (who usually get something at the deadline)?
If so, name me some better ideas

Buddy Hield? Eric Gordon? There aren't many guys in that salary range that have the not overwhelming amount of value equivalent to Kuzma, Green and a late 1st. If a guy like KCP opts in, you'd have enough salary to do something like reunite Lebron with Love as Cleveland would probably take any save face asset to get off his deal.

BullyKing wrote:

nzahir wrote:

BullyKing wrote:
Yes, I did and my point remains. You've listed salary but not assets to acquire a star.

Here's the thing, most of those guys are not stars besides their names

Lowry is less realistic b/c I think they want to keep him and they will deal with 2021 FA when it comes.

Conley is too tough salary wise, and all those guys I listed for him are worth way more.

Oladipo is probably too hard to get as well for DG, Kuzma, and 1st as main pieces. Can try to send out Avery and Mcgee for maybe some small pieces to send Indi as well. Indi may be looking to move him though. An injured guy who has had 1 very good year and now looking for a max, 1 yr rental for a lot of teams with this news about Miami

You think LA or DD are worth more than Kuzma and or a 1st and decent expiring guys (who usually get something at the deadline)?
If so, name me some better ideas

Buddy Hield? Eric Gordon? There aren't many guys in that salary range that have the not overwhelming amount of value equivalent to Kuzma, Green and a late 1st. If a guy like KCP opts in, you'd have enough salary to do something like reunite Lebron with Love as Cleveland would probably take any save face asset to get off his deal.

I don't want Love

I watched him for 4 years in CLE, he was a liability on defense and he was not there in huge moments when needed

I rather have LA and pay him less and have cap flexibility

Don't need EG, kills flexibility and not a star

If LAL loses this year and they can't get one of those guys I named, I look at Hield, Lavine, and CP3

In 2021 there won't be many guys better than those 3 that are realistic gets for us as I don't see Giannis coming here. Oladipo could be nice, but I can see him in MIA and NY as well. Cp3 is also a better player and gives us an extra yr of being here. I see PG and Kawhi staying, or if 1 or 2 leave, its not to the Lakers

Are we really holding out for guys like Dipo, Jrue, Gobert? (I think he stays or is in a big trade)?

What ever you can do, you have to start with Danny Green, 14 Million in expiring salary, and Kuzma, 1.97 Million, as the prospect someone wants. KCP and McGee can both block any trade so there is that hurdle as well.

I don't see much there looking at your roster.

Buzzard wrote:What ever you can do, you have to start with Danny Green, 14 Million in expiring salary, and Kuzma, 1.97 Million, as the prospect someone wants. KCP and McGee can both block any trade so there is that hurdle as well.

I don't see much there looking at your roster.

Salary in the summer: DG is at like 15M
Kuzma is about 3.5M
KCP and Mcgee can't block trades if they opt in

We don't have a ton, but trying to make a miracle out of Kuzma, 1st, and salaries (KCP, Avery, and Mcgee are all avg or above avg players according to adv numbers and eye test, so they aren't useless negative players)

I think CP3 deal is doable, but LAL needs future compensation for taking on that deal and giving up DG, Kuzma 1st, THT

nzahir wrote:

Buzzard wrote:What ever you can do, you have to start with Danny Green, 14 Million in expiring salary, and Kuzma, 1.97 Million, as the prospect someone wants. KCP and McGee can both block any trade so there is that hurdle as well.

I don't see much there looking at your roster.

Salary in the summer: DG is at like 15M
Kuzma is about 3.5M
KCP and Mcgee can't block trades if they opt in

We don't have a ton, but trying to make a miracle out of Kuzma, 1st, and salaries (KCP, Avery, and Mcgee are all avg or above avg players according to adv numbers and eye test, so they aren't useless negative players)

I think CP3 deal is doable, but LAL needs future compensation for taking on that deal and giving up DG, Kuzma 1st, THT

Good luck trying to get Presti to give up a pick. He wants a pick back or CP3 will probably continue to help the young Thunder team grow. I think Conley is your best bet as far as someone just wanting to dump his contract; but that deal becomes valuable the closer it gets to the end of the 2021 season.

nzahir wrote:

Buzzard wrote:What ever you can do, you have to start with Danny Green, 14 Million in expiring salary, and Kuzma, 1.97 Million, as the prospect someone wants. KCP and McGee can both block any trade so there is that hurdle as well.

I don't see much there looking at your roster.

Salary in the summer: DG is at like 15M
Kuzma is about 3.5M
KCP and Mcgee can't block trades if they opt in

We don't have a ton, but trying to make a miracle out of Kuzma, 1st, and salaries (KCP, Avery, and Mcgee are all avg or above avg players according to adv numbers and eye test, so they aren't useless negative players)

I think CP3 deal is doable, but LAL needs future compensation for taking on that deal and giving up DG, Kuzma 1st, THT

Are you really expecting OKC to do charity work and give the Lakers a great deal on a CP3 trade?


Do you think the following has a high probability of happening?

OKC calls the Lakers and says that they are really desperate to move CP3. Figure out what needs to be done to make the salaries work. OKC will even include a future first because they really need to get this deal done.

BullyKing wrote:

nzahir wrote:

BullyKing wrote:
Yes, I did and my point remains. You've listed salary but not assets to acquire a star.

Here's the thing, most of those guys are not stars besides their names

Lowry is less realistic b/c I think they want to keep him and they will deal with 2021 FA when it comes.

Conley is too tough salary wise, and all those guys I listed for him are worth way more.

Oladipo is probably too hard to get as well for DG, Kuzma, and 1st as main pieces. Can try to send out Avery and Mcgee for maybe some small pieces to send Indi as well. Indi may be looking to move him though. An injured guy who has had 1 very good year and now looking for a max, 1 yr rental for a lot of teams with this news about Miami

You think LA or DD are worth more than Kuzma and or a 1st and decent expiring guys (who usually get something at the deadline)?
If so, name me some better ideas

Buddy Hield? Eric Gordon? There aren't many guys in that salary range that have the not overwhelming amount of value equivalent to Kuzma, Green and a late 1st. If a guy like KCP opts in, you'd have enough salary to do something like reunite Lebron with Love as Cleveland would probably take any save face asset to get off his deal.

Love and Conley look to be possible solid bets. CP3 would take Kuzma, pick and expirings and I am not sold Presti would jump at that.

I do think the Lakers should give what ever it takes, short of LeBron and AD, to try to get CP3. I just think its iffy at best if they have enough.

I don't think DG, Kuzma, and a late first gets the Lakers much. Certainly not anybody I would call a "star."

To me, if you can get Paul, you get Paul. 2021 flexibility be damned

Lakers have zero chance of trading for any of those names with their available assets

The most likely scenario would be to sign Dipo or Demar as UFAs.

Aldridge is a terrible fit.
Dinwiddie sure if you have enough bitcoin

Conley has little left to offer... and Lowry will retire as a Rap

Buzzard wrote:

nzahir wrote:

Buzzard wrote:What ever you can do, you have to start with Danny Green, 14 Million in expiring salary, and Kuzma, 1.97 Million, as the prospect someone wants. KCP and McGee can both block any trade so there is that hurdle as well.

I don't see much there looking at your roster.

Salary in the summer: DG is at like 15M
Kuzma is about 3.5M
KCP and Mcgee can't block trades if they opt in

We don't have a ton, but trying to make a miracle out of Kuzma, 1st, and salaries (KCP, Avery, and Mcgee are all avg or above avg players according to adv numbers and eye test, so they aren't useless negative players)

I think CP3 deal is doable, but LAL needs future compensation for taking on that deal and giving up DG, Kuzma 1st, THT

Good luck trying to get Presti to give up a pick. He wants a pick back or CP3 will probably continue to help the young Thunder team grow. I think Conley is your best bet as far as someone just wanting to dump his contract; but that deal becomes valuable the closer it gets to the end of the 2021 season.

I bet OKC is going to love paying that salary and maybe even luxury tax to not contend

Cp3 has 2 more huge years after this one

OKC doesn't have to be the ones giving up anything, but they need to take on the salary. I bet a 3rd team would give up a not so great 2 year deal(s) and a late 1st for DG or even an expiring and late 1st