CP3 to LAL

[DanishLakerFan]

Simple deal:

CP3 to LAL for either:
Gabe or Vando. Plus compensation, which could be a lottery protected first.

CP3 would solve a lot for LA - especially in the last few seconds of the Lebron-window. He's not getting you a lot of assets back, unless they take on salary, but SA could be looking to acquire assets now in order to be in better position for major moves down the road.

Thoughts?

[flranger]

Lakers aren't letting go of a first of any type or variation for CP3.

I'd be surprised if they let go of any first until Lebron is gone, they are doing the right thing holding onto assets.

[Myth]

Lakers wouldn't give up the 1st, and Spurs would require the first to move on from the purpose of signing CP3 (help with development).

[JB2]

Lakers aren't letting go of a first of any type or variation for CP3.

I'd be surprised if they let go of any first until Lebron is gone, they are doing the right thing holding onto assets.

Interesting take from a non biased 3rd party. Most laker fans are either in the 'tear it down right now' camp or 'the go for broke' camp

[wemby]

Several issues
1) I don't think Spurs move CP3 unless he asks them to, which doesn't seem likely.
2) This would be a salary dump as much as it'd be about getting CP3, Vincent has one more season beyond this one but Vanderbilt has 2.I could see the Spurs taking an extra year worth of salary, but not 2... not even for a first.
3) Lakers will likely be very careful in letting go of any first round picks, since they're not overflowing with them.
For all of the reasons above, I don't think this deal has many chances of going through.

[kobe_vs_jordan]

Yea, don't think there is fair middle ground. Lakers lack assets to turn into into cp3 easily. Spurs lack incentive to trade cp3 for market price.

[OutsidetheNBA]

Lakers aren't letting go of a first of any type or variation for CP3.

I'd be surprised if they let go of any first until Lebron is gone, they are doing the right thing holding onto assets.

Interesting take from a non biased 3rd party. Most laker fans are either in the 'tear it down right now' camp or 'the go for broke' camp

Every year, 29 NBA teams fail. Lakers get to be one of those 29 for the next couple of years.

They can't tear down without diminishing the attraction of LA as a free agent destination for aging stars. Does Lebron sign (and bring along AD and win a ring) if the Lakers had traded Kobe? Will the next AD demand a trade specifically to the Lakers if they trade AD to some cold-weather, small market team for draft picks?

On the other hand, they shouldn't trade their '29 and '31 picks unless it gives them a chance to actually win a championship, and as far as I can see that deal doesn't exist. So enjoy being a competitive team, probably winning a play-in game and then having an entertaining first round loss. Keep your assets to bring in a replacement superstar to pair with Davis in '26-'27 after Lebron retires.