Lakers Interested In Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook

[tigerae]

Nice try Fakers but CP3 is gunna resign with us and take whatever young PG prospect we draft under his tutelage before retiring in the desert

Extremely doubtful but on other hand I just don't see Paul opting out of his current contract.

Only if it's for a longer contract for close to the same annual average. He's the President of the NBAPA. Taking a major discount to stack the deck would be a really bad look for everything he's fought for.

My understanding from another story a while ago was that he would opt out in order to sign one last 3 digit contract. Probably somewhere around 100 million over the next 3 years or 4 year 120 million or something like that.

Not sure the Suns would look to do something like that with Ayton's rookie contract still in the books and his extension likely being a max contract. This is where a sign and trade might make some sense, but I don't think the Lakers have the assets that the Suns are looking for other than maybe Kuzma and THT. They likely would also want picks.

Westbrook on the other hand, especially with Brooks gone, could be an option for them. His contract is negative value so if the Wizards could get a package with Schroder, Kuzma and THT it might get done. Doubt anyone else would offer a better deal.

[kbitboc]

If he opts in and traded to the Lakers, the Lakers won't be hard capped right?

[meekrab]

Of course they are, because they are the Almighty Lakers of Minneso... er, Los Angeles and they must be catered to at all costs, lest the NBA fade into irrelevancy.

[Swagula]

He looks cooked to me (Paul)

[Vegeta10176]

Paul would be crazy to turn down the MLE from the Lakers. He’ll never get another chance at a ring plus Bron is his best bud.

G - Paul/Caruso
G - KCP/McLemore
F - James/Dudley
F - AD/Kuz
C - Gasol/Whiteside

LOL best bud, who drug him in the mud regarding all star game and the condensed schedule...Paul is the NBAPA President, so that shade was towards him...Godfather sure, best bud...well???

Oh yeah, it was Paul that made that decision....certainly wasn't Silver coming to the NBAPA stating you have to do this or you're going to lose most of your money this coming season. Certainly wasn't put to a vote by the Union cause we all know the players have no say... C'mon man, think it through before you type. The Players VOTED in the majority for this season and the ASG. The union is all about the players and the players vote on everything, including this condensed schedule, since most players would have been hurt financially with no season. Lebron knew the players would vote for the season, he was upset it was even offered by the league in the first place. As for LeBron and CP, well Bron calls him one of his best friends and Bron was courtside supporting CP and the Suns for game 5.

PRO BASKETBALL TALK | NBC SPORTS Select TeamSubscribe:
Chris Paul says all players had voice in much criticized condensed schedule
By Kurt HelinJul 5, 2021, 11:00 PM EDT

Chris Paul heard LeBron, but when asked about the condensed 72-game schedule this year, he said a lot of players had their voices heard.

“Man, one thing about our league and its players is everything is always a conversation,” Paul said during his media session the day before Game 1 of the NBA Finals. “There’s a ton of guys on the executive committee who are working hard on things right now as we speak — day in and day out, traveling. I wish you guys knew all the things that are going on. So decisions that are made as far as playing or not playing, players are always involved in it.

“Injuries are always unfortunate. You hate to have them. But just like when we went to the bubble, everything was discussed as far as the players and the full body of players. Everything that’s good for this guy and that guy might not be the same for that guy, but everything has always been a conversation and it’s going to continue to be that way. So if people don’t like it, then you know everybody has the same opportunity to be a part of all these conversations.”

https://nba.nbcsports.com/2021/07/05/chris-paul-says-all-players-had-voice-in-much-criticized-condensed-schedule/

Wait what your saying friends can't have a disagreement.. This is frankly dumb.. And Paul represents all players so he may agree or disagree but it doesn't matter as he must represent the will of the players.. And even if he and LBJ disagree that's fine you can have a disagreement.. LBJ saying he was right which was subjective anyway certainly more stars injured but not necessarily more players is just him saying see I was right not a shot at Chris Paul.. Anyway I doubt CP3 goes to the lakers remember he wanted a 5 year max with Houston and only got a 4 year so he wants his money.. Likely he stays with the suns but he could be involved in a sign and trade elsewhere that is possible if the suns don't want to pay him and max Ayton.. Of the PGs you could possibly pry away from their team there is Lillard, CP3, Sexton, Schroder, Dim, Lowry.. Now if players like Schroder and Dim want money like Lowrey and CP3 then expect some interest in teams trying to pry away CP3 who even at his age is far better..

[Pickled Prunes]

Extremely doubtful but on other hand I just don't see Paul opting out of his current contract.

Only if it's for a longer contract for close to the same annual average. He's the President of the NBAPA. Taking a major discount to stack the deck would be a really bad look for everything he's fought for.

My understanding from another story a while ago was that he would opt out in order to sign one last 3 digit contract. Probably somewhere around 100 million over the next 3 years or 4 year 120 million or something like that.

Not sure the Suns would look to do something like that with Ayton's rookie contract still in the books and his extension likely being a max contract. This is where a sign and trade might make some sense, but I don't think the Lakers have the assets that the Suns are looking for other than maybe Kuzma and THT. They likely would also want picks.

Westbrook on the other hand, especially with Brooks gone, could be an option for them. His contract is negative value so if the Wizards could get a package with Schroder, Kuzma and THT it might get done. Doubt anyone else would offer a better deal.

If the Lakers can make the money work, the Wiz might send a pick or two with Westbrook. It might take Kuzma, KCP and Schroeder to make the salaries work. This would be terrible for LAL either way.

The Suns don't need either of those players. If CP3 goes they will need a PG... and not Schroeder.

[bqmuzik]

Plot twist Lakers acquire both CP3 and Westbrook

You clearly know nothing about the salary cap

[bqmuzik]

Paul would be crazy to turn down the MLE from the Lakers. He’ll never get another chance at a ring plus Bron is his best bud.

G - Paul/Caruso
G - KCP/McLemore
F - James/Dudley
F - AD/Kuz
C - Gasol/Whiteside

What superstar has ever taken the MLE? They still expect to be paid their worth.

[spree2kawhi]

He looks cooked to me (Paul)

Definitely slow in transition.

[CanesHeatFins]

OMG... Please give me some Westbrook and LeBron on the same team.... They'd kill each other before the all-star break.

[JN61]

OMG... Please give me some Westbrook and LeBron on the same team.... They'd kill each other before the all-star break.

Why? Westbrook is known good teammate with several ex teammates speaking extremely high on him and excellent to adapt into different roles and elevating players around him. George had career year with him, Harden had arguably top 2 season with him, Beal had his best year with Westbrook, and Durant some of his better seasons with him (granted with stacked teams around him his efficiency is off the roof).

Then we had litany of roleplayers who had their career years with Russ: Thabo, Adams, Kanter, Lopez, Gafford, etc...


Question is, is Lebron ready at age of 37 give up dribbling air out of basketball and play some off ball for easiest buckets of his life? I don't think his ego allows him so you might be right about Lebron throwing out massive tantrum when he is not looked as the best player of his own team.

[MegaK]

Beal, Lillard or Colin Sexton are a better fit. A shooter in a point guard bodys with point guard skills is a better fit. Lakers don't need a Point God like Chris Paul as it takes away from Lebrons play making. Lebron is a better play maker than anyone in league history aside from Magic. If Paul was to join the team he would have to play off ball and i don't think that works or is effective for his game bro. Besides that, doesn't he have the ability to opt in for like 40 Million dollars or something ? I can't see him walking away from that or getting that much from any other team next season. I think he's going to do the smart thing and take the money. He is a hall of famer no matter what happens bro.