Spurs open to trading Kawhi to Lakers

[mtron929]

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It’s interesting....the Lakers need to be careful about this. Does LeBron PG and Kwahi beat GSW? I’m not sure. Definitely puts them above Houston. Might only be a 2 year window. LeBron is going into his 16th season. Also remember that someone is going to have to be the Bosh on this team...If it’s Kwahi then you’ve given up most of your young talent for a 3rd option. If it’s George? Then you’ve still given up most of your young depth for a 2nd option...

You play for the 2 years window. The Lakers are not in the position to put a squad to contend now and contend in the future. They need to choose a timeline and optimize for that timeline and it is clear that that timeline is now, albeit it will only last for Lebron's primes. I am not banking on the notion that Ingram/Ball/Kuzma/Randle will become a championship caliber team. They might obviously, but I am not taking that risk based on what I have seen from them.

[bebopdeluxe]

Only if they are still trying to contend. In reality, if they trade Kawhi they should attempt to rebuild/tank, and in that case 2 years of Deng won't really have any impact on the team and the far greater upside of Ingram than anything the Sixers would offer would be well worth it.

Ingram has no upside worth talking about. He's a neg RPM, sub-15 PER talent. Shooting is nothing to write home about(53 TS). Injury prone too. What a great prospect. Def worth taking on Deng's horrible contract. If Pop/Buford want to drive the franchise out of the city, there's quicker ways to do it than forcing the fans to endure years of watching leftover garbage from the Lakers. Might as well trade Kawhi to OKC for Carmelo and be done with it.

Sixers package is better by default because those youngsters haven't been tainted with the cancer known as the Lakers youth development program.

Lol, this is def one of the worst. Ingram went 18+ppg and 54%+ fg in March. He will get much better physically and mentally.

Ingram will be a top 15 player in the NBA as long as he doesn't suffer a horrific injury or die. Book it.

Honestly I wouldn't trade Ingram for Kawhi. We will get Kawhi for free next year and the Spurs can suck it.

You think Ingram is going to be an All-NBA player (which is what top-15 would represent) - yes?

Ummmm....OK.

[The Penguin]

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?s=19

It’s interesting....the Lakers need to be careful about this. Does LeBron PG and Kwahi beat GSW? I’m not sure. Definitely puts them above Houston. Might only be a 2 year window. LeBron is going into his 16th season. Also remember that someone is going to have to be the Bosh on this team...If it’s Kwahi then you’ve given up most of your young talent for a 3rd option. If it’s George? Then you’ve still given up most of your young depth for a 2nd option...

You play for the 2 years window. The Lakers are not in the position to put a squad to contend now and contend in the future. They need to choose a timeline and optimize for that timeline and it is clear that that timeline is now, albeit it will only last for Lebron's primes. I am not banking on the notion that Ingram/Ball/Kuzma/Randle will become a championship caliber team. They might obviously, but I am not taking that risk based on what I have seen from them.

NBA history is littered with more promising young cores than Ingram / Ball / Kuzma / Randle who ultimately did nothing. Lebron / Kawhi / PG13 is an immediate title contender, given how Lebron takes care of his body and the age of Kawhi / PG13, I'm not buying the "2 year window" thing.

[Spens1]

Well said, Spens. The problem you have is that Magic and Jeanie Buss raised expectations and now if you don't deliver it's a failure. What was rather a straightforward offseason - signing PG and LeBron - may have gotten derailed with Kawhi's sh*t show.

I just hope Philly doesn't get involved. No putdown to your rebuild with Ingram, Kuzma and Ball (I think our young Big Three have potential to be better), we're a year ahead. There are five possible locations for LeBron: LA, Philly, Boston, Houston and Cleveland. Boston and Houston can give him a championship series but not without Cleveland's consent to a sign-and-trade. Why would Cleveland do that? Cleveland can't fix its roster. Tanking is the only option to save their 2019 pick, which is better than any pick they might be offered in a trade and which goes to Atlanta if they don't finish in the bottom 10.

That leaves Philly and LA. And as I said, we're a year ahead of you in our rebuild and have around $27 mil in cap space (which can be expanded to $35 mil) to enter the free-agency market and complete our roster if LeBron refuses. And next July, if we do one-year signings like you did with Caldwell-Pope, we'll have $32 mil. We'll know whether Fultz is going to be a future star. We'll know whether Embiid was bothered by his mask in the playoffs, whether Simmons can shoot a mid-range jump shot, whether Zhaire Smith will be a future Kawhi Leonard as Brett Brown indicated in his post-draft press conference.

Sometimes it's best to do nothing.

LeBron's still superman, but his kryptonite (age; he turns 34 in December) is coming upon him. He averaged 5.7 turnovers in the Celtics series and really looked tired in at least two of those games.

Thankfully Magic isn't doing the trades. Pelinka is, and on big trades he deserves the benefit of the doubt. I don't think Magic would go over Pelinka's head. These two have raised expectations but honestly, even if we sign P.G. we've won just cause it would be the step in the right direct.

Also if Lebron is coming, he's coming anyway, Kawhi may be a factor but i doubt its huge. Houston is a difficult place to deal with given they have problems to deal with of their own, namely CP3 wanting a supermax.

Philly also has the process, does Lebron mess that up perhaps, does Lebron and Simmons work together (which is the same issue we have with Lonzo and Lebron).

Well, Paul George just opted out, became an unrestricted free agent. The Thunder can't sign him even if he wants to play in OKC. Westbrook, Carmelo, Roberson and Adams make a combined $97 mil.

Am not too worried about LeBron and Simmons. Simmons, unlike Ball, is 6'10". He can play down under, creating impossible matchup problems.

But: If you sign both LeBron and PG, you won't be able to sign a max free-agency deal with Kawhi in the offseason: $35+$30=$75. You'll have to decide whether to match Randle ($12???) and re-sign Lopez ($12???). The cap will go up to $108. There's just no way to get another $30 even if you find a sucker for Deng.

Lopez is getting renounced immediately, also if it comes down to it Randle will get renounced however, i think he may end up being a crucial trade piece in the deal. He is more what the Spurs look for in their player.

Obviously Deng + Ingram/Kuzma/Ball makes sense cause of cap reasons but Randle + for Leonard also could work.

Charlotte helped us, Brooklyn just ditched that contract so cheaply its unreal.

[mtron929]

It’s interesting....the Lakers need to be careful about this. Does LeBron PG and Kwahi beat GSW? I’m not sure. Definitely puts them above Houston. Might only be a 2 year window. LeBron is going into his 16th season. Also remember that someone is going to have to be the Bosh on this team...If it’s Kwahi then you’ve given up most of your young talent for a 3rd option. If it’s George? Then you’ve still given up most of your young depth for a 2nd option...

You play for the 2 years window. The Lakers are not in the position to put a squad to contend now and contend in the future. They need to choose a timeline and optimize for that timeline and it is clear that that timeline is now, albeit it will only last for Lebron's primes. I am not banking on the notion that Ingram/Ball/Kuzma/Randle will become a championship caliber team. They might obviously, but I am not taking that risk based on what I have seen from them.

NBA history is littered with more promising young cores than Ingram / Ball / Kuzma / Randle who ultimately did nothing. Lebron / Kawhi / PG13 is an immediate title contender, given how Lebron takes care of his body and the age of Kawhi / PG13, I'm not buying the "2 year window" thing.

I am saying that even if it is a 2 years window, you do it if you are the Lakers if you can get the big 3 of Lebron, PG13, and Kawhi. There is no way in hell I wait until 2019 to get Kawhi, because you are pretty much giving up on one year (2018-19 season) of Lebron's potential prime. And folks, he is old now, so he doesn't have a lot of prime years left so you contend when he is still the #1 player in the NBA. The Lakers cannot afford to waste Lebron's prime year like this.

[bebopdeluxe]

Lol.
Get Kawhi. No metter what it cost.
This is freaking Kawhi man.
Dont worry about the core

We still need 9-12 other players to have a roster. The more core pieces we retain, the better for us. We need to follow the Boston and Philly model of having both stars and young players rather than the Cleveland model of a few good players and overpaid scrubs around them.

Well said, Spens. The problem you have is that Magic and Jeanie Buss raised expectations and now if you don't deliver it's a failure. What was rather a straightforward offseason - signing PG and LeBron - may have gotten derailed with Kawhi's sh*t show.

I just hope Philly doesn't get involved. No putdown to your rebuild with Ingram, Kuzma and Ball (I think our young Big Three have potential to be better), we're a year ahead. There are five possible locations for LeBron: LA, Philly, Boston, Houston and Cleveland. Boston and Houston can give him a championship series but not without Cleveland's consent to a sign-and-trade. Why would Cleveland do that? Cleveland can't fix its roster. Tanking is the only option to save their 2019 pick, which is better than any pick they might be offered in a trade and which goes to Atlanta if they don't finish in the bottom 10.

That leaves Philly and LA. And as I said, we're a year ahead of you in our rebuild and have around $27 mil in cap space (which can be expanded to $35 mil) to enter the free-agency market and complete our roster if LeBron refuses. And next July, if we do one-year signings like you did with Caldwell-Pope, we'll have $32 mil. We'll know whether Fultz is going to be a future star. We'll know whether Embiid was bothered by his mask in the playoffs, whether Simmons can shoot a mid-range jump shot, whether Zhaire Smith will be a future Kawhi Leonard as Brett Brown indicated in his post-draft press conference.

Sometimes it's best to do nothing.

LeBron's still superman, but his kryptonite (age; he turns 34 in December) is coming upon him. He averaged 5.7 turnovers in the Celtics series and really looked tired in at least two of those games.

The Sixers "big 3" (Embiid, Simmons and Saric) won 52 games and were playing in mid-May, while the Lakers "big 3" were home eating tacos and watching the playoffs on TV.

This isn't about which team's young nucleus is better (duh). There is not a single young player on the Lakers roster that an NBA GM would trade Ben Simmons for (BRANDON INGRAM YO!), much less Joel Embiid. I would argue, in fact, that Saric is as good as any of them as well.

This is simply about the narrative of playing in LA. Period.

If players like LBJ, Kawhi and Paul George want to play in LA, that is their right. But let's not confuse the situation - if LeBron and Kawhi were going to make their decision on which team is best positioned to get to the Finals and win rings over the next 2-3 seasons, they would be idiots to choose LA over Philly, IMO.

But, from my perspective, if it is more important for those guys to be in LA, then I wish them well. We were a top-5 team in the NBA last season without them. We will just keep growing our team and get to the Finals without them.

[JellosJigglin]

Ingram has no upside worth talking about. He's a neg RPM, sub-15 PER talent. Shooting is nothing to write home about(53 TS). Injury prone too. What a great prospect. Def worth taking on Deng's horrible contract. If Pop/Buford want to drive the franchise out of the city, there's quicker ways to do it than forcing the fans to endure years of watching leftover garbage from the Lakers. Might as well trade Kawhi to OKC for Carmelo and be done with it.

Sixers package is better by default because those youngsters haven't been tainted with the cancer known as the Lakers youth development program.

Lol, this is def one of the worst. Ingram went 18+ppg and 54%+ fg in March. He will get much better physically and mentally.

Ingram will be a top 15 player in the NBA as long as he doesn't suffer a horrific injury or die. Book it.

Honestly I wouldn't trade Ingram for Kawhi. We will get Kawhi for free next year and the Spurs can suck it.

You think Ingram is going to be an All-NBA player (which is what top-15 would represent) - yes?

Ummmm....OK.

He's 20 years old. The list of players that have averaged 16/5/4 at 20 years old:

Lebron
Magic Johnson
CP3
Tyreke Evans
Lamar Odom

To say that Ingram could one day be all-nba is not a stretch. Again, he's 20!

[Jedi32]

We still need 9-12 other players to have a roster. The more core pieces we retain, the better for us. We need to follow the Boston and Philly model of having both stars and young players rather than the Cleveland model of a few good players and overpaid scrubs around them.

Well said, Spens. The problem you have is that Magic and Jeanie Buss raised expectations and now if you don't deliver it's a failure. What was rather a straightforward offseason - signing PG and LeBron - may have gotten derailed with Kawhi's sh*t show.

I just hope Philly doesn't get involved. No putdown to your rebuild with Ingram, Kuzma and Ball (I think our young Big Three have potential to be better), we're a year ahead. There are five possible locations for LeBron: LA, Philly, Boston, Houston and Cleveland. Boston and Houston can give him a championship series but not without Cleveland's consent to a sign-and-trade. Why would Cleveland do that? Cleveland can't fix its roster. Tanking is the only option to save their 2019 pick, which is better than any pick they might be offered in a trade and which goes to Atlanta if they don't finish in the bottom 10.

That leaves Philly and LA. And as I said, we're a year ahead of you in our rebuild and have around $27 mil in cap space (which can be expanded to $35 mil) to enter the free-agency market and complete our roster if LeBron refuses. And next July, if we do one-year signings like you did with Caldwell-Pope, we'll have $32 mil. We'll know whether Fultz is going to be a future star. We'll know whether Embiid was bothered by his mask in the playoffs, whether Simmons can shoot a mid-range jump shot, whether Zhaire Smith will be a future Kawhi Leonard as Brett Brown indicated in his post-draft press conference.

Sometimes it's best to do nothing.

LeBron's still superman, but his kryptonite (age; he turns 34 in December) is coming upon him. He averaged 5.7 turnovers in the Celtics series and really looked tired in at least two of those games.

The Sixers "big 3" (Embiid, Simmons and Saric) won 52 games and were playing in mid-May, while the Lakers "big 3" were home eating tacos and watching the playoffs on TV.

This isn't about which team's young nucleus is better (duh). There is not a single young player on the Lakers roster that an NBA GM would trade Ben Simmons for (BRANDON INGRAM YO!), much less Joel Embiid. I would argue, in fact, that Saric is better than any of them as well.

This is simply about the narrative of playing in LA. Period.

If players like LBJ, Kawhi and Paul George want to play in LA, that is their right. But let's not confuse the situation - if LeBron and Kawhi were going to make their decision on which team is best positioned to get to the Finals and win rings over the next 2-3 seasons, they would be idiots to choose LA over Philly, IMO.

But, from my perspective, if it is more important for those guys to be in LA, then I wish them well. We were a top-5 team in the NBA last season without them. We will just keep growing our team and get to the Finals without them.

The way some Philly fans talk you would think they were a half away from winning the chip last season. Your team had a nice run but there's no guarantee they'll be some powerhouse that's just going to wreck the east, let alone the league.

[hookshot199]

Thankfully Magic isn't doing the trades. Pelinka is, and on big trades he deserves the benefit of the doubt. I don't think Magic would go over Pelinka's head. These two have raised expectations but honestly, even if we sign P.G. we've won just cause it would be the step in the right direct.

Also if Lebron is coming, he's coming anyway, Kawhi may be a factor but i doubt its huge. Houston is a difficult place to deal with given they have problems to deal with of their own, namely CP3 wanting a supermax.

Philly also has the process, does Lebron mess that up perhaps, does Lebron and Simmons work together (which is the same issue we have with Lonzo and Lebron).

Well, Paul George just opted out, became an unrestricted free agent. The Thunder can't sign him even if he wants to play in OKC. Westbrook, Carmelo, Roberson and Adams make a combined $97 mil.

Am not too worried about LeBron and Simmons. Simmons, unlike Ball, is 6'10". He can play down under, creating impossible matchup problems.

But: If you sign both LeBron and PG, you won't be able to sign a max free-agency deal with Kawhi in the offseason: $35+$30=$75. You'll have to decide whether to match Randle ($12???) and re-sign Lopez ($12???). The cap will go up to $108. There's just no way to get another $30 even if you find a sucker for Deng.

Lopez is getting renounced immediately, also if it comes down to it Randle will get renounced however, i think he may end up being a crucial trade piece in the deal. He is more what the Spurs look for in their player.

Obviously Deng + Ingram/Kuzma/Ball makes sense cause of cap reasons but Randle + for Leonard also could work.

Charlotte helped us, Brooklyn just ditched that contract so cheaply its unreal.

We'll see whether Popovich wants a one-year rental in Randle. I suspect no. And if you go into a season
without a center or backup center, that's a bit risky.

There are some out there, but none will come for free. The Philly board has discussed backup options for
Embiid. They include Alex Len (good luck with him) and Kyle O'Quinn (who I would like, but will seek and
receive a multi-year deal).

BTW: Doesn't Randle become an unrestricted free agent if you renounce him?

[chrisab123]

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It’s interesting....the Lakers need to be careful about this. Does LeBron PG and Kwahi beat GSW? I’m not sure. Definitely puts them above Houston. Might only be a 2 year window. LeBron is going into his 16th season. Also remember that someone is going to have to be the Bosh on this team...If it’s Kwahi then you’ve given up most of your young talent for a 3rd option. If it’s George? Then you’ve still given up most of your young depth for a 2nd option...

Possibly.
But are Ingram, Kuzma, picks ever going to be half as good as Kawhi? Definitely not. Are the lakers ever going to be in an easier position to have one of the best players of all time, and 2 other hall of fame players on the same team? I think they know they won’t, that’s why they are offering up everything they have for the shot at putting togeher a massive big 3. Judging by Magic’s statement, Im guessing they already know they will get what they want (this offseason or next).

Anytime someone is two years removed from being a #2 its kind of hard to gauge that player. Obviously the most likely answer is that Ingram isn't going to be as good as Leonard but you don't know. Same thing us Celtics fans are going through with Jaylen and the possibility of trading him to the Spurs. Tough to give up that potential.

[hookshot199]

Well said, Spens. The problem you have is that Magic and Jeanie Buss raised expectations and now if you don't deliver it's a failure. What was rather a straightforward offseason - signing PG and LeBron - may have gotten derailed with Kawhi's sh*t show.

I just hope Philly doesn't get involved. No putdown to your rebuild with Ingram, Kuzma and Ball (I think our young Big Three have potential to be better), we're a year ahead. There are five possible locations for LeBron: LA, Philly, Boston, Houston and Cleveland. Boston and Houston can give him a championship series but not without Cleveland's consent to a sign-and-trade. Why would Cleveland do that? Cleveland can't fix its roster. Tanking is the only option to save their 2019 pick, which is better than any pick they might be offered in a trade and which goes to Atlanta if they don't finish in the bottom 10.

That leaves Philly and LA. And as I said, we're a year ahead of you in our rebuild and have around $27 mil in cap space (which can be expanded to $35 mil) to enter the free-agency market and complete our roster if LeBron refuses. And next July, if we do one-year signings like you did with Caldwell-Pope, we'll have $32 mil. We'll know whether Fultz is going to be a future star. We'll know whether Embiid was bothered by his mask in the playoffs, whether Simmons can shoot a mid-range jump shot, whether Zhaire Smith will be a future Kawhi Leonard as Brett Brown indicated in his post-draft press conference.

Sometimes it's best to do nothing.

LeBron's still superman, but his kryptonite (age; he turns 34 in December) is coming upon him. He averaged 5.7 turnovers in the Celtics series and really looked tired in at least two of those games.

The Sixers "big 3" (Embiid, Simmons and Saric) won 52 games and were playing in mid-May, while the Lakers "big 3" were home eating tacos and watching the playoffs on TV.

This isn't about which team's young nucleus is better (duh). There is not a single young player on the Lakers roster that an NBA GM would trade Ben Simmons for (BRANDON INGRAM YO!), much less Joel Embiid. I would argue, in fact, that Saric is better than any of them as well.

This is simply about the narrative of playing in LA. Period.

If players like LBJ, Kawhi and Paul George want to play in LA, that is their right. But let's not confuse the situation - if LeBron and Kawhi were going to make their decision on which team is best positioned to get to the Finals and win rings over the next 2-3 seasons, they would be idiots to choose LA over Philly, IMO.

But, from my perspective, if it is more important for those guys to be in LA, then I wish them well. We were a top-5 team in the NBA last season without them. We will just keep growing our team and get to the Finals without them.

The way some Philly fans talk you would think they were a half away from winning the chip last season. Your team had a nice run but there's no guarantee they'll be some powerhouse that's just going to wreck the east, let alone the league.

There's no guarantee, but we do have Embiid and Simmons. The guy that everyone talks about like he's chopped liver - Robert Covington - won first team, all defensive team. Saric is our Julius Randle. And we've got lots of cap space to sign or re-sign complementary players like Redick or Tyreke Evans.

And we don't have two $50 mil in contracts coming off of major surgery.

Also, we don't have the LaVar Ball sh*t show. And to be fair to our critics, we lucked out and got rid of the Bryan Colangelo sh*t show.

I think we're in a good position. It would be better of course with LeBron or Paul George. But the East is still an easier path to the finals than the West because of Houston and Golden State.

[Spens1]

Well, Paul George just opted out, became an unrestricted free agent. The Thunder can't sign him even if he wants to play in OKC. Westbrook, Carmelo, Roberson and Adams make a combined $97 mil.

Am not too worried about LeBron and Simmons. Simmons, unlike Ball, is 6'10". He can play down under, creating impossible matchup problems.

But: If you sign both LeBron and PG, you won't be able to sign a max free-agency deal with Kawhi in the offseason: $35+$30=$75. You'll have to decide whether to match Randle ($12???) and re-sign Lopez ($12???). The cap will go up to $108. There's just no way to get another $30 even if you find a sucker for Deng.

Lopez is getting renounced immediately, also if it comes down to it Randle will get renounced however, i think he may end up being a crucial trade piece in the deal. He is more what the Spurs look for in their player.

Obviously Deng + Ingram/Kuzma/Ball makes sense cause of cap reasons but Randle + for Leonard also could work.

Charlotte helped us, Brooklyn just ditched that contract so cheaply its unreal.

We'll see whether Popovich wants a one-year rental in Randle. I suspect no. And if you go into a season
without a center or backup center, that's a bit risky.

There are some out there, but none will come for free. The Philly board has discussed backup options for
Embiid. They include Alex Len (good luck with him) and Kyle O'Quinn (who I would like, but will seek and
receive a multi-year deal).

BTW: Doesn't Randle become an unrestricted free agent if you renounce him?

wouldn't be unrestricted. Well it depends what the deal for Kawhi is. if we deal Deng off somehow to use Randle in this deal, then that's when it gets interesting.

[PistolPeteJR]

I wonder if the Lakers have said something along the lines of "here's our offer for Kawhi; your deadline is Friday. If you don't accept by then, our offer decreases by x".

If I'm the Lakers, that is what I do, because while it's risky, you put pressure back on the Spurs to get it done and take the most they can from a team that Kawhi has signed off on. As it pertains to dealing Kawhi elsewhere (outside of the Clippers), are teams like the Celtics prepared to give up guys like Jaylen Brown with the risk that Kawhi may only be a one-year rental? I'm not so sure. And for people that'll give the Paul George OKC matter as an example to compare this to, it's not the same, because no one saw Oladipo and Sabonis being what they were in that deal. EVERYONE thought it was a steal for Presti and the Thunder. In this case, people know from the get-go that Brown's oozing with potential, and the Celtics won't be quick to pull that trigger without commitment from Kawhi.

[Spens1]

I said this on draft night, the Spurs messed up declining Tobias Harris + 12 + 13, that is a damn good offer for Leonard given we don't know what he is medically? This could be a Kawhi Leonard who comes back significantly worse, to the point he may not even be that much better than Harris is now.

[spikeslovechild]

I wonder if the Lakers have said something along the lines of "here's our offer for Kawhi; your deadline is Friday. If you don't accept by then, our offer decreases by x".

If I'm the Lakers, that is what I do, because while it's risky, you put pressure back on the Spurs to get it done and take the most they can from a team that Kawhi has signed off on. As it pertains to dealing Kawhi elsewhere (outside of the Clippers), are teams like the Celtics prepared to give up guys like Jaylen Brown with the risk that Kawhi may only be a one-year rental? I'm not so sure. And for people that'll give the Paul George OKC matter as an example to compare this to, it's not the same, because no one saw Oladipo and Sabonis being what they were in that deal. EVERYONE thought it was a steal for Presti and the Thunder. In this case, people know from the get-go that Brown's oozing with potential, and the Celtics won't be quick to pull that trigger without commitment from Kawhi.

Because popovich gives two craps about the lakers ultimatums. If I'm pop I start leaking amazing offers from the Celtics and Sixers.

They need Kawhi to lure Lebron everyone knows it. They'll be forced to overpay if need be. If I'm the Sixers I may attempt to do the same trade for Kawhi if it means Lebron.

[AdagioPace]

I wonder if the Lakers have said something along the lines of "here's our offer for Kawhi; your deadline is Friday. If you don't accept by then, our offer decreases by x".

If I'm the Lakers, that is what I do, because while it's risky, you put pressure back on the Spurs to get it done and take the most they can from a team that Kawhi has signed off on. As it pertains to dealing Kawhi elsewhere (outside of the Clippers), are teams like the Celtics prepared to give up guys like Jaylen Brown with the risk that Kawhi may only be a one-year rental? I'm not so sure. And for people that'll give the Paul George OKC matter as an example to compare this to, it's not the same, because no one saw Oladipo and Sabonis being what they were in that deal. EVERYONE thought it was a steal for Presti and the Thunder. In this case, people know from the get-go that Brown's oozing with potential, and the Celtics won't be quick to pull that trigger without commitment from Kawhi.

Spurs don't have a deadline

It's either: Kawhi stays
or
Kawhi goes to the lakers for a big offer (because only the Lakers can offer that much given KAwhis' preferences)


If KAwhi stays,goodbye Lebron,goodbye Superteam....

[PistolPeteJR]

I wonder if the Lakers have said something along the lines of "here's our offer for Kawhi; your deadline is Friday. If you don't accept by then, our offer decreases by x".

If I'm the Lakers, that is what I do, because while it's risky, you put pressure back on the Spurs to get it done and take the most they can from a team that Kawhi has signed off on. As it pertains to dealing Kawhi elsewhere (outside of the Clippers), are teams like the Celtics prepared to give up guys like Jaylen Brown with the risk that Kawhi may only be a one-year rental? I'm not so sure. And for people that'll give the Paul George OKC matter as an example to compare this to, it's not the same, because no one saw Oladipo and Sabonis being what they were in that deal. EVERYONE thought it was a steal for Presti and the Thunder. In this case, people know from the get-go that Brown's oozing with potential, and the Celtics won't be quick to pull that trigger without commitment from Kawhi.

Because popovich gives two craps about the lakers ultimatums. If I'm pop I start leaking amazing offers from the Celtics and Sixers.

They need Kawhi to lure Lebron everyone knows it. They'll be forced to overpay if need be. If I'm the Sixers I may attempt to do the same trade for Kawhi if it means Lebron.

Not true. If I'm Magic, I'm very, very happy settling for Kawhi and PG if LeBron doesn't commit. That's how I approach it. Because PG will be very happy teaming up with just Kawhi, whom he knows will commit long-term, if LeBron doesn't come.

[Spens1]

I wonder if the Lakers have said something along the lines of "here's our offer for Kawhi; your deadline is Friday. If you don't accept by then, our offer decreases by x".

If I'm the Lakers, that is what I do, because while it's risky, you put pressure back on the Spurs to get it done and take the most they can from a team that Kawhi has signed off on. As it pertains to dealing Kawhi elsewhere (outside of the Clippers), are teams like the Celtics prepared to give up guys like Jaylen Brown with the risk that Kawhi may only be a one-year rental? I'm not so sure. And for people that'll give the Paul George OKC matter as an example to compare this to, it's not the same, because no one saw Oladipo and Sabonis being what they were in that deal. EVERYONE thought it was a steal for Presti and the Thunder. In this case, people know from the get-go that Brown's oozing with potential, and the Celtics won't be quick to pull that trigger without commitment from Kawhi.

Spurs don't have a deadline

It's either: Kawhi stays
or
Kawhi goes to the lakers for a big offer (because only the Lakers can offer that much)


If KAwhi stays,goodbye Lebron,goodbye Superteam....

that's fine, we'll wait till 2019 and get Kawhi Leonard for free whilst you lose him for nothing because you chose spite over a trade package.

Our cap situation is good for at least another year now that we don't have Russell. All our guys are on rookie deals, we still have the space for 2 max players if Randle isn't brought back (still would have it provided it isn't a crazy deal and Deng is delt).

[PistolPeteJR]

I wonder if the Lakers have said something along the lines of "here's our offer for Kawhi; your deadline is Friday. If you don't accept by then, our offer decreases by x".

If I'm the Lakers, that is what I do, because while it's risky, you put pressure back on the Spurs to get it done and take the most they can from a team that Kawhi has signed off on. As it pertains to dealing Kawhi elsewhere (outside of the Clippers), are teams like the Celtics prepared to give up guys like Jaylen Brown with the risk that Kawhi may only be a one-year rental? I'm not so sure. And for people that'll give the Paul George OKC matter as an example to compare this to, it's not the same, because no one saw Oladipo and Sabonis being what they were in that deal. EVERYONE thought it was a steal for Presti and the Thunder. In this case, people know from the get-go that Brown's oozing with potential, and the Celtics won't be quick to pull that trigger without commitment from Kawhi.

Spurs don't have a deadline

It's either: Kawhi stays
or
Kawhi goes to the lakers for a big offer (because only the Lakers can offer that much given KAwhis' preferences)


If KAwhi stays,goodbye Lebron,goodbye Superteam....

See response above ^

[hookshot199]

Lopez is getting renounced immediately, also if it comes down to it Randle will get renounced however, i think he may end up being a crucial trade piece in the deal. He is more what the Spurs look for in their player.

Obviously Deng + Ingram/Kuzma/Ball makes sense cause of cap reasons but Randle + for Leonard also could work.

Charlotte helped us, Brooklyn just ditched that contract so cheaply its unreal.

We'll see whether Popovich wants a one-year rental in Randle. I suspect no. And if you go into a season
without a center or backup center, that's a bit risky.

There are some out there, but none will come for free. The Philly board has discussed backup options for
Embiid. They include Alex Len (good luck with him) and Kyle O'Quinn (who I would like, but will seek and
receive a multi-year deal).

BTW: Doesn't Randle become an unrestricted free agent if you renounce him?

wouldn't be unrestricted. Well it depends what the deal for Kawhi is. if we deal Deng off somehow to use Randle in this deal, then that's when it gets interesting.

If Randle is on Popovich's list of free-agent signings, then it may work. I wouldn't count on it.
The problem, as I see it, is that he needs to be under contract for that trade to make sense
for the Spurs assuming they want him. If somebody makes him a four-year/$48 mil offer and
the Lakers match (and I don't know the trade rules on this), then he would be on the Spurs roster
for the next four years. That could be a good thing. Short of that, I see no gain for the Spurs.

On the issue of Charlotte and Brooklyn, you've oversimplified it, I believe. Brooklyn traded
two years and $32.7 mil for one year and $23.8 mil. They took back $23.8 mil and then bought
out Howard's contract. They were basically at or near the luxury tax and trading Howard's
contract put them below.

But the thing you've overlooked, they dumped the second year of Mozgov's contract, not both
years. They took back one year, part of which is still on the books. We don't know how much
the buyout was…yet.

But at the very least, you will probably have to take something back for Deng. It's still a toxic
contract. Next year it will become less toxic.

Take a look at Charlotte's payroll and then switch Howard's $23.8 ml for Mozgov's $16 mil.

http://www.spotrac.com/nba/charlotte-hornets/cap/2018/