Post#806 » by zimpy27 » Thu Feb 3, 2022 4:39 am
Posted this in the Lakers forum but probably won't get much feedback so I want to know what you guys think. Which option is better?
If Lakers do a deal with the Knicks to give them Westrbook then I think they have to be taking on Kemba+Fournier. In that case it probably means they should use Monk as a positive trade asset in the trade. There's no chance Vogel plays Kemba, Monk, Fournier and Melo in a rotation - that's too many defensive liabilities. Kemba is really going to be used how Monk is now. If Monk didn't have value you wouldn't do it but moving Monk now is smart since Lakers wouldn't be able to keep him in the offseason anyway, he's a limited time asset that they can convert into longer term assets with a trade now.
Westbrook+Monk+Bazemore is likely to be the output from the Lakers.
Option 1:
Lakers get Randle+Fournier+Kemba
Knicks get Westbrook+Monk+Bazemore
Randle is on a bad contract, it's 5 years increasing and he's barely worth his contract now. Fournier is on a worse one. Both give the Lakers no flexibility for a couple seasons. Westbrook is owed the most single-season money but only has one more year. Lakers can use him as an expiring in offseason with their 2 FRPs. That's an opportunity the Lakers lose and Knicks gain from this trade.
Lakers giving up Monk and taking on Kemba means they don't need to give up any picks in the trade.
Option 2:
Lakers get Burks+Noel+Fournier+Kemba
Knicks get Westbrook+Monk+Bazemore+Jordan
Lakers add Jordan as Knicks are giving 4 players and Noel is a pure C - they no longer need insurance for Dwight.
I value Noel+Burks as barely less than Randle, about the same value as Knicks taking on Jordan is worth. I actually prefer this trade as it gives Lakers far more longterm flexibility. And I think Burks would be a great fit with LeBron and I think Noel would work well under Vogel.
"Let's play some basketball!" - Fergie
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