Lakers first 10 games predictions thread only

[tamaraw08]

Boy - if I’m the Lakers, I think of pulling the trigger on the Hield/Turner deal. This teams shooting absolutely sucks - and everyone of us knew it.

The only players I seem confident in shooting shots is Nunn and LeBron.

Shooting has been atrocious but AD dealing with back, missing games is also a huge concern. Having Myles patrolling the middle, protecting the rim while Buddy hitting his 3’s would help solve some of their glaring problems and equally important is getting rid of the Westbrook distraction.

[MAMBAEMD]

The deal with Indy will likely still be there near the trade deadline.
If we do it now, we are going to have to give up the two firsts.

I want us to win this year as much as anyone, but do we really want to give up two firsts?
Does acquiring Hield and Turner get us that much closer to contention?

I'm not sure.

[Landsberger]

When Westbrook is your only consistent scorer off the bench and just pulled a hammy everyone may want to re-think their first 10 again...

The amount of overestimating the balance of this team beyond the top 3 is even over the top for Laker fans who alway seem to see the next whoever in their waiver wire pickups.

If Bron get's injured this could get ugly quick.

[dockingsched]

I think the bigger question is when will Russ get traded?
After 3,5, 10 games?
AD already missing preseason games he should be playing.
Russ not being engaged with teammates,
2 centers not showing any signs of promise,
shooting has been so erratic. Hield and Turner would probably solve those problems.

This is the part that I think people are really misunderstanding. If the lakers are looking terrible, it makes it LESS likely they pull off some trade and instead are more likely to sit tight and try to improve in the summer with their picks and $35 mil in capspace.

They aren’t going to sacrifice picks and cap to improve a team that’s not close to competing.

[Landsberger]

They aren’t going to sacrifice picks and cap to improve a team that’s not close to competing.

Wait... Steve Nash, Deng and Mozgov come to mind right off the top of my head. Not "in year" deals but moves we made after poor years that effected future flexibility.

When you sign Bron to an extension you know the back end of that isn't where you have your chance.... it's the front end of that timeline. I think the FO will make whatever move they can make to keep the fan base interested.

[danfantastk32]

They aren’t going to sacrifice picks and cap to improve a team that’s not close to competing.

Wait... Steve Nash, Deng and Mozgov come to mind right off the top of my head. Not "in year" deals but moves we made after poor years that effected future flexibility.

When you sign Bron to an extension you know the back end of that isn't where you have your chance.... it's the front end of that timeline. I think the FO will make whatever move they can make to keep the fan base interested.

Wasn't Nash a "win now" decision (that went poorly)? And Deng/Mozgov were the act of a massively desperate dunce, who couldn't get a player to take his $$$ even if he got on his knees first. Jim Buss needed to get SOMEONE to sign, as his self-imposed timeline was rapidly approaching. God only knows what was going through his mind.

I agree with dockingsched.....those two players are gonna do nothing for us. We're so far from a title, and it's triple-so, with AD unable to play 12 games in a row.

[danfantastk32]

Speaking of Deng....we FINALLY got him off our books! Holy hell, that was a nightmare.

It's hard not go get a chuckle, when thinking back to the "hype" with Moz and Deng. Boy, those were dark times. Not that this is great (or even good)...but its better than that preseason.

[Beethoven]

Freakin kupchack

[Tracymcgoaty]

2-8 sounds about right.

AD injures his 5th metaparcel muscle and is out 74 games. WB breaks bevs nose and Lebron loses whatever hair he has left and retires mig season.

[tamaraw08]

I think the bigger question is when will Russ get traded?
After 3,5, 10 games?
AD already missing preseason games he should be playing.
Russ not being engaged with teammates,
2 centers not showing any signs of promise,
shooting has been so erratic. Hield and Turner would probably solve those problems.

This is the part that I think people are really misunderstanding. If the lakers are looking terrible, it makes it LESS likely they pull off some trade and instead are more likely to sit tight and try to improve in the summer with their picks and $35 mil in capspace.

They aren’t going to sacrifice picks and cap to improve a team that’s not close to competing.

Wait, so they shouldn't sit tight and pull off a trade if they are NOT TERRIBLE THEN? What is the whole point of making a trade if the team is not terrible?
Yes, I am REALLY misunderstanding the concept of sitting tight and WASTE the whole season esp with Lebron who will turn 38 in several weeks so they can preserve that 35 cap space.
Who is that MYSTERY SUPERSTAR free agent who will accept that 35 Million (less than maximum) so he can help the 39 year old Lebron and fragile AD win it all next summer? You really think they become contenders going this route next year?
I think you made it clear that the Indiana trade will not make them compete? I disagree. Lakers lost their 3 top 3pt shooters this summer, replacing them with young athletic non shooting guys ( I believe NONE of them shot above 35% from 3 last season).
Buddy addresses that, even though he "struggled" just shooting 36%, his lowest in his career at a challenging situation with Indiana with their lack of direction and system.
AD is already having back issues, Myles who is a great shot blocker addresses that esp with their 2 centers under performing in the preseason. Now will they be instant contenders? No, but I believe this team can compete better.

[Colbinii]

I think the bigger question is when will Russ get traded?
After 3,5, 10 games?
AD already missing preseason games he should be playing.
Russ not being engaged with teammates,
2 centers not showing any signs of promise,
shooting has been so erratic. Hield and Turner would probably solve those problems.

The Longer the Lakers hold onto Russ, the less they need to add to him to move him.

[Slava]

I have a Russ trade happening at the 20 game mark, as soon as some team realizes it wants in on the Wembanyama sweepstakes.

[Kilroy]

I have a Russ trade happening at the 20 game mark, as soon as some team realizes it wants in on the Wembanyama sweepstakes.

I was thinking the same thing... Although I'd probably classify it less as a prediction, and more of a possibility...

I honestly think WE should try to get in on the Wembanyama sweepstakes... Trade AD for a couple unprotected firsts, and pray...

[SlimShady83]

I have a Russ trade happening at the 20 game mark, as soon as some team realizes it wants in on the Wembanyama sweepstakes.

I was thinking the same thing... Although I'd probably classify it less as a prediction, and more of a possibility...

I honestly think WE should try to get in on the Wembanyama sweepstakes... Trade AD for a couple unprotected firsts, and pray...

I'd trade AD In a heartbeat heck throw in Nunn etc to get that high pick - but doubt any team would do it.

[SlimShady83]

Speaking of Deng....we FINALLY got him off our books! Holy hell, that was a nightmare.

It's hard not go get a chuckle, when thinking back to the "hype" with Moz and Deng. Boy, those were dark times. Not that this is great (or even good)...but its better than that preseason.

And you all think that Westbrook was the worst contract - At least Westbrook plays

[Kilroy]

I have a Russ trade happening at the 20 game mark, as soon as some team realizes it wants in on the Wembanyama sweepstakes.

I was thinking the same thing... Although I'd probably classify it less as a prediction, and more of a possibility...

I honestly think WE should try to get in on the Wembanyama sweepstakes... Trade AD for a couple unprotected firsts, and pray...

I'd trade AD In a heartbeat heck throw in Nunn etc to get that high pick - but doubt any team would do it.

They probably won't, although the time for that is probably closer to the deadline, to a team that's looking for a piece to get them to the next level... So there's time to think about it.

But when a team no longer has any top 10 talent on the team, it needs to be thinking about the next star, and the brightest potential star out there is Wembanyama... So if the FO cared more about the health and relevance of the Lakers Franchise/Brand, and less about riding LeBron's brand as long as they can, now would be the time to put everything on the table and get creative...

If they got really lucky, they could have Wenbanyama and cap space to build around him this season... If they don't do that, they're likely looking of 4 depressing seasons of the end of LeBron's career at least...

Even if you fail to get Wenba, you'd still likely end up with better assets to use in a rebuild than we have now...

[danfantastk32]

Speaking of Deng....we FINALLY got him off our books! Holy hell, that was a nightmare.

It's hard not go get a chuckle, when thinking back to the "hype" with Moz and Deng. Boy, those were dark times. Not that this is great (or even good)...but its better than that preseason.

And you all think that Westbrook was the worst contract - At least Westbrook plays

47 million, and all you got to defend him with is "at least he plays"? <--------- Worst contract.

[Landsberger]

I was thinking the same thing... Although I'd probably classify it less as a prediction, and more of a possibility...

I honestly think WE should try to get in on the Wembanyama sweepstakes... Trade AD for a couple unprotected firsts, and pray...

I'd trade AD In a heartbeat heck throw in Nunn etc to get that high pick - but doubt any team would do it.

They probably won't, although the time for that is probably closer to the deadline, to a team that's looking for a piece to get them to the next level... So there's time to think about it.

But when a team no longer has any top 10 talent on the team, it needs to be thinking about the next star, and the brightest potential star out there is Wembanyama... So if the FO cared more about the health and relevance of the Lakers Franchise/Brand, and less about riding LeBron's brand as long as they can, now would be the time to put everything on the table and get creative...

If they got really lucky, they could have Wenbanyama and cap space to build around him this season... If they don't do that, they're likely looking of 4 depressing seasons of the end of LeBron's career at least...

Even if you fail to get Wenba, you'd still likely end up with better assets to use in a rebuild than we have now...

I think you've arrived at where I've been for a couple years now. The trajectory of this team is down.... not much can change that give our circumstances. We can fight it and ride the Bron-Brand to keep the Buss Family in Limo Rentals but the more future assets we throw down the drain the longer it will take.

I don't see the intestinal fortitude in the FO to push out this entire Bron-centric group but it needs to be done sooner rather than later. He, and his, don't give a crap about the Laker brand, legacy or future. He's not like the other leaders of the franchise we've had. I just don't see him as a sage helping the Lakers in the future.

[Hans1984]

I have to correct myself. It will be 0-10. I don't see this team winning any games.

[Hoopz Afrik]

I truly can't fathom just how bad this team is right now. I had 6-4 after 10 but man, it's looking more like 3-7.