Lakers-Spurs

[zimpy27]

Lakers get CP3

Spurs get Christie, JHS


Lakers either start CP3 or DLo. Sures up their guard rotation to drop out Vincent.

Spurs get a couple young prospects to assess in their system. CP3 slow pace isn't working with Wemby, they let their youth take charge.

[HornetJail]

as a neutral team, I'd much much rather have CP3 than pay Christie for 4 years. Christie is probably gonna be viewed similar to Nnaji on Denver by most teams till he proves he can actually play basketball at an acceptable level

[wemby]

I can't rule out CP3 being trade by the deadline, but not for this...

[One_and_Done]

Spurs don't want any of that for CP3 though. Unless the season goes sideways, they'll keep him.

[zimpy27]

I can't rule out CP3 being trade by the deadline, but not for this...

What are Spurs looking for?

[wemby]

I can't rule out CP3 being trade by the deadline, but not for this...

What are Spurs looking for?

I don't think Spurs are trying to move CP3, he's been very good and, even if for the short term, they see him playing an important role for the development of the youngsters (other than Wemby, they all seem to be taking a leap: Sochan, Branham, Wesley). Also, they wouldn't move CP3 somewhere he doesn't want to be. But if a contender CP3 was interested in made a good offer, I do expect them to consider it, and Lakers surely would pique CP3's interest his family being in LA and all.

What would that offer be? Tough to tell, but I'd think draft capital + matching expirings would pique their interest, or a young player that is better than they currently have or doesn't create a logjam. In this case I think Max Christie offers a lot of the same that Vassell, Champagnie and Branham do, and Spurs probably prefer to keep investing in Branham who is much more efficient this season. As for Hood Schifino, his option was declined and he'd be buried in PG deepth behind Tre Jones, Castle and Wesley (assuming CP3 is gone) so I'm not sure they can afford to take another long term project that doesn't really stand out in any way.

All in all, I don't rule out something like this happening by the deadline, just not this particular deal. But it probably requires some team being highly motivated to win now to offer Spurs a nice return, plus being appealing to CP3 as well.

[Scoot McGroot]

Christie really needs some improved play for a while before he can hold even neutral value on his new contract.

[chrbal]

I don’t see this trade happening. At a minimum the Spurs would need draft picks coming their way. They would have to waive a player better than Jalen to make this trade happen. You’ve got the Spurs trading their starting point guard for a guy who might not be in the league next season and an overpriced project because Victor is off to a somewhat slow start.

[Texas Chuck]

assuming Paul said I want to go to a contender, I think the Spurs would trade him to a team he wanted to go to. But if you ask them to take a 4 year deal on a non-NBA player they are going to need to be compensated for that. And a guy whose rookie option you declined is not compensation obviously.

But I do expect Paul to be in the playoffs this year for someone. The restriction on buyout players makes a trade maybe that route. But I can't see this one without the Lakers paying. And the Lakers are unlikely to admit we shouldn't have paid him like that. What Dallas did with Grant Williams last year is rare. Dallas is great about admitting mistakes and getting off the early, but very few other teams are.

[mg]

I can't rule out CP3 being trade by the deadline, but not for this...

What are Spurs looking for?

They are waiting for the next draft (maybe 2 drafts?) to select a Robin who can win future championships next to Wemby. CP3 and Barnes are much needed veteran stopgaps who can add culture/locker room leadership but not really effect winning many games at this point of their careers. If a team wants CP3, or he wants traded, at the deadline I'm sure the Spurs could work something out but doubt they would take Christie's contract.

Spurs already passed on the #8 pick of this last draft. They aren't looking for JHS or Christie type projects as they already have enough of those on their roster.

[zimpy27]

Some illuminating replies here, thank you!


I'm guessing Vincent+SRPs will end up the way to go.
Seems like draft capital is the main interest.

[wemby]

Some illuminating replies here, thank you!


I'm guessing Vincent+SRPs will end up the way to go.
Seems like draft capital is the main interest.

Not necessarily draft capital, but maybe the right young prospect (Christie isn't it). Also, Gabe Vincent has 2 years on his contract so Lakers would probably have to pay a few SRPs even to move his contract for matching filler, let alone getting a contributor in return. Keep in mind, Spurs have more SRPs than they can count, they can always take some but not for a deal like this. At a minimum I'd be thinking of an unprotected pick swap, like they took from the Mavs for facilitating the Grant Williams trade, or from the Kings for taking Harrison Barnes. Probably more than that TBH, unless CP3 asked to be traded.

[One_and_Done]

Some illuminating replies here, thank you!


I'm guessing Vincent+SRPs will end up the way to go.
Seems like draft capital is the main interest.

If the season goes sideways, the Spurs will buy CP3 out. There's no need to make a bad trade to get him to a contender. He can sign with one for the minimum and still keep his money.

[zimpy27]

Some illuminating replies here, thank you!


I'm guessing Vincent+SRPs will end up the way to go.
Seems like draft capital is the main interest.

If the season goes sideways, the Spurs will buy CP3 out. There's no need to make a bad trade to get him to a contender. He can sign with one for the minimum and still keep his money.

Interesting, I think you might be right. Could have been part of the deal with the Spurs, they pay him until deadline and release him so he can choose a contender.

[Jody Smokz]

After seeing how CP3 looked last year, why would any playoff team be looking to add him? The Lakers need 2 way players and athletes not another over the hill future HOFer.

[One_and_Done]

Some illuminating replies here, thank you!


I'm guessing Vincent+SRPs will end up the way to go.
Seems like draft capital is the main interest.

If the season goes sideways, the Spurs will buy CP3 out. There's no need to make a bad trade to get him to a contender. He can sign with one for the minimum and still keep his money.

Interesting, I think you might be right. Could have been part of the deal with the Spurs, they pay him until deadline and release him so he can choose a contender.

Well, they're not releasing him if they're in playoff contention, but otherwise yeh that's probably the deal. Another motivation for Paul is that if this works out, he can transition to coaching there after he retires. There is no better place to get your coaching career started, the Spurs coaching tree makes that clear.