What High Risk High Reward Guys Make Sense for the Lakers

[Godaddycurse]

Blowing it up when you don't own your draft picks sounds terrible lol

So trade AD to teams that own the LA picks. I’m sure the Jazz would be happy to trade the Lakers pick we owe back plus a plethora of picks in addition.

LA is screwed. The idea they are getting someone like LaVine for one protected pick is bananas. If LaVine can be had for one protected pick teams like the Jazz, Houston, Spurs, OKC with a ton of picks would beat the offer without a second thought.

Pelicans own lakers pick. Doubt they want him back lol

Atlanta probably own your 2025 1st currently

[Daddy 801]

Blowing it up when you don't own your draft picks sounds terrible lol

So trade AD to teams that own the LA picks. I’m sure the Jazz would be happy to trade the Lakers pick we owe back plus a plethora of picks in addition.

LA is screwed. The idea they are getting someone like LaVine for one protected pick is bananas. If LaVine can be had for one protected pick teams like the Jazz, Houston, Spurs, OKC with a ton of picks would beat the offer without a second thought.

Pelicans own lakers pick. Doubt they want him back lol

I’m sure a three team deal where AD is sent to X team, the LA picks plus a player like Ingram is sent to LA and another team who wants AD sends players to the Pels could be done. Is LA going to get as much as just trading with a team that has a ton of picks…probably not. But if getting their picks back is the main concern LA could make it happen.

I’d just trade AD to the Spurs and get a crap ton of picks from other teams. LA can attract free agent talent asap. So just clear the books and suck one season and rebuild knowing you have a ton of picks from the Spurs, Houston, OKC, or the Jazz.

The Spurs would be insane with AD and Wemby. Probably the best PF and C combination in the history of the game. I’m sure they would offer a ton of assets for AD.

[clippertown]

Not really that high risk, but why isn’t PJ Tucker already there? Has his defense fallen off a cliff or is he just a forgotten vet across town?

PJ is getting a raw deal with the Clippers. He can still play, but does not fit the current squad so he is away from the team. He can be gotten for a literal bag of popcorn to any team needing some outside shooting and hard-nosed defense.

[Skybox]

Not really that high risk, but why isn’t PJ Tucker already there? Has his defense fallen off a cliff or is he just a forgotten vet across town?

PJ is getting a raw deal with the Clippers. He can still play, but does not fit the current squad so he is away from the team. He can be gotten for a literal bag of popcorn to any team needing some outside shooting and hard-nosed defense.

Is there a team that doesn’t need that? Weird that he’s vanished off the trade talk radar if he’s even ambulatory

[Godaddycurse]

Not really that high risk, but why isn’t PJ Tucker already there? Has his defense fallen off a cliff or is he just a forgotten vet across town?

PJ is getting a raw deal with the Clippers. He can still play, but does not fit the current squad so he is away from the team. He can be gotten for a literal bag of popcorn to any team needing some outside shooting and hard-nosed defense.

Tucker's only outside shot is the corner 3 and even that was getting worse

[Skybox]

Not really that high risk, but why isn’t PJ Tucker already there? Has his defense fallen off a cliff or is he just a forgotten vet across town?

PJ is getting a raw deal with the Clippers. He can still play, but does not fit the current squad so he is away from the team. He can be gotten for a literal bag of popcorn to any team needing some outside shooting and hard-nosed defense.

Tucker's only outside shot is the corner 3 and even that was getting worse

True…but he was smart enough to only take those…historically a solid, if limited, role player with playoff toughness. I just assumed he’d declined

[JKiddy]

I call BK and get a feel for the price for Simmons, DFS, and Schroeder and see if that can happen.

If you only have to give up one unprotected 1st, a protected first, and expiring contracts with one good young player I do it in a heartbeat to salvage the last years of LeBron.

[mademan]

I call BK and get a feel for the price for Simmons, DFS, and Schroeder and see if that can happen.

If you only have to give up one unprotected 1st, a protected first, and expiring contracts with one good young player I do it in a heartbeat to salvage the last years of LeBron.

Never change man

[clippertown]

PJ is getting a raw deal with the Clippers. He can still play, but does not fit the current squad so he is away from the team. He can be gotten for a literal bag of popcorn to any team needing some outside shooting and hard-nosed defense.

Tucker's only outside shot is the corner 3 and even that was getting worse

True…but he was smart enough to only take those…historically a solid, if limited, role player with playoff toughness. I just assumed he’d declined

He did not get a chance to decline as Lue was determined to keep him on the bench. From the limited minutes he did play, I personally did not see too many issues. He hit 37% of his three point shots, got a decent amount of rebounds and defended well both on ball and via help defense. The issue was his speed. When PG13 was on the team, the game was a more plodding half court offense that would have worked for a guy like Tucker. With Kawhi out and PG gone, the Clippers started to play faster. PJ could not keep up and Batum took many of the minutes off the bench, leaving PJ and Kobe Brown as third stringers and Lue chose Kobe.

No doubt PJ can still contribute but he would not work out well for faster teams. Clips wont ask for anything in return and he expires this season so hopefully a team will take the gamble and let this solid veteran not rot on the bench prematurely.

[Daddy 801]

LA doesn’t need risky players. It needs 3-4 good solid role players. A serviceable center, wing, and a guard or two. Guys who can play off ball and shoot the three well and play decent to good defense.

A risky player will most likely screw them. They can always retool when LeBron retires and attack the biggest name free agents in a given season. So solid role players who can play and compliment LeBron for two more years and fit in with whatever free agents they attract in 2-3 years is a better fit (IMO).

[nzahir]

LA doesn’t need risky players. It needs 3-4 good solid role players. A serviceable center, wing, and a guard or two. Guys who can play off ball and shoot the three well and play decent to good defense.

A risky player will most likely screw them. They can always retool when LeBron retires and attack the biggest name free agents in a given season. So solid role players who can play and compliment LeBron for two more years and fit in with whatever free agents they attract in 2-3 years is a better fit (IMO).

And how will we get all these solid guys without giving up a lot of future assets?

By high risk I mean in terms of injuries or big salaries, not assets. But also potntial expirings or 2 years (Lonzo, Simmons or Rw3)

I dont see an easy path to getting multiple solid role guys and keeping the 2031 1st and being a legit contender, without taking some risks for some of these high upside guys

[Daddy 801]

LA doesn’t need risky players. It needs 3-4 good solid role players. A serviceable center, wing, and a guard or two. Guys who can play off ball and shoot the three well and play decent to good defense.

A risky player will most likely screw them. They can always retool when LeBron retires and attack the biggest name free agents in a given season. So solid role players who can play and compliment LeBron for two more years and fit in with whatever free agents they attract in 2-3 years is a better fit (IMO).

And how will we get all these solid guys without giving up a lot of future assets?

By high risk I mean in terms of injuries or big salaries, not assets. But also potntial expirings or 2 years (Lonzo, Simmons or Rw3)

I dont see an easy path to getting multiple solid role guys and keeping the 2031 1st and being a legit contender, without taking some risks for some of these high upside guys

You’re right. You aren’t getting multiple solid rotation guys without giving up assets. And getting risky players won’t bring you closer to contention. LA isn’t getting a championship unless they pony up their 2031 pick. Thats just the reality of the situation.

[Bornstellar]

IMO there isn't much LA can do to salvage their season. The only "stars" that might be available in a trade (Lavine, Ingram, Butler) are not going to fix their garbage defense. They have too much money tied up in AD/LeBron and LBJ is at a point where he finally isn't worth it. I think they're kinda screwed until LeBron retires.

[nzahir]

IMO there isn't much LA can do to salvage their season. The only "stars" that might be available in a trade (Lavine, Ingram, Butler) are not going to fix their garbage defense. They have too much money tied up in AD/LeBron and LBJ is at a point where he finally isn't worth it. I think they're kinda screwed until LeBron retires.

Jimmy couldnt at least help the defense?

[giberish]

100%

Blowing it up when you don't own your draft picks sounds terrible lol

So trade AD to teams that own the LA picks. I’m sure the Jazz would be happy to trade the Lakers pick we owe back plus a plethora of picks in addition.

LA is screwed. The idea they are getting someone like LaVine for one protected pick is bananas. If LaVine can be had for one protected pick teams like the Jazz, Houston, Spurs, OKC with a ton of picks would beat the offer without a second thought.

I doubt any of those teams trade for LaVine even if they aren't adding any picks. His contract for performance is the problem. Last summer Chicago looked to trade LaVine but couldn't because no one wanted him unless Chicago was adding 1st round pick(s) as incentive. If they can now clear him away without adding incentive that's a deal that they should make.

As for the Lakers long-term, they should keep trying (without trading any more future 1sts) this year - clearing their last unprotected pick that they owe (now with Atlanta). Then next summer they can trade AD for a rebuild package (ideally manage to get their protected 2027 pick back from Utah in exchange for part of the AD package or else just hope they stay in the top-4 of the lottery for a couple of years as they did in the post-Kobe rebuild.

Keep LeBron for a farewell tour/fan distraction for the 1st year of the rebuild.

[Daddy 801]

Blowing it up when you don't own your draft picks sounds terrible lol

So trade AD to teams that own the LA picks. I’m sure the Jazz would be happy to trade the Lakers pick we owe back plus a plethora of picks in addition.

LA is screwed. The idea they are getting someone like LaVine for one protected pick is bananas. If LaVine can be had for one protected pick teams like the Jazz, Houston, Spurs, OKC with a ton of picks would beat the offer without a second thought.

I doubt any of those teams trade for LaVine even if they aren't adding any picks. His contract for performance is the problem. Last summer Chicago looked to trade LaVine but couldn't because no one wanted him unless Chicago was adding 1st round pick(s) as incentive. If they can now clear him away without adding incentive that's a deal that they should make.

As for the Lakers long-term, they should keep trying (without trading any more future 1sts) this year - clearing their last unprotected pick that they owe (now with Atlanta). Then next summer they can trade AD for a rebuild package (ideally manage to get their protected 2027 pick back from Utah in exchange for part of the AD package or else just hope they stay in the top-4 of the lottery for a couple of years as they did in the post-Kobe rebuild.

Keep LeBron for a farewell tour/fan distraction for the 1st year of the rebuild.

I have a hard time believing Chicago couldn’t trade LaVine for “free” last offseason. Yes his contract is extremely high. But the idea teams wouldn’t trade for him unless they got a pick back seems absurd to me. I could be wrong, but a few reports of that being the case don’t seem accurate to me. If that was the case….if I am the Jazz GM….ill give you a late FRP for LaVine and contracts that expire faster than his contract. We have plenty of those.

I bet you wouldn’t agree to this trade, but I’ll give you Clarkson, Collins, and a late FRP for LaVine. I’m guessing Chicago is looking for more than that and that’s why they can’t trade him. If that’s all it takes to get LaVine, I think he would be traded already.

In a vacuum Utah shouldn’t do this trade. But a team like OKC, Spurs, Houston who are close to contention….they should do a similar deal immediately if they can. Utah just needs to suck for 2-3 years more so it’s a different scenario. Bit one late FRP for LaVine for those teams is a no brainer.

Hell, if LaVine is such a bad contract Chicago can send a pick to Utah, well take back some bad contracts from another team, and that team can have LaVine. Again….don’t think that’s happening because Chicago wants value. And I don’t blame them.

[babyjax13]

Dlo, filler, 1st to SAS for Paul and Keldon Johnson if Paul would like to play near his family?

[zimpy27]

Dlo, filler, 1st to SAS for Paul and Keldon Johnson if Paul would like to play near his family?

Yeah potentially.

DLo+Vincent+FRP for Keldon+CP3

It's not bad

[Showtime:Part2]

This thread starts and ends with Zion. Nobody else mentioned is worth the risk

[giberish]

So trade AD to teams that own the LA picks. I’m sure the Jazz would be happy to trade the Lakers pick we owe back plus a plethora of picks in addition.

LA is screwed. The idea they are getting someone like LaVine for one protected pick is bananas. If LaVine can be had for one protected pick teams like the Jazz, Houston, Spurs, OKC with a ton of picks would beat the offer without a second thought.

I doubt any of those teams trade for LaVine even if they aren't adding any picks. His contract for performance is the problem. Last summer Chicago looked to trade LaVine but couldn't because no one wanted him unless Chicago was adding 1st round pick(s) as incentive. If they can now clear him away without adding incentive that's a deal that they should make.

As for the Lakers long-term, they should keep trying (without trading any more future 1sts) this year - clearing their last unprotected pick that they owe (now with Atlanta). Then next summer they can trade AD for a rebuild package (ideally manage to get their protected 2027 pick back from Utah in exchange for part of the AD package or else just hope they stay in the top-4 of the lottery for a couple of years as they did in the post-Kobe rebuild.

Keep LeBron for a farewell tour/fan distraction for the 1st year of the rebuild.

I have a hard time believing Chicago couldn’t trade LaVine for “free” last offseason. Yes his contract is extremely high. But the idea teams wouldn’t trade for him unless they got a pick back seems absurd to me. I could be wrong, but a few reports of that being the case don’t seem accurate to me. If that was the case….if I am the Jazz GM….ill give you a late FRP for LaVine and contracts that expire faster than his contract. We have plenty of those.

I bet you wouldn’t agree to this trade, but I’ll give you Clarkson, Collins, and a late FRP for LaVine. I’m guessing Chicago is looking for more than that and that’s why they can’t trade him. If that’s all it takes to get LaVine, I think he would be traded already.

In a vacuum Utah shouldn’t do this trade. But a team like OKC, Spurs, Houston who are close to contention….they should do a similar deal immediately if they can. Utah just needs to suck for 2-3 years more so it’s a different scenario. Bit one late FRP for LaVine for those teams is a no brainer.

Hell, if LaVine is such a bad contract Chicago can send a pick to Utah, well take back some bad contracts from another team, and that team can have LaVine. Again….don’t think that’s happening because Chicago wants value. And I don’t blame them.

I'm not a Bulls fan but IMO the only reason for them to turn down that Utah offer is that it might help the team win a bit more and end up giving a late lotto pick to SA (it's top-10 protected). That's even with Clarkson being in the way really.

IMO OKC can't match salaries in a LaVine trade without getting worse this year (in addition to the longer term payroll issues. The same is likely true for Houston. I think sA probably could get a bit better this year but not meaningfully so and would have payroll issues going forward that aren't worth it.

This is where LaVine to the Lakers comes in. They can match salaries and probably improve a little at the expense of taking on extra long-term money but not giving up rebuild era 1st round pick(s) like other deals would cost.