Chemistry Question w/Paul George

[danfantastk32]

Agree. I wouldn't make that trade even if we didn't know PG wanted to come here. But since we do know....I would make it much less. Something like Clarkson/Randle and our Houston pick.

Since I personally don't buy Ingram becoming a PF.....and George is a SF.....perhaps a straight Ingram for George trade? Im a little reluctant to give up on Ingram....but I can see that happening. Then we can maybe trade Clarkson and our Houston pick to offload either Deng/Moz.

Top-3 pick (prob a PG), Russell to SG, Paul George, Randle, Zubac. You have Black, Nance, Brewer on Bench. We've also freed up some cap space. with Deng/Moz off the team.

If this PG is good. If Russell and Randle and Zubac all make decent strides next year (not even AMAZING...just 'decent') and PG does the PG thing....I think we might make playoffs.

If your making playoffs....and 4 of your 5 starters are still in the "upside" phase of their careers.....and you have the cap space to get yet another star (not max...but fairly close)....I think your looking pretty good.

[danfantastk32]

Still don't see a title there....but you do have several variables, no doubt. Does Russell become the "All-star" people envision? Is our new PG a transitional CP3 / Nash? Does Zubac become this beast Center in a league devoid of big-men?

It's definitely possible. Especially if you wait yet one more year.....stretch whoever you still have from the Deng/Moz debacle....and now your looking at potentially another max guy.

[ALL HAIL]

Smart money is to strike with Randle as an offer (a player they actually need) and use him, with Clarkson, to downgrade contracts from Mozgov to Monta Ellis.

The idea of ridding themselves of Ellis to acquire Mozgov, another guy they actually need as well, however, would be a tough pill to swallow for Indiana, but I don't think Mozgov for them will be a point of contention as long as somebody takes back Monta Ellis and/or Thaddeus Young in return (along with Jefferson).

An offer that gives Indiana the opportunity to (1) dump Young and/or Ellis, (2) acquire a young stud, and (3) secure a first round pick will be enough for George.

The Lakers have enough of an offer in Randle and the pick; it'll come down to allegiances, however. We saw McHale hookup Ainge; I wonder if Bird will do the same. Something tells me Bird wants to beat Ainge right now just as bad as he wants to whoop Magic's ass, so I think he'll take the best offer presented to him . . .

. . . and Randle and a first (plus Clarkson and Mozgov) will prove quite, quite competitive for George (with Ellis).

[RingsDontLie]

My trade idea right now is Myles Turner and Paul George for Randle, Zubac, Deng, and our top 3 pick this year. Myles is bit more NBA ready and will work with Luke because he can space the floor well. Getting rid of Deng and Randle not only removes a bad contract, but removes this excess of forwards on the team, especially when we acquire PG. If we get PG, there really is no room for Randle. Then we can focus on developing Nance with Randle gone.