Post#18 » by warren weel im » Wed Oct 4, 2017 3:22 pm
Consider me skeptical about this Lebron to LA talk, I simply don't believe Lebron is coming through that door and making the Lakers an instant contender. Why? Because we're not close. Let's be real. However, it doesn't make the season any less fun for me watching us build through something organically while KD and Steph and crew pillage through the entire league for 2-3 more seasons.
Speaking of which, what should we do with cap space then?
The pursuit of 2 max free agents is actually real. The thing is, its just not PG and Lebron. For a star to change zip codes albeit being paid the same (or even more), the first requirement is satisfaction. Is the player happy where he is? Is he achieving maximizing his brand, achieving his goals and fulfilling his dreams? Is he THE MAN or is he part of something special that he can be proud of when he retires? As much as the money matters, these things matter to a player when you factor in his personality, his goals and his volatility.
In my own valuation, I never expected Paul George to be that guy to ask out and throw a fit. But he did ask out of Indiana, with a few categorical exceptions of course, and he got what he wanted. Now he has to figure out his time in OKC to see if he can be THE MAN on a championship caliber team or he simply is third banana to the RUSS and MELO show. Melo as 2nd option coz... its Melo.
Let us first evaluate talent that we have, before considering what we need and who it is we can realistically pry out of his old team.
Lonzo Ball at PG - with cost controlled contract and a true superstar ring on his game, its a no brainer we are not in the market for a PG. Unless his name was PG aka Paul George.
Bradon Ingram at SF - still feel he has a few years to go before he develops into a "leader" or a determined scorer. At this point I value him as a Tayshaun Prince type of player who should fill in the gaps and do anything and everything for the team as supposed to forcing him to be our top offensive option. He won't be our stretch-4 anytime soon either simply coz he's body isn't made for it. Not for another 2-3 years at the very least.
Kyle Kuzma at SF/PF/C - yeah, you can say that again. Stretch four or Stretch five. Not yet, but that's where he should be heading. Imagine if he added 15lbs of pure muscle and developed/polished everything else in his game? He's an ideal big man in the modern NBA and his quickness and timing are just impeccable. I like this kid over the next few names below.
Larry Nance, Jr at PF/C - Junior is a keeper. Not just for his entertaining dunks and highlight reels, but because of his hustle and overall feel for the game. He isn't going to be a superstar, but he is what every team needs. A junkyard dog if you will, all he needs to do is clean out on putbacks with his out-of-this-world athleticism. Oh and stay healthy.
Ivica Zubac at backup C. - with centers in the league being less and less important, having a traditional one doesn't actually hurt as long as he's paid this cheap and still developing. What he should do is develop his defensive mindset some more. We have time.
From here we have Brook Lopez, who I'm sure I'll fall in love more and more as the season progresses. Watching his highlights from last season already has me excited. But we're talking about 2 seasons from now, is he the right guy? We'll let the season roll out before we decide. At worst, we can fetch another 1st round pick for him on the deadline and perhaps more.
KCP is someone we could use if we simply are not star-hunting. He has elite defensive skills and for a team that will run, trap and press, his skillset is something we can build on.
There's the pair of Clarkson and Randle, who's skillsets gave us hope for a moment. But such hope will only become bleaker and bleaker as they reach maturity. I hope we can trade both of them, to give them better opportunities and to open up playing time for more my top 5.
Luol Deng will be stretch-waived.
Josh Hart and Thomas Bryant are but fillers at this point, on cheap contracts.
With that said, the real targets of 2018 cap space plan would be Demarcus Cousins who I deem will be unhappy with how things will pan out in New Orleans. The other guy is Avery Bradley. These 2 guys possess the necessary skills to make the team grow both offensively and defensively while allowing Ball, Ingram, Kuzma, Nance and Zubac to be themselves.
Let the Rockets, Spurs, Thunder and Warriors kill each other for the next 2-3 years. We'll be primed and ready by the time they slow down.
