Negrodamus wrote:LloydFree wrote:Negrodamus wrote:Lakers should be the most hated in the league now. This situation with Rich Paul making the league bend to his will is absurd.
I don't get the Rich Paul hate. Before him the same six, old money, agents ran the league and filled their pockets unchecked, but suddenly because a new guy gets a little power, he's a villain? SMH.
Maybe it's because Rich Paul is in the spotlight more than the other agents, but an agent and LeBron essentially running the Lakers is not in the best interest of the league in terms of competitiveness.
Honestly, the Lakers have made miserable moves since Kobe started declining and is wiping the slate clean and rewarded a top 3 player. Ball has played 99 games in two season, Ingram has a career threatening injury, and Josh Hart is a bench player. Ball and Ingram are both the second picks in their drafts and have played far below that level. And, yes, they are giving up their draft picks: the 4th pick is likely as valuable as the 10th pick in this draft, and the rest of the trade is hoping the wheel fall off of LeBron or Anthony Davis (and whoever they sign).
The Lakers will likely fill out the rest of their team with solid ring chasing vets who will play for nothing and their "rebuild" was basically getting LeBron and strong arming the league to take their failed prospects.
That said, if Lonzo can play a full season, he and Zion will be fun to watch.
I just think it's a classic disruptor thing. The traditional agents have their deep connections already. Paul has to make these big splashy moves to get his slice.
I don't begrudge him personally for it. At the same time, I just want to watch and follow basketball, and am really not interested in all of the TMZ and outside interests stuff that his methods bring.