Appeasing LeBron/AD vs maintaining FO integrity - Rob walking on eggshells

[tv24lakers]

Watching the AD press conference and listening to Rob and AD recant frequent interactions on free agency prospects stirs up the notation that Rob is overly concerned with appeasing AD and LeBron. Let me say this behavior is not uncommon in the league, there have been several examples in recent times were GMs sought approval from their premier players.

The yield to a player’s wishes reminds me of an incident w/ the Heat where they traded for the draft rights to Shabazz Napier following LeBron’s recommendation, which occurred the same summer he left and returned to the Cavaliers. I can only imagine the number of dropped f-bombs by Heat FO aimed around that selection moments after hearing LeBron is returning to Cleveland.

IMO there should be a more reasonable balance, players preferences should be pursued and evaluated, but ultimately the final decision, good, bad or indifferent falls upon the GM.

[Kilroy]

I changed the title on this for more clarity. I think it might generate more valuable discussion this way.

[mighty_duck]

If AD decided not resign next year, we would have given up all of the assets accumulated in the past four years of tanking/miserableness , plus most of our draft assets in the next 6 years. Basically an entire decade hinges on keeping AD happy.
Rob painted us in to this corner - now our only recourse is doing anything and everything to keep AD happy.

[zimpy27]

Players should be told based on analytics who they make the biggest net impact with. Generally, it is difficult to judge these things without numbers.

I remember playing pick up games at school and my team played a strong team game and held court majority of the time but there were a few flashy players on other teams that people overwhelmingly thought were better players because they could dunk and were great in isolation. Even we thought they were great but we would beat them 80% of the time.

The concept holds true at many levels, players love isolation players and the mythos over their skill.

[tv24lakers]

If AD decided not resign next year, we would have given up all of the assets accumulated in the past four years of tanking/miserableness , plus most of our draft assets in the next 6 years. Basically an entire decade hinges on keeping AD happy.
Rob painted us in to this corner - now our only recourse is doing anything and everything to keep AD happy.

While I appreciate and recognize the gravity of the situation I have an opposing view to placating player personnel interests.

For example consider last summer's personnel decisions, which notably conflicted w/ the views of the coaching staff seeking to resign Randle & B Lopez. Let me be clear that I'm not insinuating that LeBron requested those signings, but reportedly Magic & Rob did get his blessing.

[tv24lakers]

Players should be told based on analytics who they make the biggest net impact with. Generally, it is difficult to judge these things without numbers.

I remember playing pick up games at school and my team played a strong team game and held court majority of the time but there were a few flashy players on other teams that people overwhelmingly thought were better players because they could dunk and were great in isolation. Even we thought they were great but we would beat them 80% of the time.

The concept holds true at many levels, players love isolation players and the mythos over their skill.

I agree. I suspect more "open-minded" players are receptive to analytics and how the data can be leveraged to demonstrate and track performance, among other things.

I recall reading that LaMarcus Aldridge was underwhelmed by the Lakers free agency presentation due to the lack of analytics; refer to the link below.

https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-lamarcus-aldridge-lakers-20150701-story.html

[mighty_duck]

While I appreciate and recognize the gravity of the situation I have an opposing view to placating player personnel interests.

For example consider last summer's personnel decisions, which notably conflicted w/ the views of the coaching staff seeking to resign Randle & B Lopez. Let me be clear that I'm not insinuating that LeBron requested those signings, but reportedly Magic & Rob did get his blessing.

The way I heard it, Magic convinced Lebron to sign by promising a different approach to filling out the roster - focusing on playmakers rather than shooters.
And while the approach ultimately failed on the court, it did succeed off the court - by getting Lebron to sign.

Likewise, say, even if statistically our best lineups have AD playing center, we still avoid that to appease AD and increase our chances of him resigning. It's not ideal, but it is the corner we are now in.

[thebigbird]

The Lakers got their stars, now they have to keep them happy. It shouldn't be tough as both want to live in LA. Once the season starts and AD/LeBron start dominating together just don't do anything that's clearly antagonistic and they should be good

[snaquille oatmeal]

If AD decided not resign next year, we would have given up all of the assets accumulated in the past four years of tanking/miserableness , plus most of our draft assets in the next 6 years. Basically an entire decade hinges on keeping AD happy.
Rob painted us in to this corner - now our only recourse is doing anything and everything to keep AD happy.

if he walks
Doesn’t that open a big slot for another big free agent

[tv24lakers]

If AD decided not resign next year, we would have given up all of the assets accumulated in the past four years of tanking/miserableness , plus most of our draft assets in the next 6 years. Basically an entire decade hinges on keeping AD happy.
Rob painted us in to this corner - now our only recourse is doing anything and everything to keep AD happy.

if he walks
Doesn’t that open a big slot for another big free agent

If AD walks we certainly would have cap room, but who want to come here after AD turned us down. From a PR perspective it would not bode well for us.

[mighty_duck]

If AD decided not resign next year, we would have given up all of the assets accumulated in the past four years of tanking/miserableness , plus most of our draft assets in the next 6 years. Basically an entire decade hinges on keeping AD happy.
Rob painted us in to this corner - now our only recourse is doing anything and everything to keep AD happy.

if he walks
Doesn’t that open a big slot for another big free agent

With all of the 2 year contracts we handed out, I'm not sure we have a max slot available if he walks. But even if we did, there are no star free agents besides AD next year. The next best one is an aging Draymond Green. This is doubly worrisome - teams will be chasing AD extra hard, since they have no other options.

In 2021 Lebron can leave (and he'll be 2 years older), so we might be starting from scratch with only one draft pick for the following 4 years.

[EggIsCooling]

As long as Lebron is healthy and playing at a high-level, AD will sign that max contract... And even better if Lakers win a chip, AD will sign that max contract... Just win!

[snaquille oatmeal]

If AD decided not resign next year, we would have given up all of the assets accumulated in the past four years of tanking/miserableness , plus most of our draft assets in the next 6 years. Basically an entire decade hinges on keeping AD happy.
Rob painted us in to this corner - now our only recourse is doing anything and everything to keep AD happy.

if he walks
Doesn’t that open a big slot for another big free agent

With all of the 2 year contracts we handed out, I'm not sure we have a max slot available if he walks. But even if we did, there are no star free agents besides AD next year. The next best one is an aging Draymond Green. This is doubly worrisome - teams will be chasing AD extra hard, since they have no other options.

In 2021 Lebron can leave (and he'll be 2 years older), so we might be starting from scratch with only one draft pick for the following 4 years.

this does not seem right, explain please

[RamonSessions7]

if he walks
Doesn’t that open a big slot for another big free agent

With all of the 2 year contracts we handed out, I'm not sure we have a max slot available if he walks. But even if we did, there are no star free agents besides AD next year. The next best one is an aging Draymond Green. This is doubly worrisome - teams will be chasing AD extra hard, since they have no other options.

In 2021 Lebron can leave (and he'll be 2 years older), so we might be starting from scratch with only one draft pick for the following 4 years.

this does not seem right, explain please

Yeah it's wrong. We lose either '21 or '22, then lose '24 and rest are swaps. So really we have 2 over those 4 and then a swap option for NO on the 5th. Those swaps do scare me a bit if all has gone wrong as I still think highly of Ball and Ingram and the Pelicans draft this year not even counting Zion.

[Landsberger]

If the season doesn't end in a deep playoff run and Davis leaves then I'd say we don't want him. If he's not willing to ride it out regardless of the short term results then he's would be on the Howard path. A talented big looking for cover in a less "bright" market.

I don't see that in Davis but then again he's not demonstrated significant leadership either. My guess is that there were behind the scenes discussions before we traded for him. It would have to be an epic melt down for him to leave IMHO.

[lazybatman]

AD will resign, unless the Lakers FO starts pulling each other's hair out again. They have somewhat redeemed themselves with the execution of plan B in FA. Now they need to stfu and watch the season play out. Stop pinning hopes of a title or bust season on the players. Stay sharp during the deadline or buyouts for any possibilities, and stfu again.

[stan francisco]

This season will come down to one thing:

Will LeBron play defense?

If he does, on par with or close to Kawhi’s level, we win rings.

Rings means AD stays. Yes, LeBron knows how to play badass defense, just didn’t last season.

If we lose in the Finals to the Sixers, does AD stay?
If we lose the WCF to the Slippers, does he stay?
If we’re bounced by Icy Veins in the second round... ?

[LAKESHOW]

He will stay. Pelinka played it smart. This is the roster AD agreed to. Well offer him the cash, so thats not a problem. But well have Bron and those shooters around. He also knows, tons of quality players flocked to LA. They were not comin to New Orleans. He sees that as well. They will show up at our doorstep. He knows if he goes to another destination, odds are, theres a strong possibility they wont come to team up with him in another city.

[tv24lakers]

He will stay. Pelinka played it smart. This is the roster AD agreed to. Well offer him the cash, so thats not a problem. But well have Bron and those shooters around. He also knows, tons of quality players flocked to LA. They were not comin to New Orleans. He sees that as well. They will show up at our doorstep. He knows if he goes to another destination, odds are, theres a strong possibility they wont come to team up with him in another city.

The player movement, in particular those in the upper tier, carried out via trade or within free agency leads me to believe virtually nothing is guaranteed. Durant and Kawhi leaving their respective situations demonstrates how quickly things can come together for what was once perceived a lesser organization.

Stating the obvious here, but should things sour over the course of the season we may find ourselves in yet another tenuous offseason. Hopefully Rob and the coaching staff work tirelessly to ensure the team is geared for success.

[kobe808lak]

As long as this season isn't a disaster I think he re-signs.