Trade Deadline thread: Nada... Nothing... Zip... WTF

[sonnyhill]

Russ was acquired to carry the offensive load during the regular season, especially when LeBron is either on the bench or in "load management" and sitting out a game.

The strategy is to get into the playoffs with a healthy and rested LeBron and then see LeBron "turn it on."

Yes, Russ is a turnover mess. He is, however, a triple-double waiting to happen.

I just don't see how the Lakers can make a trade to get back assets, unless it is a trade which includes AD.

[stan francisco]

Russ was acquired to carry the offensive load during the regular season, especially when LeBron is either on the bench or in "load management" and sitting out a game.

The strategy is to get into the playoffs with a healthy and rested LeBron and then see LeBron "turn it on."

Yes, Russ is a turnover mess. He is, however, a triple-double waiting to happen.

I just don't see how the Lakers can make a trade to get back assets, unless it is a trade which includes AD.

I don’t expect a trade of AD or LBJ anytime soon. That knee twist of AD’s against the Wolves looked bad. We’ll be lucky if he’s back full strength not too long after the ASB.

Stat that matters: W-L column.

Defense, please.

Without AD, we’ll now all see how much he was truly contributing defensively every night. He’s like three defenders by himself.

This will be a rude awakening for the team defense.

[sonnyhill]

While the Laker franchise has always been a destination zone for star players (established and rookie), is this the time that the team should look to go "full rebuild?

Would the fanbase support trading away LeBron to a team like New Orleans for Zion and draft capital or the Knicks for draft capital?

Could the Lakers trade away AD to a team like Brooklyn for Kyrie (if he would get vaccinated) and draft capital?

Also, how about trading away Russ to a team like the Mavs (he would pair up better with Luka than LeBron and AD) for draft capital?

While these are radical proposals, it may make sense when looking at the Warriors and Suns and how they both have a mix of veterans and young talent and the Rockets with all of their young talent.

[Landsberger]

Russ was acquired to carry the offensive load during the regular season, especially when LeBron is either on the bench or in "load management" and sitting out a game.

The strategy is to get into the playoffs with a healthy and rested LeBron and then see LeBron "turn it on."

Yes, Russ is a turnover mess. He is, however, a triple-double waiting to happen.

I just don't see how the Lakers can make a trade to get back assets, unless it is a trade which includes AD.

Russ is the proof that triple doubles really mean nothing in the context of a team. In fact, the ball domination needed to get that many triple doubles is evidence that you really don't want a guy like that with a team of other alphas.

Statistics and championships have little to do with each other IMHO. Individual rebounds and assists aren't nearly as important as people think. Give me a team of guys getting 5 board and 4 assists while having positive differential in the team stats and I'll beat any team with a guy averaging 28, 10 and 11...

Westbrook has limited value and it was a rookie mistake to trade for him. No one in the FO has the experience to know that unfortunately. Trying to one up the Nets seemed to be the focus.

[NBAWestFan]

While the Laker franchise has always been a destination zone for star players (established and rookie), is this the time that the team should look to go "full rebuild?

Would the fanbase support trading away LeBron to a team like New Orleans for Zion and draft capital or the Knicks for draft capital?

Could the Lakers trade away AD to a team like Brooklyn for Kyrie (if he would get vaccinated) and draft capital?

Also, how about trading away Russ to a team like the Mavs (he would pair up better with Luka than LeBron and AD) for draft capital?

While these are radical proposals, it may make sense when looking at the Warriors and Suns and how they both have a mix of veterans and young talent and the Rockets with all of their young talent.

Yes, Please Trade away everyone and rebuild. I don't like to watch Lebron, Davis & the team now.

I preferred to watch the struggling young guys grow.

Trade Lebron and gets picks and a expiring contract. The NBA is 3 is greater than 2. Get shooters and younger.
They were good two years ago but now they look old and slow and are getting out worked.
Those big contracts are eating up the chance and some young guys.

I like what Chicago and the Heat have done but not so much the Lakers.

Trade Davis and get picks or a young star and a pick.

I would rather like a up and coming team like Chicago than the Lakers. As a life long Laker fan this is the first time that I don't really care to watch.

A full re-build would be what I would want.

[sonnyhill]

While the Laker franchise has always been a destination zone for star players (established and rookie), is this the time that the team should look to go "full rebuild?

Would the fanbase support trading away LeBron to a team like New Orleans for Zion and draft capital or the Knicks for draft capital?

Could the Lakers trade away AD to a team like Brooklyn for Kyrie (if he would get vaccinated) and draft capital?

Also, how about trading away Russ to a team like the Mavs (he would pair up better with Luka than LeBron and AD) for draft capital?

While these are radical proposals, it may make sense when looking at the Warriors and Suns and how they both have a mix of veterans and young talent and the Rockets with all of their young talent.

Yes, Please Trade away everyone and rebuild. I don't like to watch Lebron, Davis & the team now.

I preferred to watch the struggling young guys grow.

Trade Lebron and gets picks and a expiring contract. The NBA is 3 is greater than 2. Get shooters and younger.
They were good two years ago but now they look old and slow and are getting out worked.
Those big contracts are eating up the chance and some young guys.

I like what Chicago and the Heat have done but not so much the Lakers.

Trade Davis and get picks or a young star and a pick.

I would rather like a up and coming team like Chicago than the Lakers. As a life long Laker fan this is the first time that I don't really care to watch.

A full re-build would be what I would want.

Are you being serious or trolling the board?

If the team goes into full rebuild mode, does the fanbase have the confidence in the front office to do this?

Also, a deconstruction-and-rebuild has to be done by the front office. This past off-season, the front office had a chance to bring in Buddy Hield but yielded to LeBron's demand for Westbrook, and we now see how that had turned out.

[zuju]

What we should consider now other than trade idea may be who to sign for the next few games

I feel it a very good opportunity to try big wings or bigs out there in the free agent or G league and see who may fit in to the lakers squad and system.

I don't see us winning a lot of the games with so many players out. Time for Ariza to find his legs and get into game rhythm

[sonnyhill]

What we should consider now other than trade idea may be who to sign for the next few games

I feel it a very good opportunity to try big wings or bigs out there in the free agent or G league and see who may fit in to the lakers squad and system.

I don't see us winning a lot of the games with so many players out. Time for Ariza to find his legs and get into game rhythm

Please explain your reasoning for doing this (btw, I am not opposed; I am just asking for clarification).

The bigger question about this year's Laker team is "when fully healthy and playing optimally, what, realistically, can we expect?"

Middle-of-the-road playoff team to be ousted in the first or second round?

Competing for a top-four playoff seed and the Western Conference?

My "gut feel" is that this team is doomed and needs to be deconstructed-reconstructed because of the lack of perimeter-wing speed, lack of 3-point shooting, and inability to play good defense.

[Kilroy]

2 Approaches... Either one involves Westbrook GTFO...
1. You find a miracle trade for Westbrook that nets you a combination of talent that can make a more holistic lineup, and you roll with AD/LeBron and staff...
2. You can't trade Westbrook and you're looking at another wasted year of whatever leBron has left, with an odd lineup and mediocrity...
So you blow it TF up... LeBron gets convinced the grass is greener elsewhere, AD gets traded for a dude who can play with 100% energy all season without crumbling, Westbrook gets traded for whatever you can find... And you go for the future...

Honestly, I'm not sure Jeannie and her siblings have another rebuild in them, so who knows what happens with the team if you choose option 2... Option 1 is a dream...
But I really don't see any other options... Trading THT without moving Westbrook gets you nowhere... Dumping Vogel is Performative at best...
I think AD's done for the season too... With his struggles last time he went down, I don't see him coming back and I don't see us in any position to contend without him, so... Lights out, jello's jiggling...

[zimpy27]

2 Approaches... Either one involves Westbrook GTFO...
1. You find a miracle trade for Westbrook that nets you a combination of talent that can make a more holistic lineup, and you roll with AD/LeBron and staff...
2. You can't trade Westbrook and you're looking at another wasted year of whatever leBron has left, with an odd lineup and mediocrity...
So you blow it TF up... LeBron gets convinced the grass is greener elsewhere, AD gets traded for a dude who can play with 100% energy all season without crumbling, Westbrook gets traded for whatever you can find... And you go for the future...

Honestly, I'm not sure Jeannie and her siblings have another rebuild in them, so who knows what happens with the team if you choose option 2... Option 1 is a dream...
But I really don't see any other options... Trading THT without moving Westbrook gets you nowhere... Dumping Vogel is Performative at best...
I think AD's done for the season too... With his struggles last time he went down, I don't see him coming back and I don't see us in any position to contend without him, so... Lights out, jello's jiggling...

Team needs to take the opportunity with Davis out to get a couple active rebounding big men and big wings.

[VIPER8382]

Has there been any discussion on here about trying to pick up Colin Sexton from the Cavs? I think that could be a sneaky way for the Lakers to finally land some young talent. Sexton is out for the year for the Cavs and seems to be the odd man out due to the Cavs having another 6 foot 1 PG in Garland. Really hard to have a pair of 6 foot 1 guards start, and the Cavs are unlikely to become a luxury tax team to be able to bring Sexton off the bench. I think Sexton could flourish with Lebron and Westbrook to be primary playmakers with him getting wide open looks and being a secondary play maker. I especially think he would be lethal in line ups that feature Lebron, but not Westbrook.

[sonnyhill]

Has there been any discussion on here about trying to pick up Colin Sexton from the Cavs? I think that could be a sneaky way for the Lakers to finally land some young talent. Sexton is out for the year for the Cavs and seems to be the odd man out due to the Cavs having another 6 foot 1 PG in Garland. Really hard to have a pair of 6 foot 1 guards start, and the Cavs are unlikely to become a luxury tax team to be able to bring Sexton off the bench. I think Sexton could flourish with Lebron and Westbrook to be primary playmakers with him getting wide open looks and being a secondary play maker. I especially think he would be lethal in line ups that feature Lebron, but not Westbrook.

Sexton is an interesting young player who would have played with LeBron in Cleveland if LeBron had not signed with the Lakers.

Is the window for LeBron to win championships, unless he is a more of a complimentary player surrounded by younger-and-better players, over; and, are we delusional in discussing-and-debating what players to surround LeBron with instead of discussing how to get maximal value back from another team for LeBron trade and an AD trade (I don't see what the Lakers can expect for a Westbrook trade)?

The haul of picks and younger assets that the Lakers could get back in return for both LeBron and AD would allow for the franchise to accelerate the rebuild. I see what OKC and Houston are doing and cannot believe that the Lakers cannot do it better.

[Pythagoras]

Need to trade for bigger wings. Like yesterday.

[gordonyao]

need rebounding and big wing
not sure if houston is willing to trade Wood for THT+DJ

[TGW]

need rebounding and big wing
not sure if houston is willing to trade Wood for THT+DJ

LOL no.

[KuzControl]

Two 2nds for Kenrich Williams would make me very happy. As would getting Danuel House

I'd then probably want to find a bigger SG that can shoot/defend (Reddish pls), and a rebounding big

[zuju]

What we should consider now other than trade idea may be who to sign for the next few games

I feel it a very good opportunity to try big wings or bigs out there in the free agent or G league and see who may fit in to the lakers squad and system.

I don't see us winning a lot of the games with so many players out. Time for Ariza to find his legs and get into game rhythm

Please explain your reasoning for doing this (btw, I am not opposed; I am just asking for clarification).

The bigger question about this year's Laker team is "when fully healthy and playing optimally, what, realistically, can we expect?"

Middle-of-the-road playoff team to be ousted in the first or second round?

Competing for a top-four playoff seed and the Western Conference?

My "gut feel" is that this team is doomed and needs to be deconstructed-reconstructed because of the lack of perimeter-wing speed, lack of 3-point shooting, and inability to play good defense.

The most basic reasoning is we all want the team to improve. the big 3 definitely are talented and capable of doing great things on court.

The problem with this team is aging and more importantly fit. The team lack balance. Good shooting with poor defense, elite around the rim / to drive to the rack and extremely inconsistent and unreliable behind the arc

There is a reason why Morris got playing time in the bubble soon after he signed after buy out. He fit better with AD.

Dwight give you defense and knows how to play with our big 3. DJ is a disaster. Why not trying bigs out there to see who can complement our big 3?

Lakers are full of small guards and lack of size to play against the best wings in the league. Why not trying the stronger or taller wings who can defend and shoot some 3s to help balance out the team ?

We need defense as much as shooting. Last season, KCP and co were accused of poor shooting and shot creation ability, this season monk and co were accused of inconsistent shooting and extremely poor defense. If you let me choose, it prefer KCP and co over this current group. Ultimately, we are looking for a more balanced squad to help our big 3 rather than leaning towards on ability on the court.

You do not tank because we are keeping ourselves at 0.500 winning percentage right? I simply want the team to know what type of players they really need before doing any further trade or signing during or after all star break

[sonnyhill]

What we should consider now other than trade idea may be who to sign for the next few games

I feel it a very good opportunity to try big wings or bigs out there in the free agent or G league and see who may fit in to the lakers squad and system.

I don't see us winning a lot of the games with so many players out. Time for Ariza to find his legs and get into game rhythm

Please explain your reasoning for doing this (btw, I am not opposed; I am just asking for clarification).

The bigger question about this year's Laker team is "when fully healthy and playing optimally, what, realistically, can we expect?"

Middle-of-the-road playoff team to be ousted in the first or second round?

Competing for a top-four playoff seed and the Western Conference?

My "gut feel" is that this team is doomed and needs to be deconstructed-reconstructed because of the lack of perimeter-wing speed, lack of 3-point shooting, and inability to play good defense.

The most basic reasoning is we all want the team to improve. the big 3 definitely are talented and capable of doing great things on court.

The problem with this team is aging and more importantly fit. The team lack balance. Good shooting with poor defense, elite around the rim / to drive to the rack and extremely inconsistent and unreliable behind the arc

There is a reason why Morris got playing time in the bubble soon after he signed after buy out. He fit better with AD.

Dwight give you defense and knows how to play with our big 3. DJ is a disaster. Why not trying bigs out there to see who can complement our big 3?

Lakers are full of small guards and lack of size to play against the best wings in the league. Why not trying the stronger or taller wings who can defend and shoot some 3s to help balance out the team ?

We need defense as much as shooting. Last season, KCP and co were accused of poor shooting and shot creation ability, this season monk and co were accused of inconsistent shooting and extremely poor defense. If you let me choose, it prefer KCP and co over this current group. Ultimately, we are looking for a more balanced squad to help our big 3 rather than leaning towards on ability on the court.

You do not tank because we are keeping ourselves at 0.500 winning percentage right? I simply want the team to know what type of players they really need before doing any further trade or signing during or after all star break

Great analysis, Zulu.

A frightening place for a team to find itself is being "stuck" as a "middle-of-the road" "barely make it into the playoff" team that gets eliminated in the first round.

Without a Jerry West mastermind in the front office, do Laker fans have confidence that Jeanie and Rob have the ability to evaluate talent and reconstruct this roster? A bigger fear may be that they are "outsourcing" this job to LeBron and Clutch.

[Dude-niagara]

Kyle "Slo Mo" Anderson - 9.9 mil expiring

Dude's a 6'9" positive defender, big wing (PF/SF), shooting 36.0% (2020/21) and 37.0% (this season) from 3pt

Might be gettable with Nunn (5.0 mil) and 2 vet mins?

Love it...


Let's give Toronto a superstar player in AD ...get value back....

AD, WESTBROOK, baze, deandre.... Siakim, Trent Jr , Scottie Barnes, boucher, and Dragic

Toronto get better and so do we...

Toronto.... Fvv/Westbrook/OG/AD

Dragic always turns up in playoffs, Trent is a perfect 3/D guard, Scottie best young sf defender (arguably), AND siakim

LeBron/Trent/Scottie/siakim/boucher or Dwight

Barnes is not for sale. You're welcome to take Siakam /Trent for Davis and fill ins but not way to Barnes. He is a stud 20 year old, not going anywhere. Let's be honest, no one wants Westbook, worse contract in the NBA.

[zimpy27]

How do you guys feel about trading THT+Jordan for Favors+Kenrich?


Westbrook, Reaves, LeBron, Ariza, Davis -- Nunn, Monk, Kenrich, Melo, Favors -- Rondo, Bradley, Ellington, Bazemore, Howard