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

[Gorilla Monsoon]

You haven’t a clue how toxic that Randle contract is around the league and your team offered that on the back of one contract year play. I’d need two unprotected firsts just to swap Russ for Randle, let alone add Fournier.

Okay then, enjoy squandering the final years of LeBron's career. Westbrick is toast.

Sure, enjoy rewatching your last championship season on VCR tapes.

Lmao, good one. I can appreciate a good burn.

[TylersLakers]

Knicks seem like natural partners in a cost cutting trade for Westbrook if Lakers are willing to take on salary beyond the next two seasons. Fournier, Burks, Walker and Noel for Westbrook and a couple of minimum guys like Jordan and Bazemore would get done. We can turn around and shop THT, Nunn and pick for a bigger wing like Covington.

Bobby Marks threw this out as an option and I’d do it. No questions asked.

Westbrook/Nunn/Ellington/Howard/2027 protected 1st for Kemba, Fournier, Burks, Noel

PG: Burks/THT/Kemba
SG: Fournier/Monk/Bradley
SF: LeBron/Reaves/Baze
PF: Stanley/Melo/Ariza
C: Davis/Noel/DJ

- waive DJ, get buyout forward (Thad Young)

LeBron loves Kemba and he could be a wild card. I would also look to make deals around the margins. Don’t see how THT AND Monk would be needed.

Maybe trading Westbrook can be a thing.

As a diehard Knicks fan, I wouldn't do this deal. The Knicks' biggest issue right now is Randle. He absolutely needs a change of scenery, so the deal would have to include him. But he knows LA, was 2nd team all-NBA last season (8th in MVP voting), and would probably be extremely effective playing with LeBron.

If we're playing GM, my offer to Pelinka is Westbrook for Randle, Fournier and one of Kemba or Burks. We can include Noel if it's needed to match salaries. LAL has to include a 1st as well.

Knicks clear some long-term salary and some of the glut they have to free up minutes for their young guys. Lakers get rid of Westbrook, get some veteran shooting/depth, and take a small gamble on Randle whose problems are all mental right now. I just think he's either got some issue with Thibs, the front office, some of the guys in the locker room, or a combination of all 3. But he's not hurt. The guy is durable and always in magnificent shape. He's still only 27 years old and we know he has the talent. He'd immediately be your 3rd best player if leaving the Knicks gives him new life.

Deal?

Great name lol.

If I’m the Lakers, I absolutely do that. This team needs youth and the Lakers fan base has a huge connection to Randle. I could see this working:

Russ, Bazemore, DJ, Melo, THT, 2nd rounder

For

Randle, Burks, Fournier, Kemba

Why from a Lakers perspective:

- They get better fitting players around LeBron/AD: Fournier, Burks in a starting line-up, Kemba off the bench and Randle who’s a way better player now than the player that left a few years ago.

- Lakers save a few million in the deal. That matters to this organization.

- Wash your hands of the Russ mistake. Admit the experiment failed.

- Randle is liked by the fan base and Jeanie Buss has admitted that losing him and his family was something she was upset about. That may seem irrelevant for basketball purposes but to this ownership group? That’s something. Westbrook is despised by the majority of the fan base.

- Way more flexibility in future moves. Randle’s contract looks like an over pay right now but a few weeks of great play while not getting the attention of an entire opposing team and you look at cap hits of 26, 28, 30 and 32 million as a positive.

Burks/Kemba/Bradley/Nunn
Fournier/Monk/Ellington
LeBron/Reaves/
Randle/Stanley/Ariza
Davis/Dwight/

Maybe I hate Westbrook too much. Maybe there’s a way to keep THT for flexibility in other moves if the Lakers instead include the 2027 pick. But this seems like a team that just makes way more sense.

[loveshaq786]

Randle absolutely fits better than Westbrook. I'm on board too. He developed a good three-point shot, can pass well, is very mobile and is another big body that can board.

Westbrook, dj, and baze for.... Fournier, randle, and noel

This trade does give us what we need, even if contracts coming in aren't the best

[scoobs07]

Knicks seem like natural partners in a cost cutting trade for Westbrook if Lakers are willing to take on salary beyond the next two seasons. Fournier, Burks, Walker and Noel for Westbrook and a couple of minimum guys like Jordan and Bazemore would get done. We can turn around and shop THT, Nunn and pick for a bigger wing like Covington.

Bobby Marks threw this out as an option and I’d do it. No questions asked.

Westbrook/Nunn/Ellington/Howard/2027 protected 1st for Kemba, Fournier, Burks, Noel

PG: Burks/THT/Kemba
SG: Fournier/Monk/Bradley
SF: LeBron/Reaves/Baze
PF: Stanley/Melo/Ariza
C: Davis/Noel/DJ

- waive DJ, get buyout forward (Thad Young)

LeBron loves Kemba and he could be a wild card. I would also look to make deals around the margins. Don’t see how THT AND Monk would be needed.

Maybe trading Westbrook can be a thing.

As a diehard Knicks fan, I wouldn't do this deal. The Knicks' biggest issue right now is Randle. He absolutely needs a change of scenery, so the deal would have to include him. But he knows LA, was 2nd team all-NBA last season (8th in MVP voting), and would probably be extremely effective playing with LeBron.

If we're playing GM, my offer to Pelinka is Westbrook for Randle, Fournier and one of Kemba or Burks. We can include Noel if it's needed to match salaries. LAL has to include a 1st as well.

Knicks clear some long-term salary and some of the glut they have to free up minutes for their young guys. Lakers get rid of Westbrook, get some veteran shooting/depth, and take a small gamble on Randle whose problems are all mental right now. I just think he's either got some issue with Thibs, the front office, some of the guys in the locker room, or a combination of all 3. But he's not hurt. The guy is durable and always in magnificent shape. He's still only 27 years old and we know he has the talent. He'd immediately be your 3rd best player if leaving the Knicks gives him new life.

Deal?

Randle wouldn't be a good fit. Too much duplication with Lebron, AD, and to an extent, THT. Maybe he could be flipped to a third team?

[ecuhus1981]

How about another Russell trade proposal?

https://basketball.realgm.com/tradechecker/saved_trade/7526055

Los Angeles trades Westbrook and Ellington for Hayward and Hield

Basically, you absorb salary in order to fit better role players around AD and Lebron.
Tucker, Hield, Hayward, James, Davis
Nunn, Monk, Ariza, Anthony, Howard

[John Murdoch]

Russ
Reeves
Stanley
LeBron
AD


Nunn
Monk - Avery
Harkless
Melo
Tristan - Dwight - DJones


Gives us the option to go big again like how we were during the title season . Also get rid of alot of dead weight guys that arent in the rotation anymore. Giving up on Talen so soon sucks but we have to be aggresive if we dont want the season to be a complete punt retirement tour for LeBron with Westbrick steering the tank

[John Murdoch]

[One Love]

While I do think there is merit to a NY deal, I am concerned with Randle's & Fournier's long term contracts... As much as I hate to admit it, I think we are better served riding this year out and revisiting in the Summer...

Monk > Fournier and Randle seems to be getting a "big head" right now... Russ will be an expiring this summer...

[Kilroy]

How about another Russell trade proposal?

https://basketball.realgm.com/tradechecker/saved_trade/7526055

Los Angeles trades Westbrook and Ellington for Hayward and Hield

Basically, you absorb salary in order to fit better role players around AD and Lebron.
Tucker, Hield, Hayward, James, Davis
Nunn, Monk, Ariza, Anthony, Howard

Works for me... We get younger and dump Westbrook...

With Lebron out, it also might giver Hayword the freedom to be a volume scorer for a while and see what he can do.

[Kilroy]

Was looking at trade machine to mess around with Knicks trades and realized outside of Randle and Noel, I know nothing about those players.... I mean I know the names but have no idea who they'd want to trade...

[John Murdoch]

Then THT straight up for Theis



LeBron
Fournier - Reeves
Stanley
AD
Dwight

DRose
Monk
Burks
Melo
Theis

[TylersLakers]

How about another Russell trade proposal?

https://basketball.realgm.com/tradechecker/saved_trade/7526055

Los Angeles trades Westbrook and Ellington for Hayward and Hield

Basically, you absorb salary in order to fit better role players around AD and Lebron.
Tucker, Hield, Hayward, James, Davis
Nunn, Monk, Ariza, Anthony, Howard

I don't see why anyone makes this trade other than the Lakers. Sign me up though, instantly.

[TylersLakers]

While I do think there is merit to a NY deal, I am concerned with Randle's & Fournier's long term contracts... As much as I hate to admit it, I think we are better served riding this year out and revisiting in the Summer...

Monk > Fournier and Randle seems to be getting a "big head" right now... Russ will be an expiring this summer...

I think a trade between the two is definitely more likely in the summer. As much as it pains me to say.

[WarriorsLakers]

Then THT straight up for Theis



LeBron
Fournier - Reeves
Stanley
AD
Dwight

DRose
Monk
Burks
Melo
Theis

really bad trade for the lakers.

[Roddy B for 3]

What do the Lakers think about a THT+'27 1st for Harrison Barnes based deal?

THT/Nunn/Seku/'27 1st
For
Barnes/Ramsey

This works in the ESPN trade machine

What kind of protections would LA red line on that pick? If it dosen't convert in '27 it vanishes, right?

[Slava]

What do the Lakers think about a THT+'27 1st for Harrison Barnes based deal?

THT/Nunn/Seku/'27 1st
For
Barnes/Ramsey

This works in the ESPN trade machine

What kind of protections would LA red line on that pick? If it dosen't convert in '27 it vanishes, right?

Yea but even if we add only top 3 protections, it’s unlikely Kings take it as they probably get offers with two firsts for Barnes.

[tamaraw08]

How about another Russell trade proposal?

https://basketball.realgm.com/tradechecker/saved_trade/7526055

Los Angeles trades Westbrook and Ellington for Hayward and Hield

Basically, you absorb salary in order to fit better role players around AD and Lebron.
Tucker, Hield, Hayward, James, Davis
Nunn, Monk, Ariza, Anthony, Howard

You must really hate the Hornets. They have Ball and Rozier and you want them to add Westbrook?

[tamaraw08]

Bobby Marks threw this out as an option and I’d do it. No questions asked.

Westbrook/Nunn/Ellington/Howard/2027 protected 1st for Kemba, Fournier, Burks, Noel

PG: Burks/THT/Kemba
SG: Fournier/Monk/Bradley
SF: LeBron/Reaves/Baze
PF: Stanley/Melo/Ariza
C: Davis/Noel/DJ

- waive DJ, get buyout forward (Thad Young)

LeBron loves Kemba and he could be a wild card. I would also look to make deals around the margins. Don’t see how THT AND Monk would be needed.

Maybe trading Westbrook can be a thing.

As a diehard Knicks fan, I wouldn't do this deal. The Knicks' biggest issue right now is Randle. He absolutely needs a change of scenery, so the deal would have to include him. But he knows LA, was 2nd team all-NBA last season (8th in MVP voting), and would probably be extremely effective playing with LeBron.

If we're playing GM, my offer to Pelinka is Westbrook for Randle, Fournier and one of Kemba or Burks. We can include Noel if it's needed to match salaries. LAL has to include a 1st as well.

Knicks clear some long-term salary and some of the glut they have to free up minutes for their young guys. Lakers get rid of Westbrook, get some veteran shooting/depth, and take a small gamble on Randle whose problems are all mental right now. I just think he's either got some issue with Thibs, the front office, some of the guys in the locker room, or a combination of all 3. But he's not hurt. The guy is durable and always in magnificent shape. He's still only 27 years old and we know he has the talent. He'd immediately be your 3rd best player if leaving the Knicks gives him new life.

Deal?

Great name lol.

If I’m the Lakers, I absolutely do that. This team needs youth and the Lakers fan base has a huge connection to Randle. I could see this working:

Russ, Bazemore, DJ, Melo, THT, 2nd rounder

For

Randle, Burks, Fournier, Kemba

Why from a Lakers perspective:

- They get better fitting players around LeBron/AD: Fournier, Burks in a starting line-up, Kemba off the bench and Randle who’s a way better player now than the player that left a few years ago.

- Lakers save a few million in the deal. That matters to this organization.

- Wash your hands of the Russ mistake. Admit the experiment failed.

- Randle is liked by the fan base and Jeanie Buss has admitted that losing him and his family was something she was upset about. That may seem irrelevant for basketball purposes but to this ownership group? That’s something. Westbrook is despised by the majority of the fan base.

- Way more flexibility in future moves. Randle’s contract looks like an over pay right now but a few weeks of great play while not getting the attention of an entire opposing team and you look at cap hits of 26, 28, 30 and 32 million as a positive.

Burks/Kemba/Bradley/Nunn
Fournier/Monk/Ellington
LeBron/Reaves/
Randle/Stanley/Ariza
Davis/Dwight/

Maybe I hate Westbrook too much. Maybe there’s a way to keep THT for flexibility in other moves if the Lakers instead include the 2027 pick. But this seems like a team that just makes way more sense.

Way more Flexibility, really? Westbrooks contract is done by end of 2023 while they are on the hook with Randle until 2026 while they're stuck with Fournier til 2025. Pelinka and Lebron would say no if they have another star in mind to recruit when Russ leaves this team.
The only reason I'll happily take this trade is they lose Westbrook now while getting a great shooter like Fourner, career 38% currently shooting 39% from 3. Kemba could help and Randle will always be there playing unlike AD.

[TylersLakers]

What do the Lakers think about a THT+'27 1st for Harrison Barnes based deal?

THT/Nunn/Seku/'27 1st
For
Barnes/Ramsey

This works in the ESPN trade machine

What kind of protections would LA red line on that pick? If it dosen't convert in '27 it vanishes, right?

I'm sure the Lakers would love this but the Kings have way too many guards to add in another one. Also add in the fact that the Lakers and Kings can't have a great trade relationship at the moment because of what happened in the off-season. But yes, I'd throw in a 1st round pick plus 2nd round picks to make that happen.

I argued all off-season that trading Kuzma, Harrell and the pick for Harrison Barnes was the way to go. Priority 2 was Buddy Hield. Priority 10578217878721 would've been Russ.

[zimpy27]

If Lakers do a deal with the Knicks to give them Westrbook then I think they have to be taking on Kemba+Fournier. In that case it probably means they should use Monk as a positive trade asset in the trade. There's no chance Vogel plays Kemba, Monk, Fournier and Melo in a rotation - that's too many defensive liabilities. Kemba is really going to be used how Monk is now. If Monk didn't have value you wouldn't do it but moving Monk now is smart since Lakers wouldn't be able to keep him in the offseason anyway, he's a limited time asset that they can convert into longer term assets with a trade now.

Westbrook+Monk+Bazemore is likely to be the output from the Lakers.

Option 1:
Lakers get Randle+Fournier+Kemba
Knicks get Westbrook+Monk+Bazemore
Randle is on a bad contract, it's 5 years increasing and he's barely worth his contract now. Fournier is on a worse one. Both give the Lakers no flexibility for a couple seasons. Westbrook is owed the most single-season money but only has one more year. Lakers can use him as an expiring in offseason with their 2 FRPs. That's an opportunity the Lakers lose and Knicks gain from this trade.
Lakers giving up Monk and taking on Kemba means they don't need to give up any picks in the trade.

Option 2:
Lakers get Burks+Noel+Fournier+Kemba
Knicks get Westbrook+Monk+Bazemore+Jordan
Lakers add Jordan as Knicks are giving 4 players and Noel is a pure C - they no longer need insurance for Dwight.
I value Noel+Burks as barely less than Randle, about the same value as Knicks taking on Jordan is worth. I actually prefer this trade as it gives Lakers far more longterm flexibility. And I think Burks would be a great fit with LeBron and I think Noel would work well under Vogel.