Building around AD and LeBron next season

[EggIsCooling]

If building around AD and Lebron, lies, cheat, strong arm, paying luxury taxes, and whatever it takes to rescue Dame from Portland, everyone from ownership to Klutch will have to just do it! And I can see Rondo roaming the sideline and empower him to build his coaching staffs. Remaining priorities are resigning Monk, Cody Martin (wing defense), Covington (wing defense), PJ Tucker (wing defense), Whiteside, and Bryn Forbes.

[danfantastk32]

Well, Lebron has come out at said he wants to stay with the Purple and Gold. If true....there's no way Jeanie moves him. So I guess I'll take it at face value, and that is that. We will have Lebron next season, and maybe even after that.

Look...I actually don't hate or even particularly dislike Lebron. He turned things around and brought a ring (I consider it legit), so he did his job. The total offloading of our youth was worth it in my eyes. But with that said....we shipped out way too much for Westbrook. Even if he has a resurgence here for the rest of the season, there's absolutely no way we get even close to what we gave up. So realistically, what can this team expect to do? We bring back Lebron, who will be yet another year older. We bring back AD with at least 2 more injuries to his list. And lets say we get half back on some amazing trade for Russ, that's totally unlikely. But even if...how is that winning a title?

With Lebron on board....I don't see us moving AD at all. Sadly, I now see us trading Westbrook for a salary swap...and we will probably get several guys that have 2-3 years left. Perhaps we can pick up 2 or 3 players that make 12-15 mil, who are overpaid....but will at least bring some younger legs...will fill out the roster better and be a net positive. We've got 1-2 more years with Lebron, we have 3 years with AD....so perhaps it won't be the end of the world if we absorb a 2-3 year contract or two.

Perhaps we let Westbrook run the show for the last 20 games? Let him really pad those stats. Sorta "rest" Lebron. Let him take a back seat. Don't bring AD back...shut him down till next season. Let Westbrook try and raise his stock as much as possible.

Was sorry to hear Lebron wants to stay. He's still a great player, but this thing has run it's course. I think it would be better to blow it up, even if its 70 cents on the dollar.

[zimpy27]

Well, Lebron has come out at said he wants to stay with the Purple and Gold. If true....there's no way Jeanie moves him. So I guess I'll take it at face value, and that is that. We will have Lebron next season, and maybe even after that.

Look...I actually don't hate or even particularly dislike Lebron. He turned things around and brought a ring (I consider it legit), so he did his job. The total offloading of our youth was worth it in my eyes. But with that said....we shipped out way too much for Westbrook. Even if he has a resurgence here for the rest of the season, there's absolutely no way we get even close to what we gave up. So realistically, what can this team expect to do? We bring back Lebron, who will be yet another year older. We bring back AD with at least 2 more injuries to his list. And lets say we get half back on some amazing trade for Russ, that's totally unlikely. But even if...how is that winning a title?

With Lebron on board....I don't see us moving AD at all. Sadly, I now see us trading Westbrook for a salary swap...and we will probably get several guys that have 2-3 years left. Perhaps we can pick up 2 or 3 players that make 12-15 mil, who are overpaid....but will at least bring some younger legs...will fill out the roster better and be a net positive. We've got 1-2 more years with Lebron, we have 3 years with AD....so perhaps it won't be the end of the world if we absorb a 2-3 year contract or two.

Perhaps we let Westbrook run the show for the last 20 games? Let him really pad those stats. Sorta "rest" Lebron. Let him take a back seat. Don't bring AD back...shut him down till next season. Let Westbrook try and raise his stock as much as possible.

Was sorry to hear Lebron wants to stay. He's still a great player, but this thing has run it's course. I think it would be better to blow it up, even if its 70 cents on the dollar.

Yeah Westbrook was a mistake. Caruso was a mistake (a bigger mistake in my eyes).

I think you want to blow it up way too early. This was the first bad offseason by Rob. He deserves to get another chance.

[danfantastk32]

I think you want to blow it up way too early. This was the first bad offseason by Rob. He deserves to get another chance.

You might be right. I guess we'll see next season. If they can sort it out, I'll be really happy. I have my doubts...but if AD can get right for a whole season (big ask) we have at least a decent chance.

[zimpy27]

I think you want to blow it up way too early. This was the first bad offseason by Rob. He deserves to get another chance.

You might be right. I guess we'll see next season. If they can sort it out, I'll be really happy. I have my doubts...but if AD can get right for a whole season (big ask) we have at least a decent chance.

Brogdon+Hield seem like a genuine possibility for Russ and the picks.

But I think the most realistic option is Westbrook opting out and taking a 1+1 so that Lakers can use a 10m TPE and 4m BAE. If that happens then I expect THT+Nunn to be traded for help too.

[SK21209]

Like a couple of others have said, I think Indiana is the team to watch for a Russ trade. Brogdon looks to be the odd man out and that franchise is absolutely horrified of doing a full rebuild. Furthermore, I think its time to go back to starting AD at the 4. For whatever reason, he just doesn't bring the level of intensity every night that you need to anchor the defense and its hard to find enough playable wings on minimum deals to allow AD to play the 5 full time. In my absolute best case scenario, we send Russ/THT/2 FRPs to Indiana for Brogdon/Turner.

Brogdon/Nunn (I think he misses the whole season and opts in)
Reaves/Monk
LBJ/Stanley Johnson
AD
Turner

That's the beginning of a team that fits together much better than this year's group IMO. You might even bring Vogel back as this is the kind of team he's capable of coaching into an elite defense. Getting Turner from the Pacers might be too much to hope for though, Hield is probably more realistic. In that case, I think THT is moved for wing/frontcourt player.

[kblo247]

Kuzma and KCP would have been nice. Kuzma has had a better year than Russ. KCP has been solid as always. And this time last year KCP, Kuzma, and Dennis without Bron abs AD for half the year still had a top defense and we’re staying in games.

If Bron and AD had sucked it up and moved over to the 4 and 5 so Kuzma could start for a whole year, and KCP was starting with those 3 we would be better off and out wing and guard defense, rebounding, shooting, passing, and turnover count would be better. But those two dumb asses never would let Kuzma start one game next to them because they were the 3 and the 4 now they have had bum ass Ariza, Deandre, Reeves, Stanley Johnson, Dwight, and everyone try … it’s laughable.

What the team needs is KCP and Kuzma! Frank would have a better record. Add in Dennis like Rob wanted and it ain’t close lol

[zimpy27]

Kuzma and KCP would have been nice. Kuzma has had a better year than Russ. KCP has been solid as always. And this time last year KCP, Kuzma, and Dennis without Bron abs AD for half the year still had a top defense and we’re staying in games.

If Bron and AD had sucked it up and moved over to the 4 and 5 so Kuzma could start for a whole year, and KCP was starting with those 3 we would be better off and out wing and guard defense, rebounding, shooting, passing, and turnover count would be better. But those two dumb asses never would let Kuzma start one game next to them because they were the 3 and the 4 now they have had bum ass Ariza, Deandre, Reeves, Stanley Johnson, Dwight, and everyone try … it’s laughable.

What the team needs is KCP and Kuzma! Frank would have a better record. Add in Dennis like Rob wanted and it ain’t close lol

Rob was planning to trade Kuzma for Hield though..

It would have been Schroeder, KCP, Hield instead of Westbrook, Nunn, Monk..

Not sure I like that much better. I would take it over Westbrook now that we've seen how bad he fits though.

The only Laker option that was good was Kuzma+Harrell for DeMar SnT.. and choosing Caruso over THT.

Caruso, KCP, DeMar, LeBron, Davis -- Rondo, Reaves, Ariza, Melo, Howard

[Raptaurus]

They will likely keep Lebron and AD for next season. Will have to trade Westbrook and that’s where it gets difficult cause you are going to have to include 1st round picks to get any thing of value back in return.

Other less likely option could be to just trade Lebron for a bunch of picks and just get the rebuild started quicker….

Getting a Lebron has been a blessing but also a handicap for the Lakers. He delivered a championship which many would say was worth it. But then you have to deal with a hollowed out team (just like Cleveland did twice) in the aftermath of him bailing. Rinse and repeat.

[sonnyhill]

If next season is a rebuild year, why not trade LeBron and AD this off-season and keep Westbrook, with his expiring contract, for the rebuild?

The Lakers could get a pretty large haul of assets (draft picks, expiring contracts, serviceable players) for both LeBron and AD.

Bigger question: Are Jeanie, Rob, and the Rambis duo up to the task for rebuilding or can the Lakers do better by bringing in a new Front Office person to architect the next iteration of the Lakers?

[John Murdoch]

Brick expiring + 2 FRP's for Brogdon and Hield

Than throw taxpayer MLE at Rubio or TJ Warren ..im assuming we cant pay Monk here

Only offer vet mins to dudes that actually move still physically..Tyus Jones...Delon Wright..Satoransky ...no more washed dudes like Baze or Trevor/DAJ

Leg go of Vogel , get a coach that LeBron wants .

Fresh start in training camp ...new voice ...new players around the core ...new season


Brogdon
Hield
LeBron
Stanley
AD

Rubio
Nunn
Reeves
Talen

[zimpy27]

Lakers give: Westbrook + LAL26swap + LAL27FRP + LAL28swap
Lakers get: Melton + Tillman + Burks + Randle

Memphis give: Melton + Tillman
Memphis get: Kemba + LAL27FRP + LAL28swap

Knicks give: Kemba + Burks + Randle
Knicks get: Westbrook + LAL26swap


Melton, Burks, LeBron, Randle, Davis -- Nunn, Reaves, THT, Melo, Tillman

Every play but Melo has some defensive ability that isn't considered a weak point.

[Slava]

Lakers give: Westbrook + LAL26swap + LAL27FRP + LAL28swap
Lakers get: Melton + Tillman + Burks + Randle

Memphis give: Melton + Tillman
Memphis get: Kemba + LAL27FRP + LAL28swap

Knicks give: Kemba + Burks + Randle
Knicks get: Westbrook + LAL26swap


Melton, Burks, LeBron, Randle, Davis -- Nunn, Reaves, THT, Melo, Tillman

Every play but Melo has some defensive ability that isn't considered a weak point.

Why are the Knicks dumping long term salary and getting a pick swap for their troubles and why are the Lakers providing salary relief along with outgoing picks?

[zimpy27]

Lakers give: Westbrook + LAL26swap + LAL27FRP + LAL28swap
Lakers get: Melton + Tillman + Burks + Randle

Memphis give: Melton + Tillman
Memphis get: Kemba + LAL27FRP + LAL28swap

Knicks give: Kemba + Burks + Randle
Knicks get: Westbrook + LAL26swap


Melton, Burks, LeBron, Randle, Davis -- Nunn, Reaves, THT, Melo, Tillman

Every play but Melo has some defensive ability that isn't considered a weak point.

Why are the Knicks dumping long term salary and getting a pick swap for their troubles and why are the Lakers providing salary relief along with outgoing picks?

Because Knicks would want to send Fournier instead of Burks+Kemba. Burks+Kemba are both expiring and are more useful to the Lakers. Burks actually plays defense and Kemba could be kept or traded as filler.

[Slava]

Lakers give: Westbrook + LAL26swap + LAL27FRP + LAL28swap
Lakers get: Melton + Tillman + Burks + Randle

Memphis give: Melton + Tillman
Memphis get: Kemba + LAL27FRP + LAL28swap

Knicks give: Kemba + Burks + Randle
Knicks get: Westbrook + LAL26swap


Melton, Burks, LeBron, Randle, Davis -- Nunn, Reaves, THT, Melo, Tillman

Every play but Melo has some defensive ability that isn't considered a weak point.

Why are the Knicks dumping long term salary and getting a pick swap for their troubles and why are the Lakers providing salary relief along with outgoing picks?

Because Knicks would want to send Fournier instead of Burks+Kemba. Burks+Kemba are both expiring and are more useful to the Lakers. Burks actually plays defense and Kemba could be kept or traded as filler.

I don’t see a single scenario where Knicks dump Randle and whatever is owed to him for 4 seasons and get an asset in return. Fournier in his stead is far more palatable.

[LAL1947]

I fired up the ole ESPN trade machine today, to see what trades I could come up with. That a mistake.

Seeing the roster in a list format really put things into perspective. :VOMIT:

No more moves that sabotage the future even more, such as giving away picks, please and thank you.

[zimpy27]

Why are the Knicks dumping long term salary and getting a pick swap for their troubles and why are the Lakers providing salary relief along with outgoing picks?

Because Knicks would want to send Fournier instead of Burks+Kemba. Burks+Kemba are both expiring and are more useful to the Lakers. Burks actually plays defense and Kemba could be kept or traded as filler.

I don’t see a single scenario where Knicks dump Randle and whatever is owed to him for 4 seasons and get an asset in return. Fournier in his stead is far more palatable.

You might be right but Randle was All NBA last season.. it just be a down year

[Slava]

Because Knicks would want to send Fournier instead of Burks+Kemba. Burks+Kemba are both expiring and are more useful to the Lakers. Burks actually plays defense and Kemba could be kept or traded as filler.

I don’t see a single scenario where Knicks dump Randle and whatever is owed to him for 4 seasons and get an asset in return. Fournier in his stead is far more palatable.

You might be right but Randle was All NBA last season.. it just be a down year

You could make the same argument for Westbrook, who’s had more good seasons than Randle for a track record and he’s much less risky as he is salary relief within a season. Randle on the other hand has positional overlap with two of our best players.

[Landsberger]

Kuzma has had a better year than Russ.

So I just went and looked at Kuzma's season after I read this.

Over the last 31 games (after he came back from a right forearm issue) he's put up 21.5 - 9.6 rebounds - 4 assists. Shooting over 48% with 35.2 from 3. After they traded every decent guard they have and after Beal's injury, he's been more of a facilitator with his assists at 6 over the last 10 games with similar scoring and rebounding numbers.

At what he's getting paid he's one of the best bargains around.

He didn't fit the "go stand in the corner" role he had here and needed a change of scenery but he's getting a chance to show his full game.

[stan francisco]

Brick expiring + 2 FRP's for Brogdon and Hield

Than throw taxpayer MLE at Rubio or TJ Warren ..im assuming we cant pay Monk here

Only offer vet mins to dudes that actually move still physically..Tyus Jones...Delon Wright..Satoransky ...no more washed dudes like Baze or Trevor/DAJ

Leg go of Vogel , get a coach that LeBron wants .

Fresh start in training camp ...new voice ...new players around the core ...new season


Brogdon
Hield
LeBron
Stanley
AD

Rubio
Nunn
Reeves
Talen

This is a reasonable scenario.

I expect Pelinka to pull a slightly bigger catch than Hield and Brogdon but I’d happily take it. Adding Rubio would be great. Reaves and Nunn are surely keepers assuming Nunn returns healthy. At this point of LBJ’s career I want to see a capable PG like FVV next to LBJ. Three team deal? I’d throw in THT if needed.