Post#338 » by timdunkit » Wed Jun 21, 2017 1:34 am
I don't love this move, but I don't hate it either. It will look really great if you can secure PG and then bring someone else along in 2018. If you can't, then an asset was wasted.
I wanted to see a DLo/Ball backcourt. I thought it could work offensively and both players should be able to hit the 3 consistently. I also wasn't ready to give up on DLo and thought he could have become an all-star guard (and now he'll have a fresh start in Brooklyn to have his own team).
But if the goal is to win championships then it's easy to see the shortcomings. With Ball/DLo, it's hard to bring in another high volume scorer considering Ingram is also on the roster. A Ball/DLo backcourt would have major defensive issues; and if you bring along a PG and limit the touches they receive, then they don't justify their defensive shortcomings with their offensive output. In the end, the Lakers could have had a great offensive backcourt with DLo/Ball but their impact would be limited similarly to that of the Portland backcourt (two offensive minded guards who don't bring it on the other end).
It's a similar reason why I don't mind hearing we are putting Randle/Clarkson in trade talks. They are good young pieces but where do they ultimately fit on a championship team is a question you have to constantly ask with young players.
2018 seems like the plan. I know everyone is talking about getting PG and then setting up for Lebron but I would keep an eye out on Westbrook & Cousins as well. Other than that, Magic's plan seems pretty straight forward. Secure two-star players through FA before Ball & Ingram's rookie contracts are up. This would give the Lakers a big 4 to contend with.
