Woj: Lakers Trade D'Angelo Russell & Mozgov to Nets for Brook Lopez & 27th Pick

[BatManu20]

It has begun.

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[tonight...you]

It has begun.

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I knew Magic hated DLo. Could tell from the beginning. Too much kid in him. Not enough Kawhi.

[jermaine]

That answers the Ball question!!

[Chinook]

Truly fascinating.

[tonight...you]

That answers the Ball question!!
Sure does, homie. Ball gon' be get ate up while in that Purp and Gold.

Bad luck to him, is all I want to say. Bad luck.

[NASpurs]

crofl Lakers

[SPURt]

Wow, that's suprising

[BatManu20]

Dumping Mozgov's atrocious contract is a great move by the Lakers, along with adding another 1st round pick.

But simultaneously adding another slow, old-school Center to run with the "run and gun" uptempo showtime lakers, is not.

Edit:* Looks they just wanted to dump Mozov's contract to make room for Lebron and Paul George in 2018.

[spurraider21]

:lol

[Robz4000]

:lol AIDS

[rjv]

lakers now have three picks in the 1st round. they are definitely working on another trade.

[Mr. Body]

This is a deep draft?

[CGD]

Not a bad move. Only one year left on Lopez deal should they want to get off that next summer.

[Chinook]

Wonder if they'll be looking at Deng/Randle now.

[ViceCity86]

#2 pick traded for salary dump.:lol Dbust

Kupchak did them dirty with Mozgov and Deng signings

What's next? Dump Ingram and Deng for another salary dump. Go Magic

[HarlemHeat37]

Man, crazy how quickly Russell and Okafor fell off, tbh..happened in an instant..

[Spurs9]

"League needs to stay in its lane, Lonzo coming." -LaVar Ball President and CEO of Big Baller Brand

[TD 21]

Great trade for Nets. Don't think Russell becomes a star, but even if he tops out as average starter at either guard spot, he's still by far highest upside prospect they've had since Favors in '10 and way better than what they could get picking in the 20s, unless they get lucky.

Mozgov's contract is virtually irrelevant to a team with as much flexibility as them going forward. Teams need to spend at least 90% of cap and no big name is signing with them anytime soon anyway.

Questionable trade for Lakers unless it's precursor to James/George double in '18. I'd laugh if Russell was the piece Pacers were holding out for in George trade, they ship him to Cavaliers instead, he ends up re-signing and Lakers are left with nothing but flexibility to show for this.

[BatManu20]

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[MultiTroll]

WTF do the Nets get out of this?

Sounds like another Laker scam.

[tmtcsc]

Crap. Was hoping Marks would take TP's salary dump.

[BatManu20]

Lebron and PG.

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[tonight...you]

Great trade for Nets. Don't think Russell becomes a star, but even if he tops out as average starter at either guard spot, he's still by far highest upside prospect they'd have since Favors in '10 and way better than what they could get picking in the 20s, unless they get lucky and pull a Parker, Butler, etc. out of their ass.

Mozgov's contract is virtually irrelevant to a team with as much flexibility as them going forward. Teams need to spend at least 90% of cap and no big name is going to Nets anytime soon anyway.

Questionable trade for Lakers unless it's precursor to James/George double in '18. I'd laugh if Russell was the piece Pacers were holding out for in George trade, they ship him to Cavaliers instead, he ends up re-signing and Lakers are left with nothing but flexibility to show for this.
Given consistent minutes, I think DLo could be a badass. He puts up really good #'s when he has minutes. It's just the Lakers have been trying to be awful on purpose.
I say that even though I know Magic doesn't like him and knew he'd be the 1st shipped out because of his non-serious attitude. Kid's got great talent though.

[HarlemHeat37]

That Mozgov signing is still puzzling..just wow:lol

Zach Lowe's latest podcast episode discussed how sources have said that LA's front office was pessimistic about Russell's potential, so I guess this shouldn't be surprising..they dislike Clarkson, too, but I don't know if anybody wants his cancerous play on their court..

[BatManu20]

Lol


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DCzGS5uXYAAVUXW?format=jpg&name=large

[Ron Swanson]

Ball
George
LeBron
Randle
Lopez

[TimDunkem]

Ball
George
LeBron
Randle
Lopez

Still not very good, tbh.

[BatManu20]

877294450807947264

[HarlemHeat37]

Ball
George
LeBron
Randle
Lopez

No way they keep Randle and Lopez, tbh..

Randle isn't very good IMO and I don't know how any contender could fit Lopez as a starter, he's too difficult to implement IMO..

[BatManu20]

Ball
George
LeBron
Randle
Lopez

Still not beating the warriors with HCA, tbh.

[NASpurs]

Another tanking season coming up.

[Hoops Czar]

Some GM's play chess, some play checkers, RC Buford playing tic tac toe.

[NASpurs]

Some GM's play chess, some play checkers, RC Buford playing beer pong.

FTFY

[tonight...you]

I really want DLo to up his game to elite level now... That would be just great. Over there in Brooklyn.

[BatManu20]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DCzHY1WUIAAMy2S?format=jpg&name=large

[Mayhem321]

The 27th isn't even the Nets' highest pick and at least now they have someone that has the potential to be an above average starter. I think it's a good trade for them.

[BatManu20]

Another tanking season coming up.


Not so fast.

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[spursistan]

With Magic at the helm, the Lakers are clearly opting for the immediate turnaround rather than a slow rebuild..Magic doesn't give rat ass about any youngsters without transcendent potential ..I don't think they can stomach more than another lottery season..George/Lebron is the endgame..

[tonight...you]

Not so fast.

877295819522621441
Seems low to me still. We'll see... Neither player are worth a whole hell of a lot.

[HarlemHeat37]

With Magic at the helm, the Lakers are clearly opting for the immediate turnaround rather than a slow rebuild..Magic doesn't give rat ass about any youngsters without transcendent potential ..I don't think they can stomach more than another lottery season..George/Lebron is the endgame..

They shouldn't stomach it, tbh..IIRC, this has been the longest stretch of bottom-feeding that franchise has ever been through..they desperately need to start winning, even if it's just 2nd round exits..

[BatManu20]

877297695953637376

[tonight...you]

They shouldn't stomach it, tbh..IIRC, this has been the longest stretch of bottom-feeding that franchise has ever been through..they desperately need to start winning, even if it's just 2nd round exits..
What about 1st round sweeps for multiple years? Is it worth that?

[tonight...you]

877297695953637376
Way to be strategic and cagey, Laker's FO...
And shoutout to Lavar. Already impacting that team negatively. Love it.

[sasaint]

They shouldn't stomach it, tbh..IIRC, this has been the longest stretch of bottom-feeding that franchise has ever been through..they desperately need to start winning, even if it's just 2nd round exits..

For Spurs fans it has been a lot of fun for a long time looking down on a downtrodden Lakers franchise. But I believe it is on its way back. This is a great move to expedite the turnaround.

[HarlemHeat37]

What about 1st round sweeps for multiple years? Is it worth that?

Well, I'd say ya, because they aren't losing anything significant..

I like Brooklyn picking up Russell, but he was never going to thrive in LA, at this point..they had to move him, especially if they're taking Ball(which they should)..

Other than that, they won't be losing anything special..Randle doesn't have star potential and Clarkson is the easiest type of player to find in the NBA(low-IQ, no defense chucker)..

[MultiTroll]

Why does Brooklyn take Mozgov for Brook Lopez?:downspin:

[Dex]

So much for those LBJ to SA pipe dreams.

[BatManu20]

So much for those LBJ to SA pipe dreams.

They didn't last long, did they :lol

[tonight...you]

Well, I'd say ya, because they aren't losing anything significant..

I like Brooklyn picking up Russell, but he was never going to thrive in LA, at this point..they had to move him, especially if they're taking Ball(which they should)..

Other than that, they won't be losing anything special..Randle doesn't have star potential and Clarkson is the easiest type of player to find in the NBA(low-IQ, no defense chucker)..
When you're right, you're right. And right now? You're probably right. So right on.

[HarlemHeat37]

So much for those LBJ to SA pipe dreams.

Durant was ridiculous enough, tbh..LEBRON?! the biggest player brand in North American sports? In SAN ANTONIO? :lmao

[ViceCity86]

http://forums.lakersground.net/viewtopic.php?t=182068&postdays=0&postorder=asc******=0

Lakers fans melting down.

[BatManu20]

:lol


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[Nathan89]

Lakers are going to wait till next off-season for PG and Lebron. They'll flip Deng and Ingram for Butler.

Ball
Butler
PG
Lebron
Lopez

Seems good.

[BatManu20]

Lakers are going to wait till next off-season for PG and Lebron. They'll flip Deng and Ingram for Butler.

Ball
Butler
PG
Lebron
Lopez

Seems good.

Brook Lopez is a FA after next season. Would have to re-sign him, which I doubt they could afford with Lebron, PG, and Jimmy Buckets on board. He's in his prime and will want to get paid.

[BatManu20]

This will never get old :lol

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[daslicer]

Why does Brooklyn take Mozgov for Brook Lopez?:downspin:

The owner is Russian and Mozgov is Russian. So it's not surprising this trade went down when you factor that in.

[elemento]

Magic :lmao

[spursistan]

They shouldn't stomach it, tbh..IIRC, this has been the longest stretch of bottom-feeding that franchise has ever been through..they desperately need to start winning, even if it's just 2nd round exits..
Yep..half decade of mediocrity but still couldn't land someone that's even remotely close to franchise player to build around; they needed to reboot..

Twilight Lebron ending his career in LA + PG13 while projecting, at best, as pseudo contender would at least regain some of the Lakers mystique-- which is why Magic was brought there in the first place..His move was always going to be "splash"/quick fix of sort..Lakers threatening to go the way of the Knicks was the league worst nightmare..

[Dex]

What are the odds that the Nets just buy out Mozgov? It would be chump change to their billionaire owner and put them in significantly better space cap-wise. Or have pretty much sold out on competing for the next 2-3 years?

[BatManu20]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DCzSM2iXkAA_d-P?format=jpg&name=large

[Dex]

Yep..half decade of mediocrity but still couldn't land someone that's even remotely close to franchise player to build around; they needed to reboot..

Twilight Lebron ending his career in LA + PG13 while projecting, at best, as pseudo contender would at least regain some of the Lakers mystique-- which is why Magic was brought there in the first place..His move was always going to be "splash"/quick fix of sort..Lakers threatening to go the way of the Knicks was the league worst nightmare..

That's the crazy thing. They've been tanking for 5 years now, and all they have to show for it is Randle (sub-par), Clark (sub-par), Ingram (jury's still out), Lopez (chronically injured), and the hope that Lonzo doesn't turn out like the rest of them. Not to mention now they have to deal with Lavar's nonsense.

[DPG21920]

Great trade for Nets. Don't think Russell becomes a star, but even if he tops out as average starter at either guard spot, he's still by far highest upside prospect they've had since Favors in '10 and way better than what they could get picking in the 20s, unless they get lucky.

Mozgov's contract is virtually irrelevant to a team with as much flexibility as them going forward. Teams need to spend at least 90% of cap and no big name is signing with them anytime soon anyway.

Questionable trade for Lakers unless it's precursor to James/George double in '18. I'd laugh if Russell was the piece Pacers were holding out for in George trade, they ship him to Cavaliers instead, he ends up re-signing and Lakers are left with nothing but flexibility to show for this.

What's interesting to me that I read is: There seems to be a lot of collusion. It was obvious before trades, but almost all deals are going through PG's agents. Even offers from other teams for PG.

It sure seems like LA knows the "price" for PG and what to pay. I bet they know they didn't need Russell to get IND to bite on a PG trade, so they used him to dump Mozgov. Now they will use Clarkson (whom they need to get rid of anyways) and the late 1st(s) to get PG.

[DPG21920]

No way they keep Randle and Lopez, tbh..

Randle isn't very good IMO and I don't know how any contender could fit Lopez as a starter, he's too difficult to implement IMO..

Plus they won't have money to sign PG & Lebron if they have Randle/Brook

[DPG21920]

What will be interesting is that in order to get the cap space (60+M) to sign PG/Lebron, it will cost them Randle, Russell & Clarkson.

They will have Ingram, Lonzo & Zubac but PG/Lebron will eat up all that 60M. So who else will be there and who can they sign to build that team out?

[picnroll]

Clarkson and his contract have negative trade value. Pacers would rather force just the picks and let LA keep Clarkson. Going forward one of their tools is salary room to absorb bad contracts for picks and promising young players.

[DPG21920]

Clarkson and his contract have negative trade value. Pacers would rather force just the picks and let LA keep Clarkson. Going forward one of their tools is salary room to absorb bad contracts for picks and promising young players.

They may value Randle though. If they do trade with LA I at least hope they take Randle & their 27th & 28th pick. Make LA do another trade to get rid of Clarkson and/or Deng. Milk them dry of assets to try and get 2-max level contracts cap space.

[picnroll]

Randle more likely imo, and Randle will cost Lakers space next year and be somewhat redundant if Lakers get George and Lebron. Lebron' as or more likely to end up with the Clips, his buddy and daddy warbucks

[DPG21920]

Some math time: Looks like Lakers are going to suck again most likely for at least this year. Although they should be improved if they get Paul George with Brook they added.

Assume they trade Randle + 27th + 28th for Paul George. That has LA sitting like this:

Deng: 17.2M
Brook Lopez: 22.6M
Paul George: 19.3M
Clarkson: 11.5M
Brewer: 7.5M
Tarik Black: 6.6M
Nick Young (player option): 5.6M
Ingram: 5.5M
Larry Nance: 1.5M
Zubac: 1.3M
Nwaba: 1.3M
Ball:

This has them at roughly 100M in salaries for the year so no cap space to sign anyone. Would have MLE to add to them, but would they with wanting to clear max room for Lebron or other max FA?

If they could move Clarkson & Deng (or flip Brook Lopez expiring) that would open up 28M in cap space this year to add a FA/trade with PG (like Butler, Hayward, CP3, etc..).

[DPG21920]

Randle more likely imo, and Randle will cost Lakers space next year and be somewhat redundant if Lakers get George and Lebron. Lebron' as or more likely to end up with the Clips, his buddy and daddy warbucks

I agree. I think they would be thrilled to move Clarkson for PG (saves them from having to trade Clarkson) but would do Randle since they are going to have to move on from him anyways (he's easier to deal with than Clarkson though)

[cd98]

Smart move by Nets. Get a young prospect in a year with no first rounder. And Mosgov probably plus minutes for them.

[AlexJones]

Durant was ridiculous enough, tbh..LEBRON?! the biggest player brand in North American sports? In SAN ANTONIO? :lmao

It's unlike Lebron the businessman to go to SA, but if one day he woke up and wanted to win the title again, it's easily his best choice imo

[BatManu20]

Whoa.

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[tholdren]

Man, crazy how quickly Russell and Okafor fell off, tbh..happened in an instant..

No it wasnt. Dangelo was terrible in college. You cant honestly watch these "pgs" who have been playing the position their entire life, see them not know how to control pace or initiate the offense, and expect them to be good in nba. It was over for russell when he played summer league, hit a trashy winning shot, a la kyrie, and acted like he won a ring. Stupid. Okafor was strange

[HarlemHeat37]

No it wasnt. Dangelo was terrible in college. You cant honestly watch these "pgs" who have been playing the position their entire life, see them not know how to control pace or initiate the offense, and expect them to be good in nba. It was over for russell when he played summer league, hit a trashy winning shot, a la kyrie, and acted like he won a ring. Stupid. Okafor was strange

I don't watch college ball, so I didn't have any expectations..I'm just surprised they fell off so quickly after they were drafted so high, it usually takes at least 3 years for a team to give up on a player of that nature(6ers gave up on Okafor, last year)

[DPG21920]

I mean, WTF LA. If you're willing to give up the number 5 or 10 pick plus 2 other late firsts, just give up the 2nd pick, force a bad contract on them and keep your late firsts.

With trading Russell, I can't believe they would give up the 2nd pick and Lonzo unless they love Fox or something since Lonzo will be gone by the time 5 rolls around and definitely 10.

[DPG21920]

:lmao Please get that #2 pick INDY!

[Russ]

I knew Magic hated DLo. Could tell from the beginning. Too much kid in him. Not enough Kawhi.

Yeah, D'Angelo Russell is the biggest NBA draft bust from Ohio State ever.

(All right, Greg, maybe not.)

[Chucho]

Lebron is never coming to the West. Why the fuck would he? He's made 7 straight finals in a historically lousy conference with teams like Detroit, Charlotte, Philly, Milwaukee, Orlando and the New York teams basically in the cellar 90-99% of the decade. Inept GMs and low talent pool is a huge reason for 7 straight finals appearances. He's not coming to LA onbthe downside of his career with a non winner like George as his Number 2.

[cd98]

If you are Indiana and the offer is 27 & 28, and Ramdle or Clarkson, can you get a better deal from another team? Everyone thinks he's a one year rental. I mean, you could threaten to send him to SA for 29, Parker, and Anderson. The fear being that once he's winning, he'll want to stay. But that's a worse trade for Indy than the Laker trade. Basically saying we'll take a lesser deal to not send him to Lakers. Not sure fans would love knowing they didn't trade their best player for the best trade they could get.

[superbigtime]

Russell sucks and dumping mozgov is a stroke of fortune for the Lackers.

[superbigtime]

Lebron is never coming to the West. Why the fuck would he? He's made 7 straight finals in a historically lousy conference with teams like Detroit, Charlotte, Philly, Milwaukee, Orlando and the New York teams basically in the cellar 90-99% of the decade. Inept GMs and low talent pool is a huge reason for 7 straight finals appearances. He's not coming to LA onbthe downside of his career with a non winner like George as his Number 2.

Harsh. but true!

[Raven]

They may value Randle though. If they do trade with LA I at least hope they take Randle & their 27th & 28th pick. Make LA do another trade to get rid of Clarkson and/or Deng. Milk them dry of assets to try and get 2-max level contracts cap space.

why would anyone value randle, come on... they already have myles turner who is far better

[Raven]

I don't watch college ball, so I didn't have any expectations..I'm just surprised they fell off so quickly after they were drafted so high, it usually takes at least 3 years for a team to give up on a player of that nature(6ers gave up on Okafor, last year)

it's different, they had 3 high picks at the position.