:lmao KD has got to be the most mentally weak superstar in history. Getting trolled by some white girl and getting in a slapfight on Twitter.
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Last year's Lakers struck me the same way they struck you. That team plus PG would be a playoff contender. But what they really need is a good veteran point guard/floor general/locker room leader. Young teams tend to need an experienced leader who has good playoff experience if not a ring in order to show the young guns how it's done, keep them calm in tense game situations, etc. The "other" George, the one the Spurs actually did trade would be a good guy for this Lakers team, for example.
For sure it would make them better assuming they nail the pick and actually develop the players properly. Luckily, Kobe is gone and the cancerous environment along with him. It really hurt their young players between poor coaching, all the losing and the selfish play from Kobe/management.
It's not good that they had so many top 5 picks and none of them seem to be anywhere near a 2nd or 3rd option on a good team (which can still happen, but does not seem likely).
Getting PG would obviously help but they are so far away from being even a playoff team, let alone consistently a threat again IMO. And that is if things go right with Magic drafting and Free Agency.
And no matter how you look at it, you need 41 wins in the West to be the 8th seed. At least. I'm not sure how close PG is to getting them there all things considered. Obviously they should do that move and it's a no brainer; that's not what I'm saying.
I'm saying there is still a lot that LA has to prove before I will call them even a playoff threat.
LOL... I can't argue with that. "In the hunt" is as far as I went with it. :toast
I think LA is perfect for George. He gets to be the clear alpha, and he gets to inherit the Laker mystique instead of earning it on his own. I think those young LA players are better than they get credit for, and better than they have looked. Yeah, first the Kobe cancer - then the ridiculous tank (and they all understood the mission). The problem is, I think they could play around .500 this season, and Magic could have them back down in the 20-win area within a season or two, trying to hit home runs.
One more thing we'll just have to wait and see.
Interesting perspective on the value from a Laker perspective of trading for PG. Everyone (myself included) knows that PG weakened IND bargaining position, however, there is still some leverage there for LA to engage in trades now. Can you really risk losing PG to CLE or SA or BOS because you think you can get him for "free"? Especially after how your franchise has been in shambles and embarrassed in free agency so badly lately?
Oh for sure. The upside is there (although I disagree about the quality of Russell and Randle, Ingram still not sure). But if they develop and other FA flock to LA? Sure, they could be a threat. Just dont see that as likely, but it's possible. I think they are probably a couple years out from playoffs if they land PG assuming some other crazy stuff doesn't happen in FA and other teams dont fall off a cliff.
My first thought was, "Wow... that's a good graphic. I'm not a huge fan of WS, but it's like every other stat - you have to have context. In that context, it makes sense.
Then I started thinking about it. Who is picking all those 2 seed players? Mostly, shitty teams with shitty FO's. Some years, there is a clear #1 pick. And those years, even the shitty GM's hit home runs. But the #2 slot is almost never that obvious. And the teams making those decisions are some of the ones least able to get it right. That outcome really isn't as surprising as I first thought.
Bottom line, the 2 pick is worth a lot more in the hands of a competent FO. Based on that, the Lakers should absolutely take a sure thing in Paul George, instead of taking the risk with the pick.
While IND positioned is weakened there is still incentive for LA to make a good deal. Just getting bird rights for Paul George is so massive. Instead of using majority of your cap space on PG, you can sign another max player, then PG using Bird Rights. It's a big deal.
But, like Woj said, so far LAL has not shown any inclination that they are willing to trade anything of note for PG since he wants to come to SA. Certainly not the #2 pick.
But there is reason to consider a strong package like I said. It's just a matter of will they and how much do they think PG wants to come to LA no matter where hes traded.
If you truly believe he's coming no matter what you let another team pay for him, get weakened and then he comes to you. If you aren't sure though, might have to pay up.
But how much do you pay and what do you think PG does to help you become a playoff team? If you don't believe, especially after giving up assets, that PG makes you a legit playoff team, how motivated are you to get him in this type of situation?
It could happen.
https://img.wonderhowto.com/img/61/9...acks.w1456.jpg
Yes makes sense. That's what I was saying that just getting PG, plus the players they already have may give them incentive to sign another star, even a second tier star who would never consider them while they were tanking on purpose. Anyways, this is Magics ticket.
What's going through Kawhi's mind if the Cavs/Celts land PG13 and the Spurs bring back the same team going into next season? That can't sit well with him TBH.
I will say there is a level of relatively open collusion/tampering I have not seen before. Magic openly talking about PG, PG "working out with Kobe", PG announcing he wants LA etc.
My gut says LA let's pg weaken another team for one year or offers mininmal stuff for pg bc it seems damn likely he goes to la with this collusion.
Hopefully IND doesn't help la out by giving them PGs bird rights
It looks like Iggy could draw a hefty price:
https://sports.yahoo.com/sources-and...153941238.html
I wonder if a team doesn't over pay simply to hurt GS? Any talent from the Warriors, even if Iggy is 33, helps the whole league. I'm just hoping it's not the Spurs that fall on that sword.
Glad for him. He's 33, already got two rings one finals MVP and isn't going to get any of the glory from now on. Go get paid Iggy. Get your last big check. :turn
Thanks for sharing. Manu was offered 15-17 million last season at 39, and Dwade looks worse than Iggy and got paid. Get your money dude.
Pacers tanking confirmed.
Also.... aside from Iggy, Livingston and Ian Clark will be FA. I am impressed by Clarks shooting and he's better off the dribble than Patty. If I am Pop, I'd be calling him.... but I am not Pop..... lol