DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum NBA Continued...

Could be, I haven't seen any details around that. Maybe they get to do that up to 3 times? Or they can just take their pick outright up to three times. Either way that could be brutal for the Lakers in about 4 years when Lebron is out of contract AD is 30, and they have no young guys left on the team and no chance at draft picks.

They can only do every other year, because no team can trade their 1st round pick in back to back years. (though trades do happen, such as our trade of Andrew Wiggins for Kevin Love)

...but if players want to go to LA to play with Davis and Kemba (TBC) after Lebron retires, then those draft picks could be late rounders.

I know the Lakers have been down in the dumps recently, but they're not like the Knicks. They'll eventually figure it out and be good for a while (maybe).

It's a gamble for the Lakers for sure, but one to two trips to the Finals and maybe a ring could be worth it, even if they lose a few high round firsts 4-7 years from now.

Thing is, we all know Davis is great. We already know what the Lakers are sending away. And the 4th pick is an unknown.
The only great piece is Davis right now. He's not super durable, but maybe that's something the Lakers training staff can improve.

I don't like the Lakers, but I'm glad to see a new common enemy.

I think there is a lot to unpack w/this trade. We don't know all the details yet. As of right now, I don't think either team got "fleeced."

New Orleans had to get something for AD because he was going to be gone after next year. I think Ball can develop into a decent player. He is a good defender, distributor, and driver. Outside shot is trash, but he is not garbage. He'll get better. I like Ingram's game and Hart can hit some threes. The 4th overall pick should be helpful.

The Lakers got the better of the deal in my opinion because AD is one of the top players in the league. Many predicted him to be the heir apparent to LeBron's title, but the circus that was created this past season derailed that train.

Another key for the Lakers is they didn't have to give up Kuzma. That's huge in my book because he was the best player on that team not named LeBron.

As I mentioned earlier, Middleton from the Bucks, would be a great fit for the Lakers. He is an outstanding 3-pt shooter and has some length on defense. It's also important that he won't pout about his touches. As you mentioned, Tobias Harris would also be a good fit. I don't think Butler would be because he wants the ball too much. I will say that he is a very good defender and would bring some toughness to La La land.

I don't know if the Lakers' window is tight or not because they'll still have AD and can bring in another superstar after LeBron retires. More importantly, who cares if it is tight? You try and win the 'Chip when you can. "Building" a team that works their way into the playoffs each year but doesn't have any shot of winning it all is dumb. You go for it when you can.

It's early, but the more I think about it..........this trade might be a win-win for both teams. The FA market took a real hit w/the KD and Klay injuries and the Lakers got a superstar w/out giving up Kuzma. On the other hand, the Pelicans got something in return for AD, who was not going to stay after this year. They also acquired a couple of young guys and multiple picks that will help them build around Zion.

Marc Stein reported that the Lakers are going to target Kemba Walker. Man, that would be dynamic trio! Kuzma would be the 4th best player. LOL.....that is insane.

Yep. That would put the Lakers right in the finals discussion.

This is an excerpt from a bigger article that doesn't add much else except this so I copy and pasted the important part. See link for full article:

Andrew Lopez
✔
@_Andrew_Lopez
Can confirm these are the picks as @TimBontemps had earlier & @taniaganguli just put out:

2019 No. 4 pick
2021 pick goes to NOLA if top 8, L.A. if 9-30
2022 pick to NOLA unprotected if pick doesn't confer
2023 swap
2024 unprotected first BUT Pels get right to defer pick to 2025

1:19 AM - Jun 16, 2019

https://sports.yahoo.com/anthony-davis-lakers-pelicans-trade-lonzo-223226393.html

Another interesting tidbit from that same article:

Chris Haynes
✔
@ChrisBHaynes
Anthony Davis, who could sign extension with the Lakers this offseason, will play out the 2019-20 season and enter free agency next year, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.

6:53 PM - Jun 15, 2019

If AD leaves after 1 year ...

Thanks for the info. LA probably isn't too worried about the picks after this year because they will probably be drafting real late.

I think the #4 overall pick this year was huge. I doubt if the deal would have got done w/out Kuzma if the Lakers didn't luck out in the lottery.

The Los Angeles Lakes finally gifted LeBron James a star running mate but may have ruined their shot at adding a third.

The Lakers are expected to officially acquire Anthony Davis from the New Orleans Pelicans on July 6, meaning they'll potentially end up with just $23.7 million in cap space if the perennial All-Star doesn't void his $4-million trade bonus, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Bobby Marks.

This means potentially missing out on available max-contract free-agent targets like Kemba Walker, Kyrie Irving, and Jimmy Butler and being forced to settle for second- and third-tier stars.

If the Pelicans agree to wait until July 30 to complete the deal, it'd give the Lakers $32.5 million in space - enough to offer an additional max contract.

The Lakers gave up Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, three first-round picks - including their upcoming No. 4 overall pick - and two pick swaps in the trade with the Pelicans.

https://www.thescore.com/nba/news/1786724

No offense, but that article is dumb. It sounds like something blank and blank would write on here.

They don't need another top free agent. They might have the two best players in the entire league. A guy like Middleton would be huge.

Dumb ass article.

Yeah, not great but it’s something. I thought they could afford Kemba right now, but I guess they need to wait on the trade if that were to happen.

I'm kinda buzzed up, bro. I hope my previous response did not come across as negative towards you. I am glad you posted the article. I just didn't agree w/what they said.

You seem to be a bigger fan of Kuzma than I am. I think that he's a capable NBA player, and is still young and should improve, but he's not the outside shooter/3 point threat you would want with Lebron and now Davis. Also, both Davis and Kuzma are primarily PF, who occasionally play Center. Kuzma is nowhere near the rebounder that either Lebron or Davis is. If Kuzma is one of your best players, how do you play him with Davis and Lebron?

Here is a link that addresses your question.

https://www.thescore.com/nba/news/1786633

While AD/Lebron are a great duo, its going to come down to how they fill out the rest of the starting 5 and bench. Kuzma is offense, but a PF that can't rebound can be exploited. I think if they sign walker or kyrie that only leaves them with the 4.7 exception, I think reddick would be perfect if he came, Bottom line is the lakers right now just don't have enough shooting. For them to have 3:1 championship odds right now just because of the AD is silly. Alot of change coming this summer all around. Lakers have to be careful not to get too old(ala cavs 2017) Kuzma/AD is a good start, but you still need some youth and hustle on the bench. I have zero faith in Pelinka, the dudes a tool and has no business being a gm. But with the KD/Thompson injuries, the west is wide open as GS isn't nowhere near the threat of years past

Looking at that projected lineup, I think it's important to keep in mind that the defensive positions aren't necessarily going to be the same as the offensive positions.

Sure, LeBron is the 3 and Kuzma the 4 on offense, but I think they will typically switch roles on defense.

AD is a great rebounder. LeBron and Kuzma can rebound. They should be fine. Golden State's small-ball lineup has been effective for years. LA would be bigger than them due to AD.

I do think the Lakers need outside shooting. Kuzma can hit he 3 and so can LeBron and AD, but they need a guy like Middleton or Kemba to help w/floor spacing. Reddick would be a huge get, as well.

Bringing it back to the Cavs, aside from adding Culver (assuming he's the dude), who else can we add this offseason? What's our cap situation?

I'm not expecting us to be in play for any of the tier 1 and probably tier 2 free agents, but hoping we can add something.

Assuming we cut JR Smith, as his contract isn't guaranteed, I think we're still a good 15 million or so over the cap. Love, Nance, Tristan Thompson, Brandon Knight, and Jordan Clarkson all make north of $13 mil this year. Delly and John Henson make over $9.

After next season though, pretty much everybody but Love, Nance and Sexton come off the books.

We could probably trade JR to offer cap relief to another team. (assuming they throw in a 1st round pick as well.

Jr's salary is something like $15million, but only $3 million or sr is guaranteed.

sooooo....what you guys are saying is that we're probably gonna suck again next year.

I think the Cavs are going to suck/be irrelevant for a long, long time. I've believed that to be true from the day we lost LeBron.

I have to agree with Vers on this one. It's going to be a rough stretch for the Cavs.

In light of the devastating injuries to the Warriors, and the AD trade to the Lakers, here's the way-too-early odds to win the 2020 NBA championship. https://www.oddsshark.com/nba/nba-futures

Los Angeles Lakers +350
Milwaukee Bucks +700
Houston Rockets +900
Golden State Warriors +1000
Los Angeles Clippers +1000
Toronto Raptors +1000
Philadelphia 76ers +1200
Boston Celtics +1400
Brooklyn Nets +2000
Denver Nuggets +2500
Dallas Mavericks +3300
Indiana Pacers +3300
New York Knicks +3300
Oklahoma City Thunder +3300
Portland Trail Blazers +3300
San Antonio Spurs +3300
Utah Jazz +3300
New Orleans Pelicans +5000
Sacramento Kings +5000
Chicago Bulls +6600
Orlando Magic +6600
Memphis Grizzlies +8000
Atlanta Hawks +10000
Charlotte Hornets +10000
Cleveland Cavaliers +10000
Detroit Pistons +10000
Miami Heat +10000
Minnesota Timberwolves +10000
Phoenix Suns +10000
Washington Wizards +10000

- Toronto's odd will be a lot closer to ours in a month when Leonard leaves to LA.
- I think the Bucks will drop when they can't retain their entire free agent trio (Brogdon/Middleton/Lopez).
- How are the Knicks middle of the league? Now that KD is out for 2020, he can't save them. And Kyrie will end up a Laker or Net. Who the hell do they think the Knicks are getting? Heck, Portland and Utah are the same odds as them. BS.

Good call on the Knicks. They suck.

Earlier, I mentioned that Mike Conley will probably be moved because the Grizzlies will almost certainly draft Ja. I just read that Utah is the front runner for Conley. Boston would also make sense since Kyrie is all but gone and Rozier is a RFA.

Back to Conley and Utah for a minute. That means that Ricky Rubio, who is a UFA, will also be on the move. I wonder if he would be a fit for the Lakers, especially if he would agree to a favorable contract? I think he might because the Lakers are the favorites to win a title next year. And Rubio might be a good fit for the team because they desperately need a PG.

We better hope there is another Zion next year, IMO.

Side note with Leonard:

If you're making his decision, what would you think about Danny Green being a free agent this year, Marc Gasol could opt-out of his player option and Lowry, VanVleet, Ibaka and Siakam (restricted) will be free agents next year.

Signing a 5-year $190m max contract is great money, but this team might only have one more year before the cap forces them to disband. Heck, if Gasol and Green leave this year, that's a big loss to their title chances too (sure, they'd be able to add replacements and with Leonard staying because that sends a clear message to other free agents, but Leonard has to commit first).

Also this... LINK

Chris Paul wants a new NBA home.

According to a report from Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo, the relationship between Paul and Rockets All-Star guard James Harden is "unsalvageable," and Paul wants out of Houston as a result.

Paul has three years remaining on the a four-year, $160 million deal that he signed with the Rockets last season.

Sure, name a team that's willing to trade for a 34-year old classic style PG that's frequently injured and tends to rub teammates the wrong way AND is owed this guaranteed money...

19-20 $38,506,482
20-21 $41,358,814
21-22 $44,211,146

And people said TT was "untradeable".

Get on the phone Dan Gilbert.

I assume to laugh at Daryl Morey for that stupid extension he offered Chris Paul last season. Why would the Cavs want Chris Paul? Heck, why would any team want him?

Dan Gilbert will go after anybody.

A couple of things regarding your posts.

1. I think it is extremely difficult to win a 'chip. I think being able to win 1 or 2 is well worth almost doing anything. There are so many teams that toil in mediocrity year after year and there are so many teams like the Rockets and Sixers who sold their souls only to never win a Chip. Then, you have a team like Toronto who makes one giant move and wins. I'd stay in Toronto if I was Kawhi. I'd pull a LeBron and sign a one year deal. I don't think he will, though.

2. Chris Paul can still play. Houston wasted him under DiAntonio because all they did was run isolation w/Harden and either shoot 3s or dunk the ball. That crap works in the regular season but not in the playoffs.

I used to like Chris Paul, but I think he's a destructive type A. I wouldn't want to play with him.

Type A. So misunderstood.

So...........I've been thinking about the Lakers. There is word out that they want to dump more salary so they can sign another huge FA such as Kemba or Kyrie.

I kinda disagree w/that approach. I think LeBron, AD, and Kuzma is a huge Big 3. I would go for players farther down the the list. Guys like JJ Reddick, Danny Green, Patrick Beverly, Rubio who I mentioned earlier, Terry Rozier, etc.

They don't need any more huge stars. They need depth.

I also think they should make some trades and acquire some second round picks to fill out their roster w/cheap dudes.

Btw-------I'm rooting for them next year. LeBron gave my team a Chip and 4 straight appearances in the Finals. Yet, folks on here bashed him and the team way too much. Also, LeBron has taken a lot of abuse from the media this year. I hope he comes back and shoves it right down their collective throats.

The only max player the Lakers should bother trying to sign is Leonard. Have Lebron be the PG and dish to those two. That would be impossible to stop. Lebron doesn’t have to carry the scoring load. He’d probably lead the league in assists.

As you said, they’d be better off surrounding Lebron and AD with shooters and a bench.

I love Lebron, but there's no way I could ever pull for the Lakers. Their fan base is among the most obnoxious fans in the country. The Laker game I'm most looking forward to next season is when Lebron passes Kobe's all-time scoring record. Hopefully in LA.