Lakers News

[Liar Loan]

I have an involuntary reaction just hearing the name Isiah Thomas on a Lakers roster.  I know he's not the same person as his dad, but it's tough not to associate that name with a team that I absolutely reviled, the Detroit "Bad Boy" Pistons.

The association is even farther, Isaiah Thomas (IT2) is not related to the Detroit Isiah Thomas.

Oh that's funny.  I just read about how he got his name, so I guess I should embrace him.

[SoclosetoIrvine]

not sure if I like that either...
It’d be funny if lakers do get lebron next year, reunion with IT, lol

IT is a free agent.
We should get Cavs first rounder also (not lottery pick)

I just read Lakers will get the 1st round pick also.

yes we get the cavs 1st (top 3 protected) from this which will be around the 25th pick

This signals a move to be big players in free agency.  Doing the math, we will have around $35 million in guaranteed contracts with Deng.  If we were to stretch him, we would be able to offer 2 max contracts.  I think the goal for now is PG + LeBron or PG + Cousins.  If we dangle the Cavs first with Deng, we might be able to keep randle + 2 max contracts so this is a win win for sure. 

Regarding Isiah, if he plays well, we could have an all star on our team for essentially Clarkson/nance.  He looks terrible this season but just last year he averaged almost 29 ppg.  If we only get 1 max player like PG, we can offer Isiah a big 1 year deal while we use the other max on 2019 free agency (kawhi + klay Thompson)

I'm sad to see Nance go as he was a true glue guy for the team, but I like the commitment to go big this free agency.  I was meh about losing clarkson as I think Josh Hart has shown great promise as a 3 + D.  Magic and Pelinka could look like geniuses if we get at least PG.  I feel more confident with them than I did with Mitch and Jim Buss in free agency.  We shall see 

[paydawg]

not sure if I like that either...
It’d be funny if lakers do get lebron next year, reunion with IT, lol

IT is a free agent.
We should get Cavs first rounder also (not lottery pick)

I just read Lakers will get the 1st round pick also.

yes we get the cavs 1st (top 3 protected) from this which will be around the 25th pick

This signals a move to be big players in free agency.  Doing the math, we will have around $35 million in guaranteed contracts with Deng.  If we were to stretch him, we would be able to offer 2 max contracts.  I think the goal for now is PG + LeBron or PG + Cousins.  If we dangle the Cavs first with Deng, we might be able to keep randle + 2 max contracts so this is a win win for sure. 

Regarding Isiah, if he plays well, we could have an all star on our team for essentially Clarkson/nance.  He looks terrible this season but just last year he averaged almost 29 ppg.  If we only get 1 max player like PG, we can offer Isiah a big 1 year deal while we use the other max on 2019 free agency (kawhi + klay Thompson)

I'm sad to see Nance go as he was a true glue guy for the team, but I like the commitment to go big this free agency.  I was meh about losing clarkson as I think Josh Hart has shown great promise as a 3 + D.  Magic and Pelinka could look like geniuses if we get at least PG.  I feel more confident with them than I did with Mitch and Jim Buss in free agency.  We shall see 

I'm hoping it's PG and Klay.  Shooting, Defense, Switchability and younger than Lebron. 

[Liar Loan]

I'm hoping it's PG and Klay.  Shooting, Defense, Switchability and younger than Lebron.

Very true.  People need to remember that Lebron isn't going to be the best forever.  Age catches up with us all.

[SoclosetoIrvine]

I'm hoping it's PG and Klay.  Shooting, Defense, Switchability and younger than Lebron.

Very true.  People need to remember that Lebron isn't going to be the best forever.  Age catches up with us all.

Yes in a perfect world for me, we get PG this year and one of Klay/Kawhi next year, but I think getting Lebron greatly increases the chances we get PG this year so I'm willing to role the dice with this even though I'm not a fan of his antics.  Sign Lebron to a 1 + 1 deal and see where we at next year.  Who knows? Maybe Warriors next offseason offer Klay less than max and he'll want to join Lebron + PG and we do a sign and trade with Ingram+ fillers for him.  But regardless, we have to hit on at least 1 big FA this summer or getting rid of all our young talent will be for nothing (DLO/Clarkson/Nance)

Klay, Lebron, PG, Lonzo, Kuzma, Hart, Randle seem like a contender, though I personally like Cousins' game more than Lebron's for this team (his Achilles injury is worrisome but he didn't jump high anyways)

[eyephone]

So what’s up with Lonzo? He has been out for while.

[irvinehomeowner]

So what’s up with Lonzo? He has been out for while.

Lavaritis.

I think the Lakers were trying to trade Lonzo to Lithuania.

With IT2 and Josh Hart, who needs him?

[paydawg]

Lonzo faked his injury so that he can get his debut album released (2/15/18).

[irvinehomeowner]

So is the Lonzo era over already?

I'm not liking this injury-proneness of Lonzo... he needs to toughen up.

So who's coming to the Lakers this free agency again? Lebron, PG13 *and* Cousins? And then Klay and Kawhi the year after? So they'll have a big 5?

[eyephone]

So is the Lonzo era over already?

I'm not liking this injury-proneness of Lonzo... he needs to toughen up.

So who's coming to the Lakers this free agency again? Lebron, PG13 *and* Cousins? And then Klay and Kawhi the year after? So they'll have a big 5?

I think Ingram does a better job than Lonzo.

[eyephone]

Josh Hart’s game very impressive!!!

Maybe the Lakers should re-sign Randle?

[SoclosetoIrvine]

So is the Lonzo era over already?

I'm not liking this injury-proneness of Lonzo... he needs to toughen up.

So who's coming to the Lakers this free agency again? Lebron, PG13 *and* Cousins? And then Klay and Kawhi the year after? So they'll have a big 5?

I think Ingram does a better job than Lonzo.

Ingram will never be a full time PG but I agree, his last few games with Ball out have been impressive.  Last year he was too passive and kept passing it at every opportunity.  Early in the year, he became super aggressive and drove almost every possession and found some success there but his long shot disappeared.  last few games he's putting it together and doing a good mix of passing/drives/shooting and filling up the box score.  And he's only 20.  I would put him in the untouchable category.  Ball and ingram should be able to coexist together

Josh Hart’s game very impressive!!!

Maybe the Lakers should re-sign Randle?

Agree on Hart.  He's a true gem.  3 & D plus rebounding + toughness.  I think he goes top 12 in a redraft.  He makes KCP/Jordan Clarkson completely expendable.  We found a true core piece there.

Also agree on Randle.  He's played so well and so little teams have cap space this off season.  If we have a chance to keep him in the 12-15 million range long term, I say we take it.  Our main competitor will be Dallas/Clippers but I don't think they will throw max money at Randle.  My ideal offseason now is signing only PG13 and keeping Randle at around 13.  maybe Cousins if he comes at slightly less than max and waiting for klay/kawhi next year

[paydawg]

My ideal scenario for this summer is to get PG13, sign Randle for 3 years/$30M and IT for 1 year/$10M.  Then you might need to stretch Deng the following year (if he can't be traded) and go after Klay. 

I'd love to see the following lineup in a couple years:

PG: Lonzo
SG: Klay
SF: Ingram
PF: PG13
C: Randle or Zubac (depending on matchups)

Bench:  Kuzma; Hart; Bryant; Zubac/Randle; IT; Caruso

[eyephone]

What’s your thougts on Kuzma?

I think Kuzma and Hart are better picks than Ball.

So is the Lonzo era over already?

I'm not liking this injury-proneness of Lonzo... he needs to toughen up.

So who's coming to the Lakers this free agency again? Lebron, PG13 *and* Cousins? And then Klay and Kawhi the year after? So they'll have a big 5?

I think Ingram does a better job than Lonzo.

Ingram will never be a full time PG but I agree, his last few games with Ball out have been impressive.  Last year he was too passive and kept passing it at every opportunity.  Early in the year, he became super aggressive and drove almost every possession and found some success there but his long shot disappeared.  last few games he's putting it together and doing a good mix of passing/drives/shooting and filling up the box score.  And he's only 20.  I would put him in the untouchable category.  Ball and ingram should be able to coexist together

Josh Hart’s game very impressive!!!

Maybe the Lakers should re-sign Randle?

Agree on Hart.  He's a true gem.  3 & D plus rebounding + toughness.  I think he goes top 12 in a redraft.  He makes KCP/Jordan Clarkson completely expendable.  We found a true core piece there.

Also agree on Randle.  He's played so well and so little teams have cap space this off season.  If we have a chance to keep him in the 12-15 million range long term, I say we take it.  Our main competitor will be Dallas/Clippers but I don't think they will throw max money at Randle.  My ideal offseason now is signing only PG13 and keeping Randle at around 13.  maybe Cousins if he comes at slightly less than max and waiting for klay/kawhi next year

[irvinehomeowner]

What’s your thougts on Kuzma?

I think Kuzma and Hart are better picks than Ball.

Hindsight is so easy.

Donovan Mitchell would be a top 3 pick... before Hart and Kuzma if we had a hot tub time machine.

I still find it funny that every year, everyone thinks the top free agents are going to be a Laker. Klay has said he wants to stay in GS his whole career if he can. PG13 is already waffling on wanting to be in LA. CP3 will be a free agent... maybe all those Laker fans who cried they got worked by Stern in that failed trade can get him back now.

Just trust #TheProcess and develop Ingram, Ball, Kuz and Hart... build it and they will come.