Unless you live in a cave, you know Kevin Durant spurned the Thunder to join the Golden State Warriors in free agency. I have no hot takes on this topic, so if you’re looking for those I am sorry to disappoint. Once it was clear Durant was not a possibility for the Lakers, where he went was immaterial to me — well, I wouldn’t have wanted him to be a Celtic, but that’s another topic.
Anyways, Durant leaving OKC has put the spotlight right on his now former teammate, Russell Westbrook, and his own free agency which is only a season away. One can never know how these things will go, but without Durant in the fold, the angst surrounding Westbrook’s choice has now gone up tenfold. And with a future now cloudier than ever, national observers are saying the Lakers should make a play for Westbrook via trade to try and get the superstar they’ve sought, and not obtained, through free agency.
My thoughts on that are pretty straight forward and, if you follow me on twitter, you may have read them by now.
If you have the infrastructure/assets needed to trade for Westbrook & still be a contending team, you do it. LA is not one of those teams.
— Darius Soriano (@forumbluegold) July 4, 2016
I really don't know what to tell you if you if you're a fan who sees this differently. Besides, I guess, good luck w/ that.
— Darius Soriano (@forumbluegold) July 4, 2016
I really don’t have much else to say on this subject at this time. I guess if Westbrook really became available and could be had for cheap, I might reconsider my position, but even then I doubt it. Westbrook is a free agent in a year and if he’s intent on being a Laker, he’ll become one in free agency. The Lakers gutting their young core — as some would say they should to make a trade happen — seems like hustling backwards.
But that’s not really what this is about. Reasonable minds can disagree on this and there are valid arguments on both sides. My position, however, isn’t as simple as what I laid out above anyway. My bigger point in all this is that the Lakers shouldn’t worry about Russell Westbrook because they have too many other things to worry about right now. And while acquiring Westbrook might ease some of those worries, it would also likely create more.
For me, the Lakers chief priorities right now need to be focused on getting the most out of their young players to turn them into the types of players who could one day be seen as working on a level playing field as Westbrook or get as close to it as possible so they can one day attract that type of player in free agency. You know, like Warriors attracted his former teammate Durant. I happen to think some of the moves they have already made help in that, but time will tell.
Ultimately, though, accomplishing this goal is as difficult as there is in the NBA and some teams never accomplish it. Some because they never get the players with that type of potential and others because the players they get who do have it simply never get there. We don’t yet know if D’Angelo Russell, Julius Randle, or Brandon Ingram would fall into either of these categories, but the Lakers hope they don’t.
Instead the Lakers hope these guys not only possess the talent, but find a way to tap into it to a level which lives up to their draft slotting.
If they are, they will start to show at least flashes of it soon enough (if you ask me, Russell already has, but that’s another post). And, again, if they are, they might find themselves in a position to then worry about Westbrook…next summer. That’s when they could try to secure a meeting with him and sell him on the prospects of joining a young core worth his time. That’s a lot of ifs, though. And nothing is going to get them any closer to that point besides some time.
Until then, I’d prefer the Lakers look to get their own house in order rather than going to someone else’s and worrying about how to take advantage of the issues they seem have.
samla says
totally agree with you unless okc gets desparate because no one will deal with them because westbrook wont commit
at that point if we know he would commit to us — id move russel or randle straight up in a heartbeat but not both —
FredP says
Westbrook is the antithesis of the type of player Walton needs. He needs players who can move the ball and make cuts. Therefore, no to trading for him and no to signing him as a free agent next year.
P.S. Losing a superstar for nothing could not have happened to a more deserving set of owners.
Shubbamodern says
The reason why the Warriors are in this place is because they drafted smart, developed their core players and managed their cap space by NOT signing and/or trading for expensive “win now” players. By doing this, they’re actually in a place to win now AND sign a top free agent. Forget about Westbrook. His window of availability doesn’t align with ours.
Joel_ says
I jokingly said to a friend that the Lakers should go after Westbrook shortly after I heard about Durant’s decision. In all seriousness, given what OKC would probably demand in a trade it would end up being like Kobe in 2005-07.
Maybe I’d feel different if I thought Westbrook was the type of transformational player that it would be worth moving heaven and earth to get. The jury is still out on that for me. As Darius says, if enough progress is made the Lakers should be able to attract a player like Westbrook in free agency without eviscerating the roster.
jameskatt says
Don’t worry about Westbrook until he is an unrestricted free-agent.
But continue to stock up and build your team the right way – the Spurs Way.
new rr says
The Lakers won 17 games last year. They are not good enough to help Westbrook, and he is not good enough to help them, especially since their best young prospect is a point guard.
matt24 says
Roy hibbert signed a deal with charlotte, 1 year, 5 million
A Horse With No Name says
Best unrestricted FAs that make $ense:
Brandon Rush, shot 41 % from 3, institutional knowledge, good size at the two, a better Nick Young.
Richard Jefferson, fresh off a great playoff run, the 35 yr old sf is still athletic and is a consummate pro. Would serve as a mentor and would likely increase team wins. Close friend of Walton and loves Southen Cal. Maybe a two year deal front loaded year one.
Don’t bring back: Huertas. Old style point guard that has an unreliable distance shot and a poor defender. Bad fit for Luke’s offense.
Manuel MdT says
Just to clarify my comment from yesterday: I do not advocate a deal that guts our core. I’ll stay away from trade speculation, but I am sure that something can bei hammered out without including Russell and Ingram.
Altemawa says
i agree that getting Westbrook now is not on our list. however, dont you think that this is like when Shaq left and Kobe wanted a winning team. of course this year, it will be Westbrook’s year in statitical category, i can imagine him averaging 33 ppg, or more because no one will help him offensively. now come next year, he will demand to leave via FA, unless OKC builds a team that can contend for playoff position. thats when we come in. but we have to do our part to have a shot at him.
i know, the GSW is really really bad ass super team now with the addition of KD, and i really like how they built that team, from ground zero:
1. drafted great prospects (GM is really good coz he’s a genius in looking for raw talent).
2. developed them into allstar caliber players, and produced 2 MVPs and Defensive player in the process.
3. became a solid playoff team
4. attracted solid role players to become a contender
5. became champions
6. lost but still a solid championship caliber team
7. attracted solid MVP player in KD
8. now favorites to win it all, again!
with the new rules, thats how a team should be built, and i know it does not fit well in lakers history to wait for that process. but… 1 and 2 are what we’re doing now. and we are on the right track right now.
we can do all those steps in a year or two, and it should start now. we need to develop our current players.
we can also achive them via trades for big fish to become instant solid team, but i am tired so ill stop here. 🙂
thanks FBG, im really excited for this coming season.
ZZwelta says
I wonder if the price is actually less steep than we anticipate. Unless Russ promises to stay, which is not enforceable since it violates ruling, teams are unlikely to offer as much for Russ as you would expect for someone of his talent. And unlike KD, Russ has a flamboyant big market personality, so if I were Utah or Milwaukee, i wouldn’t count on retaining him.
Moreover, if there is ever a good season to tank, this would be it. Sixers sans Hinkie plus Simmons, is likely to be better than putrid, ditto for the Lakers with the vets and young core, and Cuban after paying for Barnes is likely to get upwards of 30 wins. Kings, unless Cousins kills everyone, is going to do around 30 wins too. Perhaps Brooklyn maybe, but other than that, there is no obvious putrid team. Next draft is considered strong, but with Russ in OKC, there is little chance in the weakened west than Thunder do not make the playoffs.
If we can get Russ for say Ingram and filler, it might be the best haul OKC can get unless Ainge thinks Russ is going to sign there. For OKC, Payne/Oladipo/Ingram/Sabonis/Adams might land them Tatum/Giles- which, along with Ingram, is probably worth more than what any team is willing to offer and let them rebuild while the GSW behemoth rolls on.
For Lakers, Russ/DLo back-court could work because Russ can guard 2s and Dlo can play off the ball, plus Deng, Randle and Mosgov, it is a good starting 5 that, with some trades, could grow into an elite one.
The loss of Ingram hurts, but if giving up Ingram alone gets us Russ and his bird rights and the promise of playoffs after 3 horrid seasons, plus a rejuvenated locker room, it might be worth considering.
Ultimately, I would be fine if we stand pat for 2017, letting the kids grow, but if the price is relatively low, it is worth a flyer.
Renato Afonso says
The Lakers should always field the best possible team in order to bring us closer to contention. I don’t buy into that “Luke likes to move the ball and Westbrook is a ball hog so he won’t fit” theory. Good coaches can always harness great talents and find a way to mold their system to their best players’ strengths. Westbrook is such a relentless force that he cannot be overlooked.
The issue here is this: how does the rest of the league looks at our young core? Even though we, Lakers’ fans, are more informed about their ability than other teams’ fans, we are not better at judging their talent than real GM’s and opposing coaches. So, the real question is: how much are they worth in a trade?
The Lakers need star players to win a title and both Deng and Mozgov can be complementary players in a championship contender. If the Lakers traded, for example, D’Angelo and Randle for a Westbrook-level player and Clarkson and Ingram for another All-Star player (preferably a 2 guard), would the Lakers be better off? The coaching staff and the FO should know the answer to that and act accordingly if those trade opportunities present themselves.
In my opinion we, the fans, are overvaluing all of our young players in one way or the other and 2 of them wouldn’t net Russell Westbrook nor a 2nd star to pair with him. So, the Lakers must stay the course not because it’s wrong to trade young players for players in their primes but because the trade opportunity may not be there at all. For all their potential, there’s a chance that neither of them develops into an All-Star… or maybe they all do.
Busboys4me says
If traded, Westbrook will end up in Boston…
Busboys4me says
If traded, Westbrook will end up in Boston…I just have that sick feeling. I would love having him as a free agent. No trades, no eviscerating (love the word) our core, let the kids run and see how they work together. But No SuperPlayer is willingly coming to a 20 win team so I don’t see it happening.
Shaunis007 says
rather trade dlo than ingram
Shaunis007 says
missing the step where they already won
TundraGator says
So…Lakers should hope one of their young players becomes as good as Westbrook as opposed to simply trading for Westbrook, getting his Bird rights and then being able to re-sign Westbrook to a max deal AND sign another max contract next season? That makes NO sense if Westbrook is actually available to the Lakers. Lakers should be willing to trade any two of their players (yes, even Russell and Ingram) because there is very little chance either of those players becomes as good as Westbrook if only because so few players actually every become that good.
John Citizen says
I am all for a trade for Westbrook if we could keep Russel and JC. Everyone else can go.
John Citizen says
Joel_ Which other NBA player is like Westbrook???
fern16 says
Yeah let’s trade for RW, yeah let’s gut our roster for a one season rental, lose a ton of games which said gutted team and then lose RW in free agency for nothing. Yeah, sounds like a plan. We are in no position to be dreaming about trades like that. We need to stay the course. And if an avg player like Conley gets over 30 million a season how much will RW will command? 60 million? Because Westbrook is like 5 times the player that Conley is. Westbrook is anothe pipe dream that won’t happen…
fern16 says
Trading for Westbrook wont improve the team. It will make it worse and he would leave for a better team. And leave a smoking crater where the Lakers once were.
fern16 says
Same as KD like a lot of people here “predicted”
Altemawa says
Shaunis007 thats step 5. 🙂
dont get me wrong, we are on the right track. but given the opportunity that we have a chance to deal with Westbrook type of player, i’d do it in a heartbeat. that’s just me of course.
we cant go wrong this year, if we play this season and develop our players, we’re OK. same with trade with a proven SUPERSTAR with our young pieces, we’re adding a star power attraction from other FA star players that will move us to playoffs contention again, and be relevant.
with the way the Warriors are now, this season should be locked = them as champions.
so we only need to play this season, try to bring out the best in our young lineup, and hopefully gain enough wins to attract FA next year.
sorry but we’re not playing for contention, thats just how i see it this year.
barry_g says
The main reason for me hoping that the Lakers don’t reach for a superstar right now is this – the current competition at the top is RIDICULOUS. And I felt that way even before Durant signed w/ GSW (thought his team was equipped to do great things next yr – guess he didn’t), This is the perfect time for us to be rebuilding. No way we can put a team together that could remotely compete at that level any time soon. Look at the Clips – way more talent than us (even if we added Westbrook), and they can’t even get out of round 2!! Our timeline is ideal – hoping the front office is focused on making smart choices w/ the long view in mind, and we’ll go from there.
new rr says
Renato Afonso
Nice post. I am not sold on the Lakers’ young guys, but this is not the time to move on Westbrook IMO, especially since the Deng and Mozgov deals would make it harder to get another max guy to go with him if the Lakers actually got him somehow. Westbrook will be 28 in November, which means the Lakers would be getting him starting with his age-29 season.
Also, if Presti does trigger on a Westbrook deal, one thing that he will want for sure is draft picks, and the Lakers do not have those to deal.
Between the Veto, the Nash deal, Kobe blowing out his Achilles, Howard bailing, some questionable personnel moves, and the questionable coaching hires, the Lakers were due to have a long recovery period, and we are still probably in the early stages of it. Westbrook probably won’t be part of that process.
barry_g says
Also, quick thanks to Darius for writing like a mad man over the past few wks – very much appreciate it! Good to have an outlet for the craziness happening all around us.
HaleHailHell says
Westbrook’s a UFA after next season. Cool out. This isn’t trading marbles. Someone had a burning desire to pay Mosgov a billion dollars and year then a couple of days later his statistical twin (Hibbert) gets 5 million per. Premature. Count some dead baseball players or something.
John Citizen says
HaleHailHell There was some periods last season that i wished BS subs Sacre in for Hibbert. I think Mitch had same feelings so he was like, i would pay 65 million not to feel that again.
J C hoops says
Renato Afonso
Renato,
your posts always rock. Not only because I usually agree with them! haha
In this case – I agree again …
as fans here we probably have rose-colored glasses on when viewing Russell, et al.
However, for the first time I actually sat down and watched 10 minutes of Ingram highlights last night. He looks GOOOOOD.
So I’d have to say that if it were me, I’d trade anyone and everyone on the roster except Russell and Ingram.
But as you said, a package of players such as Randle, Clarkson, Nance, and even Deng and a draft pick all together probably wouldn’t net you Westbrook.
matt24 says
Okc will definitely trade westbrook sometime this year, because they know the odds of him resigning are slim. Everyone involved gotta find out where westbrook wants to go. Westbrook would have to ok the trade in order for the taker to feel comfortable giving up assets for a player of his caliper on an expiring deal.
Have yall seen stephan a smith home video on durant going to gsw, “it’s the weakest move by a superstar in nba history “
mattal says
I
thought at the time that the Nash trade (giving up all those picks) was a high
risk gamble with the downside likely meaning the Lakers would be rebuilding for
the rest of the decade. This was confirmed with DH & Pau leaving for
nothing and Kobe’s extension on the heels of his achilles (no pun intended)
injury.
It made
no sense, and never did really, for the FO to pursue quick fix solutions.
Championship teams are built with deep rosters who have drafted all-star level players and supplemented with additional talent via trade or free agency. Mitch
had to know Jim’s plan was a recipe for failure.
The
current Lakers have so far to go, trading some of the kids for Westbrook makes
no sense. One, Russell wants to win now and as others have noted he’s likely to
bolt next summer for a team closer to doing so. Two, if Walton is set on
installing the Warrior offense here in LA, Westbrook does not fit the mold –
he’s more Kobe than Curry. Three, Westbrook’s game is based on his
extreme athleticism and you have to question whether he is the right player to
build around given his age/mileage and the fact that he has already had two
knee operations.
I think
the FO has to sit tight and see what we really have with the kids. I have
been very critical of the FO because I don’t think they really thought this
rebuild through. Absent a powerful visionary voice to sell it and the
roster depth to support it, the plan of jump starting this rebuild with
multiple elite free agents was always a doomed proposition.
Adding
fuel to the concerns about of FO are the questionable signings of this summer:
Mozgov and Deng. We just saw how having a large contract on the books,
which produces little on the court, can stagnate a team. I’m concerned that
Mozgov and Deng will be back of the rotation guys as early year two of their
deals. Together they will take up 30% of our cap.
Mozgov/Deng
make next year’s club a 25-30 win team. Resigning Hibbert/Bass to short deals
would have made the Lakers a 25-30 win team as well — except you’d still have
tremendous cap flexibility next summer.
I saw a
quote from Eric Pincus over the weekend. He said the Lakers could still
have a max slot available if they traded Young or Williams. I had to laugh
because the Lakers had lots of cap space just hours previously — before
they used it on Mozgov and Deng. I
think you’ll see a lot of buyer’s remorse about our recent spending spree when we find ourselves with significantly less flexibility next summer.
Lakers Future says
The Lakers can’t trade for Westbrook because they traded for Dwight Howard and Steve Nash. As someone else noted the draft picks Presti would surely want are already spoken for. Plus even if they did pull off a Westbrook trade they have already hampered their ability to build around him thanks to the contracts they gave Mosgov and Deng.
The Lakers are stuck waiting. They are waiting to see if one of their young players blooms into something. And that could take a good four years.
Darius Soriano says
barry_g Thanks, Barry.
Darius Soriano says
TundraGator Again, I think the combination of points I was trying to make still hold: the Lakers need to invest in the players they have, who all have potential AND Westbrook is a FA in a year. If he’s intent on leaving OKC, the Lakers can pursue him in FA.
Also, I don’t know how good any of the Lakers’ young players will be. Through 2 seasons of Westbrook’s career, I think people would have universally said he had little chance of becoming as good as he is. I don’t think anyone is saying LA’s kids will for sure be great, but they have potential that probably should be nurtured.
I think it’s funny some fans will say the Lakers’ young players aren’t likely to be great, but then think OKC would take them in a trade for Westbrook anyway. And if your argument then changes to “OKC has to get *something* for him”, then why would it be the Lakers’ players?
George11Best says
OKC is in a real pickle. They go from arguably the favorite to win the title next year to a team that is basically the Clippers maxed out in the second round. Westbrook is not coming back after next year and OKC cant risk losing him for nothing. His value is pretty low so when he gets traded it it will be a to a contender in the east who is going to take a shot at the finals. Can you imagine Westbrook v Durant in the finals?
Westbrook is crazy and volatile and the team that trades or him knows its just for this year. He could sign anywhere and the Lakers would be foolish to offer much if anything to get him. Ingram and Dlo are off the table. If you could get him for Randle or Clarkson Id consider it but otherwise you sit back, develop your players, and see if we can be players in the free agent market next summer when we are much more desirable a landing place.
The front office did a great job to get Moz and Deng. They wwill help us surrender a draft pickin the 10-15 range not a 4-6 and their contracts will seem like bargains when the cap goes up. I am excited and optimistic about the team.
Lakers Future says
Westbrook to Boston almost seems inevitable.
bluehill says
Agree, OKC is in a tough spot. Russell is unrestricted next year, which makes it tough to trade him this year unless he is willing to give assures that he would sign with his new team (unlikely). If OKC trades him, they would would want draft picks and/or young players. Next year’s UFA list doesn’t look great outside of Russell and Curry.
Trying to game it out, I think OKC is more likely to trade Russell
than try to re-sign him. With Durant and Ibaka gone, the pick up of
Oladipo,Ilyasova, Sabonis, they seem to be closer to rebuild than
reload.
Boston seems like a potentially good trading partner. They have some good picks in next years draft and too many young players and just signed Horford.
Shaunis007 says
bluehill Blake, Paul, Hayward …. good enough
Vasheed says
Renato Afonso
I wanted the Lakers to make a trade before free agency in order to be attractive to free agents. There is always the caveat of just what the other side is willing to offer for what. That ship has sailed. At this point any trades would have to be for guys who would be here beyond this year in order to be a recruiting tool next year. Trading for Westbrook at this point would make little sense as there would be no guarantee of him playing beyond this year.
Vasheed says
Darius Soriano TundraGator
If I perceive my player as not working out but you perceive him as on the rise then in a trade we each can walk away believing we are getting value and only time will tell who was right.
Also sometimes one team needs a certain set of skills and can manage that player’s weaknesses better than the other team. That player has more value on that team compared to the previous team.
A player’s value is not a linear thing.
_ Robert _ says
Very interesting read here. And yes – this hurts (never thought we had any chance at Durant – but still)
http://www.latimes.com/sports/nba/la-sp-durant-west-plaschke-20160704-snap-story.html
Shaunis007 says
Worth a flier – http://www.slamonline.com/nba/qa-ty-lawson/#Qw4WrWx7LbvWdgqj.97
AnonLakerFan says
mattal I think the Mozgov and Deng signing are more about a change in culture for the team and yet another signal that we are in the midst of a ground-up rebuild (in case anyone missed the last 3 years). Take a look at this article that better explains why the Dend/Mozgov signings make sense if the Lakers are focusing on rebuilding via their draft picks: https://theringer.com/lakers-sign-timofey-mozgov-luol-deng-2016-nba-free-agency-59da626f5a4e#.k5px2v1ey
The real question for me is what will the Lakers do with Swaggy P. I think he has shown to be a very immature person and there has to be a lot of concern about the potential negative influence he may have on these young players. So, will the Lakers release him or trade him? Or are Luke+Shaw willing to take the challenge to turn Swaggy P into a positive role model? My money is on Swaggy being released.
AnonLakerFan says
Shubbamodern I agree with you 100%.
The Warriors are a good example of how Laker fans should set their expectations. Curry was drafted in 2009 and Klay Thompson in 2011 and it took them until 2015 to realize their gains. Curry was 26 and Klay 24 at that time. That’s a solid young core right there, but I doubt anyone looked at the Warriors in 2011 and imagined they were 4 years away from a ring.
Look at the Laker’s young core today. Russel is 20. Ingram 18. Randal 21. Clarson 24. By the time the Mozgov/Deng contracts come off the books, their respective ages will be 24, 22, 25 and 28. That’s a good solid team to start making some noise and add some vet help to begin making waves.
J C hoops says
matt24
i think OKC will wait to see how they’re performing by mid next season before trading westbrook. If they’re doing fairly well by Jan-Feb, in the playoff hunt, they may be able to keep him around by adding or picking up a piece.
But, if they are lottery bound and they figure he’s gonna bolt, then they trade him at the deadline.
Drew Gordon says
_ Robert _ Let’s be honest, Plaschke is a doofus. He’s pretty much TJ Simers 2.0 at this point. That’s just a rehash of old news. West has been gone for awhile. Does it suck, sure. But, it’s time to move on. At least we have his son!
Drew Gordon says
AnonLakerFan mattal Oh, swaggy is gone for sure. The question is the method: stretch or buyout/waive. BTW, he almost Jason Pierre Pauled himself last night with an artillery shell. Brilliant.
Drew Gordon says
barry_g This times 1000. We need to play the long game. By the time the GS window has closed, we could be ready to compete for a title again.
Drew Gordon says
John Citizen This makes no sense. So, you would be willing to dump Ingram and other pieces to not be close to winning a title presently? Because we ain’t beating GS, homie. The long game is the only logical play. Hope the kiddos develop and be ready to compete once GS declines.
Drew Gordon says
Shaunis007 Thoughts on what he might cost?
A Horse With No Name says
_ Robert _ Nothing new here Robert. Aren’t you psyched for summer league?
Kareemez says
Drew Gordon Shaunis007 As a three person rotation, Russell, Clarkson, Lawson would be intriguing. But Lawson has his own host of personal issues. I think a 1+1 deal with a team option for 5 million a year would be acceptable. He also has a relationship with Shaw and Mozgov, so the Lakers may be a good place for him to relaunch his career. If he proves himself, he could be a good trade chip or longer term option. If he doesn’t, easy enough to waive or buyout.
BigCitySid10552 says
– Glad to read so many here not interested in Westbrook. I’m under the belief that the way he prefers to play is one reason Durant left.
– Problem is, we don’t make the Laker personnel decisions. And with the exception of hiring Luke Walton, I haven’t been too fond of many of Jimmy Bus(t)’s decisions. So I’m a bit afraid of JB making this type of “Big Name/Exciting Player” trade for entertainment purposes which so many who call the Laker “their team” seem to prefer, regardless how good the team is.So no, I’m not worrying about Westbrook, however I am worried about Jimmy Bus(t)
– Truly looking forward to seeing this young team play meaningful games. Unlike some, I really have no idea what to expect. The goal of last year’s team was to lose. This season it will be about winning, and being allowed to play your role, such as allowing Russell to run the offense.
– Hopefully, unlike this past season, next seasons free agents will view the Lakers as an NBA team and not a circus.
Clay Bertrand says
Kareemez Drew Gordon Shaunis007
Interesting takes on Lawson. I wonder if his experience with Shaw was really when he became disenchanted and his off the court issues took hold. It seems like Lawson was really good in Denver under Karl and Shaw literally KILLED his career with the Triangle slow down game.
I really don’t think that the Lakers are going to add ANY questionable characters to this petri dish of developing young players. They will play it safe with guys like Deng choosing to invest in character over talent so make sure the right culture starts to take.
Shaunis007 says
Clay Bertrand Kareemez Drew Gordon Shaunis007 Hadn’t thought of that but yeah good take … probably not looking to reunite with Shaw – Lawson and I think faried were there ones that mutinied him in Denver
BeataSilk says
Westbrook is an entertaining player, but he’s a big ego as well.
The Lakers want to build a team now with two potential stars in Russell and Ingram.
What they need are veterans that help this process.
Not a star who needs the ball all the time.
Even with Durant he was not able to win it all.
I’m excited about Mozgov and Deng.
This is what we need.
A lot of times what you want is not what you need.
Joe Kerr says
_ Robert _ The thing is Jerry Buss and Phil chased away Jerry West. Then, the Buss family didn’t even call West to come back as a consultant.
So yes it definitely hurts and its the Busses’ fault.
Clay Bertrand says
I KNEW this coaching staff wasnt complete! And its ZONA reunion on the Lakers Bench!!!
Welcome Jud!
Clay Bertrand says
Ingram and Zubac intro presser in 5 min!!!!
LT Mitchell says
This thread is hilarious. Reminds me of the discussion over which center we wanted before free agency began. Whiteside? Biyombo? Noah? Horford? The cold hard truth is none of these guys would even give us a meeting, and we were talking about why we didn’t want them. It’s groundhogs day again and now most of the thread is talking about not wanting a top five player in his prime?
If by some miracle, Westbrook, or any player of his caliber, shows interest in the laughingstock known as Jimbo’s Lakers, you do everything you can to get him. Period. He speeds up the path back to contention in one giant leap. Having Westbrook and 13 Slava Medvedenkos to fill out the roster gives the team an exponentially higher chance of landing another superstar next summer compared to what we have now. This team just got rejected by Bazemore, and couldn’t get meetings with third tier scrubs. That’s not going to change next summer.
We have become so used to losing under the Jimbo regime that it seems many of you are afraid to start winning. The best way to start winning and attracting elite talent is to have a superstar on your team.
J C hoops says
LT Mitchell
I hate supermodels too!
And that’s not acne. They’re age spots.
barry_g says
LT Mitchell You don’t mortgage the next 5-10 yrs just for a date, even with a supermodel. Hey, chess club member – ignore the distractions. Keep working hard, finish school, and get a great job. Once you have some success in the real world, the supermodel will be down for more than just a date, acne and all.
JoshRoper says
You absolutely trade for Westbrook as long as the price is right. So consider this, the Lakers have two prime prospects in Russell and Ingram and the have two in the tier below in Clarkson and Randle. If they can make this trade using Russell along with Clarkson or Randle they still have assets to make a run at another player like Cousins. If OKC wants both Ingram and Russell then I agree that this trade is not a smart one.
KevTheBold says
JoshRoper
Either way, it’s not smart for us or for Westbrook.
Therefore it’s not happening.
JoshRoper says
KevTheBold
Its always a smart move to trade unproven commodities for proven ones if the price is right.
Drew Gordon says
JoshRoper KevTheBold Not when he is an UFA next summer. If he wants to come here, he will sign here. Plus, trading for him in no way makes us a title contender. It is smart to keep all of the young core and hope they develop into a title contender after the GS window closes. Because there ain’t no way we are beating them, even with Westbrook.
harry_young_shi says
Drew Gordon JoshRoper KevTheBold True it’s not guaranteed that Westbrook will resign, but there’s no guarantee that KD will pick up his players option his second year at GSW either. What’s more, there’s no guarantee that either ingram or dangelo will even develop. These are all gambles, and I rather place bets for something that is already proven than bet on rookies.
Drew Gordon says
harry_young_shi Drew Gordon JoshRoper KevTheBold But where does trading some of our best young assets for Westbrook get us? An 8 seed? Again, this is dumb. It’s like the Knicks gutting their team for Carmelo. How did that work out? Plus, Westbrook is a player that dominates based on freak athleticism. Once this wanes, he will drop off precipitously. It would be totally asinine to mortgage our future in a trade for him. Hopefully, our kids break out this year, and we can simply sign him next summer. That would make a whole lot more sense. We are just going to have to be patient. There are no quick fixes that are going to make us a title contender overnight. And that’s all that matters–winning titles. Holding onto the kids remains the best play at this point in time.
HMMURDOCK says
LT Mitchell Finally a guy that also wants to contend for championships rather than the Mosgov/Deng theory of Government (aka 30 wins or bust!). Actually LT we wouldn’t have had to trade at all if the great Panic of 2016 hadn’t taken Mitch & Jim by storm. Just keep the cap space open and sign some vets again and let Mr. Hollywood Westbrook pick who he wants to bring along. Maybe Blake Griffin would have tired of the paper clips and followed Russell. Heck sign scrubs to massive one year contracts, rather than a scrub to a huge 4 year deal.
Admittedly this would have required courage and valor to wait for KD to make his decision…..AND POSSIBLY MISS OUT ON MOSGOV AND DENG! gasp.
I know I know maybe Russell will come and maybe not but the chances went up astronomically due to KD. We are (or were) the Lakers and take chances. What are the chances the a 20 year old rookie gets 42-15 & 7 in game 6 1980, or Big Game gets 36-16 &10 in game 7, or a 15 pt 4th quarter comeback in 2001?
Remember this offseason we did the safe thing to ensure 10 more wins and accept mediocrity because Jimmy and Mitch have a deadline. A reasonable plan if you are Sacramento.
Somebody tell me, do we actually have to move someone to make a max offer to Westbrook? Then again he’ll be like “Dude I get to play with Mozzy!”
JazzMcCutcheon says
JoshRoper The price will not be right, which is the author’s point in the first place. The right price is as he laid out, the ability to still be a contending team after giving up the assets it’ll take to acquire Westbrook. The Lakers as currently constructed are not that team. It will take a minimum of D’Angelo Russell, Brandon Ingram and likely a future pick, which is far to steep a price for someone from LA and will be a free agent this time next year.
maalvarez says
Lakers should trade for Westbrook, but Clarkson, Russell, Ingram and Randle should not be included in the trade. It is not as if Westbrook is signed for the next five years. Whoever gets him may loose to free agency next year. The Lakers should be able to offer next year draft pick plus some veteran players that can help the Thunder.