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Trade Deadline Day Thread

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It’s one of the best days of the year for NBA fans – Trade Deadline Day! Rumors will be flying, players will be changing teams, and we will all be refreshing our twitter feeds waiting for the next Woj Bomb. I love it.

The deals have already started, in fact. The Mavs are reportedly trading Andrew Bogut, Justin Anderson, and a 1st round pick to the Sixers for Nerlens Noel. This is a good move for the Mavs and some nice value for the Sixers for Noel. We have to see the protections on the pick, but a young player and Bogut (who could be bought out or traded again) is a good package.

As for the Lakers, things are sort of quiet, which is normal for them at this time of year — but now that a new regime is in place I don’t think we can assume this is a normal year. On Wednesday, the idea was floated that the team had made inquiries on Paul George, though there were not details as to whether an offer was made. Today, there are reports that the Celtics are in discussions with the Pacers for the All-Star forward and that the C’s are willing to include this year’s pick from the Nets (which could end up being 1st overall).

Will the Lakers get back into those discussions? There are arguments for and against them doing so. On one hand, if a guy that good is available and you have a package which could land him, being aggressive in doing so is understandable. George is that good. On the other hand, you don’t want to gut your roster of all it’s young assets for George who, even if he’s leaning towards re-signing when his contract expires in 2018, may not find the team desirable if they can’t win because they don’t have enough talent. I can see both sides of this and, as usual, I support any deal which walks that balance in a way which is neutral or benefits the Lakers.

The George chase isn’t all that’s out there, however. This is from Marc Stein on Wednesday night:

Who knows if Nick will actually be moved, but the fact that the Lakers are, apparently, exploring moving Young at all speaks to several things: 1. Young having a player option next year and the ability to become a free agent may lead the Lakers to getting some value for him now  and 2. Young has been a good player this year and moving him for a pick would imply the team is okay with actively getting worse (like the Williams trade).

Also, in another shift from recent years, this is the type of leak we rarely got under the old regime. I don’t know if this is a one-off, but we may be entering into a new era in more ways than one with Magic and (ultimately) Rob Pelinka running the show.

Anyways, enjoy the rumors; enjoy the deadline. And stay tuned as we’ll be updating the site with any breaking news throughout the day.


Reader Interactions

Comments

  4. John Citizen says

    guiwi Its remarkable how Randle went from a possible franchise player into a guy that every laker fan is willing to give up. He lost focus exactly in the period where he needed absolute focus.

  5. david__h says

    Darius:

    Paul George would be a good
    piece, not the centerpiece for the Lakers going forward.  He seems to be a
    good person first and foremost and has proven to be an established two-way nba all-star
    player for a team in search of one.  To me, the move would be a solid
    starting point for Magic’s vision.

  6. John Citizen says

    I really went from Russel and Ingram being untouchable to Ingram only. Russell attitude and lack of focus or aggressiveness is bothering me.  I dont want a rebuild anymore. Get us good players (stars).

  8. guiwi says

    John Citizen guiwi i like larry nance tarik and thomas robinson way more than julius, he’s a good player tho but we have a crowd frontcourt

  10. Still R says

    I have two questions:

    Will Cousins be a free agent in ’18 and could the Lakers make a run at him then? (nooo!)

    Will Paul George be a free agent in ’18 and could the Lakers make a run at him then? (yesss!)

  11. Still R says

    david__h  Right; the Lakers will need a transcendent talent – an all time great – in order to return to the championship game. George would be a very nice get, however, needless to say.

  13. FredP says

    Travis Y It means that Dallas keeps the pick this year and Philadelphia gets a no 3 wing defender and a late #1 for a former center of the future.

  14. Sam S. says

    It’s a tough gambit to “tank” knowing that we’ve got to score with a top 3 ping pong ball to make it worthwhile.  You can argue that stockpiling picks and divesting from high-usage Lou/Swaggy is constructive for team development regardless – that argument is reasonable but takes some guts on the part of Magic & Co. to let the risk looking pretty bad through Oct 2017.

  16. A Horse With No Name says

    guiwi Good lord.  Cap eating, constantly breaking down, declining productivity etc. etc.

  17. Vasheed says

    John Citizen guiwi
    I’ve never been a big fan of Randle.  I think Luke has managed to use him right though where Scott used him terribly.  I would trade Randle for a promising wing or guard.

  18. Vasheed says

    A Horse With No Name guiwi  A healthy Griffin is awesome but, I wouldn’t bet on that and I certainly wouldn’t want to tie big money up on him,

  19. Lakers Future says

    John Citizen guiwi
    The only thing Randle does really well is rebound. But even then he has to hustle really hard to get those boards. His lack of length really works against him. Due to his work ethic he’ll be a solid 15 and 10 guy. But doesn’t seem he will be much more than that. 
    I do like Randles heart though. But lately he’s seemed disinterested. Some of that could be his lack of consistent minutes though.

  25. Clay Bertrand says

    The league-wide stinginess with teams not giving up first round picks in deals in this season’s trade market  shows indicates that Magic’s deal with Houston for Lou was actually a pretty decent one. Bognanovic to Washington netted a first as well but PJ Tucker got two 2nd rounders.  

    I thought the Lou move was perhaps a little rushed and that perhaps a better return was possible.  I wondered if Magic was not being patient enough etc.  

    Would have been nice to get something for SwaggyP and Calderon.

    I gotta think Ennis is probably not very good from 3 otherwise he’d still be a D’Antoni Rocket!!  

    But its a take-a-look move.  

    I wonder if Swaggy will opt in to his contract??? Money won’t be a rampantly spent this year with an eye toward the future LEVELING OUT Salary cap and with limited big names on the market, its a bit tricky to gauge Swaggy’s value.

  26. Alexander_ says

    KevTheBold ESPN also reported that Denver made a “monster offer” that went nowhere as PG13 will only still commit long term to two teams, Pacers and Lakers. That to me means one team, us! (it’s expected he’d include current team). Pacers have no chance to beat CLE this decade and will be declining while the Lakers future is bright and precisely short of one young superstar who would like to be the face of the revamped Lakers. 
    We will also be able to keep a max salary spot clear through 2018. Also in question whether he makes all-NBA team, allowing Pacers to offer designated vet max, which is $36m v. 30. Even then, George could pivot West. 
    In my mind’s happy place, we get a top-3 in 2017, our youth develops fantastically well over the next 1.5 years, and then we get PG13. Is that too much to ask?

  27. Vasheed says

    I’m reading Tyler’s club option was declined by the Rockets for next year.  So I guess this means he is an unrestricted free agent next year?  For Huertas though I guess this is something.

  28. LT Mitchell says

    Paul George wanting to sign with the Lakers in 2018, after claiming that he wants to play for a contender?  When was the last time an elite player wanted to play for the Lakers?  I don’t think it’s a  coincidence that an elite player finally showed interest in the Lakers right after the Magic takeover.

  29. Clay Bertrand says

    LT Mitchell

    I think his thinking is, “I want to play for rings, But IF i’m not gonna play for rings, I wanna play for Lakers and be the MAN there than Indiana.”

    If he makes ANY All NBA Team (1st, 2nd or 3rd), he is eligible for the SUPERMAX DEAL from Indy………its ALOT of money more than the Lakers can sign him for.

  31. Lakers Future says

    LT Mitchell
    The fact a star player (any star player) allowed his agent to put that out there is significant. And you are right. It is no coincidence.

  32. fern16 says

    Well, i have faith that our team will be a better team by the time PG becomes a free agent. Im positive this team is going to look diferent a year and a half from now.

  33. TempleOfJamesWorthy says

    Another in the continuing series on how front office personnel should be evaluated:

    Two prominent deals which DIDN’T happen were the Celtics being unable to acquire either Paul George or Jimmy Butler. While it’s not clear what the actual offers were, according to some reports, the Celts were willing to give up the Nets’ 2016 first-round pick (almost certainly a top-3 pick).

    Does the Celtics’ FO failure to land either George or Butler indicate brilliance or failure? Should Celtics fans be complaining the Celtics are failing to turn potential assets into immediate star players? Or should Celtics fans be grateful they didn’t overpay for players who are not quite true “Alpha” superstars?

    What if the Celtics had acquired George, faced the Cavalier in the next two Eastern Conference Finals, and then lost George to the Lakers in free agency? Would it still have been worth trading a top-3 2016 pick, Jae Crowder and filler?  Or would Danny Ainge be an idiot for making that deal?

    Speaking of idiocy, Ainge/the Celtics FO offered six draft picks to Charlotte for the #9 pick in the 2015 draft, with which the Celtics would have taken Justice Winslow.  I like Winslow and he may ultimately turn out to be a good player, but this year he’s shooting 35% overall, 20% from 3pt range, and 61% on FTs (Just for comparison, ex-Laker 3-and-D swingman Anthony Brown shot 36%, 25% from 3, and 85% FT in limited action for the Pelicans and Magic). If Charlotte had accepted the Celtics’ offer, would Ainge have been a genius, an idiot, overly aggressive, or just unlucky?

    I don’t know the answers to the above questions, but it they highlight how context-dependent the success or failure of any front office move (or series of moves) can be.

    Welcome to the Lakers, Corey Brewer and Tyler Ennis.

  34. Lakers Future says

    TempleOfJamesWorthy
    Ainge is overplaying his hand with all the draft picks. Draft picks aren’t players. And even after players are taken they still have to develop into valuable contributors. Unfortunately, the Lakers are seeing that struggle first hand. Proven players will always be more valuable. 
    But the C’s are in a position to contend over the next few years. Right now they are a solid 50 win (in the East) playoff team. But they need one more top flight player to take them over the top. Waiting on some of those young draft picks to pan out may take them right past their contention window. The whole point of draft picks to eventually build a team that can compete for a title. Not sure what Ainge is waiting on.

  35. A Horse With No Name says

    Vasheed It is something.  You get a young player with upside (some, for sure), and get him with your team to have a look.  He’s a 37% 3 pt shooter.  If you like well enough, presumably you have an inside track to signing him.  Huertas probably won’t play again in the NBA–he shouldn’t.

  36. Clay Bertrand says

    Lakers Future TempleOfJamesWorthy

    The Celtics window is just opening.  Ainge can afford to slow play IMO and wait until the Cavs begin to slide.

  38. AndrewChang says

    Clay Bertrand Lakers Future TempleOfJamesWorthy

    I’m having a hard time seeing how the waiting game works out with the current building blocks on that team.

    Thomas is a fun player, but he’s already 28 and I’m not going to bet on him aging well past 30. Horford is already 30, and their key young guys are either not super young anymore and have either shown us what they are (Crowder, Bradley) or need time to get established (Smart, Brown).
    I wonder if Ainge is looking to flip some of those picks into a blue-chip player in the next couple of years, to take them over the top before Thomas and Horford start to decline as well.

  39. Lakers Future says

    AndrewChang Clay Bertrand Lakers Future TempleOfJamesWorthy
    I’m wondering about their timeline as well. Without a LeBron or three legit hitters like GSW windows of opportunity don’t last long in the NBA.

  40. BigCitySid10552 says

    Both Brewer & Ennis are better defenders than outgoing Williams & Huertas. This should make a difference in practice at the very least.

  41. bluehill says

    Lakers Future AndrewChang Clay Bertrand TempleOfJamesWorthy Celts have high draft picks this year and next, cap space and a team that’s pretty good as is. Supposedly they will try to sign Hayward in the off-season. They can still trade those picks later.

    Ainge got a little lucky but credit to him for biting the bullet and dumping his big 3 when they still had a little value and a dumb Nets FO wondering who the sucker was at the poker table. Ainge is executing the process better than Hinkie. Hate Boston, but respect what they’ve done.

  43. Still R says

    FredP BigCitySid10552  Well, gotta start somewhere. Maybe the example will rub off on the young “core”. If not, they can go, too.

  45. Clay Bertrand says

    bluehill Lakers Future AndrewChang Clay Bertrand TempleOfJamesWorthy

    I hate them and it pains me to credit them at all.  But the Celtics ARE LOADED PERIOD!!! 

    This off season, they could well draft Fultz or Ball this year with Brooklyn’s pick AND sign Hayward PLUS they still have their own 1st round pick AND 2 second rounders in this deep 2017 draft.  

    Then in 2018, they have Brooklyn’s 1st round pick AGAIN (VERY LIKELY LOTTERY), AND their own.  

    Then in 2019 they have Memphis’ 1st, potentially the Clippers 1st, their own 1st and a 2nd.  

    This doesn’t even mention the Euros they have stashed overseas or the youth already on their roster.  

    All this and they are already the #2 seed (currently) in the Eastern Conference.  

    Horford may not live to see the Promised Land but the Celtics have many years to get there and many avenues as well.  

    Make no mistake, it will take A LOT for Ainge to screw them up.  NOT that I’m hoping that he does……..

  47. Clay Bertrand says

    Lou Will just dropped 27 off the bench for the Rockets in 25 min.  including 7-11 on 3pt shots……

    Damn Lou!!!!!!

  48. A Horse With No Name says

    Post Deadline Player watch: Jusef Nurkic
    After being traded to Portland, Nurkic plays 34 minutes, scores 12 pts on 6-12, grabs 12 boards, dishes 5 dimes with 3 steals and 2 blocks. Also a +23 in the win over the Magic. Big get for Portland.

  49. A Horse With No Name says

    Impressive first half by Sacto against a listless Nuggets squad. WCS and Skal Labissere showing their potential without Cousins dominating the ball and clogging the middle. The pace is better too. I never liked Cousins for the lakers because he can’t play at the pace needed for Luke’s offense.

  50. new rr says

    TempleOfJamesWorthy

    You are overthinking things in a futile attempt to defend Buss and Kupchak. Ainge has put together a pretty good team and has a lot of assets. They made an awesome trade to get the unprotected picks, snagged Thomas, and hired a good coach. 
    No FO nails every move. The key is to get the big things right so the team wins/moves forward. Buss and Kupchak didn’t do that. Some of that was their fault, some of it wasn’t; but between the Veto, the Nash deal, losing Howard, Kobe’s extension, the coaching hires, and the last straw–Deng and Mozgov–they were going to get the axe. 
    Ainge might have made a mistake by not getting Butler or George. Time will tell. But in the meantime Boston is in good shape overall. The Lakers aren’t and that is why Buss and Kupchak are gone.

  52. LT Mitchell says

    TempleOfJamesWorthy
    If you want to make an example of a poorly run team, I would suggest avoiding teams like the Spurs, Warriors and Celtics.

  53. A Horse With No Name says

    LT Mitchell  TempleOfJamesWorthy  LT,   You are missing the point of the examples used.  Point is that no one bats 400.  Every hindsight assessment must be contextualized to arrive at a hopefully balanced judgement.  Any successful operation understands this. 

    FWI, the only thing the Celtics have done that impresses me is the brilliant hire of Stevens.  Really, all of their current success in the very weak Eastern conference is the result of his coaching.  Their drafting and player aquisition has been ho hum.  Contrary to Lowe’s proclamations, the Celtics are far from the envy of the league.  If they were in the Western conference they’d be battling for the 5 seed or thereabouts.  I perdict the Eastern conference will feature Cavs vs. Raptors or Cavs vs. Wizards.

  55. Clay Bertrand says

    Renato Afonso

    Ahhhhh…..I see.  I flew into Lisboa and traveled in Portugal to Fatima and then down to Algarve and stayed at a place called Vale de Lobo in Loule a few years ago.  

    Portugal is awesome.  I’d love to go back and see other areas of the country.  I know a friend here in California who is from Viana do Castelo in the North.  He’s a huge Benfica fan………