In this episode of the Laker Film Room podcast, Pete and I discuss whether the Lakers should chase star players this summer and, specifically, whether Paul George or Blake Griffin should be options. We take a look at both players’ skill sets, how they mesh with the team’s current group of young players, and how either acquisition would impact roster construction.
After talking about George and Blake, we get into the NBA playoffs and discuss what we’re seeing in some of the series. We specifically get into Houston/OKC, Memphis/San Antonio, and Toronto/Milwaukee. Click through to listen to the entire episode.
https://soundcloud.com/user-456873398/ep-20-paul-george-blake-griffin
Anonymous says
lakers don’t need to get involved with Blake griffin
Ryan Thompson says
First time listening to your pod cast. I appreciate it a lot because I live in Texas and the coverage of the Lakers is terrible. I think that you guys talk about a lot of the same points that I think about all the time and talk with other Lakers fans. I believe that the choices we make with trades, off season, and draft within the next two years will really show if we can get back to competing.
drrayeye says
Responses to Podcast:
I agree that we must be cautious in trading for Paul George too soon, but we must be prepared to negotiate–all the way to free agency. I respect your neutral cost/benefit analysis of Blake’s potential outside the Clippers, but I’d sign Blake Griffin for sure as a free agent this year–if it’s possible. I expect Randle to be traded.
If Griffin isn’t available, I’d strongly opt to consider next level free agents–especially Jrue Holliday. There are going to be many trade scenarios to consider–and we need to be open to any winning possibility. Pete’s idea to keep defense in mind with possible trades and free agents is very wise.
mattal says
Blake is a big NO. His contributions were always based on his uber athlecticism. I don’t think he will age well as his recent injuries attest to.
Plus, from the Lakers’ perspective he doesn’t space the floor, have a 3pt shot, have a mid range game, take over the 4th quarter or have a history of leading his team deep into the playoffs. In other words he doesn’t look to be a step up from Randle.
I wouldn’t trade for George this summer. I might buy low at the deadline or preferably just wait for him to hit free agency next summer. Trading two or three kids for him doesn’t help the Lakers in the long run.
My gut says that if we trade two for one or three for one this summer the Lakers would be setting themselves up for another bad year and risk PG walking next summer for greener pastures. Better to ink him as a free agent — then you are assured of having him for multi years.
There was an article that came out a few weeks back that George wanted to play with Gordon Hayward. If true then I’d push to get Hayward in the fold this summer and add PG next summer. I actually like the thought of Paul George and Gordon Hayward being the SG and SF on the Lakers (with Ingram playing the 6th man or at times playing point).
mattal says
I know that signing both Hayward and PG is virtually impossible given the fact that Jim/Mitch thought Mozgov/Deng was a good idea. What a nightmare — it’s like you wake up thinking their signings were just a bad dream only to realize it’s really true.
I do think we are going to see the Magic/Pelinka try to move one of the Mozgov/Deng duo. Clarkson + Deng for something expiring?
Clay Bertrand says
RE: Hayward, it must be considered that Hayward (as is mentioned when discussing the Paul George situation) will likely be voted to one of the 3 ALL NBA teams (possibly at the expense of PG13) giving Utah a HUGE financial advantage to re-signing him with a MEGA MAX deal even with the draw of Brad Stevens and the Celtics lurking in the background.
The Lakers would NEVER be able to match that Utah money and clearly are not yet where the Celtics are talent wise (to say nothing of the clear Brad Stevens-Hayward connection).
Indeed, to cure the Dengov Fever that the Lakers are afflicted with, it seems one or more GOOD asset will have to be sacrificed if they are to have any hope of a Deng or Mozzy offload. Like Chemotherapy……….they will have to kill off Good Cells to make sure we kill off all the bad disease.
Thanks Jim!!!!!!
MAYYYYBE the new FO can land on their feet somewhat if they can do the Dance of the Lemons and swap a lemon for a plum or a fig……..
Josh says
I fully expect Hayward to sign with Boston if he doesn’t resign in Utah. Knows Stevens well and fits their team perfectly. No way we can get Hayward. I’d prefer a trade for George like Clarkson, Randle, and our top 3 pick, assuming we keep it. Then signing Griffin in FA since we’d still have cap room for trading Randle/Clarkson. Gives us Russell/Ingram/PG/Griffen/Zubac. If we want to amnesty Deng or Moz fine but we could keep them 1 more year for solid depth.
R says
Yeah, I still can’t over the reality that as soon as Deng and Mosgov were signed, fans started brainstorming how the Lakers could mitigate the damage!!
That’s pretty telling right there.
Makes me wonder, why o why did the dynamic duo think it was a good idea?
I can only speculate that it was thought that Moz would help DAR develop a P n R offence. Reaching here, but there had to be SOME reason it was thought to be a good idea.
And again: I could almost see signing Moz alone – somebody had to play center and lousy teams do have to overpay for questionable talent – but both these guys? Geez.
Mid-Wilshire says
Recently (Monday, April 24), Rob Pelinka appeared on the Mason and Ireland show on 710 AM in Los Angeles and sang the praises of both Jordan Clarkson and D’Angelo Russell. He liked Clarkson’s attack-mode mindset and Russell’s play in general after the All Star break.
In fact, after the All Star break, Clarkson averaged 17.2 ppg, 3.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game while Russell averaged 18.5 ppg, 3.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game. They also shared the point guard duties which made for an interesting pairing of interchangeable parts.
If that’s any indication, then, the Lakers may very well keep their young backcourt tandem together this coming year. Their big weakness, of course (which Pelinka did not address), is defense. Somehow that will have to be remedied. Luke Walton and staff will certainly play a big role there.
I agree that the Lakers will probably not pursue Paul George prematurely. With his apparently stated interest in joining the Lakers during the summer of 2018, the Lakers will more than likely wait to see how that plays out.
Having said all of that, no one on this team is untouchable. John Ireland expects Magic to somehow “shuffle the deck” this summer. But any trade discussions will probably involve Brandon Ingram. And I don’t expect the Lakers to be inclined to move Ingram unless the offer is really tempting.
In any event, it should be an interesting summer…again.
Josh says
Or it’s the complete opposite as I believe. We started Clarkson to re-light his potential interest as a starting point guard so we could trade him this summer. Which luckily for us he performed well as a starter increasing his trade value. Whether that trade is to unload Moz/Deng or acquire someone like PG, I think Clarkson is as good as gone this offseason. Ingram is our sole untouchable and I don’t see us trading him for anything and Russell could be traded but I don’t believe his trade value is very high, which is a bit confusing as he was by far our best player this season imo.
A Horse With No Name says
I think that is some good insight and a credible FO scenario. Sell high, right? Like a few posters here, I do think there is an off-season plan that involves moving some pieces. Ingram is untouchable as he should be, and DLO is, unless they could get great value for him (e.g. PG straight up).
FredP says
I have to give Pete the credit for being the voice of reason in this podcast. The foundational Lakers are just too young to pop a superstar in their midst and expect great things to happen. Let them be the center of attention for the Lakers instead of yet another veteran. Improve the offensive sets and defensive sets and hold the young players accountable and see what they can do. The post Williams Lakers looked like they could improve on this season’s record without any additions. Fill in the holes in the backcourt and start finding the superstars after next season.
Hale says
Maybe I missed it but why no more iTunes feed?
Darius Soriano says
Hale, you should be able to find us on iTunes here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/laker-film-room/id1187085559?mt=2
Msway says
All of the bad games and waiting for stars to mature are getting old, butt quitting and throwing in the towel on the young is a mistake. it was a 5 year plan . we are right on the verge of success. stay young and save for competetive winning all stars for the ten year run.This will produce a play off series next season that will enable our young to start developing a will to be champions. Be Smart.
TempleOfJamesWorthy says
Alas, I think the Lakers are closer to Year 1 than Year 5 of the rebuilding process. As I’ve noted before, the three-year Kobe Bryant Retirement Tour interfered with many of the normal processes of restructuring an NBA team for long-term contention.
Hence, I think trading significant assets for PG-13 would be a non-productive move.
Much as I love Griffin, I think the NBA game is evolving away from his strengths. Unless he can add a real 3-point shooting threat to his arsenal, his mid-range offensive game and average defense don’t have as much impact on winning as his box score numbers indicate.
The only scenario discussed which makes any sense to me is signing PG as a free agent. Otherwise, I hope the Lakers look elsewhere.
KevTheBold says
Excellent podcast,.. as usual ! You & Pete hash out the options with a stainless spatula, serving up for us us Laker fans, all the angles. Much appreciate the work, and how you keep it interesting.
Rick in Seattle says
Jimmy Butler is still a better fit for what the Lakers currently need than is Paul George.
The advantage for George is that he may come over as a FA next summer.
If Chicago would consider taking back either Deng or Mozgov in partial trade, that would steer the argument toward Butler in my opinion.
Both are good 2-way players, but the Lakers already have a good young SF in the person of Ingram. If they keep Ingram, which they should, George & Ingram would be fighting for minutes at the same position.
However, the SG position is wide open. Nick Young may be back, but we don’t know yet. DAR may be moved to SG, but we don’t know yet. If DAR stays at PG and Ingram remains the starting SF, then again, the SG position is wide open.
If the Lakers get reassurances from George that he remains committed to coming to the Lakers in 2018, the Lakers should just wait & would be foolish to make a trade for him.
The results of the upcoming draft lottery will be huge for the Lakers! :
.