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Podcast: Lakers Free Agency Preview

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In the latest Laker Film Room Podcast, Pete and I talk about the Lakers heading into Free Agency. We dive into team needs, how the summer of 2018 might impact this summer, players to target, and whether trades might be a better option than trying to sign a player outright.

We also get into the news of the day by getting into the Chris Paul trade and Phil Jackson’s dismissal from the Knicks. Click through to listen to the entire conversation.

https://soundcloud.com/user-456873398/ep-28-free-agency-preview

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Comments

  1. Clay Bertrand says

    If/When the Celtics or Rockets secure a deal with Indy for Paul George, what is the next plan for the Sacred Cap Space of 2018??? Or do the Lakers soil themselves and cough up Ingram and a future first in the next couple of days just to not lose out on their publicly declared plan???

    If it wasn’t abundantly clear already, these NBA “stars” are only loyal to themselves and most of them do not have the steadfast desire to see through even their own stated agendas. I’m not taking a bitter shot at their freedom as players to do what they want. Clearly they do not owe any loyalty to their respective teams that can and do trade them like commodities and label them “assets”. But what about their teammates??? When a guy like Chris Paul recruits the hell out of his teammate DeAndre Jordan, a Texas native who had decided to sign with Dallas, and flies down to Texas and locks him in a house to get him to stay in L.A. two off seasons ago, then HE HIMSELF DITCHES the team abruptly yesterday, it shows the cutthroat and selfish nature of a lot of players. (EFF the Clippers!!! I hope they ROT!!! The NBA MADE THAT TEAM anyway by gifting them Chris Paul!!!!!! but that’s another topic)

    Toronto MAY be set to endure the same thing after Kyle Lowry recruited and campaigned hard for DeRozan to remain with Toronto only ONE YEAR ago. He was all over social media and in the news about, “WHAT WE HAVE HERE BEING SPECIAL….” and how DeRozan would not be going anywhere because he is loyal to the fans and the organization, how they’re in it together, how he needs him back and how CLOSE they are to the Finals blah blah blah. Now that its Lowry’s turn, he wants out and has eyes for other teams. Only the glut of other PGs on the market this off season could POSSIBLY force his reluctant return to the Raptors.

    All of which lends credence to the ever increasing reality that, while Paul George SAID he wanted to come to the Lakers, that was LAST week. By Saturday morning, that tune will very well be totally different and he will be in Houston, or Miami, or Boston talking up his new team leaving Rob Pelinka and Magic stuck WINKING at every other less talented free agent to be hoping to at least get A MEETING—- A YEAR FROM NOW.

    Maybe I’m wrong here. Maybe things will actually turn out to be what PG has publicly angled for. OBVIOUSLY, I’d LOVE to see it work in the Lakers favor where multiple star players somehow cascade to the team in a frenzy after one big star commits. What’s more likely IMO is that it will NOT go down the way the narrative has been laid out simply because, it hardly every does. And if/when it doesn’t, Magic had better start blowing Kisses at these guys because its looking at this stage as though the winking just won’t cut it.

    The teams that REALLY know how to tamper don’t go on Jimmy Kimmel. They just swing unforeseen trades for Chris Paul like Houston or somehow have the ear of EVERY desirable FA player like Miami.

    Our new FO may be more hip to the modern NBA than Mitch Kupchak was. Unfortunately, the competition for comparison is not a behind the times Mitch Kupchak. Its Darryl Morey, Danny Ainge, Pat Riley and Andy Elisburg etc. Just because your new Sketchers are better than your 15 year old Sketchers doesn’t mean they are better then the new Nike Air Whatevers.

    I hope I’m wrong. I hope our FO knows things we don’t know that are assuring them 100% that something good and certain is on the horizon. That’s also what I HOPED for last season too when the Lakers signed DENGOV in the first 48 hrs of Free Agency and look how misplaced THAT hope was.

    • Terets says

      My worry is that Magic is relying too much on the Laker brand and his pearly white smile to make deals happen. Like Mitch said many times: you have to have multiple back up plans. Problem here is that I don’t believe there is a well thought out backup plan. I hope I am wrong, but I am getting the feeling that Magic/Rob’s plan is to get Paul George via a meaning less trade +salary dump then sign Lebron next year, or sign both PG and Lebron as free agents next year.

      BUT, what’s the backup plan if that does not happen?

  2. A Horse With No Name says

    Gordon Hayward is scheduled to meet with the Heat, Celtics and Jazz in that order beginning Monday. Can’t we even get a frick’in courtesy meeting now? I mean, we have super agent Rob and the Magic Man leading the charge! And how about Kobe? Couldn’t he pick up the phone and call Gordon? (He did, after all, work with him last off-season.)

    (Apologies to Clay for sounding sorta like him sans the caps.)

    • Clay Bertrand says

      Crazy Minds think ALIKE Hermano!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol you can’t go FULL CRAZY w/out the CAPS tho……. ; )

    • L2P says

      The Lakers showed zero interest in Hayward, and still show zero interest in Hayward. Why would he have a meeting with them?

  4. Clay Bertrand says

    In the Jared Uthoff deal, Morey is BUYING, not trading assets for, but buying, players on NON GURANTEED deals. I guarantee its not for his own future cap space. Its to cobble together as cap relief to offer in a trade he’s hatching up that NO ONE as yet has a whiff of.

    Hopefully, Paul George doesn’t like Chris Paul’s chap-ass personality.

      • Clay Bertrand says

        Exactly. Loop Hole will be closed just like when Foston/Dallas kept trading big money guys then, upon their immediate release from their “new” team, signing them right back on minimum contracts. Just like when all the GREEDY a-holes constantly returned their phones and computers to Costco every 6 months to get the newer more advanced models for FREE.

        Its not cheating if its not against the rules. And in the NBA there is no “SPIRIT OF THE RULES” apparently. You gotta push the envelope until the league office glues it shut.

        This is exactly the kind of MAGIC I would have expected from Pelinka. Apparently, though, we are going with the tried and never true strategy of signing two Max Super Stars to our non playoff team in one off season.

        Don’t get me wrong. I have faith/hope in the new FO, but its not BLIND FAITH/HOPE. After DENGOV, no one gets the 100% benefit of the doubt IMO. These guys had better be operating on real concrete inside information and not merely from a FEELING THAT THEY ARE GETTING from agents and players. Feelings change more often than the winds and DLo’s HairStyles.

        Lastly, could Karma come back to bit Pelinka here soon??? As many know, he repped Carlos Boozer when he screwed over Cleveland after assuring them if they declined his low dollar team option, he would resign long term for bigger money in a perceived Win-Win for the team and the player. THEN he left and signed a bigger deal in Utah right after they declined his option.

        Talk isn’t cheap, it isn’t even inexpensive. Sometimes, its just plain BULLSH*T.

        The Lakers have got enough of an uphill journey back to on court relevance WITHOUT the Karma furiously rolling Donkey Kong barrels down at them.

  5. Old timer says

    I wonder if there is a slot in the roster for other Summer League participants or FA’s under the radar in a Laker crowded roster. The way I see it, we lose Clarkson and one of the new draftees and ’19 1st rd dr pick if SCOOP Paul George’s trade goes thru. Secondly, Luol Deng being traded together with either Clarkson or Randle while absorbing other one year albatross contract players Monta Ellis in return. Thirdly, expect Lakers to be active in luring the three point shooters willing to undergo one year probation.

    Undoubtedly, the identity of the new FO’s are: 1) unload long term contracts to create huge cap space in 2018 2) Get FA’s who are good in d and 3 pt shooting and can run p&r with Lonzo. 3) Paul George, Paul George & Paul George till ’18. Silence runs deep after drafting Lonzo and the three musketeers, it means lots of activity going on with Magic and Rob, perhaps some machinations going on behind the smokescreen of the legends’ denial and secrecy.

  6. drrayeye says

    I think that you and Pete make excellent points–and I’d underscore the preference for trades over one year acquisitions. But the most important emphasis must be on fielding the best team possible next year rather than meet a mythical 2018 cap space goal. Morey has just, shown ways to manufacture cap space on the fly, and CP3 found ways to delay his own free agency with a one year sign and trade interlude. He could be back on the market in 2018–or sooner, if his Houston experiment malfunctions.

    With Ball, Lopez, and Ingram, the Lakers already have 3 credible NBA starters. Despite the backlog, I’m not convinced they have a PF starter–and I’m certain they don’t have a SG starter. To me, that suggests the trading is far from over. Pelinka has already identified the need for “shooters.”

    The trade that changes everything would be a trade for Paul George along the lines of the Laker pre draft proposal–since it would both add a fourth “starter” and simultaneously improve future cap space projections. With PG on board, the Lakers would only require enough cap space for one 2018 free agency superstar. A PG trade to the Lakers could take place any time up to the trading deadline–even if PG had already been “rented” by another team.

    As long as the Lakers show noticeable improvement during the season, trading wisely, cap space is not that critical–and even signing PG may not be that important. If the Lakers tank again next year, even $70 million of cap space won’t be nearly enough.

  7. Serik says

    I think if Paul George really wants to play for the Lakers right now the biggest thing that can change his mind is if the Lakers FO will make bad moves, even if they made them to get George.

    Also there is one other factor that I haven’t heard being discussed – if we get Paul George now (because next year PG may change his mind) we may loose him in next year free agency (because, you know, PG may change his mind).

    As for Randle and Clarkson, they are assets that can be used to trade away Deng’s contact, that’s why we shouldn’t necessarily use them to acquire George. Though I think and hope Magic & Rob will look at their improvements next year before making any deals.

  8. Dough says

    Anyone know why Jordan Bell got picked so low? He looks like a baller! Why didn’t the Lakers pick him? Or am I just wrong on this and he’s not as good as he looked?

    • Clay Bertrand says

      I have posted before that IMO, Thomas Robinson is very much the player Jordan Bell is as they seem to have the same strengths and weaknesses in general. Bell appears a better rim protector and may have a higher motor as an energy guy. To me, the need for more skilled players outweighed the need for a non shooting energy and D 4.

      If there is truly an appetite for such a player, barring TRob getting a huge offer to go somewhere else, he would be a logical and likely cheap option.

  10. Clay Bertrand says

    An interesting situation with the Celtics and their trove of valuable assets is that its sort of imperfectly analogous to having a huge amount of insurance coverage for your vehicle or how the Pharmaceutical Companies charge for their drugs in countries NOT called the U.S.

    WTF????? Ok follow me here:

    Basically, the apparent dynamic at work is that the more you have in your pockets, the more we will charge you. Attorneys won’t aggressively sue someone who has injured someone in a car accident if they have no assets and no or very low coverage. BUT if the insured is a Common Carrier like UPS or FEDEX or a guy in a new Porsche, those pockets are deep enough to pilfer from—File and Serve.

    In a like dynamic, First World countries like the U.S. pay multiple times what poorer populations (or even Canada) pay(s) for the same drugs. OR, they are allowed to go Generic sooner in those countries to alleviate costs to the patients whereas in the U.S., they are allowed to hold back Generic drugs for more years in order to gouge the U.S. healthcare market claiming their needs to recoup R&D Costs.

    Its hard to show up to a flea market in a Rolls and low ball people and you can’t poormouth with a gold a diamond studded Grill!!!!!!!!!! That’s where Ainge is it seems.

  11. Clay Bertrand says

    The New Rookies just held up their Jerseys!!!! So we got Kurt Rambis, Orlando Woolridge and Eddie “The Thief of Baghdad” Jordan huh?????? Nice.

  12. FredP says

    I enjoyed the podcast but please, please, please promise that you will do a podcast with Pete the day the Lakers announce that Phil is coming back as a senior adviser. Also make it a video cast so we can watch the paramedics try to revive him. You know that is the real reason West is not back with the Lakers.

    The youth need as much playing time next season as possible. Hart is already too old to sit on the bench and learn from the vets. Most of the players may be trade fodder but playing can only boost their value. Even if they are not fully ready to contribute, they learn infinitely more playing than they do sitting on the bench.

  13. Fern says

    So Phil is gone from the Knicks, guess who Jim Dolan is pondering to bring back. GOOD OL’ ISAIAH THOMAS!!! Man i hope he does. I cant have the Knicks stop being and endless source of amusement now. LMAO. Phil and Jeanie aren’t togheter anymore i dont think that will happen.

  14. Old Timer says

    Basically, in the next 24 hours before FA begins, Lakers are in a better position to compete. They have a young core who are willing to go through the rigors of jelling with fellow teammates while other players with other teams are having sweet time vacationing in Europe. This is one advantage we have against those past 30 years old PG’s, Forwards and aging Centers. They may have the wisdom and tricks of ball handling, can they sustain a continuous running game for 40 minutes against a determined youth. Magic and Rob may be selling season tickets, but they are so far a truly different snake-oil salesmen compared to the reticent Mitch or all-knowing Jimbo, the owner. The latter lured the FA big names with Hollywood, Championship trophies and SoCal beaches as their selling point. they can’t talk about the lakers team and omit the Family drama. Magic and Rob painstakingly rolling the dice with a new deck and new paradigm. Forget 2016, 2015 and 2014 when Lakers were playing to entertain and at the same time shielding their incoming draft picks. Today, they talked of defense and running game in a different tone compared to the empty promises of former coaches like MBrown so called defensive coach without clear evidence or Dantoni 7 seconds offense and finally Scottie for Showtime Tank! In this season M&R meant business for they proud of their youthness but emphasize on defense and team game. Secondly, they have nothing to shield next season but they have 2-4 Superstars or Aces on their sleeves that they need to impress plus the lure of COMING HOME to enjoy the frivolities that Jim and Mitch were selling in the past. In the olden times, this is similar to the late sixties when Lakers fans got tired of losing to Celtics, Bucks & Knicks, then came 71-72 season when they set records for the books. The 2017-18 Lakers hasn’t proven anything yet, but old time fans fondly remember the image of the hungry team in the sixties raring to let go.

    • George Best says

      Hi Magic. What you say sounds good but what are the plans this year that you must implement to justify the DAR trade? You gave up on a young guy with real potential at his lowest point so a couple of max superstars can be bought or traded for? Without a pick next year we can’t tank so if you can’t land the max guys this offseason it makes the DAR trade even dumber and I’m worried that in panic once you see PG with the Celtics you will panic sign this years Moz and Deng because you can’t leave open cap space.

      Thanks for the explanation and still appreciate your work on the court even if I’m cynical about your abilities off it

  15. FredP says

    The Lakers certainly are not trading for George but he sure went cheap given all of the talk. Boston cannot be happy. Start the 2018 rumor mill for the Lakers in earnest!