Well, they're reporting that the two teams are revisiting negotiations. The report also says the Lakers want a deal similar to what Kyrie and PG brought back, but San Antonio knows that this trade essentially lands them Kawhi and LeBron, so they're asking for more. I would bet the Spurs would need at least 2 of Lonzo, Ingram, and Kuzma to start with, although I'm not sure Pop is interested in being part of the LaVarr show. The report also mentioned other teams, are trying to get Kawhi.
It’s crazy that the expected return for an MVP level 2 time DPOY is Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma and a pick probably no higher than 28th. I’d rather see the spurs just hold him to prevent the lakers from getting Lebron and have him waste another year getting wrecked by golden state.
Does what’s left of the Lakers after these deals, Lebron, and Leonard give them a real shot at beating the Rockets, Warriors, or even the Celtics?
I'm thinking Kuzma, Ingram, and Randle will be necessary to get it done. Channing Frye would make the money work and he's an expiring contract, but Kuzma and Ingram alone for Leonard isn't enough IMO. I also don't think the Spurs are going to go down that Ball path so this seems like the clearest path to making it happen. The Lakers don't have any leverage here, as if they get locked out of Leonard, they get locked out of James, and very likely locked out of PG13 as well. The Spurs will have gotten three good young guys to build around and potentially add another young superstar too. They essentially traded George Hill for Kawhi straight up so they can figure it out while winning.
Reggie Miller, Kenyon Martin and Ray Allen all seem to think Lebron is going to NY. I sincerely doubt it, but they have all said it publicly.
The thing with Randle is he's a free agent. He's restricted, but that probably means you're going to have to overpay him to keep him. If he's on board with going to the Spurs, that would help, but if he wants to explore the market, that would complicate things. I do agree that Kuzma and Ingram alone aren't enough. Supposedly LA is trying to acquire 1st round picks to sweeten the pot. The funny thing is, I still don't think this team beats GSW, even with LeBron, Kawhi, and George.
What, is Cleveland trading for Booker or something? My immediate thought is Kevin Love getting moved, but Phoenix doesn't need that kind of player yet. I'd assume a third team is in play in that case. I can't really wrap my head around this fully just yet. Here's my read with Love: Cavs One of the Suns' first rounders Suns (Young player from third team) Third Team Kevin Love
Can't see what Cleveland has that would net them a player like Booker. There was a tweet I saw this morning that said there was going to be a Suns trade that should signal to everyone that LeBron was leaving, but I didn't really know anything about the source, so who knows if there was anything to that. If that were somehow true, you'd expect that means Love is gone, but I'm not sure what that would net them. Maybe a future 1st.
I think Phoenix is just here to facilitate a trade. They don't really match as partners in my mind. Neither has what the other needs. I can't imagine the Suns wanting to win games with two first round picks (Bucks pick is 1-3 and 17-30 protected, so it will probably confer). They could be adding two lottery caliber players to a really young team. Unless there's a guy they really want in the league now on a team that wants Kevin Love, I'm baffled that those two teams are linked.
I've seen where it could possibly involve Lonzo Ball to the Suns for a first round pick. Lakers - Suns 1st, Tyson Chandler expiring. Suns - Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart Spurs don't want Lonzo, now... Spurs - get Suns' first, Lakers' first, Kuzma, and Ingram Lakers - get Kawhi Lakers get Kawhi...LeBron comes...possible Paul George too. Just what I've been hearing.
Nah, he'd only leave to join LeBron if LeBron had beaten him this year. On a separate note, there are whispers that Sacramento might be giving a big offer sheet to RFA Zach LaVine, and Indy might give one to Aaron Gordon. Gordon in Indy would be fun. That's a young, ascending team.
I took the tweets to mean it was Cleveland and Phoenix dancing, but after rereading them, I made that up in my own mind. That scenario does make some sense. SAS takes that pick if they're cool with rebuilding completely, but Ingram, Kuzma, Randle, and Aldridge could be a competitive team 1 piece away from being a huge problem. The right Point Guard becomes available and Pop can do something with that team.
I agree, just posting what I’ve read. Also see no reason Lebron would come to a team with KP out likely for the year unless he simply wants the spotlight Ny has to offer, to stay in the east and prove he’s “the king of NY” as he claimed to be. But I digress, I think he’s going to LA and the NYK need to focus on rebuilding this team finally.
I don’t know who the hell wants the headache that is Lonzo Ball and the baggage that comes with that. So happy he’s not in NY. Suns are getting bent (no lube) in that deal unless they get 1000 rolls of duct tape for Lavar.
Agreed, though he was very complimentary of Ntilinkina this past year which warmed my heart coming from Pop.
I've been told that the Suns want to imitate the Dantoni offense, so they really want a pass-first point guard to go along with Booker and Ayton. Lonzo = Nash Ayton = Amare Booker = Joe J. They even just hired a European coach as head coach just like Dantoni was.
Except Nash was a 50% from the field, 40% from 3, 90% from FT line guy. Lonzo was 36% from the field, 30% from 3 and 45% from the FT. He’s like rookie Jason Kidd with a blindfold on. If they really wanted to imitate MDA’s offense they should have taken Doncic since his coach is now Phoenixs HC.
I totally agree. I am no fan of Lonzo, but apparently they want a pass-first PG...which does make sense to pair with a scorer like Booker.
Forgot about him completely. They would just need to work on the bench in that case. Considering none of those guys are max or coming up on max right now, Pop could definitely stock the cupboards with some talented veterans who don't want to take the vet minimum just to compete. That's a team that probably wouldn't be afraid to take on 3 years of James Johnson playing the 3 and 4 spots off the bench.
In case anyone interested, Enes Kanter is likely opting in to the final year of his deal at 18.6m. He has a trade kicker in his deal....
A good paycheck and stability. I feel sorry for the guy though. His dad is being persecuted pretty badly in Turkey.
As much as I dislike LaVarr, thus making me root against Lonzo, that would be a pretty fun team in Phoenix.
Me too...it’s not only his dad. It’s rather ridiculous to punish someone’s family for the actions of the child.
Not getting my hopes up, but... He's also saying if they landed Kawhi, that they'd go after LeBron next.
That’s great and all, but giving up a first, JRich, Winslow, and Bam? No thanks. That’s like everybody that’s going to be good. I see what other teams are offering—let’s go with a 2 firsts and Winslow...
If you're moving Richardson, there's Kawhi's minutes right there. It would be good if we could keep Bam. I'd do Richardson+Whiteside+Winslow though.
I simply cannot understand this line of thinking. First of all, I don't think it costs you all of those. It probably costs you Dragic, JRich, and Winslow, which I'd do in a second. But we're talking about getting a legitimate star. You cannot win in the NBA without one, and you essentially cannot get another one on the open market without already having one on your roster. Because of that, you do everything you can to land the star, and then you trust Riley and Spo to build around that star. By holding on to the young players, you hope that they eventually become good, which is no guarantee. But even if they do, you still have zero chance at contending unless you bring in a star or two in FA. All that being said, I don't think it happens in Miami, and could be even less likely with LeBron opting out today, because it seemed like he might have been part of the master plan.
Good news for Knicks fans, James Dolan is spinning the Knicks and Rangers off from MSG the company. He's very possibly going to sell the teams.