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Lakers recalibrating focus to 2019 free agent class

Discussion in 'NBA Dish' started by J.R., Feb 6, 2018.

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  1. J.R.

    J.R. Member

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    http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/...ers-recalibrating-focus-2019-free-agent-class

    As the Los Angeles Lakers become more realistic about the franchise's chances of snaring superstars in the free agent class of 2018, the front office is increasingly looking through a longer lens in its team building process, league sources told ESPN.

    The Lakers aren't abandoning a summer pursuit of stars, but rather recalibrating on the possibility of a 2019 class that could include San Antonio's Kawhi Leonard, Golden State's Klay Thompson and Minnesota's Jimmy Butler, league sources told ESPN.

    The belief has been that the Lakers were cutting an unapologetic path to salary cap freedom for two maximum contract slots this July, clearing the way toward a pursuit of superstars like Cleveland's LeBron James, Oklahoma City's Paul George and New Orleans' DeMarcus Cousins. Now, Cousins has torn his Achilles tendon, George has suggested to ESPN's Rachel Nichols that the Thunder have an advantage in re-signing him, and James is believed to have a reluctance toward signing with the Lakers without an established star immediately joining him.

    Pushing back a year on big game hunting free agency could serve two purposes: Alleviate the urgency to unload contracts at Thursday's trade deadline and around the June NBA Draft that could require the Lakers to attach future draft assets as incentives, and allow the Lakers' talented young core -- including Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma and Josh Hart -- to further develop and become more attractive for veteran stars to join.

    Without Ball, lost to a knee injury the past 10 games, that group has won 10 of its last 14 games -- the team's best stretch since 2013 -- including a rousing 108-104 win over the Thunder at the end of five-game, 11-day road trip.

    While the team's mid-season surge isn't the main reason for the Lakers recalibration on free agency, it has played a part in that new line of thinking as two of the players most often discussed in trade discussions, former lottery pick Julius Randle and reserve guard Jordan Clarkson, have played key roles of late.

    Both had their best months of the season in January, with Clarkson averaging 15.9 points on 46 percent shooting from the field, while Randle averaged 15.3 points and nine rebounds after moving back into the starting lineup.

    Randle will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season. Clarkson is owed $25.9 million over the next two seasons.

    The Lakers have listened to offers or explored trades for both players that included first or second round picks, but sources indicate that none of those deals would save significant cap space for the future, thereby negating the initial reason for exploring trades for those players.

    While the Lakers could still move either or both players before Thursday's trade deadline, one league source put the chances of a meaningful trade at "50-50 at best."

    If the Lakers were to move Clarkson or Randle either now or at the draft, and find a resolution to the $36.8 million remaining on Luol Deng's albatross contract -- likely via the waive-and-stretch provision -- the Lakers could create $60 million in salary cap space in July of 2019. Nevertheless, if the Lakers sit out free agency this summer, they'll try to use their salary cap space to accommodate teams looking to dump bad contracts -- and willing to send draft picks to sweeten the deal, sources said.​
     
    #1 J.R., Feb 6, 2018
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  2. Reeko

    Reeko Member

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    they finally came to their senses...no star who’s main goal is championships is trying to put on a cape and save them

    Lebron to LA was a funny thought, it’s always nice to dream tho
     
    #2 Reeko, Feb 6, 2018
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  3. malakas

    malakas Member

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    called George's agent and heard he's not coming any more?
     
    #3 malakas, Feb 6, 2018
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  4. Vivi

    Vivi Member

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    The only bad thing about this is that George is probably going to stay in OKC
     
    #4 Vivi, Feb 6, 2018
  5. REEKO_HTOWN

    REEKO_HTOWN I'm Rich Biiiiaaatch!

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    and OKC will be paying luxury tax for a 6 seed team. Sounds ok to me. We'll see how long Bennett can manage.
     
    #5 REEKO_HTOWN, Feb 6, 2018
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  6. count_dough-ku

    count_dough-ku Member

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    I'm not worried about it. To keep George, they'll have to shed salary. That team will have no depth.
     
    #6 count_dough-ku, Feb 6, 2018
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  7. malakas

    malakas Member

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    thats not the only one. If they have huge capspace they may go after Capela.
     
    #7 malakas, Feb 6, 2018
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  8. Vivi

    Vivi Member

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    I'm with you guys, i'd just prefer to see them lose him...and maybe come here, but i feel like our only chance was to trade for him last summer.
     
    #8 Vivi, Feb 6, 2018
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  9. ROXTXIA

    ROXTXIA Member

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    You have to wonder. There were more than a few of us shaking our heads at the contracts being handed out two summers ago. Mitch Kupchak really screwed up that team's salary cap; I guess ownership was along for the "well, that's what you have to pay these guys now" mentality, or didn't check him when he came to them with the contracts he was going to offer.

    As for Paul George, if the Lakers hadn't hamstrung themselves, I think he'd be hedging more about next season.
     
    #9 ROXTXIA, Feb 6, 2018
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  10. Vivi

    Vivi Member

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    Eh, that's true but let's hope they go after someone else...at worse we can still match, hopefully after we trade/sign someone to upgrade the roster.
     
    #10 Vivi, Feb 6, 2018
  11. malakas

    malakas Member

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    who knows..they don't seem to be one FO who has a stable long term plan. One day they may decide to go after a RFA the next day there can be articles proclaiming keeping their cap or Kawhi.
    The only way to be sure is if they take on a big contract that expires next year.

    Hey maybe that's what Cyber was refering to as well whe he said yesterday "teams will decide if they go on full rebuild in the next days".
     
    #11 malakas, Feb 6, 2018
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  12. Koperboy

    Koperboy Member

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    Next year, players who scored big two years ago will still occupy salary cap of their teams, so there won't be much competition for free agents. In that sense, Lakers are perfectly positioned.
     
    #12 Koperboy, Feb 6, 2018
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  13. malakas

    malakas Member

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    Interesting.
    So ie KCP/Lopez for x overpaid player who expires in 2019 + 1rounder.

    KCP for Cavs late 1st + Shumpert?
     
    #13 malakas, Feb 6, 2018
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  14. tmacfor35

    tmacfor35 Member

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    Does Paul George becoming a Rocket seem more likely.

    I would personally take him over Lebron for this team.
     
    #14 tmacfor35, Feb 6, 2018
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  15. cyberx

    cyberx Member

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    I was told that this was planted as a story to up the offers for Clarkson+Randle. If teams think the Lakers aren't as desperate, they will up their offers.

    Just remember, there's usually an agenda with a team. "Hey, post a story like this and I will get you on the next break"

    I remember when the Lakers wanted to draft Randle but were afraid that he may not drop that low... So what did they do? "His foot may need surgery from a previous injury"

    Chess game.
     
    #15 cyberx, Feb 6, 2018
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  16. REEKO_HTOWN

    REEKO_HTOWN I'm Rich Biiiiaaatch!

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    He won't have Morey waiting outside his door at midnight. PG seems like the guy who wants to be wanted.
     
    #16 REEKO_HTOWN, Feb 6, 2018
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  17. malakas

    malakas Member

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    Thanx cyber!
    I wonder..woj should already know it is fake how does he accept being used as a plant? Repayment for exclusive access to information?
     
    #17 malakas, Feb 6, 2018
  18. mario elie

    mario elie Member

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    Ha! Who's dying to get their hands on Clarkson or Randle? smh
     
    #18 mario elie, Feb 6, 2018
  19. SamFisher

    SamFisher Member

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    Cleverly disguised LeBron to Houston on 2 yard line confirmed thread
     
    #19 SamFisher, Feb 6, 2018
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  20. tmoney1101

    tmoney1101 Member

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    It’ll be fun beating the dog **** out of them every year. They’re going to hate us.
     
    #20 tmoney1101, Feb 6, 2018
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