Spoke to people on both sides. Pelinka called Harden to inform him that he was going to become GM of the Lakers. During the conversation Harden asked if Pelinka could help do them a solid and bring in Williams (half joking). Magic had an offer from the Jazz, Wizards, Rockets. All similar deals and for a pick. Magic approached Lou and his agent and told him that he wanted to do right by him. (Magic is really trying to get word around the league that he takes care of his players and looks out for them. Part of bringing in a good name to the Lakers org) Lou chose Houston. The Lakers didn't choose Houston, Lou wanted to be here.
Thanks for the Gem Cyberx. Greatly appreciate the info. Any word on a BIG or other deals? Its nice to know Lou chose HTOWN!!
Yep this all jives with Woj's podcast last night. Eric Pincus also just put on twitter that he heard last week that Harden specifically asked Morey to get Lou.
Speaks to Harden's pull and our reputation around the league. If everyone had similar offers, it was smart of Magic to listen to the player...might be different if they were in "winning mode", but building rep is important when you're losing.
Well he didn't have the part about Harden asking for a solid. That's lolworthy if it played a role. Basically said what you said. Washington offered their first round pick, Magic liked Corey Brewer (lol lol lol) and saw him as value, etc. There was another report from someone else that jives with what you said about Magic wanting to do right by Lou. Basically that Lou's agent was the one negotiating with Magic yesterday and that Magic told him the teams that were interested and Lou told him Houston.
Thanks Cyberx! I know you are close with the Lakers how do you feel about the recent changes? GM wise and Magic wise just curious about your take. You are such a LEGEND here.
I mean we say similar offers, but the Wizards offer was a better pick but probably a worse contract. (Maybe Nicholson)
He was joking around with his agent who had not yet formally become the GM of another team. No tampering issues there. Anyway, a player can do almost whatever they want without an issue, it's the GM who could potentially have an issue if he is chatting up another team's player. I hope they aren't too cozy lol.
Lakers need to rebuild. Not throwing in Ingram for Boogie Cousins is a fireable offense IMO. Lakers need to get a top 3 pick this year or else they will owe their first this year to Phili AND owe a first in 2019 to ORL for DH. If they get a top 3 pick this year then in 2019 they wont owe the first to ORL anymore because it becomes void. Lou was taking too many minutes from the young guys. He is incredible though. I also think they are doing it right by going the GSW pattern. Agent to GM will be great IMO. Everyone on the Lakers is familiar with each other and I think the organization will be more synced. Lakers are going hard for Paul George right now. That first pick helps them a lot.
I'm probably reading way too much into this, but it's comforting as a Rockets fan that Harden is asking for help here. Seemingly speaks to his stake in houston. I'm a bit worried about his agent becoming the GM of his hometown team. The glitzier one at that.
Well he's locked up for two years. We are also going to be able to offer him a deal that would net him close to $100 million more than anyone else can offer him so it's hard to imagine him bolting. We aren't talking the extra $10 million that used to be in play under the old CBA, we are talking like $93 million or something.
