Where do the Lakers go from here...?

[trojanfan12]

To be clear, Lebron isn’t waiting for a max guy NEXT year, he would stay with the Cavs this year and wait until next year. He is in win mode every year. I think it is over about Lebron is waiting for PG or Kawhi to LA then if one of those two things happens, I think he is gone. I doubt he goes before one of the two, bc going by history he usually waits until everytime folds out. July 8-11 is his timeline

First of all, making a definitive statement like "Lebron isn't waiting" is pretty silly.

You have no more idea than anyone else what he will or will not do.

2nd, I'd say if Lebron is the first domino to fall, it likely means he is confident that someone else is coming and he knows who it is.

3rd, regardless if Lebron returns to Cleveland or goes to the Lakers by himself, if the Celtics and Sixers are healthy, his run of finals appearances probably ends this year. If you're going to miss the finals, you may as well have the nice weather. lol

Lebron knows that if the Lakers don't get 2 max guys this off-season, they intend to hang on to whatever cap space is left for next off-season. So, if the Spurs don't trade Kawhi to the Lakers and PG stays in OKC, there may be an agreement between Lebron and Kawhi for Lebron to come this year and Kawhi to come next off-season when he's an FA. It also gives him a year to recruit other FA's if Kawhi decides to stay with the Spurs. Next years FA group looks to be deeper.

Having said the above, Lebron may very well decide to just stay in Cleveland 1 more year. Or, if LA is where he and his family want to be, he may decide to go ahead and come to the Lakers knowing that at least 1 more max guy will be headed there soon enough and that the Lakers are willing to make the necessary trades to get more help as well.

 

[trojanfan12]

I think someone needs to check Windy's internet history. If he's been looking at LA real estate, we know for sure Lebron is gone. That dude has followed him everywhere. He ain't leaving that gravy train just yet

This is pretty funny.

It's also probably true. No one in the world is going to be more upset than Windy when Lebron finally retires. lol

 

[trojanfan12]

Honestly,

I see zero difference between Cleveland and LA as they are with no other stars for the short term.

Neither would have a snowball's chance in hell of beating the Warriors. But, at least LA offers more flexibility and upside for the future.

That's been my point as well. The Lakers with Lebron are likely better than the Cavs with Lebron. Either way, it doesn't really matter because neither is beating the Warriors and if the Celtics and/or Sixers are healthy, he likely isn't getting back to the finals regardless of which team he goes to.

At least he knows with the Lakers, they will have cap space and assets to improve the roster around him.

 

[trojanfan12]

First of all if you have seen Lebron throughout his career he values veteran players, always has, reason why he made 8 straight Finals. Secondly, they will have to give up young players if they want Kawhi

Lebron at 33 is not Lebron at 29. At 33 players start to see their basketball mortality and that can change their views a bit. Priorities can change as players start looking at life after basketball.

Of course the Lakers will have to give up young assets to get Kawhi this year. But if the Spurs don't trade him to the Lakers and PG comes to the Lakers, it'll be Lebron, PG and the youngsters.

If PG stays in OKC and Lebron comes to the Lakers by himself (Windy said 51% Lakers whether they add anyone else or not) it seems likely they will get Kawhi (who is a better player than PG) next year and it will be Lebron, Kawhi and the young'uns.

So in coming to the Lakers by himself, he could theoretically set himself up to be in a better position next year. Especially if the Lakers sign Kawhi and trade for another top level guy.

 

[Black Adam]

This is pretty funny.

It's also probably true. No one in the world is going to be more upset than Windy when Lebron finally retires. lol

you saying he can't find another superstar's dick to ride...?

 

[Black Adam]

This is pretty funny.

It's also probably true. No one in the world is going to be more upset than Windy when Lebron finally retires. lol

you saying he can't find another superstar's dick to ride...?

 

[Kold]

This is pretty funny.

It's also probably true. No one in the world is going to be more upset than Windy when Lebron finally retires. lol

Mann, Lebron James JR. is right around the corner. Windy will take that lil break when Lebron retires, and go right back in stalk mode when LBJJR gets drafted

 

[Retroram52]

Right now we got PG flip-flopping on where to sign, whether it be the Lakers or OKC and articles indicating that the chances of LBJ remaining in Cleveland increasing. I know Magic and Pelinka are playing this close to the vest and the chance the only major move the Lakers make this summer is extending the contract of Julius Randle is also growing.

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

Right now we got PG flip-flopping on where to sign, whether it be the Lakers or OKC and articles indicating that the chances of LBJ remaining in Cleveland increasing. I know Magic and Pelinka are playing this close to the vest and the chance the only major move the Lakers make this summer is extending the contract of Julius Randle is also growing.

That is the "worst case scenario" which isn't exactly a bad case.

This current team if they resign Randle will probably make the playoffs at a 6-8 seed. First round exit most likely but still a playoff team.

Lonzo and Ingram have been gaining muscle and Kuzma has been in the guy from 6am every day.

 

[Shanemansj13]

That is the "worst case scenario" which isn't exactly a bad case.

This current team if they resign Randle will probably make the playoffs at a 6-8 seed. First round exit most likely but still a playoff team.

Lonzo and Ingram have been gaining muscle and Kuzma has been in the guy from 6am every day.

They might slip into the playoffs but probably not if say they keep the roster about the same. The West is loaded. You pretty much don’t get a lottery pick and might make the playoffs. The worst position you can be in, middle of the pack

 

[Retroram52]

I am still baffled by posters on this thread who continue to misunderstand that at some point these youngsters will become quite good. How long did the present reigning champion roster take to become championship-worthy? Was it not when the dubs were together for their second contracts? The Lakers youngsters are getting closer to that I have been saying all along that if they keep them together, they will eventually see those level of results just like they did in GS because eventually all those youngsters became stars and won their first championship. The same thing can happen here because the Lakers youngsters have the potential to grow to the level of performance and greatness we now have in GS.

 

[Shanemansj13]

I am still baffled by posters on this thread who continue to misunderstand that at some point these youngsters will become quite good. How long did the present reigning champion roster take to become championship-worthy? Was it not when the dubs were together for their second contracts? The Lakers youngsters are getting closer to that I have been saying all along that if they keep them together, they will eventually see those level of results just like they did in GS because eventually all those youngsters became stars and won their first championship. The same thing can happen here because the Lakers youngsters have the potential to grow to the level of performance and greatness we now have in GS.

Maybe yes, eventually. They don’t have one veteran on the roster. They are still very young. Maybe an 8 seed but nothing more. They can compete and they can take down some very good opponents in the regular season but until they get a veteran AS type of player they aren’t making any noise imo

 

[Heatles84]

I am still baffled by posters on this thread who continue to misunderstand that at some point these youngsters will become quite good. How long did the present reigning champion roster take to become championship-worthy? Was it not when the dubs were together for their second contracts? The Lakers youngsters are getting closer to that I have been saying all along that if they keep them together, they will eventually see those level of results just like they did in GS because eventually all those youngsters became stars and won their first championship. The same thing can happen here because the Lakers youngsters have the potential to grow to the level of performance and greatness we now have in GS.

Maybe yes, eventually. They don’t have one veteran on the roster. They are still very young. Maybe an 8 seed but nothing more. They can compete and they can take down some very good opponents in the regular season but until they get a veteran AS type of player they aren’t making any noise imo

The Lakers are more in the middle at this point. Yes, the Lakers would need to add quality veteran talent like GS did with Iggy and Livingston, specifically along with Bogut (for their first title). This is what's missing from the Lakers roster at the moment.

There's no telling how good the Lakers young core will be. Yes, they will continue to improve, but not everyone has the same ceiling. And also, the Warriors caught a lot of luck in terms of circumstances relating to Curry specifically in how high he turned out to be. Suffice it to say, I feel safe in saying that Lonzo Ball will never become the shooter that Curry is at this stage.

 

[trojanfan12]

They might slip into the playoffs but probably not if say they keep the roster about the same. The West is loaded. You pretty much don’t get a lottery pick and might make the playoffs. The worst position you can be in, middle of the pack

You're forgetting about the cap space the Lakers have. If they don't get anyone this off-season, they will preserve their cap space for next off-season.

So they'd likely only be "middle of the pack" for one season.

 

[Shanemansj13]

You're forgetting about the cap space the Lakers have. If they don't get anyone this off-season, they will preserve their cap space for next off-season.

So they'd likely only be "middle of the pack" for one season.

Well that is without anyone, I am just talking about that young core. I mean lets say they don’t get Kawhi, PG or Lebron. They need to add veteran guys on short term deal unless they go after Boogie. With that projection yes I say bottom 4 seed in the west depending on what pieces they get. I assume they sign Randle too in that scenario

 

[Retroram52]

This is the kind of stuff that is appearing in an ever-increasing frequency. Whether there is any truth to any of it remains to be witnessed. However, if these pundits know something the average fan doesn't and these sorts of reports have any truth to them, then we may very well see the Lakers continue on with the status quo and extending Randle's contract as the only major FA move this summer.

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/m/4fda2090-756f-327a-815f-df2404338535/ss_lebron-james’-camp-doesn’t.html

 

[tlance]

I am still baffled by posters on this thread who continue to misunderstand that at some point these youngsters will become quite good. How long did the present reigning champion roster take to become championship-worthy? Was it not when the dubs were together for their second contracts? The Lakers youngsters are getting closer to that I have been saying all along that if they keep them together, they will eventually see those level of results just like they did in GS because eventually all those youngsters became stars and won their first championship. The same thing can happen here because the Lakers youngsters have the potential to grow to the level of performance and greatness we now have in GS.

I mean...

What happened in GS is a once in a generation kind of deal. If Laker fans are counting on that you are almost surely going to be highly disappointed. There is literally no reason to make that comparison right now.

Now, add LeBron and things change considerably. But, the current young Laker core projects as a low end playoff squad if they keep it together. It is the cap space to add pieces like LeBron, George and Kawhi that make the Lakers so intriguing.

 

[Retroram52]

I am not sure if I agree or disagree with you tlance at this point but with all of the reports surfacing about the fading chances of both LBJ and PG leaving their present teams for the Lakers, only time will tell if your prognosis and analysis is correct.

 

[flyerhawk]

That is the "worst case scenario" which isn't exactly a bad case.

This current team if they resign Randle will probably make the playoffs at a 6-8 seed. First round exit most likely but still a playoff team.

Lonzo and Ingram have been gaining muscle and Kuzma has been in the guy from 6am every day.

So the current team which won 35 games last year and no longer has Lopez or KCP will somehow vault up to being a 6-8 seed? Seems pretty unlikely.

 

[flyerhawk]

I am still baffled by posters on this thread who continue to misunderstand that at some point these youngsters will become quite good. How long did the present reigning champion roster take to become championship-worthy? Was it not when the dubs were together for their second contracts? The Lakers youngsters are getting closer to that I have been saying all along that if they keep them together, they will eventually see those level of results just like they did in GS because eventually all those youngsters became stars and won their first championship. The same thing can happen here because the Lakers youngsters have the potential to grow to the level of performance and greatness we now have in GS.

It is possible that the young Lakers players step up but it seems unlikely. So far none of them have shown themselves to be more than potentially good players.

The Warriors young player developed into one MVP caliber player and 2 more All-NBA level players. Perhaps the Lakers young players will do that but that seems seems unlikely at this point. The Twolves pre-Butler trade seem like a more likely arc.