True Lakers Fan
Los Angeles Lakers Fan
Who said that?I was told that the Spurs should thank their lucky stars if LA is willing to trade Ingram for Kawhi only.
What were they smoking?
Who said that?I was told that the Spurs should thank their lucky stars if LA is willing to trade Ingram for Kawhi only.
That combo could easily be Chris Paul and Lebron instead and I don't think Leonard will come out and say that he is only signing with the Lakers next year - He would be screwing himself big time when negotiations began - So far he has only put enough information out like Paul George did to force the trade, but be able to deny themI know if Kawhi comes an and explicitly says that he's going to sign in LA in 2019 no matter what, other teams aren't going to offer them a great package.
And even in that situation the Lakers won't ( and can't) lowball the Spurs. It'll take AT LEAST 2 out of their 3 young stars, plus picks.
But if somehow they managed to get lebron and PG, I hope they wait it out for a year then.
He would be screwing himself big time when negotiations began - So far he has only put enough information out like Paul George did to force the trade, but be able to deny them
I believe he did all of that - I just don't believe he will force the issue outside of the trade. I think it could end up like the Paul George event last year. I am just happy seeing the Lakers in the hunt - I think something is headed our way for Lakers fans.ESPN and Woj reported that Leonard will be telling teams he plans to sign in LA in 2019
Sources: Pop meets with Kawhi in California
"Leonard wants a trade to Los Angeles, preferably the Lakers over the Clippers, league sources said. He has privately maintained that he no longer wants to play in San Antonio and will eventually alert rival teams considering trades for him that his intention is to sign in Los Angeles when he can become a free agent in 2019, league sources said."
I believe he did all of that - I just don't believe he will force the issue outside of the trade. I think it could end up like the Paul George event last year. I am just happy seeing the Lakers in the hunt - I think something is headed our way for Lakers fans.
I would agree that IF Leonard came out and actually said that - then yes. I think I have to agree with Shaneman though and say that we can't agree on rumors quite yet. I am quite excited though and hopeful. It's promising for sureThe thing is, last year Paul George never came out publicly and said he's planning to sign with the Lakers in 2018. Being an LA native there were rumors that it was his preferred destination, but that's it.
If he actually did come out and said that, there would be no chance in hell OKC would have offered Sabonis and Oladipo. The Lakers would have then easily been able to get him for Clarkson/Randle and the picks that turned out to be Kuzma and Hart.
...and that can be taken two ways. Having better players around you, including an all-star PG, draws the defense and opens up shots and driving lanes. Sure, he may get fewer shots, and that shows with better shooting and fewer points. We have all seen them play. In fact, head to head Kuzma got the better of Tatum. In the first meeting, Tatum didn't play much and Kuzma only had mediocre stats. In the second game, Kuzma had a huge game with 28 pts to Tatum's 4.
That combo could easily be Chris Paul and Lebron instead and I don't think Leonard will come out and say that he is only signing with the Lakers next year - He would be screwing himself big time when negotiations began - So far he has only put enough information out like Paul George did to force the trade, but be able to deny them
For me it's a sign that sooner or later, the Lakers will make some good hits even if those hits aren't Lebron, George and Kawhi - We going to get something
I think Ball is more of a team defender, whereas Smart is a one-on-one guy. I never said one was better than the other, just that Ball does have stats that indicate he is a solid defender as well.
If Leonard really wants to go to the Lakers, they should just wait and get him without giving up anything.
They keep their young players and get to ensure Leonard is fully healed by playing a full season before signing him.
No reason for the Lakers to jump the gun. That is something little Buss would do. If this FO does something stupid like that, it will be no different than the previous one they are still trying to recover from
I agree, but if you're a player with an intended destination in mind - The first thing is negotiating a price is to not show your hand - it's one thing to screw the Spurs, but it's another to let the Lakers or any other team know that you intend to sign with a certain team no matter what - then you get offered less money and your value drops and if you suddenly change your mind about signing with the Lakers - No question he will get offers, but all of them could drop - It's just not a smart thing to do and while I agree that's what he might be doing - I also think the chances are greater that like most of the time, there are a lot of unsubstantiated rumors flying around. I therefore remain cautiously happyLeonard isn't screwing himself at all by saying that. He is screwing the Spurs.
Wherever he ends up signing his next contract, it will be for the maximum allowable amount unless he decides he wants to accept less.
That depends on what the Lakers can get this summer and who they get. If they are really anxious to get both Chris Paul and Lebron James - they might be demanding for that third player. One thing for sure - the Lakers look like they are going to be relevant this summerIf Leonard really wants to go to the Lakers, they should just wait and get him without giving up anything.
They keep their young players and get to ensure Leonard is fully healed by playing a full season before signing him.
No reason for the Lakers to jump the gun. That is something little Buss would do. If this FO does something stupid like that, it will be no different than the previous one they are still trying to recover from
The thing with PG is this....if we trade for him last year(Ingram and Randle), PG comes here, misses the playoffs, and other options come into play regardless, with us being down Brandon IngramIf you sign Lebron and Paul George, you don't wait around for a year to sign Kawhi. Things can change in a year. The Lakers weren't aggressive in trying to get George, and there's a realistic possibility that George may re-sign in OKC, which could impact Lebron's decision.
There's no way we keep those 3 draft picks tomorrow
However just about every serious hoops fan would agree that Smart is the better defender, by a wide margin.