The Official Los Angeles Lakers Thread

[m0nkey]

They've locked up the second spot in the lottery with the game last night

[Angel Oracle]

The loss to Phoenix really seals the 2nd worst record.

The lottery pick would be nice, but NICE job running this franchise into the ground Jimmy Bob!

[nando714]

So everyone talking about Ingram passing up Simmons as the top nba pick ?

[nate]

Simmons leveled off (at a pretty damn high level it has to be said) while Ingram has really upped his game.

[Angel Oracle]

Ingram's progression through the NCAAT, while Simmons sits it out, helps Ingram tremendously.

He's taking full advantage of it, too.

[Angel Oracle]

And the Nets put a punctuation point on the Lakers finishing #2, as they stun the Cavs.

Lakers are now 5 in front of the Nets and Suns.

No hope of catching the Sixers, who are 6 games in front for the #1 spot.

Lottery chances are still solid.

[Angel Oracle]

Ingram was the only Duke player to truly show up yesterday. He's going to be special in the NBA eventually, but does need to add about 20 lbs of muscle since he's only at about 200 lbs.

[Angel Oracle]

And another game bites the dust!

10 games to go, and 2nd place is theirs.

If the Lakers draw the #1 lottery ball:

Simmons or Ingram?

[henry]

Even though the Lakers are likely to have the second worst record in the league I am still nervous about them keeping their 1st round pick. The Lakers pick is only top 3 protected, and there is still around a 44% change of them losing their pick to Philly.

 

I think it would be interesting for the Lakers to try to hedge their pick by making a pre-lottery trade. My idea...

 

 

To Philly: the right to swap their 1st round pick for the Lakers 1st round pick (almost doubling their chances to getting the number 1 pick overall).

 

To LA:  having their 1st round pick protected from top 3, to top 4 (adding a 32% chance for the Lakers keeping their pick, or Philly's).

 

 

I don't know if Philly would do that, but I would make that trade.

[HaloMilliVanilli]

And another game bites the dust!

10 games to go, and 2nd place is theirs.

If the Lakers draw the #1 lottery ball:

Simmons or Ingram?

There probably isn't a wrong answer but Ingram likely fits a team need more, seeing as we don't have a future SF to build with.  I wouldn't be surprised in the least if we didn't draft either.  The #1 overall pick would be an enticing chip to lure a trade for an established star to move forward with immediate competitiveness (and luring impending free agents).  One can only wonder what a package of the #1 might bring back, especially if you packaged it with Clarkson or Randle.  Not saying we have to make a move like that, but I could certainly see that as an option if the Lakers are wanting to become relevant again more quickly.

[Angel Oracle]

One issue is that NBA trades have to be salary equivalent, within iirc 15% of each other.

[HaloMilliVanilli]

This is true. The #1 pick will earn $5 million plus. We could resign Clarkson and then include him, as well as Lou Williams or Swaggy. When Cleveland obtained Kevin Love for Wiggins, they made up some of the differential with a trade exception valued at $6 million and change.

Not saying we will make a deal like this, but under the right circumstances we could. I'd be fine drafting Ingram or Simmons, and then signing a few free agents (fill in your faves, obtainable or not, here). Either plan is fine by me as long as we are moving forward and changing the current culture of losing. No. More. Tank.

[Angel Oracle]

48 pt loss = time for Scott to go?

Seems like he's being tuned out?

[fan_since79]

PLEASE let this season end quickly, and then clean house starting at the top.

 

An unmitigated disaster this team has become.

[Angel Oracle]

Jimmy Bob needs to go.

He's messing things up for Mitch.   Turn the team over to Jeannie, and go back to the horse races, son!

[nando714]

So Russell getting lots of heat for taping conversations with nick young about cheating on his fiancé.

Wouldn't be surprised if this is in the Lakers plans to get this out and trade him along with their first round pick

[Stradling]

So Russell getting lots of heat for taping conversations with nick young about cheating on his fiancé.

Wouldn't be surprised if this is in the Lakers plans to get this out and trade him along with their first round pick

So the Lakers want to lower his trade value? I kind of doubt it.

[Angel Oracle]

Swaggy P needs to go away.

Russell needs to grow up, although admittedly not easy when you are 19-20 and making millions.

[nando714]

So the Lakers want to lower his trade value? I kind of doubt it.

Russell, randle, clarkson (sign and trade)for cousins ?

Edited March 30, 2016 by nando714

[Stradling]

Russell, randle, clarkson (sign and trade)for cousins ?

Would you seriously give up all three of them for Cousins? Three young starters for one guy not named Westbrook or Curry? I don't think I would do that personally.

[Angel Oracle]

That is too much for Cousins.

Unfortunately, he still has two seasons after this one to FA.

 

Anyway, trade both of your backcourt starters, and who plays there then?

[xboom28x]

Maybe I am naive, but I doubt the entire NBA is cheating on their wives/girlfriends. I don't think the entire league will avoid playing for the Lakers as long as Russell is there. He's a kid. Probably learned his lesson.

 

I hope Nick Young gets what he deserves.

[HaloMilliVanilli]

Not that I would do it, but trading the 3 youngsters for Cousins would still leave us with the top-3 pick and 2 max contracts (assuming that the $12 million going out in contracts and adding some of the $12 million we have beyond the two maxes we'd have remaining to go towards Cousins deal).  Would having Cousins draw KD and Derozan?  Draft Kris Dunn and you're running out Dunn, Derozan, KD, Nance and Cousins.  Probably have a little money left to add some solid, vet depth.

 

Another option I saw that was interesting.  Assuming worst case and no major free agents come, would you deal the overall #1 pick (and small additions) for Jimmy Butler and taking on the final year of Derrick Rose's contract?

[nando714]

I just proposed that bc I think not 1 player wants to share a locker room anymore with Russell

[Tank]

Big question is how to repair the team from something like this. Can the team recover? Reports about the rift in the clubhouse are really ugly, and deservedly so.

Both Young and Russell are supposed to appear together at a pre-game presser tonight. They'll say the right things but I don't think it'll matter in the end.

I'd suspend Russell for the rest of the season and then trade him this summer.

Edited March 31, 2016 by Tank