While the Lakers‘ agreements with free agents like Rajon Rondo, Lance Stephenson, JaVale McGee drew plenty of confusion and some criticism, the deals represent the rollout of the plan that Magic Johnson outlined to LeBron James when they met late Saturday night, per ESPN’s Brian Windhorst and Ramona Shelburne.
As Windhorst and Shelburne detail, James’ Cavaliers squad was heavily on shooters and offensive-minded players, but lacked genuine play-makers and strong defenders. By contrast, Johnson pitched LeBron on the idea of stocking the Lakers’ roster with “tough-minded play-makers” who can free up James to work in the post and finish in the lanes, rather than having to generate all the team’s offense himself. According to Windhorst and Shelburne, some league executives are fans of the approach.
“I know some people are rolling their eyes but I like what the Lakers have done,” one rival Western Conference exec told ESPN. “You can find shooters. They’ve taken some in the last few drafts. Play-makers matter and are harder to find.”
While the Lakers haven’t focused on shooters with their first round of free agent moves, “all parties agree” that the roster could use more outside shooting, so that need still figures to be addressed, ESPN’s report notes.
Here’s more from around the Pacific:
- Addressing news of Lonzo Ball‘s torn meniscus, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said on his podcast that Lakers management didn’t want that information out there. According to Wojnarowski, there’s a belief that Ball’s camp leaked word of the injury in an effort to discourage teams from trading for him. Woj adds (via Twitter) that there’s a chance the second-year point guard will require surgery.
- With a Warriors notebook, Anthony Slater of The Athletic writes that Golden State will have an “intriguing escape hatch” if the DeMarcus Cousins experiment doesn’t work out. If Cousins is healthy by the trade deadline but isn’t fitting in with the Warriors, his modest salary and expiring contract would make him a fascinating trade chip, Slater observes.
- In case you missed it on Wednesday, we relayed several Clippers updates, writing that the team has signed Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, met with Kyle O’Quinn, and remains interested in bringing back Montrezl Harell.
Lavar is probably thinking “#lightyears”.
I give him credit for putting out fake reports of Zo needing meniscus surgery (maybe) Devaluing his current trade value to keep him in LA this year. Problem is all Lavar’s moves burn bridges that sooner or later can’t be rebuilt crossed or repaired. Zo won’t be around more than two years and would be gone if Lakers had takers but Lavar has Bussed them out. Temporarily, then Zo gone POOF Magic say GONE.
You can find shooters, just not on that roster.
KCP, Ingram, Hart, Kuzma, the 2 guys they drafted, Lopez if hes brought back, LeBron himself…no shooting
lakers essentially traded randle to the pelicans for rondo… and they overpaid for rondo no one would have gave him more then the MLE of 4.5. they probably over paid for lance as well.
Cant believe lakers gave him 15 mil they could of used that money for stuff they actually needed lol
I think Lance and Rondo are two fantastic pickups for the Lakers championship aspirations.
Once Leonard is on board they’ve got an amazing team. Each of those guys can lock down a warrior player.
The only X Factor is if cousins comes back healthy, who guards him in the post with 2 minutes left in the fourth quarter? Javale McGee has 5 vowels Zoom H5 files and do you bring back Lopez to shoot threes that cousins can’t guard? I think the Lakers are right there period.. If they dump the young guys for Kawhi Leonard.
And if Kawhi doesn’t come this season?
He’s coming. I’ve been saying it for 6 months. Don’t doubt me.
Ingram is gone, Kuzma is gone, and maybe one first round pick.
Or some combo of three guys… maybe Ingram and two pics or Ingram, Hart and one pic.
It’s like buying a car at the dealership. They are asking $27,000. You sit at the round table in the little office, and after three and a half hours you get it for $20,363.
In the bay area?? Dealers there add thousands to the sticker just because they can. It had to be a 20k car.
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As for that 3-asset trade… very rational, but Pops is not feeling that way these days I think. He should stop asking for Fultz, he’s their process mascot.
Ha, lol, good one. I laughed twice.
I don’t live in the Bay Area anymore, it’s San Diego now. But actually right now I’m on a year long road trip around the country.
I’d like to be in the Mackinaw Straits area now– the best freshwater summer breezes.
“Johnson pitched LeBron on the idea of stocking the Lakers’ roster with tough-minded play-makers who can free up James to work in the post and finish in the lanes, rather than having to generate all the team’s offense himself.”
LeBron was asking for that for his last couple years, I think even with Irving there. And I believe he wants the small forward’s right to daydream occasionally on-court, & not have to carry the offense all the time.
But this “work in the post and finish in the lanes”… I thought he did that because he had to, and was responding to criticism that he was mostly just hanging & holding at the 3pt line. For all his years he happily did that, back to… the 1900s? I’m saying he may not do that. It’s LA, be cool.
The guys in Cleveland are there cause that’s who LeBron wanted. He pushed for the Cavs front office to give such bloated contracts and left them in the situation they’re in…….
Also made sure they had fat contracts that are now totally useless in trade value. . K-Love is the only piece worth anything in that system & probably should be traded to get what you can now. Lebron brought in Schumpert & JR Miss, then tweeted ”Get it done” and Tristan Thompson gets 80 mill +.. Get something for KLOve then stretch out JR and get some talent in there down the road.
People questioning the roster moves dont know anything, so who cares? Perception is a constant reality for those people, and they dont know half the players in the NBA. Its obvious what the Lakers were trying to do, which is why the moves they made were predictable ahead of time. The only move that threw me off was passing on Cousins, but then they’ll likely just keep Lopez
Rondo, KCP, Ingram, LeBron, Lopez. Kuzma, Hart, Lance, Javale, Ball off the bench. Add a depth piece or 2, maybe someone that can play with toughness in the front court, and the 2 shooters they drafted (Wagner and Mykhailiuk) pretty much round out the roster, and that looks pretty good assuming health. LeBron makes them a contender by himself. They can also potentially make additions during the season, and they’re set up for next year to possibly add 1, or even 2 more high end players
Passing on Cousins for the equivalent of NBA pocket change will haunt Lakers like picking Zo in the second spot already does. Zo will bring next to nothing in return for trade bait. Total waste of a pick. Magic man bring in Rondo at the very least takes away Zo minutes. Brought in to ”compete with” Zo for PT. What is that code for ? Dude you stink. That is what signing Rondo says….
Well, I would have drafted Fox or Jackson in that spot, so that’s all I’ll say to that
Totally agree, play-makers are much harder to find & much more valuable than shooters, there are too many of those, anyone can shoot, I mean it’s the NBA, is like always been far too many good PG’s not enough good centers, its easier. I do like what the Lakers are doing, only thing is I would have not passed on DMC…
What if Lonzo responds and excels thus creating an opportunity to trade him.
I ain’t for moving him but….
Pelinka & Magic have changed course.
So I suppose alike Randle; excel and create a tradable commodity.
Lavar can go with him.
Now Zo needs surgery for torn meniscus maybe? Total BS by Lavar Daddykins. He thinks the narrative helps block trades for Zo. He is already messing with Laker management!! Going to make a mess of Zo’s career and Zo will be gone after next year for sure. Rookies guaranteed for 2 years only. Bye Zo. Magic made a mistake & like a good magician will make you disappear. POOF Zo gone
So Magic doesn’t bother to take Coach Walton along united. Doesn’t mention or arrange a meeting more hogwash from Magic man. They met to discuss how long it takes to fire Walton. Magic man didn’t hire Walton so I think Walton will be gone just like Blatt and almost like Spoelstra. Lebrick tried to fire him. Ty Lue ended up with anxiety attacks, coughing up blood trying to Coach ”The KING” Warning to Walton …”You’re in the crosshairs”
Latest NewsFlash: Lakers sign TO yes that’s right. Terrel Owens for projected 18 to 20 minutes playing time. Playing time will be subtracted from Ingram/ Kuzma spot. Magic feels his leadership & motivational speeches will be epic. Get Your Popcorn Ready
Can I post here.