The Lakers’ desire to land another big star is well-documented at this point, but their ability to actually make the money work is another matter altogether.
Kyle Goon of The Orange County Register goes through the obstacles facing the Lakers in a variety of different high-profile moves, such as a trade for Russell Westbrook or a sign-and-trade of Dennis Schroder for Kyle Lowry. Goon also discusses the idea of stars like Chris Paul, DeMar DeRozan, or Kyle Lowry taking pay cuts to play with LeBron James, explaining why it’s unlikely.
Lastly, Goon touches on the reports that the Lakers have been shopping a package of Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope all over the league, and how poorly that reflects on the strength of that trade offer.
We have more from the Lakers:
- Lionel Hollins will no longer be an assistant coach for the Lakers, reports Jovan Buha of The Athletic (via Twitter). Hollins’ contract expired without the team and him coming to an agreement on an extension. Kyle Goon tweets that Hollins indicated he would be open to coaching again in the right opportunity.
- With the departure of Hollins, shooting coach Mike Penberthy is being promoted to a front-of-bench coaching position on head coach Frank Vogel‘s staff, Buha and Sam Amick write in a piece for The Athletic. Penberthy was offered a similar position on Jason Kidd‘s staff with the Mavericks before the Lakers matched their offer. Buha and Amick write that it’s unclear if the Lakers will add another assistant coach this offseason.
- The Lakers worked out five prospects today, according to Lakers reporter Brad Turner: MaCio Teague, Spencer Littleson, Jose Alvarado, Brandon Boston Jr., and Moses Wright. Of the five, Boston is the highest-ranked, and could be an option either at 22 or if the Lakers look to trade back from 22 into the top of the second round in order to save money.
Lakers’ GM should be creative in order to land a significant player that would help AD & Lebron.
Like the banana boat? Melo is available and maybe D-Wade will un-retire.
Lakers should right a wrong and trade Schroeder and Kuzma for Lonzo
So trading away Lonzo was a mistake? That got AD in that trade so no it wasn’t a mistake. If you are saying that they should’ve traded out Kuzma instead of Lonzo then you’d still be wrong because NO wouldn’t have taken that trade
Lakers fans refusing to accept that the lakers have 1 move on them and its buying Westbrook for THT kuzma and 2 first round picks is hilarious, lebrons generation ended the minute Giannis stayed in his small market and went through the building of a championship team and then won without a team full of superstars
Duhhhh….I’m sure they’re trying but they need willing trade partners to help. The cap actually works.
Trade every contract, and Harrell has to opt-in to match a trade for Westbrick. Seems unlikely.
S&T Schroder and THT, along with dealing 1st, Kuzma, Gasol, and McKinnie seem more plausible.
Retain Caruso, Matthew’s, and Drummond (min).
For a “star” no, but for better fitting pieces sure.
Kyle goon’s piece is opinion based. Not based on credible intel = worthless
It must be just his opinion that the Lakers can only create $1.8M in cap space, or use their $9.5M mid-level exception, to sign any free agents. It’s not factual, all lies. Right?
Isn’t there a Rockets fan page you can hang out on?
The dream shake would be a good page to start on
As I said 4 hours ago
Lowry is highly unlikely because of hard cap
Paul is highly unlikely because of money
Westbrook is unlikely because of tax
Paul wants money
Tell me what kind of pay cut first before we start talking
Goon acts as if it’s the Lakers fault that they’re the most gossiped about and rumor-milled team in the league …”it reflects poorly” …and then proceeds to breakdown and analyze each and everyone of said rumors himself. What a goon.
Not saying CP3 isn’t going to take a pay cut as I’m not privy to any inside information but as the president of the NBPA I think it would set a bad precedent if CP3 were to take a major pay cut.
Lebron James is a billionaire, he should take a pay cut, for the lakers to get good players!!
Cp3 is not going from 44 million to under 10 to be LeBrons soap boy. I could be wrong but that doesn’t sound smart. Likewise, the Lakers need to find a way to start planning for the future, as things look pretty grim in about 2 years.
Nah, they are in the window still, re-up and run that ish back. They already have the championship to make everything worth it, those rings are hard to aquire anytime a move results in even a single ring it was the right move.
what’s a soap boy? guess I had different jobs growing up…
Most of the Laker articles that I have read leading up to the draft talk about bringing in one more star (who would be willing to take a pay cut) to help Lebron win at least one more title … if Lebron wants to win so badly, why doesn’t HE take a pay cut to help pay for that other stars salary ???
Cause he the goat!!
it’s not something he would do, or ask to be done, if they’re wasn’t yet a fully worked out deal in place. But he’s also a member of the Players Union. Don’t know if he would do it
He took a cut in Miami, most players will never take a cut period he did his part. Just like MJ making 25 mil on the Bulls when his supporting cast of undervalued players were making scraps.
Stop hating ! He’s trying to become a trillionaire & he won’t become one if he takes a pay cut…
Too late. CBA does not permit pay cuts/increases or other contract modifications. He can exercise a ETO or decline a PO, if he has one of them. It has nothing to do with the players union, which in the NBA shouldn’t much care. It’s about protecting the integrity of the salary cap.
Another star. Taking a pay cut. To help LJ win another title.
They seriously discuss this in LA?
What bugs me is, not just debating a decent veteran chasing a ring. No, it’s LA, so it has to be a star.
This is why this site needs a member topic section, this is loosely a Laker topic for the record. Pau Gasol won his titles with the Lakers, and when his brother Marc, who is now a Laker (and was also drafted by the Lakers and had his rights traded to the Griz to acquire his brother Pau) when he won his title with the Raptors they became the only set of siblings to win titles. Fast forward, Lakers win last year and one guy who got a ring was Kostas Antetokounmpo. With the Bucks win, his brothers Giannis and Thanasis joined him as Anterokoumpo brothers that got a championship, but I just realized that the bucks win gave a third set of brothers with rings and Jrue Holiday joins his brother Justin, who won a ring in the first Warriors champ team
Rumors
76ers asking price for Simmons
Lowry and 4 for Ben Simmons
Raptors think that 4 has more value than Simmons
What is your trade idea to get Lowry? Lakers fans
Rumors from Lakers Daily
Lakers have offered Kyle Kuzma to all other 29 teams
Lol
I think Kuzma with Lakers is finished
Kuzma on auction
Rumors
Kuzma to Pacers trade proposal
Lakers send Kuzma and 22 to Pacers for 13 and salary filler
Kuzma to Kings trade proposal
Lakers send Harrell, Kuzma and 22 to Kings for Hield and 9
Lmao what a joke of a trade.
Ya kings will take both worthless big men for a useful guard and a top 10 pick. Seems fair right?
Kings want Kuzma though, I don’t think this is the trade that would get it done but I’ve seen some realistic proposals that still see Kuzma to the Kings with none of the 19 PFs they have going out
Kings want Kuzma though, I don’t think this is the trade that would get it done but I’ve seen some realistic proposals that still see Kuzma to the Kings with none of the 19 PFs they have going out
It’s too late lebron! You should been like Tom Brady and taken a paycut. That is the reason why he’s the REAL GOAT, 7 rings!!
If I never see the acronym GOAT again in my life, it’ll be too soon. That is the second most overused abbreviation in the world after LGBTQAISGDYEBKNDKJBHJDHW+.
Westbrook to LA. That’s what I want to see. Not a Laker fan but I would root for Westbrook.
I think Westbrook to the Lakers would be the nail in the coffin on their championship aspirations. They would be in the luxury tax, have zero trade assets and very little quality depth to cover when injuries occur.