The latest is the Lakers are more interested in Jackson than Fox if they decide not to go with Ball, whom they were not blown away with. Big mistake in my opinion.
Lakes Less Intrigued by Fox
- Thread starter Huma1894
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Josh Jackson should go #1 imo, too bad they're so into overrated Brandon Ingram. LAL is a garbage organization these days, I hope they pass on all of our guys.
The Lakers' point guard (D'angelo Russell) was the leading scorer (16 PPG 5 APG) for the team after Louis Williams was traded. They also have Jordan Clarkson who can play PG. Other positions are in greater need an upgrade. So I can see why they would pass on Fox.
This! I was thinking the same thing when I heard they were looking at Ball. Unless they have completely given up on Russell, why would you look at another PG? I know they haven't been loving Russell, especially with the off court stuff but I wouldn't think it would be time to call it quits on him. They should go try and get another piece to add to that young core.
Don't trust any rumors that come around draft time. That's just my advice.
Now that Jeanie Buss got her knucklehead brothers out of there, I think her and Magic will get things going. The reason they're struggling to rebuild is that there just haven't been any players worthy of building around in their draft spots. Looking back at their picks, I don't know if I'd say they made any mistakes at the time. Hindsight is always 20/20 but at that moment, I don't think you could argue with any of their picks. You could possibly argue Russell but I don't know about the others. I'm not sure how much you could even argue Russell cause if it's not him then anyone would've drafted Okafor and we see what that has turned into. I just think it's been bad timing with no players worthy enough to build a team around. They may have some pieces but that's about it. Looks like they'll have to do it in free agency to turn things around. So, it is what it is with the Lakers but the market is still there and I doubt they'll be down for too long. If they can get George to sign, that's a HUGE start in the right direction and instantly makes them a much better team. I'd love to see George go to the Cavs myself to fight against this GS Warriors dream team but I doubt that happens. But anyway, the Lakers will be back before too long I believe.
Russell is not a PG by any stretch of the imagination. The thinking with the Ball pick is that you can move Russell to the 2, where both he and the team are better off.
The Lakers should improve over the next 5 years with Magic back. But if they do it wont happen through the draft. It will happen by signing veteran players. They havent done well at all in the draft over the last 10 years
lakers picks:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Los_Angeles_Lakers_first_and_second_round_draft_picks
lakers picks:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Los_Angeles_Lakers_first_and_second_round_draft_picks
It may be my blue tinted glasses but Fox's development over the season not to mention how he dominated Ball in the tournament..no way I would pick Ball. Imagine the nightmare of negotiating a contract will be because of Lavar. The negative attention he would bring to the Lakers from being an attention whore as well.
They have lost 50+ games 4 straight years.
I wouldn't put a lot into the reports of "lakers not impressed with player x...lakers impressed with player y..."
Lots of smoke screens and misinformation is let out this time of year from franchises.
I would say this though, the lakers do not really need a PG or to get younger. They need some guys who are in the 24-28 prime range, specifically shooters.
Of course that could be said for most franchises picking near the top of the draft. Youth doesn't do teams near the bottom a whole lot of good.
I don't see any MJs, Kobes, Duncans, Lebrons, KDs, or even Currys in this draft or most drafts.
Lakers like most franchises looking to get into the playoffs and start title hunting need to operate for now, and not down the road. Trade the pick for some players who have some experience and are about to hit their professional prime.
Lots of smoke screens and misinformation is let out this time of year from franchises.
I would say this though, the lakers do not really need a PG or to get younger. They need some guys who are in the 24-28 prime range, specifically shooters.
Of course that could be said for most franchises picking near the top of the draft. Youth doesn't do teams near the bottom a whole lot of good.
I don't see any MJs, Kobes, Duncans, Lebrons, KDs, or even Currys in this draft or most drafts.
Lakers like most franchises looking to get into the playoffs and start title hunting need to operate for now, and not down the road. Trade the pick for some players who have some experience and are about to hit their professional prime.
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Lakers should trade the pick, like Cleveland did to get instant talent like Love.
My rule of thumb being a NBA GM is to never deal with Boston or LAL. Their deals always come out ahead. Make them return to prominence through the draft.
Laker's talent doesn't scream playoffs any time soon, and another rook won't help. They're going to have to take more chances with free agents and overpay..
My rule of thumb being a NBA GM is to never deal with Boston or LAL. Their deals always come out ahead. Make them return to prominence through the draft.
Laker's talent doesn't scream playoffs any time soon, and another rook won't help. They're going to have to take more chances with free agents and overpay..
What you describe is a recipe for mediocrity, imo. The Lakers might be able to trade their way barely into the playoffs, but then what?
Lose to GS in the first round. Tread water for a few years then start over again from the bottom.
The better bet is to develop the youth enough to attract a free agent like Paul George next summer. Then hopefully find a way to shed the Deng and Mozgov contracts, and add another max type player.
More than anything else, they need the young core to develop.
Don't get me wrong, if there were a way to trade their way into a team that can compete with GS, I'd be all for it. I just don't think that is realistic. And I'm a big Laker fan who follows this closely.
Would you trade the 2 for Paul George, or wait until next summer and try to attract Paul George with a better team (one that still has the 2 pick from 2017 draft)?
George is only one example, but he's probably the most likely star to join the Lakers.
He also isn't under contract past next year, so if you trade for him now you risk watching him walk (like Dwight Howard did).
The Lakers are in a sticky situation. They let Dwight walk for nothing. They let Gasol walk for nothing. Kobe retired, returning nothing.
They signed Deng and Mozgov to oversized contracts, and they aren't even very productive.
The one thing they've done right (and as a result of their other moves) is to tank and get good picks. They need that strategy to pay off. They are possibly one year away from adding someone like George and turning the corner.
I would love to see them pull off something brilliant this summer, but I'm not seeing it.
Lakers haven't drafted well over the past 10 years, but the last 3 have been pretty good.
Where are these questions coming from? I'd like to see some quotes from national sources regarding any impact to his draft potential because I've never read any.
https://sethsdrafthouse.com/finch-returns-to-dish-on-nba-prospects-fa57b7c494ef
"The off-court stuff is definitely a concern. You’re talking about two incidents in one year. Is that going to be a lingering issue?"
You would have to be pretty dumb to think NBA teams are unconcerned with Jackson's offcourt antics.
Bit on the anonymous side, but I think all of them are. First I have actually seen an article where someone said it was a "concern", but I guess it is out there. I don't think that drops him out of the top 3 or 4 in the draft though.
Lakers...I hope hope they draft Ball....and Fox goes to a team that really needs him and his ability too improve them...wall to wizards...much improved team...
I think he's the best player in the draft, and his offcourt issues are the only thing keeping him out of the top spot in the draft.
But the NBA teams will thoroughly vet him, and someone will pull the trigger, probably sooner rather than later.
For his sake, I hope he's gotten his issues under control. He has the potential to be a really good player for a long time.
Mike BresnahanVerified account@Mike_Bresnahan Jun 7Kentucky PG De'Aaron Fox scheduled to work out for Lakers on Tuesday. It's unclear if it's a private workout or involves other players too.
I think there is a way, but it would take a willingness to blow up their core and trade away the next few first round draft picks.
The NBA is a business, and like all business it's a game of what do you want and what do you have to offer. Lakers have an early pick this year and next in addition to some nice young talent.
If they want to build up for the future with the young core and early draft picks, fine, then don't expect to contend for a while.
If they want to add top established talent and contend sooner rather than later then don't expect to be able to keep the next few early draft picks or the young group of talent currently on the roster.
There is no guarantee Paul George will sign with LA once he's on the market. He may want to pull a KD and sign with a contender. So if that's somebody the Lakers covet they need to pay up for him right now. Same goes for other top players who will be on the market over the next couple seasons. If you want them, better make a play for them now because there is no guarantee.
This trend of top free agents joining title contending super squads is growing, and I don't see LA being a title contender with an attractive roster any time soon unless they make some moves.
This is the Lakers worst run in their history by missing the playoffs in 4 straight years. Previously only had one 2 year stretch of missing, then had only missed the playoffs 3 other times. Historically only the Spurs are better at getting to the playoffs. Amazing run at consistency but being good gets you low picks which unless you are the Spurs are hard to make juice out of.
I just think you are wrong that making moves now will bring them a contending roster.
Golden State is a juggernaut. They (The Lakers) aren't passing the Spurs.
Maybe they could make enough moves to be a middle of the pack playoff team. Maybe.
But if their youth is desirable enough to trade away, it is talented enough to develop into a contender as teams like GS begin to fade.
If it isn't good enough, they are in trouble either way.
As a Laker fan, I would rather they get better, faster. I just don't think it's likely or very doable.
If they trade for Paul George now, they will lose roster pieces and maybe be a borderline playoff team. I would prefer to see them develop into a borderline playoff team, then attract a couple of pieces to get them over the top.
But it's a very tricky business, complicated by some bad contracts and looming decisions (Randle extension chief among them).
If I were going to trade anyone now, it would be Randle and Clarkson. But other teams will want Ingram and the 2 pick. Just the way it is. Hope they surprise me.
Long, can guard all over the floor, can run some point, should be able to shoot the ball.
Started attacking the basket late in the year and showed glimpses of what he can be.
Then top that off with he's only one year into his rookie deal. His potential holds value.
I'd be shocked to see PG leave Indy along with $50M in losses. They are closer to contending than the Lakers. He's already getting major commercial time where he is and the East is easier to maneuver than the West.
But if I'm Magic, I'd put that pick along with the other #1 and see what I could get. Would the Knicks be willing to part with Porzingis? Would Bledsoe at Phoenix be a better fit in LA?
Money doesn't matter to Magic; he needs to make a splash this year. Heard lots of chatter about LeBron trying to get Bledsoe in CLE.
I'd be serious about those 2 first, then see what was available.
But if I'm Magic, I'd put that pick along with the other #1 and see what I could get. Would the Knicks be willing to part with Porzingis? Would Bledsoe at Phoenix be a better fit in LA?
Money doesn't matter to Magic; he needs to make a splash this year. Heard lots of chatter about LeBron trying to get Bledsoe in CLE.
I'd be serious about those 2 first, then see what was available.
Of course "money doesn't matter" to the Lakers. But it isn't that easy. There are myriad restraints built into the current cap.
You can't just buy your way to success. You have to draft and develop, and hopefully wins some trades as well.
The Lakers don't have the luxury of simply writing a bunch of checks. They would if they could. The rules won't let them.
Even at that, players have to want to join you in order to write checks in free agency. Lakers had gobs of money available last year and they brought in Deng and Mozgov. Overpaid them because nobody else wanted their money.
Now those two contracts make it even harder to deal this summer.
Quick glance at past drafts, not a lot of number 2 picks that werent studs their first years, go on toe be in the future. Ingram seems serviceable but evn in college he wansnt a wower.IDK, Lakers are head locked big time. Trying to ride out young players is a must but certainly need a veteran stud too.
MKG hasn't been a stud, but he's a terrific wing defender/rebounder and glue guy.
Lakers need Ingram to be that, especially if they draft Ball. Someone has to play defense.
And I would say that Ingram was excellent all around in college. 17/7 from the wing, with over one steal and almost a block and a half per game. Also shot 41% from three.
Free throw shooting has been disconcerting, and so far his outside shooting hasn't translated. If he starts shooting it like he did in college, I think the rest of his game rounds into place.
But he was never going to be Kevin Durant. Not that kind of scorer.
I always liked Ingram and wanted him at UK. Still awfully young and lots of upside imo.
Glue guys are good as long as their are studs to stick too. Thats the bad if you will, thing about MKG. Great as you mentioned at a certain thing but is only going to take you so far. Ingram could indeed still blow up and the Lakers will need him to most likely.
Say they draft Ball, Ingram becomes MKG, and Russell scores 23 a game as a primary scorer.
They don't necessarily need Ingram to blow up as a scorer, but someone needs to.
The one thing a guy like Ball gives you is that other people will be put in a good position to score and he will find them. That's his best attribute.
