Lakers Trade Deadline Rumors Thread

Sweet!  If anyone comes across Ms. Upton, please let her know that I'm tall, dark hair, blue eyes, athletic, highly educated, and generally just an all-around good guy who knows everything about basketball and has seats to the Lakers opening night.  Thanks!  



My name is Inigo Montoya and Kate Upton is mine. I destroyed you in the fire swamps, pushed you into the lightning sand, and saved you from the ROUS's. Do you think you can defeat me... it'll take a miracle!


By the way, I don't think D'Antoni is getting fired. Who will replace him? Phil is never coming back here.... they screwed Brian Shaw, Adelman is already a head coach.

D'Antoni was a logical hire after Brown if there was no PJ happening. Contrasting styles and everything....

The only way we fire D'Antoni is if for some reason Phil is willing to come back... I don't think there's any amount of money in the world that will let that happen 

Forget all the rumor-mongering that's going on out there with respect to the Lakers.  They're all in with Dwight Howard and that's it.

That may be true Jefe. But is Howard all in with the Lakers? Especially if D'Antoni is the coach? I know you and your rose colored glasses think it'll all work out, ha. I'm not so sure.

My hunch is that Phil Jackson is going to get back in the mix sometime really soon, and not necessarily as the head coach(part owner or gm). Maybe not yet this season, but I could see it happening next season. That sure would be a good bargaining tool to get Howard to sign this summer....

SC, I'm not questioning your allegiance to the Lakers - you're clearly frustrated and, by your own admission, you're also spoiled and equally dumbfounded by the direction the Lakers are going in.  I'm not attacking you - I'm underscoring your point of view...there's a difference.

Every Lakers fan has to be frustrated by the turn of events this season - you'd be crazy not to be.  My whole thing is that I don't understand how people (especially Lakers fans) can attribute this season's failures to personnel decisions - and that includes the hiring of Mike D'Antoni - and gloss over the much more obvious fact that this season has been literally undermined and thrown completely out of whack by an almost never ending spate of injury related problems to key personnel, singularly preventing the team from coalescing.  Howard, Nash, Pau, Blake, Hill...it just hasn't let up this season.  It's just truly amazing to me that, in spite of it all; a) Kobe has been as productive and versatile as he has been without having spontaneously combusted, and b) that the team is still actually vying for a playoff spot!

Let's get everybody healthy - starting first and foremost with getting Dwight Howard under contract for the foreseeable future and back to 100% - and let's have some fun next season...and try to enjoy what's left of this season with what we have.  The Lakers have very little flexibility to do anything in the way of substantial personnel moves this season and next, and have obviously chosen to go the Dwight Howard route moving forward.

Embrace it.  Don't resist it.

It's frustrating when unforseeable and mitigating circumstances beyond anyone's control subverts a best laid plan...I know, I get it.
I say let's stick with the program, resist the urge to throw everybody under the bus...including Jim Buss, Mitch Kupchak and Mike D'Antoni...and make the best of it.

By the way, I don't think D'Antoni is getting fired. Who will replace him? 

JVG makes sense on a lot of levels.  I don't think Phil is coming back, as much as we all want/need him to. 

LA

Out: Pau Gasol

In: Josh Smith, Luke Ridnour

Minnesota

Out: Derrick Williams, Luke Ridnour, Pek

In: Pau Gasol

Atlanta:

Out: Josh Smith

In: Derrick Williams, Pek, Chase Buddinger, First round pick from Minnesota

Who says no? 


So, Minnesota moves Derrick Williams, Luke Ridnour, Nikola Pekovic, Chase Budinger and a 1st round pick and they get an injured soon to be 33 year old Pau Gasol in return? That's the funniest thing I have ever read on CBS, thanks man...

Forget all the rumor-mongering that's going on out there with respect to the Lakers.  They're all in with Dwight Howard and that's it.

That may be true Jefe. But is Howard all in with the Lakers? Especially if D'Antoni is the coach? I know you and your rose colored glasses think it'll all work out, ha. I'm not so sure.

Look.  After what happened with him in Orlando, if Dwight Howard were to deliberately and calculatingly spurn the Los Angeles Lakers' max offer - after he and Mitch have talked on numerous occasions about his eventual taking over as the face of the franchise in the post Kobe Bryant era - and after knowing that Mitch has insisted that he is not being traded in this contract year of his, he'd be committed nothing short of total and complete professional suicide.  It would be a colossal misstep that he could never ever hope to recover from...and I honestly don't think he could mitigate that kind of a selfish and ludicrous decision by pinning it on the Lakers choice of coach.

It would make Lebron's "Decision" look like something worthy of a Nobel Peace Prize by comparison.

Let's get everybody healthy - starting first and foremost with getting Dwight Howard under contract for the foreseeable future and back to 100% - and let's have some fun next season...and try to enjoy what's left of this season with what we have.  The Lakers have very little flexibility to do anything in the way of substantial personnel moves this season and next, and have obviously chosen to go the Dwight Howard route moving forward.

Embrace it.  Don't resist it.

Trust me, I would love to see a healthy and motivated Dwight Howard play in a Lakers uniform for the next 5 years.  I think the motivated part will take care of itself if and when he re-signs with us (as all the rumors and inuendo about possibly being traded will be but a distant memory).  I pray his back fully recovers, and we see the Dwight of old (that back situation does bother me a bit, though).  
But the Lakers do appear to be all in with Dwight.  I can accept that, even if I disagree.  I would like to see us make some kind of move to get some younger legs on the floor for the playoffs........and I really like that rumored Nash to Indiana deal (though that is nothing more than a rumor).  

I am resolved to the probability that Dwight won't be traded.  As for MDA, that will work itself out one way or the other.  May as well embrace that which I cannot control.  

Trust me, I would love to see a healthy and motivated Dwight Howard play in a Lakers uniform for the next 5 years.  I think the motivated part will take care of itself if and when he re-signs with us (as all the rumors and inuendo about possibly being traded will be but a distant memory).  I pray his back fully recovers, and we see the Dwight of old (that back situation does bother me a bit, though).

I too believe that the motivation part of it will come with the settling his protracted free agency situation and a new, max contract.  As for his back, this is an injury that typically takes a full year to recover from.  We just never saw that explosiveness from him this season, nor do I necessarily think we'll see it from his for the rest of this season - though I do applaud him for at least giving it a go under less than ideal circumstances this season.  The labrum was a bummer, but I think he'll be OK with that so long as he continues to wear that bullet-proof-undershirt of his.  I really think we'll be seeing a different, much improved, Howard next season.

But the Lakers do appear to be all in with Dwight.  I can accept that, even if I disagree.  I would like to see us make some kind of move to get some younger legs on the floor for the playoffs........and I really like that rumored Nash to Indiana deal (though that is nothing more than a rumor).

Yeah, well, try not to hold your breath too long on that - I don't see any moves being made this season.  I'm just looking forward to Pau getting back in the next month or so.

I am resolved to the probability that Dwight won't be traded.  As for MDA, that will work itself out one way or the other.  May as well embrace that which I cannot control.

Amen, brother.

Jefe: "Look.  After what happened with him in Orlando, if Dwight Howard were to deliberately and calculatingly spurn the Los Angeles Lakers' max offer - after he and Mitch have talked on numerous occasions about his eventual taking over as the face of the franchise in the post Kobe Bryant era - and after knowing that Mitch has insisted that he is not being traded in this contract year of his, he'd be committed nothing short of total and complete professional suicide.  It would be a colossal misstep that he could never ever hope to recover from...and I honestly don't think he could mitigate that kind of a selfish and ludicrous decision by pinning it on the Lakers choice of coach."

Not trying to stir the pot back up after such relative peace in here, just need to point out the obvious: Dwight Howard is not obligated to sign with the Lakers.  He's a free agent this summer, something we all knew when he signed last summer.  

I mention this because I'm sick of all these fans and reporters going around saying we should trade Howard now because he refuses to commit to the Lakers for good today.  WTF****?  Stop asking him every single day to do something we knew he wasn't going to do when we signed him!  Again, we knew all along he wanted to be a free agent this summer.  We knew this and we gladly signed up for it.

If he doesn't like the coach, that's his perogative.  It's not like D'Antoni is putting up Shaq-sized numbers and Howard says it's me or him, is it? 

I agree with BRS on this. He has earned every right to pick and choose where he wants to spend his next five years. To be honest, this season is an audition.... for the Lakers and for Dwight Howrd to see if they fit and where the future lies. If he doesn't want to be here, I don't want him here. I just think he wants to win and he wants to  make this work. He doesn't owe anybody on this board anything. The only thing he owes anything to is the Lakers and it is only to play the best he can for the remainder of his contract.


Not to bring LeBron into it.... but my only issue with LeBron was the way he delivered the news to Cleveland he was leaving. That's it. I had no issue with him leaving, just the way he left I thought was pretty classless. He was a free agent and he had the right to go wherever he wanted... He did.

Dwight is no different. Nobody here really knows anything.


I think he's coming back on that max deal. He can make more money here, better endorsements, this team has a humongous TV deal that will pay them an exorbitant amount of money to allow this team to be competitive for years to come.

I also agree with jefe... This season is the exception... not the rule... everything that has possibly gone wrong, has gone wrong...

Is D'Antoni the right coach... probably not... but these are really bizarre circumstances. We gave Mike Brown a training camp to see if he could turn this around. i think D' Antoni gets that too 

I'll say this, in the summer, front office will sit down with Dwight and give him their argument as to why he should stay. If he says the following, "that's all fine and well, but I also want".......he could probably get anything outside of an ownership stake of the team. Basically I'm saying this, IF Dwight wants D'antoni out, D'antoni will get canned, and front office will take the public hit by saying that this was their decision only. The superstar player always wins in these situations. Personally, I'm not sure about the situation either way as it's pretty early for me to determine who I want coaching NEXT year, I just wanna get through this year first.

I also agree with jefe... This season is the exception... not the rule... everything that has possibly gone wrong, has gone wrong...

And it's all related to the revolving door that was untimely injuries to key players - it subverted everything; cohesion, chemistry, rhythm, weak defensive rotations, communication...everything related to team building, and I think the lack of effort at times was also related to the frustration born out of unfamiliarity.

Is D'Antoni the right coach... probably not... but these are really bizarre circumstances. We gave Mike Brown a training camp to see if he could turn this around. i think D' Antoni gets that too.

dw, I totally agree.  You're not realizing the (3 year) investment you have in him unless you at least give him a shot at a training camp and a real attempt to implement a system built around healthy players who are actually going to be there day in and day out!

Basically I'm saying this, IF Dwight wants D'antoni out, D'antoni will get canned, and front office will take the public hit by saying that this was their decision only. The superstar player always wins in these situations.

kold, what I'm saying is this: if Dwight is all-in with the Lakers reciprocally to the extent that the Lakers have already professed to be all-in with him...and then the deal breaker for Howard somehow becomes Mike friggin' D'Antoni...then I will have lost any and all shred of respect (or what little I have left) for him.  That would be the lamest, most short-sighted, most idiotic and painfully pathetic reason on earth to shun literally the opportunity of a lifetime.

Just praise the lord LA doesn't have the Kings sorry azz front office calling the shots.  HOW THE FK DO YOU TRADE A TOP 5 PICK FOR FODDER AND A MEASLEY $3.9M SAVINGS.  Beyond asinine.  

Sighhhh  ......I think this is going to be a very quiet day for the Lakers.  No Laker trades are going down if we are not willing to discuss Dwight or Pau.  Heaven forbid we break up the chemistry we've had for 1 whole game now.

Yeah, Q......I have no freakin' idea what the Kings were thinking with that trade.  Had we known, we could have shipped off Ebanks, Sacre, etc. for Robinson.   

So, Minnesota moves Derrick Williams, Luke Ridnour, Nikola Pekovic, Chase Budinger and a 1st round pick and they get an injured soon to be 33 year old Pau Gasol in return? That's the funniest thing I have ever read on CBS, thanks man...

They dont want Williams, they don't want Ridnour, they don't want to sign Pekovic for a 4 year 40 million dollar contract. They DO want solid developed players. Pau is hurt right now, but has shown throughout his career he isn't injury prone. He is 33 but you only have him for a year then his contract comes off the books. And in that one year you get to roll the ball out to Rubio, Love, and Gasol

Rubio, Love Gasol > Rubio, Love, Pek (in a long term deal), and Williams.

 

I know I may be totally alone here.....but I'd really like to see the Lakers trade for a young ballhandler to come off the bench. When all starters go to the bench, we pretty much don't have that person that can dominate the ball and get his own shot. Earl is decent, and Blake is suprisingly better(which is not saying too much, but he's improved). I want somebody that can be Jamal Crawford lite. Maybe like a Jordan Crawford or somebody like that. Is it out of the realm of possibility that we could get that done?

and I just looked at Jordan Crawford's contract, he has 1 yr left on his rookie deal at 2.1 mil. Cheap and it wouldn't disturbed our 2014 plans. Now, he's percieved as a selfish player but that's just the thing, I don't quite want selfish, but I'd welcome someone that wants to dominate the ball if they get it out when a double comes. Also, any selfish tendencies would get checked at the door with as many veterans as we have. Like I said, give me Jordan Crawford or someone like him.

Just praise the lord LA doesn't have the Kings sorry azz front office calling the shots. HOW THE FK DO YOU TRADE A TOP 5 PICK FOR FODDER AND A MEASLEY $3.9M SAVINGS. Beyond asinine.

Not sure why the Kings did this either. They are not saving much money. I know this must bug you tremendously with the Kings soon to be your team!

Three comments:

1.  Props to Jefe on your new Avatar.  Classy move, dude.
2.  Kold, I like the idea of a Jordan Crawford type player too.  I posted a very long time ago that we need somebody off the bench like a Nate Robinson (when it was rumored he might be let go by the Bulls).  An "offense first" mindset is fine off the bench.  
3.  Still hoping for a move (even if it is small) that brings a concensus opinion of "nice move, Mitch".   

C'mon Lakers.....do a little something:  
I hear that both Tyreke and Aaron Brooks are available.  Tyreke would be an awesome get, depending on the price.    
On an unrelated note, let's see if we can get something for MWP.  I love his grit, but his defense has slipped and his offense is sporadic at best.  

If the day ends with us moving a player like Blake or Ebanks for a 2nd round pick in next year's weak ass draft (which is all I have been hearing), I will be very disappointed.  Then again, we don't have many tradeable assets.     

Q -- you hearing anything from your sources??

Garbage out for 2nd rounders is strictly a salary dump.  2nd rounders arent guaranteed paper.  Mitch already said dont expect LA to be too active. 

I for one would love to see Pau go for a combo of Wally Walker/Jack Sikma/Gus Johnson  It fills the immdediate needs us b/u PG and big men.  Discuss...