TRADE: Kessler to Lakers | 2 FRPs and 2 Swaps to UTA

[omahen]

If this really is their offseason, I give them a 3/10 grade. They spent every asset they have and they are imho far away from being a contender. They still severly lack athletic two-way wings. Shooting will also be questionable.

PG: Luka, Sexton
SG: AR, Carr
SF: Grimes, Thiero, Knecht
PF: Sandro, Vando, LaRavia
C: Kessler, Ayton, Hayes

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Tim MacMahon: The Jazz felt they made a fair offer (5 years, $140M) to Walker Kessler. Kessler’s reps at CAA were adamant it was below market value and proved themselves right. At that point, the Jazz pounced on the opportunity to add a haul of first-round picks via trade. Walker Kessler, sources confirm, will be signed-and-traded from the Utah Jazz to the Los Angeles Lakers. Utah won’t be getting any players back in the deal, I’m told.

x.com

[omahen]

Maybe the plan is to play LUKA there, defensively. I always felt like that was his best defensive position. Would allow them to put more of these smaller athletes they're accumulating on the floor at the same time.

Luka, AR, Grimes and Kessler are starters. Grimes is not the best, but he is imho ok as a fifth starter (Smart would be imho better though). So who is the fifth starter here, no matter the position?

[KillerLeft]

Luka, AR, Grimes and Kessler are starters. Grimes is not the best, but he is imho ok as a fifth starter (Smart would be imho better though). So who is the fifth starter here, no matter the position?

You'd know better than me, but I wouldn't be shocked if it was Carr. 

If not...kinda gotta be the new guy (who we both agree is more 5 than 4) or Vando or LaRavia, as you said.

[Smitty]

@BobbyMarks42
FYI

The signings do not fit within cap space

The Lakers will need to make a corresponding move (Ayton waive-and-stretch for example) to fit the players with room

[omahen]

@BobbyMarks42
FYI

The signings do not fit within cap space

The Lakers will need to make a corresponding move (Ayton waive-and-stretch for example) to fit the players with room

I wouldn't be surprised if Ayton is going to Utah in the Kessler trade. It would kind of make sense for both teams

[KillerLeft]

I wouldn't be surprised if Ayton is going to Utah in the Kessler trade. It would kind of make sense for both teams

Well, I'd be pretty surprised if the Ainges wanted him, but I suppose there's plenty of time to try to expand the deal to a 3rd team, right? Someone out there will want 1 year of Ayton.

[omahen]

Well, I'd be pretty surprised if the Ainges wanted him, but I suppose there's plenty of time to try to expand the deal to a 3rd team, right? Someone out there will want 1 year of Ayton.

I would be really surprised if they don't have the salary part figured out already. Expanding a trade (or maing a new one) is of course more valuable part. I hope they don't need to stretch/waive players...

[omahen]

What I really don't understand is Rui and Smart. They would be imho awesome fits for this team and will likely take less money (or similar money) than Grimes+Sandro. I think Smart is better defender than Grimes and Rui is a much better fit at PF than Sandro. I trully hope there are still some pieces missing in the information received. They desperately need another wing to be solid.

[F Gump]

I have never put any credence into the wishful thinking that Luka will return to Dallas.

But the way LA is butchering the roster planning, and that Luka has put LA on notice, I am seriously starting to wonder if thats starting to be something realistic.

[omahen]

If I look at it a bit differently. Kessler is imho a better fitting 3rd best player than LeBron. So I am ok with this swap (not regarding the cost). The problem I have is: Smart, Rui, Kennard >>>>>> Sexton, Grimes, Sandro. Smart+Kennard is 13 mil, Rui will likely get a MLE, so 28 mil combined. This is less than the new trio.

[Smitty]

If I look at it a bit differently. Kessler is imho a better fitting 3rd best player than LeBron. So I am ok with this swap (not regarding the cost). The problem I have is: Smart, Rui, Kennard >>>>>> Sexton, Grimes, Sandro. Smart+Kennard is 13 mil, Rui will likely get a MLE, so 28 mil combined. This is less than the new trio.

They didn't want to be there though....

[KillerLeft]

They didn't want to be there though....

Yeah, that’s what I was thinking, too. 

Seems like a fair amount of players are going to be unhappy with the Lakers/LeBron divorce, maybe.

[FireNicoHarrison]

Pelinka is still on of the worst GM in the league.

Lakers squad is mediocre at best.

That's very good of season.

[omahen]

They didn't want to be there though....

That is a very credible point that has also crossed my mind. But what would be the reason? Smart could easily get same money or more with Lakers and would be a starter. Unlikely he will be one in Houston. Rui I could understand he could be looking at a bit more exposed offensive role elsewhere. Kennard probably same role in Phoenix as he would have in Lakers. Would it really be possible that all of these career role players would hate the lockerroom so much? Or perhaps they didn't like being the afterthought in LA, as all the focus was on cap space.

[KillerLeft]

That is a very credible point that has also crossed my mind. But what would be the reason? Smart could easily get same money or more with Lakers and would be a starter. Unlikely he will be one in Houston. Rui I could understand he could be looking at a bit more exposed offensive role elsewhere. Kennard probably same role in Phoenix as he would have in Lakers. Would it really be possible that all of these career role players would hate the lockerroom so much? Or perhaps they didn't like being the afterthought in LA, as all the focus was on cap space.

Obviously, I don't know...but to speculate, I think basically every single American born player in the NBA grew up idolizing LeBron James. I understand you were ready for them to move on, and it's probably the right thing to do in most ways, but I can't imagine he feels well treated by the organization right now, and I'd have to assume that a lot of players around the league have opinions about that, including and possibly especially those who were in that locker room last year. 

Just pure speculation, obviously, as is the idea that the players mentioned wanted to leave, but I think it makes some sense.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Pelinka is still on of the worst GM in the league.

Lakers squad is mediocre at best.

That's very good of season.

Do you ever have anything good to say about other players, coaches, teams, or GMs besides Dallas?  Everything is negativity coming from you.

[RoyTarpleysGhost]

So Kessler passed on a 4 year 140 million dollar contract, which he said he was unhappy about, to sign a contract with the Lakers for 4 years 130 million? Make it make sense!

would you rather be a backup for the Utah Jazz or the starting Center for the Los Angeles Lakers?

[FireNicoHarrison]

Do you ever have anything good to say about other players, coaches, teams, or GMs besides Dallas?  Everything is negativity coming from you.

Unfortunately often i was right...

[KillerLeft]

Unfortunately often i was right...

I think you might be missing his point.