(02-01-2024, 07:52 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: Then it’s probably not a good fit, because Dallas really shouldn’t do that, and honestly, if you think a lively level prospect is what it will take, then I doubt lively is the player the Lakers will want if the plan is to build around Anthony Davis.
If the Lakers are driving the bus, not LeBron, they are going to want a different list of assets from a different team. This only works if LeBron wants to come here and they want to help him.
probably best not to get our hopes up. Man, that Kuzma trade is going to hit even worse after thinking about this.
Who says they will rebuild around Davis? And even if they do, Davis always prefered to play next to a center, so Lively could actually be a good fit.
If Lakers do a LeBron trade, they will always look for a quick rebuild. As a FA destination, they would want to get cap space as quick as possible. Tank 2024/2025 (perhaps this includes trading Davis), get top3 pick in 2025 which is supposed to be a good draft and also have cap space in that year. With Russell, THJ and Holmes deals of the table in 2025 they probably also have max cap space available that year. Reeves, Lively, 2025 top pick, Vando, Davis (if still on the team) and cap space is their core that year.
The case why they don't need to trade LeBron for less than a royal (max possible assets the team can offer) return imho is, they can also trade 3 FRP in the summer and try to convince LeBron they will build a better team around him and Davis. Losing him for nothing is not that much worse than a bunch of bad contracts and one FRP. Philly is the only serious team with cap space that can sign him anyway. Everyone else would need to SnT or more likely trade for him in the summer.
(02-01-2024, 08:00 PM)KillerLeft Wrote: No reporting on this, whatsoever, but in my opinion the team Most in need of shedding salary before it’s too late is Minnesota. All of the other huge salary teams have infrastructure that can handle it, even if doing so is inconvenient. I am in complete disbelief that Minnesota is even pretending that they are OK with paying the bill they’re going to have to pay very soon.
I would not be completely shocked if KAT is a surprise trade deadline sell off.
I think it is highly unlikely best team in the West will break up their core before failing in playoffs. They can still trade KAT in the summer and they will need a PG in return to replace Conley.