Aloha,
I’m wondering what that 45th means for the Lakers. There are still some highly regarded centers left but most of them could be gone in the 30’s. There are a few potential 3 and D wings available as well.
So could the Lakers move up again by spending a little more cash? One wonders what the Nets will do at 36 after drafting 5 players. Would OKC’s 2nd be for sale. They already traded one first to the Kings for a future 1st.
As for trades. The 45th would be more appealing than 55. There isn’t too many players that the 45th would help land except maybe one. With a million center would the Trailblazers consider parting with the Time Lord? With his injury history they can’t expect much in return and they don’t have a 2nd. But after landing Holiday I don’t know if the would want Gabe and they don’t need another big like Kleba. I was never for trading valuable assets for him but I would do it for a 2nd.
Pelinka needs to turn the swaps into first or second round picks. Both the Thunder and Spurs are more than willing to do this to preserve their strength in draft capital. #36 could get a quality backup center like the kid from Stanford.
I also think we cannot give out more cash without being over the second apron.
We can send out as much money as we want. It doesn’t add to the salaries. What it does is hard cap us at the 2nd apron. So we can’t go over that 2nd apron. We are currently about 20 mil under the 2nd apron, that includes LeBron’s option.