Aloha,

I have read so many articles on the Lakers inaction that I have drawn the conclusion that all of these writers do not understand that the league has changed and it will probably never be the same again. The 3 things that changed everything are:

1. The new CBA with all of its punitive penalties for exceeding the various caps. And rules that make trades more difficult.

2. The play in game. This has given many teams hope of cracking the playoffs making them more reluctant to trade good players. While it’s championship or bust for the Lakers, making the play in game would be a huge win for many franchises.

3. The new lottery odds that discourages teams from tanking.

I guess I am less disappointed than many Laker fans because my expectations were so low going into the off season. This was a relatively weak free agent class but the bigger issue is the lack of sellers and the abundance of buyers.

It’s Econ 101. Supply and demand. Is Walter Kessler worth 2 first round picks? Please. Jamari Grant is a name linked to the Lakers. The Trailblazers want 2 firsts for him. He’s a good player but he’s not worth 2 firsts and a couple of good players.

I’m sure the Lakers are doing a cost analysis, I know I am and I don’t see any of the names mentioned that move the needle enough to justify the cost. Perhaps a big center like Wendell Carter would be worth a first because he is only making 11 mil but a lot of other teams think so too.

I think the Lakers are smart waiting. There will be a new system. I believe Austin, Rui, Vando and Max all have room to grow. Of course Darvins miss management of the roster hurt. When Rui became a starter, the Lakers went 21-10 with the toughest schedule in the league over that period. This is a good team. I think it makes sense to see who they are with better health, especially Vando and Vincent. We didn’t get a chance to see that last year.

For me the biggest win of the summer is that we haven’t done anything stupid yet. But Rob is the GM so I do worry. The worst thing the Lakers can do is overpay for a move that doesn’t really elevate the team. A trade just to make a trade would be stupid. .

Aloha,

I have no idea what is going on. Like I said, I had very low expectations going into the summer but this is ridiculous. Now Robb probably didn’t think that all 3 of the minimum contracts he handed out last year would opt in. But they all for various reasons did. Now are hands are tied. We have a 15 man roster and are into the 2nd apron. I have no idea what Rob is thinking. The Spurs just sent a player to the Hornets with a 2nd round pick. The Hornets will waive him. Robb needs to do something similar. Any of our minimum contract would do the trick. Until we get below that 2nd apron, our hands are tied. We can’t combine contracts in a trade for an upgrade. We can’t bring back even a penny more in a one for one trade. We can’t sign any of the potentially helpful free agents still on the market. I just don’t get it.

Aloha,

So, the Mav’s trade Hardaway jr into the Pistons cap space. It creates a trade exception that allows them to trade for Klay. This creates a trade exception for the Warriors and they sign Buddy into it.

And our Lakers can’t even find a trade for a minimum expiring contract that we pay to land into some teams cap space. We have a team option for next year on Maxwell Lewis so even he’s an expiring deal.

A trade puts us under the 2nd apron and allows us to make some moves. Don’t you think Rob that you should do that while there are some useful players still available?

Aloha,

Tell me if you have seen this movie before. The Lakers go fishing after the big fish, while smaller fish that could have been useful are snapped up. The Lakers are ultimately unsuccessful and are left with nothing but minnows to choose from.

Aloha,

Just heard that the Lakers were set to give Klay a 4 year 20 mil per deal but the Warriors would not do a sign and trade with DLO. Thank you Warriors.

Dr Buss liked stars, so Jeanie likes stars. But there is a difference between having a star resume and still being a star. If we are going to trade DLO we can do better than Klay. He isn’t that guy anymore.

Aloha,

Well looks like Klay is going to the Mavs at 16 mil per for 3 years. The Mav’s had a trade exception to fit him into. Honestly, my heart isn’t broken. While he would have added value as a MLE signing, I wouldn’t waste trade assets on him. Good on Rob.

I actually don’t think Rob is doing anything wrong this summer. It’s just that we are in this mess for all the huge mistakes he has made in the past.

I’m to the point where I don’t know if I would spend our remaining trade assets on a marginal upgrade. It looks like Mitchell will resign with the Cav’s he is the kind of player you spend those picks on. He is a bonafide superstar. Say you trade for Jamari Grant from Portland. Yes he would be an upgrade over Rui but not a game changer.

If LeBron were smart he would take that pay cut and allow us to sign a couple decent role players with the MLE. An over the hill former star isn’t going to move the needle enough.

At this point, I wouldn’t mind standing pat with our core and hope guys like Austin and Rui continue to grow, maybe find a signing or two on the margins and save those picks for either a big fish or that rebuild that’s coming sooner than we would like.

Aloha,

Well day one is over, and for the Lakers, as David Byrne of the Talking Heads would say “Same as it always was”

Aloha

Trying to keep up with all the updates hitting my phone. Apparently the Lakers are pursuing everyone in the NBA. lol.

Aloha,

so Lebron would be willing to take a pay cut for Klay Thompson. At the full MLE, Klay is probably worth it, if he can still defend at a reasonable level. But is he really the answer? We have good 3 point shooting and under JJ they will get more looks from 3. lebron is one of the grearest ever to play but as a GM he has been terrible. There is a long list of failed aquistions that Lebron pushed for. anyone remember Westbrook? if he were smart he would realize that splitting the MLE amomg a couple of solid role players would be more benieficial than signing one aging former star. i wont be mad if it happens, I just think we could do better than adding Klay.

Aloha,

I was looking at our roster. If Cam and Hayes opt in, that gives us 12 players under contract. I believe the Lakers will bring back Max. He showed some upside and is definitely better than anyone we will land at 55. That’s 13. Unless we use that pick to move up into the early 2nd round for a back up big, should we even use that pick? Everyone is talking about us taking Bronny but he’s a project that will spend most of the year in the G league. If we draft him we are now at 14 players. With one spot left. Now I’m not sure how the new CBA works but there is a rule that prevents you from bundling minimum contracts. Not sure if it applies to the first apron or the 2nd. While the Lakers are looking to make trades, it’s no better than 50/50 they find one. Using 55 on a project doesn’t seem like a smart move.