18 Feb 2015 04:20:45
Suns - Lakers

Suns trade Dragic

Lakers trade Nash, Rockets 2015 first round pick

So why do the Lakers make a trade for Dragic when they can sign him as a free agent this summer? Two reasons.

1) having his bird rights allows them to offer more money than a team signing him as a pure free agent.

2) by having his bird rights, the Lakers can use the cap space they will have to sign another max player, fill out their bench, and then using Dragic's bird rights, resign him to his max offer.

Now the Lakers won't give up the Rockets pick without a verbal promise from Dragic that he will resign long term but if they get that promise, trading the late first round pick to have Dragic's bird rights is a wise move to make.

1.) 18 Feb 2015
I think PHX gets a little more than this.

2.) 18 Feb 2015
Or we can keep hou dp and sign rondo instead

3.) 18 Feb 2015
PHX is being held by the balls, won't get true value when everyone knows they got to move him and move him now.

Dragic is a better fit for Lakers than Rondo. Plus Rondo has shown no interest in joining Lakers

4.) 18 Feb 2015
I think acquiring Dragic doesn't make sense for Knicks or Lakers because they would win more games with him than they want, which would decrease their chance of getting high lottery pick. Also, both teams are among Dragic's preferred destinations, so, one of them can sign him via FA in this summer. Heat and Pacers are the most logical trade destinations for Dragic.

5.) 18 Feb 2015
Lakers are always in must win now mode. I think having an extra 10-12 million to spend using Dragic's bird right in free agency and having the #8 pick is more important than having the #1 pick

6.) 18 Feb 2015
Dragic himself won't make much difference in the win column with 30-35 games left in a season, especially with teams like the Lakers and Knicks who make the 76ers talent look like the Spurs. Having Dragic's bird rights to offer a fifth year on that max contract could be the difference between getting him in LA or NY verse him signing elsewhere