08 May 2016 15:00:45
Trade: Houston Rockets - Los Angeles Lakers

HOU get Randle, Russell, Williams + this years 1st
LAL get James Harden

Not going to happen anyways, but what do you think value-wise? Already too much for Harden? Everybody's talking about Howard leaving the Rockets, but what if James Harden is the "bigger" reason for Houston's struggles this year? But at 26 he still is in the summer of his career and when you could get talents like Simmons or Ingram + Russell and Randle for him, why not? Salaries match and wouldn't Harden be the closest player to kinda succeed Kobe? He also is a L. A. -native and could attract other top Free Agents, namely maybe even his old buddy Kevin Durant. Eventually his other former OKC-fellow Russell Westbrook could join in 2017 too. And despite the rise of cap the Lakers have at least 40 Million to spend this year coming from Kobe's and Hibbert's expiring contracts to sign another player like for example Batum, Ezeli or Barnes (the latter two may even favor the Lakers, because of their old new coach Luke Walton) . Dwight Howard on the other side finally could be the sole star on the Rockets, if he ever reaches is old form, or at least could serve as a mentor to the young crop.

1.) 08 May 2016
08 May 2016 15:07:21
If I was the Lakers, I would rather use those assets to try to get Paul George. Better overall player and probably a better teammate.

But honestly, Lakers should stop with the quick fixes and try to build a team through the draft.

2.) 08 May 2016
08 May 2016 15:10:40
I think its not so far away from a realistic trade. There is a big chance that the Rockets blow it up.

3.) 08 May 2016
08 May 2016 15:16:34
Hate it for the Lakers.

4.) 08 May 2016
08 May 2016 16:59:33
Why should the lakers build through the draft? What's wrong with a quick fix?
This is the perfect time for a quick fix in my opinion. These rookies still have potential and value. None may turn out to be what they're advertised to be or all may fulfill their potential. Why not trade those guys for a proven NBA star? Paul George or Jimmy Butler are locked into long-term contracts that will be less than Whiteside and Batum after this summer; they're a bargain! In addition to all the additional cap space, the Lakers can sign free agents this year and next and be right back batting for the top 4 seeds in the west.

2017
PG: Westbrook
SG: Butler
SF: Batum
PF: Horford
C: Ezeli
or
PG: Westbrook
SG: Batum
SF: George
PF: Horford
C: Ezeli

vs

PG: Russell
SG: Clarkson
SF: Ingram
PF: Randle
C: Ezeli.

5.) 08 May 2016
08 May 2016 17:43:16
But you have no guarantee that any bug name free agents would sign in LA.

6.) 08 May 2016
08 May 2016 18:10:06
I know there's no guarantee, but with Kobe gone, Luke as the head coach, and max money along with a star already on the team (if they trade for either George or Butler), their chances are much higher than they've been in a long time.

You can tell the front office has learned from last year's failure at signing free agents. If the reports are true about them targeting Ezeli for C instead of Whiteside, they're looking at advanced analytics instead of trying to land big names. Ezeli is a very good defender but has a much higher basketball IQ.

7.) 08 May 2016
08 May 2016 18:17:21
If the rockets blow it up they'll keep Harden 100% you don't trade a guy like that.. I can see them rebuilding around him

8.) 08 May 2016
08 May 2016 20:06:58
I would do that trade any time if i was the Rockets GM.

9.) 08 May 2016
08 May 2016 20:30:10
Great players wanna play in big markets so with the cap space Lakers have a chance at whoever. So players who fail to win this year and are free agents they can team up and start something new in LA
Lakers fans wouldn't act this way if Kobe was signed to thirty mil. It's just a great opportunity with cap and young players for free agents to come and make a contender.

Boston gave up seven players and 3 picks and won a championship. Players can use that Motta and team up. Imagine if Boston signed kg and ray Allen without giving up anything as free agents. I don't think no team in NBA history had 68 million in cap to sign free agents. If they can move Williams that's 75. So Lakers signing these free agents has a chance. With sixty mil Miami made a great team. But Lakers have quality young players so they could do better.

10.) 08 May 2016
08 May 2016 20:30:48
New laker dynasty the lakers don't have enough to make a trade for butler or George and Westbrook.

11.) 08 May 2016
08 May 2016 21:06:33
You need a long rebuild. You get butler or George and you have literally nothing else. Stars are the easy part. Building a team is hard. Players aren't coming to the lakers with one all star and no one else. That's why it has to be a longer rebuild. Through the draft you gain role players that make the team.

Lakers had max money last year and nothing.

And Walton is promising but let's not have absurd expectations. He was an assistant for just over a year and an interim for like 40 games. A 5th grade basketball coach could coach the Warriors to a 60 win season. I don't see all the stars flocking to be instructed by a guy that wasn't good in the nba and has basically no experience and the same age as some.

It will take another season or two. But the lakers should absolutely accept that and build through the draft. Stop trading all young prospects for one player. There are many holes to be clogged as of now. I do believe la has allure. Just like ny. But there has to be promise and a team first. The location just adds the icing to the cake.

12.) 09 May 2016
09 May 2016 00:04:58
I'm not saying they should trade for Westbrook. I want them to sign him in 2017 when he's an unrestricted FA. i'm assuming they'll get the #2 pick, but I should wait and see how the ping pong balls fall first.
If they get a top 2 pick, Russell, Randle, and a top 2 pick would be enough for George or Butler if their team wants to trade them. I think they'll get Ezeli to play center. If they can't make the trades, I still think they can get Batum if they pay him a max deal. Again, assuming a top 2 pick:

Russell/ Clarkson
Batum/ Williams
Ingram
Randle/ Nance
Ezeli

Is a solid foundation for free agents in 2017.

Mike they don't need a long rebuild necessarily. Look at Blazers, Boston, San Antonio.