By IWMTB19 Go To PostKnicks trading the 4th pick for Joakim Noah is really gonna be something.
He'd breakdown faster than Tyson.
By Moris Go To PostMitch literally poppin' bottles.
Clearly has had lots of practice poppin' bottles too.
From DraftExpress.
#1) Minnesota TimberwolvesGuys, he has his heart set on the Lakers. That's just too bad.
Will Look At: Karl Towns, Jahlil Okafor
Prediction: Karl Towns
Drafting Karl Towns and slotting him as a shot-blocking, floor-spacing power forward and occasional small-ball center makes far too much sense, but this is unlikely to be a quick decision ala Anthony Davis or LeBron at #1. Look for Flip Saunders to thoroughly look at Jahlil Okafor while keeping his office line open for trade offers. It wasn't too long ago that Okafor was considered the sure-fire #1 pick in the draft, and Minnesota will certainly want him to come in and make his case in a private workout setting.
If Okafor indeed has his heart set on being a Laker like persistent rumors have indicated for some time now, it will be interesting to see if his agent Bill Duffy (a college friend of Flip Saunders at Minnesota) sends him in for a workout to play hardball. It's tough to pass on the opportunity to be the #1 pick in the draft, and there are really no guarantees he'll be selected #2 at this stage.
There should be plenty of drama surrounding this pick in the next five weeks.
By rodeoclown Go To PostI can only hope some NBA GM also thinks this way.
I just don't think it's that difficult of a sell. If Ricky Rubio can stay healthy, they're already primed to have a pretty significant jump in wins. He's going to get you some of the best looks you'll ever see. Come play with the Rookie of the Year, one of the best two way point guards in the league, the MVP of the Euroleague and some decent bench guys right now. We're not selling cap space and a nebulous future.
I think the Wolves are actually a pretty alluring spot right now--just saying that the Lakers are kind of a mouthwatering proposition for an agent at this point.
...
I've had a whole night to calm down and at the office so not going into complete rant mode, trying not to get fired already... I just want to say this one small thing.
f*ck you syphon. Trying to front like he wanted Mudiay all along. weak*ss n*gga
Mudiay is the kind of player who could really flourish in a good organization, but he'll need guidance and stability to reach his potential.
With that said... RIP Mudiay.
With that said... RIP Mudiay.
I wouldn't take Mudiay in the lottery. You're basically drafting him off his measurables.
Taking him is like taking Oubre, Tyus Jones or Cliff Alexander with top picks--you're simply going off of high school reputation.
Taking him is like taking Oubre, Tyus Jones or Cliff Alexander with top picks--you're simply going off of high school reputation.
i'm not talking shit about Mudiay. I know better. Plus he seemed super humble last night...that always works out right?
By lovingsteam Go To Post
it's happening ;__; i love you lakers slaent I was screaming at the top of my lungs when I saw the Magic at 6th
I like Cam Payne, I just can't get the "Murray State" and "subpar athleticism" out of my head. He projects well and his underlying numbers like steal rate bode well, but I just can't get excited about him. Strikes me as an Eric Maynor type.
Then again, sexier picks like Oubre could easily turn into Jeremy Lamb Part Deux.
Then again, sexier picks like Oubre could easily turn into Jeremy Lamb Part Deux.
Rubio/Wiggins is appealing as hell from a basketball perspective. Whoever goes #1 is gonna have a lot more immediate success than whoever goes #2.
Rumblings that Towns camp is determined to get Towns to LA. Grinch.jpg
Rumblings that Towns camp is determined to get Towns to LA. Grinch.jpg
LA's 2016 pick goes to Philly (Top 3 protected) & 2018 1st goes to Orlando (Top 5 protected)
Best case: LA lucks into the Top 3 in 2016, Philly gets LA's late first in 2017 and Orlando's first turns into 2 2nd round picks in 2017 and 2018.
I'd pop bottles like Mitch Kupchak.
Best case: LA lucks into the Top 3 in 2016, Philly gets LA's late first in 2017 and Orlando's first turns into 2 2nd round picks in 2017 and 2018.
I'd pop bottles like Mitch Kupchak.
KAT infused with the asshole and passionate screens of KG will be an All-Star in 4 years. Put some shooting around that big 3 and that's a great team very soon.
By DY_nasty Go To Posti'm glad we're looking to tradeAnother shot at mediocrity.
but not sure what for :|
By Moris Go To PostRubio/Wiggins is appealing as hell from a basketball perspective. Whoever goes #1 is gonna have a lot more immediate success than whoever goes #2.imo, okafor looks to be a better fit next to Peks,
Rumblings that Towns camp is determined to get Towns to LA. Grinch.jpg
while Towns seems to be a better fit next to Julius Randle.
then again, ive been dead wrong on prospects.
like many times.
Towns is the better fit for both teams and modern NBA offenses in general.
Oka/Pek would probably be an awkward fit, but either pick is replacing Pek sooner than later.
Oka/Pek would probably be an awkward fit, but either pick is replacing Pek sooner than later.
Either guy is replacing Pek right from jump--no politics in it because its to save Peks health.
Got no answer from Lakers fans--assuming Towns is off the board, Oka or Russell?
Got no answer from Lakers fans--assuming Towns is off the board, Oka or Russell?
Don't think you can pass on Okafor even if he may not be the prototypical Center of today's NBA.
I think you can still build a team that embraces the value of 3s with an inside-out offense centered around Okafor. Honestly, if Okafor really is the low post GAWD that some think he can become, he could potentially change the dynamic of the game.
I think you can still build a team that embraces the value of 3s with an inside-out offense centered around Okafor. Honestly, if Okafor really is the low post GAWD that some think he can become, he could potentially change the dynamic of the game.
By Dark PhaZe Go To PostEither guy is replacing Pek right from jump–no politics in it because its to save Peks health.laker-age in the mock draft thread is pretty unanimous. okafor.
Got no answer from Lakers fans–assuming Towns is off the board, Oka or Russell?
But im rooting for a legendary tank from Towns if he's invited to Minnesota.
Okafor isn't a gawd in the post--he got shut the fuck down by Frank Kaminsky ffs. He's very good--Al Jefferson like.
By The Frankman Go To Post…
I've had a whole night to calm down and at the office so not going into complete rant mode, trying not to get fired already… I just want to say this one small thing.
f*ck you syphon. Trying to front like he wanted Mudiay all along. weak*ss n*gga
lmao
By KumaJG Go To PostLakers have Mudiay as their number #2 after Towns.eh, I'm hearing they do not at all. I think Russell is ahead of him, even.
By Moris Go To PostLA's 2016 pick goes to Philly (Top 3 protected) & 2018 1st goes to Orlando (Top 5 protected)
Best case: LA lucks into the Top 3 in 2016, Philly gets LA's late first in 2017 and Orlando's first turns into 2 2nd round picks in 2017 and 2018.
I'd pop bottles like Mitch Kupchak.
This would take immense luck. I think the Lakers could potentially make a good jump next year. Maybe not playoffs jump, but if things play right, like 9-11 seed in the West. Odds are against top 3 pick, then.
Then I imagine they'll sign a big time FA and the Orlando pick will be a high 20s pick.
I want Towns first but I'm just fine with Okafor.
By Mamba Go To PostThis would take immense luck. I think the Lakers could potentially make a good jump next year. Maybe not playoffs jump, but if things play right, like 9-11 seed in the West. Odds are against top 3 pick, then.
Then I imagine they'll sign a big time FA and the Orlando pick will be a high 20s pick.
I want Towns first but I'm just fine with Okafor.
I really don't think LA is gonna jump that high next season, they'll be bad.
9-11 seed in the west would mean 38-45 wins, no way that happens. Think they have a 30 win ceiling if they're healthy and don't add a great player this offseason.
30 wins puts them at about 6th worst, ~21% shot of Top 3.
man idk
centers are actually really easy to get nowadays--you have to practically be married to a bad idea not be able to acquire one these days--and the Randle/Okafor combo just has too much potential to be some of the worst front court defense you've ever seen in your life to really be comfortable with
I'd take Russell and see if I could move Randle too in some kind of package...because chances are he's bad.
centers are actually really easy to get nowadays--you have to practically be married to a bad idea not be able to acquire one these days--and the Randle/Okafor combo just has too much potential to be some of the worst front court defense you've ever seen in your life to really be comfortable with
I'd take Russell and see if I could move Randle too in some kind of package...because chances are he's bad.
By Moris Go To PostI really don't think LA is gonna jump that high next season, they'll be bad.But they're not going to be bottom 5 bad. They're adding Randle and Towns/Okafor to this year's roster and presumably more health from other guys (at this point how much worse can it be?). Maybe they add Carroll or Harris and someone else with their cap space and Clarkson continues to improve. That is about a 10 win improvement right there. Other teams will get worse, too. What if Portland loses LMA? Whatis DeAndre Jordan leaves LAC? X superstar gets hurt next year (ala Durant). I'm not saying they're definitely moving into that range, but it's no longer out of the question. And bottom 5 would be tough next season, IMO and if you're out of the top 5, getting a top 3 pick takes real luck.
9-11 seed in the west would mean 38-45 wins, no way that happens. Think they have a 30 win ceiling if they're healthy and don't add a great player this offseason.
30 wins puts them at about 6th worst, ~21% shot of Top 3.
Mitch is really high on Randle's offensive abilities. Been watching him run drills and scrimming everyday since he has been cleared, supposedly looks legit.
I'm hyped to see what he looks like.
I'm hyped to see what he looks like.
By Mamba Go To PostBut they're not going to be bottom 5 bad. They're adding Randle and Towns/Okafor to this year's roster and presumably more health from other guys (at this point how much worse can it be?). Maybe they add Carroll or Harris and someone else with their cap space and Clarkson continues to improve. That is about a 10 win improvement right there. Other teams will get worse, too. What if Portland loses LMA? Whatis DeAndre Jordan leaves LAC? X superstar gets hurt next year (ala Durant). I'm not saying they're definitely moving into that range, but it's no longer out of the question. And bottom 5 would be tough next season, IMO and if you're out of the top 5, getting a top 3 pick takes real luck.If all those guys add wins in their first year and bump LA by 10 wins....that's still about 8th worst in the league.
I don't think Portland drops 20 wins without LMA. A thing to keep in mind is that The West is stacked as fuck. Clips lose Jordan they're still a 40+ win team. Minnesota is gonna be much better next season since more than half their starting lineup missed most of the season this year. There aren't many teams out west that will still be worse than LA.
LA had like a 12% chance at the 2nd, I'll take a 21% at top 3 next season with no complaints.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sk7PDMJyqhA
Don't see how he doesn't fit in very well next to Cousins. It's the Kings though, so who knows.
They also want Ty Lawson badly and I'm not sure what they intend to give up to get Ty. Collison was one of the few positives of the past season. I'd argue that if they had Andre Miller instead of Ramon Sessions at the start of the season, then the entire year goes a vastly better way.
Don't see how he doesn't fit in very well next to Cousins. It's the Kings though, so who knows.
They also want Ty Lawson badly and I'm not sure what they intend to give up to get Ty. Collison was one of the few positives of the past season. I'd argue that if they had Andre Miller instead of Ramon Sessions at the start of the season, then the entire year goes a vastly better way.
I think records on the low end will rise and records on the high end will fall due to greater parity. I can see the Suns and maybe the Nuggets as the only teams that might turn to tanking barring injury. There are a lot of teams that should be out of the tank phase--Orlando, Minny, Philly, and Boston are usual tanking suspects that have drafted enough or acquired enough assets to be looking at winning now. The Knicks have nothing to gain by tanking, but yes, will be terrible. Kings can't take due to the rage of Cousins. Detroit isn't tanking after acquiring Reggie.
It should be a really competitive season next year
It should be a really competitive season next year
By Moris Go To PostIf all those guys add wins in their first year and bump LA by 10 wins….that's still about 8th worst in the league.I'm not saying that Portland or LAC would become worse than LAL, but their wins have to be distributed somewhere if they get worse. Teams below them will grab them. And Portland might not have Wes Mathews at all, either.
I don't think Portland drops 20 wins without LMA. A thing to keep in mind is that The West is stacked as fuck. Clips lose Jordan they're still a 40+ win team. Minnesota is gonna be much better next season since more than half their starting lineup missed most of the season this year. There aren't many teams out west that will still be worse than LA.
LA had like a 12% chance at the 2nd, I'll take a 21% at top 3 next season with no complaints.
If the picks pan out and Lakers make some smart signings, they very much could take Phx's spot in the top 11 in the West. Even without that, they still probably move to at least 8th worst, as you mention. It would take real luck to be in the top 3. I expect that pick gone.
By Dark PhaZe Go To PostWCS and Cousins doesn't work at all, wtf
How do they not work?
By knux-future Go To PostLakers better fucking take a bigman and keep it moving. Wolves too. Let me have this for once
Lakers take Russell, trade him to Philly for the left over bigman and their own pick next season.
By knux-future Go To PostLakers better fucking take a bigman and keep it moving. Wolves too. Let me have this for onceEmbiid is gonna tear it up, breh.
Color me insane, but id trade our #2 pick for Embiid.
By Mamba Go To PostI'm not saying that Portland or LAC would become worse than LAL, but their wins have to be distributed somewhere if they get worse. Teams below them will grab them. And Portland might not have Wes Mathews at all, either.
If the picks pan out and Lakers make some smart signings, they very much could take Phx's spot in the top 11 in the West. Even without that, they still probably move to at least 8th worst, as you mention. It would take real luck to be in the top 3. I expect that pick gone.
They'll be distributed sure, but that doesn't automatically give those wins to the worst teams in the league. Teams like Utah, OKC, Milwaukee etc are gonna take those.
There's a barrier in the west that has and will continue to benefit the Lakers tank, unfortunately it may benefit Philly next season, not LA. 40 win squads were almost 10 teams deep, probably goes 11 or 12 deep next season and I don't think LA improves enough without a pick up like Wes Mathews or Jimmy Butler to break into that club.
Some teams you don't see coming will get worse as well, though. Like Charlotte this year.
I just think the Lakers have a decent shot at being halfway decent, so I'm not going to pretend like the top 3 pick is in play this coming season.
I just think the Lakers have a decent shot at being halfway decent, so I'm not going to pretend like the top 3 pick is in play this coming season.
By etiolation Go To PostHow do they not work?
Court spacing is gonna be some absolute shit with both of them on the court--and you don't know how well a big is going to be able to guard NBA wings until he actually guards NBA wings. Just because you can step out in college with that shit ass spacing doesn't mean that you're ready to be alone on an island against some of the best athletes on the planet.
If you're getting Trill, you can be reasonably sure he's got decent upside defensively as a C, but you're gambling like shit by having him play PF.
By Mamba Go To PostSome teams you don't see coming will get worse as well, though. Like Charlotte this year.And there's teams that you don't see coming that will get better like Milwaukee/Boston.
I just think the Lakers have a decent shot at being halfway decent, so I'm not going to pretend like the top 3 pick is in play this coming season.
They have a shot at halfway decent, but in the West they're still gonna lose more than they win. And if they're not halfway decent they'll be close to the bottom of the standings out west.
By Dark PhaZe Go To PostCourt spacing is gonna be some absolute shit with both of them on the court–and you don't know how well a big is going to be able to guard NBA wings until he actually guards NBA wings. Just because you can step out in college with that shit ass spacing doesn't mean that you're ready to be alone on an island against some of the best athletes on the planet.
If you're getting Trill, you can be reasonably sure he's got decent upside defensively as a C, but you're gambling like shit by having him play PF.
Pretty sure Cousins would play PF, but they'd be sort of interchangeable overall. Cousins is great in the post, but can also face up and shoot jumpers. You run WCS along the baseline until he develops that face up jumper.
A high pick n roll with Cousins, with WCS looming on the baseline could be very potent. The spacing issue you resolve via reliable means. (Established shooters.) The Kings keep drafting shooters that don't make a difference in spacing. FA shooters are cheaper than FA defensive bigs.
By etiolation Go To PostPretty sure Cousins would play PF, but they'd be sort of interchangeable overall. Cousins is great in the post, but can also face up and shoot jumpers. You run WCS along the baseline until he develops that face up jumper.You can't play Cousins at PF defensively.
A high pick n roll with Cousins, with WCS looming on the baseline could be very potent. The spacing issue you resolve via reliable means. (Established shooters.) The Kings keep drafting shooters that don't make a difference in spacing. FA shooters are cheaper than FA defensive bigs.
Offense? Sure. Cousins is probably the best offensive big in the league. You can't put him at 4 on defense and expect to win meaningful games.
I think it matters more how many teams in the East will tank next season.
The only reason we had this #2 pick was because less than the usual number of Eastern conference teams tried to tank last season.
The only reason we had this #2 pick was because less than the usual number of Eastern conference teams tried to tank last season.
By linsivvi Go To PostI think it matters more how many teams in the East will tank next season.
The only reason we had this #2 pick was because less than the usual number of Eastern conference teams tried to tank last season.
East should be a bit better next year, while the West should be too. This is looking like the optimal time to tank for LA since they don't have to be absurdly terrible in order to have a chance at a top pick.
By DY_nasty Go To PostYou can't play Cousins at PF defensively.
Offense? Sure. Cousins is probably the best offensive big in the league. You can't put him at 4 on defense and expect to win meaningful games.
This. And etiolation himself said they've drafted shooters that aren't actually great shooters. It would honestly just be a disaster. While Cousins can hit the mid-range shot servicably, it would result in less trips to the line and less effectiveness in general if he's pushed away from the rim by design.
By linsivvi Go To PostI think it matters more how many teams in the East will tank next season.
The only reason we had this #2 pick was because less than the usual number of Eastern conference teams tried to tank last season.
AFAIK, the tank should be over for all teams in the East right now barring injury.
By Moris Go To PostLakers take Russell, trade him to Philly for the left over bigman and their own pick next season.
Sounds good to me.
By Mamba Go To PostThe West will be worse next year, IMO.
There might be less wins up top, but they should still be mostly above LA.
OKC and Utah should add more wins next season, AD potentially playing a whole season for Nola. Minnesota gonna add Rubio/Pek along with 2nd year Wiggins.
Sacramento, Denver, and maybe Phoenix only teams who could possibly be worse than LA as things stand atm. Off season could change that dramatically but thats how I see things right now