This isn't most cases though even if it was/is true. Has there ever been a situation where if one team trades their star to a rival that the man some consider the greatest to ever play the game would join him while still in the prime of his career? The Spurs control whether the Lakers become a megateam for the next half decade or remain fighting their way out of the lottery...…..do people honestly believe the Spurs would willingly choose the former? Not a chance in high hell imho.
Exactly. So why would the Spurs ever facilitate such a thing?
If we have an offer in which is what has been reported it CAN work with the Spurs handing him a big overpay to close the deal. Complicated for sure and not one that will be done in Day One of FA without Marcus receiving other offers but if the Spurs like Marcus it can happen. The other option is the Spurs to make a huge overpay to Baynes to return to SA on a 3-year deal to make the numbers work. I'm not anywhere I can run the numbers but if someone wants to figure out how much Baynes deal would have to be while including Morris, Rozier, Yabusele, and Nader's contracts have at it.....it's a real option.
That’s a pretty narrow circumstance you’re describing, so I’m not really moved by the fact that it’s never happened exactly as you described. But I can recall the Celtics deciding that a draft pick that turned into Tony Allen was well worth them helping Detroit pick up Rasheed Wallace to win a title. Peter May criticized them heavily for it, which I never understood — if the C’s were not going to win the title anyway, why would they care if Detroit did?
Cmon now, are you really comparing Rasheed Wallace with LeBron James? Wallace was a decent piece.....LeBron is well.....
The Spurs are trading LeBron to the Lakers?
I mean, the Spurs hate, hate, HATE the Lakers but they're a very smart group. End of the day, they need to worry about the long-term health of the franchise and adding 2-3 young talented players helps them greatly in that department. This franchise desperately needs a youth infusion and assets. I don't care if the next 3 years appear dim if the years 4+ are promising. There are always going to be good teams around so might as well do what you can to make sure you're one of them.
I can't see it either. He's very likely going to LA one way or the other. It occurs to me that maybe the Spurs suspect the Lakers of tampering but can't prove it. That might explain why Buford and Popovich are digging in their heels. Otherwise, I see no reason for it.
The Spurs absolutely do view the Lakers as a rival. The prime Duncan teams were going up against the prime Kobe/Shaq teams every year. The fans scream “Beat LA” at games. They hate the Lakers more than any other team. Only other teams that were close was Dallas during their heyday and Phoenix.
1 is clearly the best offer, unless the picks in 1 suck and the Celtics are doing SAC+MEM.
Yes, they would be essentially guaranteeing LeBron, and maybe George, join him in LA. If Buford and Pop build a dynasty in LA I'll be the first to admit I was wrong.
The picks are key to evaluating these hypothetical deals, including LAL vs. Philly. Lakers 2019 and 2021 would have limited value. The unprotected 2021 Heat pick, Philly now owns is a big chip. Philly own pick in out years also has some upside given 1) Embid's health and 2) the possibility that Kawhi bolts in 2019 free agency.
So they will take a lesser deal, even when their chances of wining a title are near zero either way, just to spite the Lakers?
Bill Simmons spent two years kicking Ainge in the balls for this too.
Yes and the Spurs are smart which means whatever offer they officially get, they'll call Magic and squeeze another asset him at the last minute. I'd be surprised if KL is not a Laker.
Ainge also facilitated LeBron's return to Cleveland by taking Zeller and a pick that was then moved for IT, whose presence led to team results that helped in convincing Horford and Hayward to come.
Sounds about right. Ainge is going to keep up the dialogue in the event things change.
They know they have the Lakers on the ropes and they have all the time in the world to field offers. It’s a fantastic situation to be in for a team who just had their superstar player tell them they wanted out.
I suspect the Spurs also want Randle in a sign and trade. Pretty sure Wagner would be coming too.
In addition to the unique leverage that LeBron presents, there's also the fact that Kawhi is probably rightly regarded as a tier higher than Kyrie. Kawhi has two top 3 MVP finishes (and a top 10 finish). Kyrie has never made the top 10.
Not to bust balls but Kawhi’s 27th bday is in about 24 hours [emoji6]
The Lakers’ situation is more analogous to Brooklyn trading for Garnett and Pierce. The Spurs may be able to secure a similar package. Why not ask? They’re not the ones on a deadline.
Yeah, it seems like ESPN is falling all over themselves presenting it like the Spurs have to trade him to LAL. And they have to do it now. It's silly, this is all on San Antonio's schedule until February hits. Maybe they want to see how Fultz looks? Who knows. I'm in HRB's camp that the Spurs will probably deal him to Philly or another team unless the Lakers offer a stupid package like the Nets one + their 3 young players.
Possible although I’m not sure Ball has limited trade value. Would be interesting to see how much GMs value him. Kuzma isn’t a foundation piece but he’s still a good scorer on essentially a vet minimum deal for the next few years. There’s real value there. Ingram would be the real prize for SA and he plays a position where they don’t have any young talent.
In a vacuum, Ball should easily be the Lakers' best asset. Of course he exists in something far from a vacuum.
Agreed. And this could complicate the Kawhi trade with LA. The Spurs know what they have in Ingram and Kuzma and probably have use for both guys. But that's not going to be enough for them to trade Kawhi to LA and take on Deng's contract. Ball adds value but SA doesn't really have a big need for him. The key to all this could be LA finding a 3rd team that would be willing to give up a real asset for Ball that could be shipped over to SA along with Ingram/Kuzma. I see the options here for potential Ball landing spots as Phoenix, Clippers, New York, and maybe Chicago.
As an example of this, 538 projects Ingram's peak as less valuable than Ball's rookie year was.
Here we go. Love Jaylen but it’s Kawhi Leonard. Let’s do it it Danny.
