Clearly a controversial trade but one that could benefit both teams. Assumes Victor will sign a 3-year max extension for $32M per year. Could also assume Dennis also signs extension.
Lakers get the best player in the trade but are gambling on Oladipo returning to pre-injury form. The prize is they could end up with three superstars, a starting lineup of Oladipo, THT, LeBron, AD, and Gasol and a deep and talented bench with Kuzma, Caruso, Trezz, PJ, and Morris.
For the Lakers, it’s a trade to get them the third superstar to complement LeBron and AD and a major upgrade defensively. Victor was 3rd team All-NBA and All-Defensive 1st team. Also opens up opportunity for Talen Horton-Tucker to start alongside Oladipo with Caruso and Tucker backing them up.
Tucker would be a fantastic addition to the Lakers with his ability to defend all five positions and his penchant for drilling corner threes. He could give the Lakers more toughness and roster versatility. He could also play small ball center at times for the Lakers and be a more effective stretch five than Gasol.
For the Rockets, they get a great shooting guard under contract and an elite point guard whom they might be able to re-sign. It’s an interesting trade that could be a win for both teams.
Great article, Sean. Wackadoo is also the perfect description for a year and a Lakers season like no other we’ve ever seen and hopefully will ever see again. China, Kobe, coronavirus, the restart, the bubble! Man, how I bemoan the loss of what was normal. And we’re still a long way from reaching a new normal.
The only consolation is maybe all this chaos will inspire us to embrace major changes in our society, vote for peace and togetherness rather than hate and division. Like you, I’ve found myself thinking of so many things from earlier and simpler times in my life. I’ve even found myself praying to a God I don’t really believe in. Just so much pain and turmoil out there.
But out of the dark came one brilliant shining light, which was the Lakers beating the bubble and winning their 17th NBA championship, LeBron reigniting the GOAT controversy, and AD giving us a wonderful glimpse of greatness to come. When everything is said and done, I’m hoping that’s just one of the great things to come out of the darkness of 2020.
Believe, wear your mask, and vote your conscience! Go, Lakers!
Once more unto the breach, dear friend. Once more into the fray, I fight the good fight. Good trouble.
Appreciate the feedback. I’m humbled I could be a spark of inspiration for someone. Makes me feel good. And makes me want to continue that path.
Being on this blog has enriched my life, ups and downs, thick and thin always been here for me. We’re friends, we’re fans, we’re in this together. Till we can transition to our new normal.
Craaaazy Lakers year ever as a fan. It was different for us.
Keep moving the game forward ????Mamba Mentality.
Awesome article Sean. Passion, activism, being open to change. If that’s not what defined this Laker season in the face of the correctly named wackadoo…I don’t know what is. A year long season. Indeed, t’was a marathon.
Resilience, adaptation, community. These are the things we defend, strive to improve and need to keep building up.
Thank you for saving lives. Thank you for trying, for giving a damn. I think that so much of the success of the Bubble was based off listening first to professionals, to science and making safety be goal #1 by a ciuntry mike.
Second would probabky be profit but in all honesty social justice centered around police reform was givewn second billing. I feel like, for all their faults the NBA ownership feels like the “best” sports owners. Which is a low bar, I believe. Always room to improve.
Anyhoo, never stop rocking The Quick vibe, one of my all time faves. Let’s do try not to move on too quickly from this historic moment. The Wackadoo Finals. Lakers #1.
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U R A Goody Seannieboy!!
Thanks Teach! ??
: )
Man, that’s some good read, Sean. Great article and very emotional indeed. All I can say is Wow! Thanks for the post.
I’m glad it moved you even if just a little bit, as a man, buba. Thank you for reading, friend!