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YES!! Coop-A-Loop!
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Dalton Knecht
Max Christie
Jarred Vanderbilt1 Comment-
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Unless there are injuries, Vando is the only one I think could.
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![Profile picture of LakerTom]()
Maybe the kid could contribute or other teams might have interest. Good to see him making shots though.
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![Profile picture of Michael H]()
Good to see that he is healthy again.
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LakerTom wrote a new post
https://x.com/LakerTom/status/1824103843040497802
With the 2024 offseason coming to a close, rumors continue to circulate surrounding Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell. Since being acquired in the 2023 trade deadline, Russell has received a lot of criticism towards his game. He has been the primary target in regards to any trades. Although his name is brought up and linked to many trades, the Lakers organization and Rob Pelinka should be quite patient and act correctly if they are to move on from Russell. Parting ways with D’Angelo may not be the wisest decision.
Why the Lakers Should Not Trade D’Angelo Russell
Before the 2024 trade deadline, Russell was being linked in trade rumors with Hawks guard Dejounte Murray. During this span of several weeks, Russell seemed to use this noise as motivation for his game. Through January of this year, Russell averaged 27 points per game on efficient shooting percentages of 60.9% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc. This was after he was placed back into the starting lineup after being benched for several games. This disruptive noise surrounding his game and name deemed to ignite a spark in Russell, which carried throughout the rest of the season. Russell proved to have one of his better performance years playing with the Lakers. He recently picked up his $18.7 million player option to stay in LA.Trading Ruins Chemistry Built
Over the past several seasons now, you’ve acquired a prominent guard in Russell, one who has created quite a bit of chemistry alongside Lebron James and Anthony Davis. To stay in playoff contention, it seems that building a mold and sticking to a core seems to be successful for many teams. The Denver Nuggets being a great example. Their core has been around for several seasons. Russell also has a good relationship outside of basketball with guard Austin Reaves. Continuously trying to trade and alter a team can be detrimental to its past success that they’ve built.
Ultimately, the goal is a championship-caliber team. The Lakers were a series win away of achieving this in the 2023 playoffs, falling short to a sweep by the Denver Nuggets. Over the past two seasons after acquiring Russell, it hasn’t been a complete bust. Both years they’ve entered the playoffs falling short to the Nuggets. If they are to stick to their core, build even more chemistry and stay healthy as a team, this year could look more successful.
Significant Cost & Risk
Getting a worthwhile return for Russell has been an issue for the Lakers. Any upgrade or trade that the purple and gold would make will come at a cost the Lakers are reluctant to pay. The problem the Lakers continue to run into is the acquisition they want in return. Teams are wanting their young core they’ve acquired and built. Players like Jarred Vanderbilt, Austin Reaves, and Rui Hachimura are in the mix with Russell to get a so called “upgrade” at the point guard position. Teams are also wanting to acquire the Lakers’ first-round picks in 2029 and 2031.
In such a situation, it would be better if the Lakers traded one of their draft picks separately and still by keeping guard Russell. Trading Russell is not worth all the risk and cost. It would be better if D’Angelo continued playing for the Purple and Gold.
The Last Word
As the Lakers navigate the trade landscape, I believe that they must make a significant move in order to trade D’Angelo Russell. The question arises as to why disrupt a positive contributor and dynamic player that helped this team at the 2023 deadline get to the Western Conference Finals?
While myself and others are for keeping Russell, that could all change if the purple and gold. That is, if they can trade for a player who could make LA an immediate contention for a championship. It might be worth exploring a trade if it can secure such a player and elevate the team’s championship aspirations. However, in regards to the team’s chemistry, cost and risk in moving Russell, it seems the Lakers organization will be quite patient and decisive before doing so.
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“Continuously trying to trade and alter a team can be detrimental to its past success that they’ve built.”
Smartest thing in the article. If there’s a no-doubt deal that involves trading one or both of Russell and/or Reaves, you pull the trigger. This list of deals does not, nor will it ever IMO, include:
-Zach LaVine
-Ben SImmons
-Ray Gun
-Really anyone from Australia or the Miami Heat
-Getting a center back and no guard(s)We’re basically running it back. Hoping for growth and improvement. I think that’s just fine considering what I see as the overall potential of the team if we can stay fairly healthy.
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![Profile picture of Michael H]()
When we were chasing Murray, that was fine. PG for PG. But every other trade you see doesn’t bring a guard back. There are no good options left in free agency so I really don’t know what a plan to replace him would look like. If Gabe is healthy we can sub him in if we need defense. That was an option we didn’t have last year. I think it’s smart to wait and see how the teams looks before trying to trade him.
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Kelly is 7’1″ averaged 3.4 blocks per game at Oregon State.
Quincy Olivari is a guard who shot over 40% from deep.
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World’s greatest point guard.
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LakerTom wrote a new post
https://x.com/LakerTom/status/1823740299598028838
Lakers get:
-Zach LaVineBulls get:
-Rui Hachimura
-Austin Reaves
-Jarred Vanderbilt
-Jaxson Hayes![Profile Photo]()
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If Bulls include FRP, I make this trade.
LaVine and Russell backcourt.
Flip pick to Bucks for Brook Lopez.Russell, LaVine, James, Davis, Lopez starting lineup.
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![Profile picture of Michael H]()
I’ve read a lot of bad trade proposals but this is absolutely the worst. You give up points rebounds and assists a long with our best on ball defender as well as our only real back up center. Plus to add that mandatory 13th player the Lakers would have to go into the 2nd apron. By the way even if they gave us a first we wouldn’t have the contracts to trade for Lopez, besides the Bucks have made it clear that Brook is not on the block. So Tom, why is this good?
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![Profile picture of Michael H]()
I misspoke. We could send Gabe, Wood, Cam, Hood-Shapino. And Lewis for Lopez. I’m sure the Bucks would take on 4 additional contracts that they would have to cut for a first. Of course we would have only 7 guys on the roster at the 2nd apron and would have to add 6 minimum contacts and be in the second apron. Great plan!
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If the Bulls would include an unprotected first round pick, Lakers should consider doing this trade. It gives LA a Zach LaVine/D'Angelo Russell backcourt and another first round pick to go with the two we already have. We give up four players so create three roster spots. https://t.co/lamEgFdD9j
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) August 14, 2024
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![Profile picture of Jamie Sweet]()
Re-posting a re-post of a fake trade…the dog days have truly arrived now…
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Stop with Pro Injured LaVine.
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You had me at moving Lebron.
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Haha. How you doing, Stan?
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![Profile picture of therealhtj]()
Doing well, Tom. Just trying to make it through the dog days. You?
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![Profile picture of Jamie Sweet]()
This already happens, just without the announcement or proclamation with trumpets.
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LakerTom wrote a new post
https://x.com/LakerTom/status/1822721401096462366
3. Maximizing Russell’s trade value
2. Minimizing loss
1. Finding equal value is easier said than done2 Comments-
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They’d have traded him a 1000 times over for even a lateral move, more so for even a modest upgrade. There obviously haven’t been any takers.
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Or the Lakers have not stepped up and made the kind of offers that teams who have made trades have done. Rob is still afraid of making another big mistake and losing his job. Will wait for better deal but problem is what if no better deal comes along. Then we waste LeBron and Anthony being healthy and playing great.
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Man, I loved this. What a great job by the DJ.
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Super cool!
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That’s why practice is so damn important, even at the NBA level. Muscle memory, habits building, honing skills. Those are the multiplying factors that separate great talent from great players.
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LakerTom wrote a new post
https://x.com/LakerTom/status/1822647587562016826
1. A Major Risk For Injury-Prone Zach LaVine
Lakers Receive:
-Zach LaVine
-2030 First-Round PickBulls Receive:
-D’Angelo Russell
-Jarred Vanderbilt
-Gabe Vincent
-Jalen Hood-Schifino2. Taking A Gamble For Darius Garland
Lakers Receive:
-Darius GarlandCavaliers Receive:
-D’Angelo Russell
-Jarred Vanderbilt
-Gabe Vincent
-Jalen Hood-Schifino
-2030 First-Round Pick3. Shocking Trade For Brandon Ingram
Lakers Receive:
-Brandon IngramPelicans Receive:
-D’Angelo Russell
-Rui Hachimura
-Jalen Hood-Schifino
-2030 First-Round Pick
-2026 First-Round Pick Swap4. Hoping For A Secondary Successful Reunion
Lakers Receive:
-Kyle KuzmaWizards Receive:
-D’Angelo Russell
-Jarred Vanderbilt5. Taking A Stab For A Change At Center
Lakers Receive:
-Brook Lopez
-Pat Connaughton
-MarJon Beauchamp
-AJ GreenBucks Receive:
-D’Angelo Russell
-Rui Hachimura
-Jalen Hood-Schifino![Profile Photo]()
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At this point, there is a lot to like about each of the above trades. We get a first round pick with LaVine. 1 pick for Garland, 1 pick + 1 swap for Ingram, no pick for Kuzma, no pick for Lopez. Kinds of deals we need despite the risk.
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![Profile picture of Michael H]()
None of these trades improve the team. And there are other problems. Sending 4 guys for one when most of the teams have full rosters isn’t going to fly. Who will these teams cut to make room. The Bucks made it very clear that Brook isn’t on the trade block as did the Cav’s with Garland. I guess the guys at fadeaway world do not follow the NBA. Then there is BI. I like him, but not enough to pay him the 50 mil he wants to extend and not enough to give up both DLO and Rui for. Oh and the Pels just traded for Murray and think they have forward covered, that’s why they are open to trading BI. Why would they trade for DLO and Rui? It’s humorous that the fadeaway guys would think the Wizards would trade Kuzma for no picks. Even if the did Kuzma is not better then the combination of Dlo and Vando. Fadeaway world are notorious click baiters with little thought put into their trade ideas.
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![Profile picture of Michael H]()
Beside LaVine being a cap killer and overpaid for what he brings to the table but that trade leaves us with no point guards, and 12 players. We can’t even add the mandatory 13 player without going into the 2nd apron. Sure, it’s the kind of deal we need to make. lol.
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What Rob Pelinka and Jeanie Buss lack is a vision of what kind of team they want to build. They’re allowing events to control their future, who’s available in draft, free agency, and trade, rather than seeing in their mind exactly which players they need to go after to create the kind of team that could win it all. That is not how you build championship teams.
Boston, on the other hand, had a vision for how to win #18 and went out and got the players to fit that vision. Ironically, almost the same players the Lakers now with JJ Redick are looking for too: shot blocking, floor stretching center and 3-point shooting alpha dog POA point guard. You would think the Lakers would be eyeing Marcus Smart and Brook Lopez.
JJ Redick is the only hope the Lakers have for a visionary. He already has a personal philosophy based on his time in the game that is the most modern and advanced of any Lakers coaching candidate in the past. JJ is a strong believer in new school outside-in basketball, that spacing creates points in the paint vs. the old school inside-out approach that says pounding the paint creates 3-point shooting opportunities.
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LakerTom wrote a new post
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I watched it all. I thought, based on the last 2 games that Curry would have, but LBJ did run the entire show.
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Gals with a squeaker! France was terrific. I kinda wonder if the coulda used Caitlin from Indyland?!
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Ah, the exhilarating crescendo of sports!!
What a spectacular sports summer! Apart from the lackluster battle in the NBA finals, it was fascinating to see the thrilling action of the Tour de France (cycling), Copa America, European Championship, and the Olympics. It’s been an absolute feast for sports fans. The dedication, passion, and sheer talent on display have made this summer one to remember. Whether it’s the heart-stopping moments on the basketball court or the exhilarating races on the cycling track, there’s been something for every sports enthusiast to savor. It’s safe to say that this summer has indeed been a paradise for us sports fans!-
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Yep!
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I think what I truly appreciated about the Olympics is how all the player rival fans came all together to root for one common goal for this country while appreciating the player diversity at hand
I, for one, appreciated the greatness of Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry throughout pic.twitter.com/0crEPHlpo1
— 🎗NBA•Fan🎗 (@Klutch_23) August 11, 2024
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