Woj mentions on his pod that he expects deals to happen today. Stating there are a few that are very close.
Mentions lakers still in on Murray but does Atlanta choose to just wait? Also says DLo staying a Laker is a much higher likelihood bc of his recent play
— Matt (@SportsMatt12) February 7, 2024
Posts
Mini 5er: Who Knows
What coulda been a real dud of a roadie was salvaged by gritty wins in Boston and The Mecca, and they didn’t wholly screw the pooch in Charlotte. Sitting 2 games above .500 and looking exactly like the record shows the Lakers have many issues and few paths forward for improvement. But one tradeable draft pick, a bevy of pick swap seasons and some 2nd rounders. In short, not much when placed against the back drop if multiple 1st rounders flying all over the league the last few years. Couple that with no truly expiring salary relief and Rob doesn’t have a lot to work with.
1) Towel Gate! Evidently LeBron now uses towels as a form of code. Great reporting, Windhorst, it’s that level of expert journalism that guarantees I’ll never tune in to watch your show. Don’t feel bad, though, I don’t watch anyone else’s shows, either. The notion that LeBron “needs” to send a message to the FO is beyond asinine. They know the drill and it’s not a difficult equation. LeBron is old, Lakers will be bad for about a decade after he leaves, everyone involved should be on board with a ‘win now’ mentally.
2) Keep Reaves?! Trade DLo?!?! Whatever will happen?!?!?! Who knows, probably nothing and I guarantee it won’t be anyone if the trades we’ve seen blathered about on every show and podcast across the land. It never is. All I know for a fact is that DLo’s uptick of late is about exactly how he played down the stretch last season and Reaves has looked more like his pre-summer World Hoops self, too. The issue is we have nascent production out of the 3 spot and rely on a 39 year old to collapse the defense.
3) Max is gone next season so might as well get SOMETHING for him. Too many talented Lakers have walked for nothing the last several seasons, you inexplicably signed him to a 2 year rookie deal and he’s shown decent growth. Trade him into a bad team’s cap space for couple 2nd rounders and call it a win. You won’t be able to afford him next season, anyhow. Plus he’s probably find a better PT opportunity in URFA, anyhow.
4) OMG!!!! Could the Lakers ACTUALLY trade the King?!?!?!
Really? Please, just…just stop and think before anyone goes and writes something like that. The Lakers will let LeBron walk and might still retire his jersey simply for the history and legacy. We will never, ever, ever, never, ever, never, never trade him. Ever.
5) Build around the right guy. ProTip: it ain’t LeBron. AD signed a big time extension and it makes him about as tradable as Zach LaVibe. Which is to say not at all. Given his age, injury history, propensity for getting injured and the fact he’s not a play initiator but more of a play finisher it’s real hard to see him bringing back much in a trade beyond some decent picks and maybe a promising player but definitely not a superstar of the tiger he was when we traded for him. So make sure you build the team around the guy who is probably gonna be here longer.
What should the Lakers do with D’Angelo Russell?
What should the Lakers do with D'Angelo Russell?
DLo is averaging 24 points on 61.2 TS% with 6.5 assists over his last 13 games with the Lakers.
Here's @ChrisVernonShow and I getting into it on the latest episode of The Mismatch. Find it wherever you get your podcasts. pic.twitter.com/LyzvPBA2vC
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) February 6, 2024
“The reemergence of D’Angelo Russell and how well he’s played on this East coast trip over the last few weeks. I think that makes it a lot easier to move forward with Russell as the point guard.”
— Woj. #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/zOzqVeGaa0
— 🎗NBA•Fan🎗 (@Klutch_23) February 6, 2024
Great List of NBA’s Two-Way Stars
Players 85th+ percentile of BOTH offensive & defensive EPM
Joel Embiid
SGA
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Kawhi Leonard
Donovan Mitchell
Paul George
LeBron James
Anthony Davis
Kristaps Porzingis
Derrick White
Jalen Williams
Chet Holmgren
Jaylen Brown
Franz Wagner
Ant EdwardsTwo-Ways!
— NBA University (@NBA_University) February 6, 2024
Lakers will wear their Black Mamba jerseys on Thursday against Nuggets
The Lakers will wear their Black Mamba jerseys on Thursday against the Nuggets, after Kobe Bryant’s statue is unveiled
— The Laker Files (@LakerFiles) February 6, 2024