Aloha
Here’s an interesting question that just crossed my mind. What if Dennis can’t find the deal and fit he is looking for, would you bring him back to run the 2nd unit at a reasonable price? That’s the role he has starred in. Personally I might consider it, it wouldn’t hamper any other moves we could make. It would add a boat load of tax but it’s Jeanies money. And it would give us a another tradable contract down the line.
It’s an interesting idea, Michael, but there are four reasons why it won’t happen imo:
(1) I think the Lakers will likely stagger LeBron and Russ so one of them is running the offense at all times.
(2) Dennis does not want to come off the bench,
(3) We need his slot for a volume 3-point shooter.
(4) Even $16M for him would end up costing $50 in luxury taxes. Lakers trade him or let him walk.
Dennis’ agent is not going to burn bridges with the Lakers as he may need us to get paid. Even if Dennis decides to sign with a team with cap space, the Lakers will have an opportunity to offer then a second round pick to do a S&T to get a Trade Exception. I doubt Dennis is going to get an offer over $19.2M.
I think Russ will get alotta run with the 2nd unit. Don’t see a realistic path to Schroder remaining a Laker..
Frankly, there’s a good chance Dennis is not going to be able to find a team with cap space willing to pay him what he wants. There’s a glut of point guards on the market and a half dozen at least who are better players than Dennis. When the music stops, there’s a good chance Dennis is going to need the Lakers’ help to get paid. That’s more likely than not.
The Lakers don’t need to help him, Tom. He’s a UFA.
So when the Lakers let Ramon Sessions walk, they had his bird rights too…and it didn’t matter. Because no one cared about his bird rights….Let me again clarify, the team sending out an S&T hands over all the advantages to the other team. Extra year of control, trade kicker, etc…Why would the Lakers want to help another team and increase their tax bill? It makes no sense.
It makes sense if they can get back a quality shooter. The Lakers really need shooters to make the Westbrook trade work. Maybe we can find one with the mini MLE but we will need more then one. If the Lakers were worried about their tax bill they probably would have went with Buddy.
I am of the same opinion with you, Michael. I have made several comments on Dennis already and it will make more sense to bring him as a sixth man, but there has to be a reasonable resolve contract wise. I can only see an upside to this move, but if he doesn’t want to come off the bench, then we move on.