As the Lakers ability to offer LeBron James arrives, many are speculating what decision will be made. On our latest episode with LakerTom, the man himself from lakerholics.com stops by to talk about what the atmosphere is like and if the prolonged Russell Westbrook saga will ultimately convince LeBron one way or another on his future with the Lakers. Much to discuss as always on the latest Lakers Fast Break podcast!
Gear up with your favorite Lakers Fast Break shirts and gifts in our Pop Culture Cosmos TeePublic store at https://www.teepublic.com/user/pop-culture-cosmos
Presented by our friends at the Hoop Heads Podcast Network, ThriveFantasy, NBA Draft Junkies, lakerholics.com, lakersball.com, Pop Culture Cosmos, Inside Sports Fantasy Football, Vampires and Vitae, the novel Congratulations, You Suck (available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble) and Retro City Games!
There’s still time to get a deal for Russ done. That’s not the issue, though. Doors are closing and the Lakers are up against their toughest opponent: themselves. If the Lakers think 2 picks is one too many and team ______ thinks otherwise nothing moves forward. Lakers either need to acquiesce to overpaying or come to grips going into the season as-is. We don’t hold the cards, everyone else isn’t in the business of doing us a solid or offering a fair deal. They smell desperation and want to take advantage. That’s business.
I think there will be a deal before training camp. That’s the soft deadline with the trade deadline as the hard deadline. Can’t see Russ returning under any circumstances. Lakers would even trade with Knicks and Jazz before bringing Westbrook back.
Right now, it’s looking more and more like Kyrie is not going to happen, which means Turner and Hield could. While the Nets are resisting acting, the Pacers want to act. The easy compromise for both is a pick swap instead of the second pick.
That would enable Lakers to offer THT and a pick for another rotation player. The Pacers trade makes the Lakers bigger and better on defense and frees LeBron and AD from having to carry the team in the front court. Turner and Hield is a win-win and there’s a good chance it could happen.