Woj: Pelicans Trade AD to the Lakers

[BatManu20]

AD to the West... Kawhi to the Clippers probable... More bad news for the Spurs.

1140023139142971392

1140025332847824896

[spursince#99]

Spurs loss the trade

[Realdeal1]

Ugh

[Dennis the Menace]

.... and the Spurs have Derozan and Patty Mills.

[Dverde]

Surprised it was Ball instead of Kuzma. Smart move to get Hart.

[benefactor]

Yay...another ST cutting session. Remember kids, up and down the street...not across it

[Degoat]

Can’t believe they didn’t have to include Kuzma :bang

[NASpurs]

Yay...another ST cutting session. Remember kids, up and down the street...not across it

:lol yeah, I always love the overreactions of these threads. It's still a 35 year old LeBron and a 60 games-a-season Davis. Let's see what other crap they put around these dudes before we jump off the cliffs.

[cjw]

Three first rounders including the fourth overall pick. Don’t love Ingram or Ball but a lotto ticket with them. And Hart, who I love as a role player.

... compared to the 29th pick and a decent center two years from getting paid, and a net negative SG

[Realdeal1]

Lebron , Davis , Kuzma and possibly adding Jimmy butler to the mix .. wow

[gambit1990]

great trade for the lakers.

[DeadlyDynasty]

.... and the Spurs have Derozan and Patty Mills.
:lmaothe gift that keeps on giving

[BatManu20]

Me thinks Jimmy Buckets or Kemba will be joining them shortly tbh.

[slick'81]

Welp atleast we got culture

[NASpurs]

Has shades of

https://cdn-s3.si.com/s3fs-public/2012/10/lakers-preview.jpg

[BatManu20]

1140023659865804802

[picnroll]

Country tilting from mass migration of bandwagon fans from GS back to LA.:lmao

[NASpurs]

Country tilting from mass migration of bandwagon fans from GS back to LA.:lmao


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5Z2aaI9bfU

[Dverde]

https://thepcgames.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/The-Lord-of-the-Rings-The-Return-of-the-King-Cover-768x432.jpg

Coming to ESPN talking face show near you...

[lmbebo]

Fuck Kwahi, Lakers, Lebron, AD, etc ....

Horrible haul for NO outside of the 4th pick and maybe hart. BI and Ball are overrated. 2 of the picks will be late 1st round picks I imagine ....

[BatManu20]

How long until Lonzo demands a trade tbh? I remember Lavar saying a while ago that Zo would rather be in Phoenix than be traded to the Pelicans. Obviously what he says doesn’t mean shit, but I don’t think Zo is happy about this.

[DJR210]

Another huge L for the Spurs.. dear god this has been a rough 2.5 years.

THREE fucking 1st's and the best we net for the best player on Earth is a loser, a role player big, and a PROTECTED 1st :lol

[mo7888]

How much cap space does LA have left? Has anyone run the numbers?

[DJR210]

How long until Lonzo demands a trade tbh? I remember Lavar saying a while ago that Zo would rather be in Phoenix than be traded to the Pelicans. Obviously what he says doesn’t mean shit, but I don’t think Zo is happy about this.

You don't think he may be excited to feed Zion?

[spurraider21]

Me thinks Jimmy Buckets or Kemba will be joining them shortly tbh.
kemba makes a lot more sense

[cjw]

How long until Lonzo demands a trade tbh? I remember Lavar saying a while ago that Zo would rather be in Phoenix than be traded to the Pelicans. Obviously what he says doesn’t mean shit, but I don’t think Zo is happy about this.

Lonzo and a late first to Phoenix for 6

6 to Spurs for Demar

Thank you! Will take Hart too.

[Robz4000]

:lol Pelicans ended up taking the Lakers' trash, though the three first round picks is nice.

:lmao Spurs got DePression and the 29th pick for the best player in the NBA

[NASpurs]

Another huge L for the Spurs.. dear god this has been a rough 2.5 years.

THREE fucking 1st's and the best we net for the best player on Earth is a loser, a role player big, and a PROTECTED 1st :lol

I would had rather make him play out his contract and lose him for nothing than getting DeProzac.

[TheGreatYacht]

Better return than DePression and Puddle tbh

Memphis signing Fathead really saved us from being the worst team in the division smh

[Jordan Jackson]

How much cap space does LA have left? Has anyone run the numbers?
Depends - if Davis waives trade kicker, I think they have $31 - 32 million - at least a max slot.

[gambit1990]

lakers have roster work to do but at the moment, seems like they could be the front runner in west.

doubt it’ll happen but would be wild if they signed kawhi after this.

[Degoat]

Other then this years pick though the rest of them will suck, Ingram blood clots could comeback and ruin his career, and Lonzo is a scrub who can’t stay healthy so idk if I’d say that’s a great haul either for a top 5 player lol

[DeadlyDynasty]

Another huge L for the Spurs.. dear god this has been a rough 2.5 years.

THREE fucking 1st's and the best we net for the best player on Earth is a loser, a role player big, and a PROTECTED 1st :lol


:lol Pelicans ended up taking the Lakers' trash, though the three first round picks is nice.

:lmao Spurs got DePression and the 29th pick for the best player in the NBA
:cryBut at least we didn't cave! We'll send him to Canada to teach him a lesson!:cry

[slick'81]

Lakers get what they wanted per usual.Guess well see what lonzo and ingram can do in new orleans

[LkrFan]

1140032212579975169

:lol

[Ron Swanson]

Yay...another ST cutting session. Remember kids, up and down the street...not across it

No shit.

[LkrFan]

:cryBut at least we didn't cave! We'll send him to Canada to teach him a lesson!:cry

The Deportation! led to a title!! :rollin :lmao :rollin

[picnroll]

NO might trade Ball to Phoenix for their pick. Rumor was Phoenix wanted Ball. 4, 6, Hart and two future 1st not too bad given the circumstances, particularly if one of those 1st is 2021 when two combined classes will be draft eligible.

[Ninja Roach]

:cryBut at least we didn't cave! We'll send him to Canada to teach him a lesson!:cry


:cry Salty mad the shitty Raptors ringed because of it and muh Lakers didn't. :cry

[gambit1990]

1140026897801318400

[NASpurs]

It's that time of the season where RC is waking up in the middle of the afternoon probably not knowing what day it is.... so I'm guessing it's not us involved.

https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1140033468920938498

[Russ]

The Lakers just sold their future for a nonexistent present.

The key will be filling out their roster with cheap vets, of course. The Lakers' FO has already shown they can't competently do that.

On the bright side, they won't have to worry about blowing their draft picks anymore.

[DeadlyDynasty]

:cry Salty mad the shitty Raptors ringed because of it and muh Lakers didn't. :cry
:lmaoalienating a generational talent cause muh culture

[DJR210]

:cryBut at least we didn't cave! We'll send him to Canada to teach him a lesson!:cry

That's exactly what I just finished arguing w/ someone.. Pop let principal override the best basketball move.. either way dude wins a ring :lol \

And what's even more bad ass is now I get to look forward to the most loaded, complete Cowboys roster in 20 years to come up short and beat themselves again SMH

[Ditty]

Pelicans won this trade :lmao

Wish the Spurs got something like this for Kawhi :rolleyes

[Ninja Roach]

:lmaoalienating a generational talent cause muh culture


:lmaobelieving the ex-wife's story 100% cause you want a shot at her.

[Robz4000]

:cryBut at least we didn't cave! We'll send him to Canada to teach him a lesson!:cry

:cry muh culture tho !!!!! :cry

[Gordy58]

Pelicans won this trade :lmao

Wish the Spurs got something like this for Kawhi :rolleyes
ingram, Hart, Lonzo are trash, those picks aren’t gonna be in the lottery either

[ZeusWillJudge]

Surprised it was Ball instead of Kuzma. Smart move to get Hart.

The article I read said: "
The Lakers had agreed to send Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, Ivica Zuba and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to the Pelicans along with two first round picks (plus taking on Soloman Hill’s contract) at the deadline last season but New Orleans turned down that offer."

Also said that Davis intends to play out his one remaining year and enter free agency. If true, it means that the Lakers paid that much for a rental.

[Capt Bringdown]

LOL Lonzo

[Fusternino]

Swap Lonzo for Kuzma and add in a Randle S&T and this would be the ideal trade for us last summer.

[Russ]

Wish the Spurs got something like this for Kawhi :rolleyes

DeRozan is easily better than anything the Pelicans got.

[DeadlyDynasty]

That's exactly what I just finished arguing w/ someone.. Pop let principal override the best basketball move.. either way dude wins a ring :lol \

And what's even more bad ass is now I get to look forward to the most loaded, complete Cowboys roster in 20 years to come up short and beat themselves again SMH
Nah bro, as much as it pains me to say it I think the Pokes are making the SB next season. My only (and big) reservation is Jason Garrett

[mo7888]

Other then this years pick though the rest of them will suck, Ingram blood clots could comeback and ruin his career, and Lonzo is a scrub who can’t stay healthy so idk if I’d say that’s a great haul either for a top 5 player lol

I know it's not a popular opinion on ST but, the Ingram blood clot things isn't an issue like Bosh's was and most GM's are pretty high on Lonzo. Chicago or Phx would give their 1st for him. This looks like an incredible haul for NOLA to me.

I don't think AD is nearly enough to get LA where they want to be but, they still have a lot of cap left to burn. I wonder if some of the other top FA's will change their mind and consider them now? Even if they still aren't interested $32M is a good bit to add a few role players that might be more valuable than a butler or Kemba type. July will be interesting for them.

I also think NOLA may still move the #4. That should keep things interesting this week. I cant see them wanting DDR if they are keeping lonzo but, I do think LMA would interest them greatly.

[DeadlyDynasty]

DeRozan is easily better than anything the Pelicans got.
You can't really judge that yet

[gambit1990]

Pelicans won this trade :lmao
:td

lonzo is overrated and BI can't even play right now :lol

lakers got what they wanted.

every team would offer what the lakers did for AD.

[Ninja Roach]

DeRozan is easily better than anything the Pelicans got.

The Spurs draft way too well to say that with certainty. Chances are high they could have done work with those picks.

[davidbowie]

seriously tho, how come pop couldnt pull off a deal like this for kawhi

[DeadlyDynasty]

:lmaobelieving the ex-wife's story 100% cause you want a shot at her.
Smile buddy, you still have Derozan--the future is bright:lmao

[GAustex]

seriously tho, how come pop couldnt pull off a deal like this for kawhi
Pop panicked and pooped his britches

[gambit1990]

seriously tho, how come pop couldnt pull off a deal like this for kawhi
a) PATFO pulled the trigger on the trade waaay too quickly
b) pop wanted real a high character person like demar :lol

[Chucho]

Called it after the LBJ signing, calling it again...Spurs will still finish with a better record next season than the Lakers. Laker fans will talk big til around All Star break when it falls apart.

[MoSpur02]

People acting like LeBron is still in his prime and like Anthony Davis isn't injury prone. I like this trade for New Orleans. That's a bright future especially if they can flip Lonzo

[Ninja Roach]

Smile buddy, you still have Derozan--the future is bright:lmao

The future is shit, but that's alright, Spurs had their day and drew some tears outta 12be doing it. Life is good.

I mean this pic is really why you're here trollin' isn't it? That shit hit y'all hard. It still hurts. :cry
http://dsz7vodgjx60a.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/bil-kobe-cry.jpg

[picnroll]

Nice to see arrogant, obnoxious Lakers fans back to their normal selfs after so many years of suckage. Personally I'm not very intimidated by a 36 year old Lebron whose best years are in the rear view mirror and fading fast.

[Nathan89]

Had 1 team to trade to yet still managed to get a good haul. I was told that was impossible.

[Nathan89]

Fuck Kwahi, Lakers, Lebron, AD, etc ....

Horrible haul for NO outside of the 4th pick and maybe hart. BI and Ball are overrated. 2 of the picks will be late 1st round picks I imagine ....

It's a lot better than what the Spurs got.

[DeadlyDynasty]

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/MQUR8xTjAc8/maxresdefault.jpg

[Russ]

That's a bright future especially if they can flip Lonzo

Yeah, they could pair one of those 1st round picks with Lonzo and get rid of him easily!

[Robz4000]

Nah bro, as much as it pains me to say it I think the Pokes are making the SB next season. My only (and big) reservation is Jason Garrett

Cowboys aren't going anywhere with Dak at QB.

[NASpurs]

I could see LDN going to the Lakers though.

[Russ]

I could see LDN going to the Lakers though.

He's exactly the kind of player the Lakers should target now.

Think they will?

[cool cat]

Has shades of

https://cdn-s3.si.com/s3fs-public/2012/10/lakers-preview.jpg

Yes, they still have to fill out their roster but don’t buy the hype. Even last year media was saying Lakers were 2nd best team in the West and that they had a great chance of dethroning the Warriors.

[LkrFan]

1140039238232268801
:lol

[Ninja Roach]

:lol Acting like DeRozan is in the Spurs long term plans.

Congrats on having a good day though. If your new iron man can last a whole season you may just break that nasty little franchise record for missing the playoffs streak. Here's to you and them Lakers sir.:bobo

[dbreiden83080]

Now everyone in the media will completely overate this move, and proclaim that LeBron will win another ring next year. Good luck.

[sasaint]

Country tilting from mass migration of bandwagon fans from GS back to LA.:lmao

Yep. Don’t know whether to laugh or cry. I hate the recent GS aura but I also hate the historic Faker allure.

[Beartrucci]

Still wonder where they're going to get 3 point shooting from. Kuzma better be practicing that 3 shot like a mf. Jimmy wouldn't help a ton there. Kyrie would but man that starting team D would be dreadful

[Genovaswitness]

Now everyone in the media will completely overate this move, and proclaim that LeBron will win another ring next year. Good luck.

leshit has a 33% finals win rate. he’s not doing shit if he even gets there lmfao

[Nathan89]

No gsw next year. They'll have a great chance at coming out of the West at the very least. The signing of LeBron meant they were required to make moves like this. So prop to them. Of course it's easy when players force themselves on your team.

[sasaint]

I know it's not a popular opinion on ST but, the Ingram blood clot things isn't an issue like Bosh's was and most GM's are pretty high on Lonzo. Chicago or Phx would give their 1st for him. This looks like an incredible haul for NOLA to me.

I don't think AD is nearly enough to get LA where they want to be but, they still have a lot of cap left to burn. I wonder if some of the other top FA's will change their mind and consider them now? Even if they still aren't interested $32M is a good bit to add a few role players that might be more valuable than a butler or Kemba type. July will be interesting for them.

I also think NOLA may still move the #4. That should keep things interesting this week. I cant see them wanting DDR if they are keeping lonzo but, I do think LMA would interest them greatly.

Maybe NO can flip Lonzo to the Suns.

[picnroll]

Nola with Williamson, Hunter, Hart, Holiday, Ball or a trade for 6 maybe and Randle if they keep him and plus about $60 million on the books in salary. Not a bad team for the Nola fans to get excited about. Better than having a malcontent who gets hurt every year.

[dbreiden83080]

leshit has a 33% finals win rate. he’s not doing shit if he even gets there lmfao

And from what I have seen of Anthony Davis over the years, he is just another one of those guys that stuffs stats sheets and loses a lot of basketball games. He has missed the post season five times in his career. And in today’s NBA it is not exactly difficult to make the playoffs.

[John B]

That’s what you call trade. NO dove a hard bargain and should get them rebuilding in no time. Great job.

[RD2191]

But we have culture and Patty Mills. :lobt:

[Genovaswitness]

And from what I have seen of Anthony Davis over the years, he is just another one of those guys that stuffs stats sheets and loses a lot of basketball games. He has missed the post season five times in his career. And in today’s NBA it is not exactly difficult to make the playoffs.

echoing that sentiment—he’s a big man, which means he has a bigger impact on team success

[Emperor]

Pelicans still shopping that 4th pick lol.

[RD2191]

DDR for the 4th pick. Let's start a youth movement. LMA for whoever.

[Hoops Czar]

1140023659865804802

Three future first round draft picks doesn't sound like it includes this year's. If that's the case, What a horrific trade for the Pelicans but David Griffin works for Lebron anyways so I guess it was expected anyways.

[exstatic]

NO might trade Ball to Phoenix for their pick. Rumor was Phoenix wanted Ball. 4, 6, Hart and two future 1st not too bad given the circumstances, particularly if one of those 1st is 2021 when two combined classes will be draft eligible.

2022. They couldn’t get 2021 worked out in time.

[RC_Drunkford]

I knew this shit was about to happen as soon as David Griffin became the Pelicans GM and the NBA gifted them the 4th pick smh. Now watch all the ring chasing role players sign with the Lakers

[paperboy77]

Anyone think the Pels could be interested in moving the Lakers pick our way for DD and our 19th? Throw in the fat point guard too? Ok nevermind.

[GreekSpursfan]

I see zero bad news for the Spurs, we weren't going to content in the next two years anyway. After two years Lebron will be done, Fakers will have zero assets and a great but injury prone AD and Becky will be ready taking over a new ready made team by Pop. I like the way things are going but we have to be patient.

[Barfunk]

So Lebron and the Lakers just got bailed out, huh? It smells like 2008 out here, lol.

[3&D_TBH]

Given what just transpired, I would take the Pels future over the Lakers future. I’ve never been as high on Davis as everyone else. And Lebron won’t play any defense at all next year except for the one or two times he decides to go for a highlight reel chase down block. If they sign Butler, then they may be a force to be reckoned with, but as it stands, they just became a mid-tier title contender. Just my opinion.

[TD 21]

Sucks that the Lakers get another superstar obviously, but I wouldn't overreact to this yet. Between Davis' lack of durability and James' age/mileage, if they're not able to surround them with quality depth (no easy thing when you're as thin as they now are), they not only won't be contenders, they won't even be playoff locks.

As much as it probably pained them to coalesce to Davis and deal with the Lakers, even with how underwhelming the Lakers' youth is and the lack of a foundational piece, on sheer quantity the Pelicans probably did well here (pending the years/protections on the other 2 picks).

Celtics and Spurs are the biggest losers from this, for obvious reasons. Both should be thoroughly embarrassed at their current predicaments.

[Hoops Czar]

I see zero bad news for the Spurs, we weren't going to content in the next two years anyway. After two years Lebron will be done, Fakers will have zero assets and a great but injury prone AD and Becky will be ready taking over a new ready made team by Pop. I like the way things are going but we have to be patient.

In two years, the Spurs will be a perennial lottery team.

[paperboy77]

How long until Lonzo demands a trade tbh? I remember Lavar saying a while ago that Zo would rather be in Phoenix than be traded to the Pelicans. Obviously what he says doesn’t mean shit, but I don’t think Zo is happy about this.

Why would they even care? Ball sucks and is just a scrub player. Not in position to ask for shit you now?

[GreekSpursfan]

In two years, the Spurs will be a perennial lottery team.

Nope, the young players will be ready, Spurs won't be a lottery team, book it. All we have to do is draft well and not do hasty unnecessary moves. I believe.

[GB20]

In two years, the Spurs will be a perennial lottery team.

How can you say that? RC can find you good players in the draft.

[r0drig0lac]

Had 1 team to trade to yet still managed to get a good haul. I was told that was impossible.

[GreekSpursfan]

Pelicans still shopping that 4th pick lol.

Griffin wants to move down a few spots, i don't blame him. If you can get a lower pick and a very solid player, you do it, or a future pick, picks

[Hoops Czar]

How can you say that? RC can find you good players in the draft.

Spurs need game changers, not semi productive role players. You won't find those players in the high teens, low 20's.

[exstatic]

So, let’s recap:

The 4th pick in a pretty widely acknowledged 3 player draft.
Blood clot
Broke shot
Role player PG
2 shitty late 1st rounders

Oh, and NO has just become the NBAs farm team. They knuckled under, bent over, and took out the lakers trash the next morning. Agents now know they are an easy mark. Look for the Zion trade demand in 3 years.

[rascal]

The Lakers just sold their future for a nonexistent present.

The key will be filling out their roster with cheap vets, of course. The Lakers' FO has already shown they can't competently do that.

On the bright side, they won't have to worry about blowing their draft picks anymore.

The Lakers will have a better record than the Spurs. They will add a third star.

[RC_Drunkford]

RC and Pop better be doing something this offseason or this team might not even make the 8th seed. Mavs are one piece away, Lakers are a top 3 team in the west, if the Clippers get Kawhi the next season will be a hard fight and we can't just bet everything on our young guys improving. Spurs need to make a trade

[GB20]

The Lakers will have a better record than the Spurs. They will add a third star.

They have said the same shit for the last six years.

[GreekSpursfan]

I like Denver to come out of the West next season, thats my prediction. Our window opens after two years.

[mo7888]

RC and Pop better be doing something this offseason or this team might not even make the 8th seed. Mavs are one piece away, Lakers are a top 3 team in the west, if the Clippers get Kawhi the next season will be a hard fight and we can't just bet everything on our young guys improving. Spurs need to make a trade

I agree with that. We need to choose a course, either make a trade that let's us compete this year or trade away LMA and DDR for picks (now or future).

[benefactor]

:lol all of you

On the grand scale, this is fine. Despite your personal feelings the Lakers being relevant again is good for the league, especially with the Dubs on the verge of falling apart. Someone has to take up the torch.

Speaking of relevancy, I'm amazed that after all this time so many of you still try to compare SA to LA. They aren't even in the same category impact-wise even though the Spurs have been wildly successful during the Pop era and LA has been the ass of jokes for years now. Five titles later, the Spurs never truly mattered outside of Texas, France and Argentina and they never will.

Just be glad the Spurs are still half ass relevant. History could have been different and they could have been a yearly 10th seed like other small market teams and ultimately relocated.

[GusT15]

So, let’s recap:

The 4th pick in a pretty widely acknowledged 3 player draft.
Blood clot
Broke shot
Role player PG
2 shitty late 1st rounders

Oh, and NO has just become the NBAs farm team. They knuckled under, bent over, and took out the lakers trash the next morning. Agents now know they are an easy mark. Look for the Zion trade demand in 3 years.

https://twitter.com/ramonashelburne/status/1140028434225123328

[tbdog]

That's a lot of picks. You can't trade consecutive 1st. So the last pick will be traded in 2023

[cjw]

Cowboys aren't going anywhere with Dak at QB.

Cowboys fans are as delusional as Lakers fans, aren’t they?

[rascal]

I see zero bad news for the Spurs, we weren't going to content in the next two years anyway. After two years Lebron will be done, Fakers will have zero assets and a great but injury prone AD and Becky will be ready taking over a new ready made team by Pop. I like the way things are going but we have to be patient.

You are short sighted not seeing all the other possibilities that will happen over the course of that time frame. Lakers will find a way to add more top players during that time span.

[spurraider21]

Better return than DePression and Puddle tbh

Memphis signing Fathead really saved us from being the worst team in the division smh
actually we could have used anderson quite a bit this year with our lack of wing defenders

[Degoat]

Magic Johnson is such a cunt :lmao he just tweeted and congratulated Jeanie buss on trading for AD so that Rob Pelinka wouldn’t get credit for making a deal magic obviously couldn’t lol screw all them but still that’s pretty low

Edit *** he congratulated Rob in a separate tweet lol they still a bunch of bitches though

[rascal]

They have said the same shit for the last six years.

They added LeBron last year and AD this year. They are well on their way now.

[FkLA]

Another huge L for the Spurs.. dear god this has been a rough 2.5 years.

THREE fucking 1st's and the best we net for the best player on Earth is a loser, a role player big, and a PROTECTED 1st :lol

Well, the return is always going to be bigger when the player is willing to sign long term with his new team. Would a bigger haul have been worth it even if it meant LeBron and Nephew run the league as Lakers for the foreseeable future? Not to me.

edit: on second thought those picks will be late picks and there's no guarantee any of the three guys ever become as good as DePression, not really the monster haul it appears to be imo

[GusT15]

Magic Johnson is such a cunt :lmao he just tweeted and congratulated Jeanie buss on trading for AD so that Rob Pelinka wouldn’t get credit for making a deal magic obviously couldn’t lol screw all them but still that’s pretty low

https://twitter.com/MagicJohnson/status/1140042973435985920

[slick'81]

Your move rc

[picnroll]

That's a lot of picks. You can't trade consecutive 1st. So the last pick will be traded in 2023

When Lebron is 39 years old.

[Degoat]

https://twitter.com/MagicJohnson/status/1140042973435985920

i just saw I fixed my post lol they’re still a bunch of shady bitches though

[mo7888]

That's a lot of picks. You can't trade consecutive 1st. So the last pick will be traded in 2023

You cant trade away a pick in consecutive years but you can trade it one year and swap it the next ala Boston/ Brooklyn

[Nivek_ogre]

Just for context Im not a laker hater. I actually enjoyed watching them beat the Celtics and magic during their last run. Also never really hated kobe either. He didn't instill the same hatred as harden, chris Paul and others. Not a fan but I didn't hate them. But I think hiring morons and eventually signing lebron has almost ruined that franchise. They could of developed a very promising young core and been relevant and contending for a decade. Now I think in 3-4 years they'll be in wizards territory.

[spurraider21]

Well, the return is always going to be bigger when the player is willing to sign long term with his new team. Would a bigger haul have been worth it even if it meant LeBron and Nephew run the league as Lakers for the foreseeable future? Not to me.

edit: on second thought those picks will be late picks and there's no guarantee any of the three guys ever become as good as DePression, not really the monster haul it appears to be imo
shoulda just sent him to the clips tbh. tobias and2 firsts

[FkLA]

shoulda just sent him to the clips tbh. tobias and2 firsts

Tobias is a nice player but he's not any less of a fake star than DeRozan is. He's in line for a big payday too.

It would've been interesting to see what PATFO could've done with two late lottery picks though.

[gambit1990]

don't see pop moving demar. he cares about ddr's feeling too much :cry

the move would be out of character for pop. yeah, pop moved malik and hill but demar is different (sensitive) beast altogether.

[cjw]

Let’s see what the details are around the other first round picks before we fully lambast one side. If there are a bunch of pick swaps and protections in place to make sure NO gets to roll the picks until a certain year when they are lottery picks, that’ll look a lot different than two picks in the near future that are in the 20s.

[spurraider21]

Tobias is a nice player but he's not any less of a fake star than DeRozan is. He's in line for a big payday too.

It would've been interesting to see what PATFO could've done with two late lottery picks though.
at least he can shoot and doesnt suffer chronic dperession

[Hoops Czar]

They added LeBron last year and AD this year. They are well on their way now.

People said the same thing when the Lakers traded for Dwight Howard.

[Legacy]

Has shades of

https://cdn-s3.si.com/s3fs-public/2012/10/lakers-preview.jpg

[K...]

The picks are potentially valuable because the Lakers are injury prone and will probably choke a season.

[slick'81]

So much for pops warning to not deal with la

[rascal]

People said the same thing when the Lakers traded for Dwight Howard.

Lakers are a team that isn't afraid to make bold moves and they eventually trade their way to titles. It has happened in the past Kobe/Shaq and will happen again.

[Keepin' it real]

What happened to the Spurs trading DDR and getting the #4 pick? C'mon spurstalk.

[cool cat]

What happened to the Spurs trading DDR and getting the #4 pick? C'mon spurstalk.

We are living in the darkest timeline, dreams don’t come true here.

[Degoat]

Davis is hella injury prone

[daslicer]

Lakers are a team that isn't afraid to make bold moves and they eventually trade their way to titles. It has happened in the past Kobe/Shaq and will happen again.

I would say Ujiri trading Demar for #2 was a bold move knowing #2 has a high chance of bolting. He took a risk on trading for a 1 year rental and ended up winning a title. The Lakers don't ever have to make bold moves because players like Davis try to force their way to LA. So GTFO here with your nonsense. You are a typical closet Laker fan.

[cjw]

Lakers are a team that isn't afraid to make bold moves and they eventually trade their way to titles. It has happened in the past Kobe/Shaq and will happen again.

Shaq signed as a free agent, and then they traded him in his prime to the Heat and helped them ring before the Lakers did again.

Kobe was hardly a bold move. Basically the George Hill/Kawhi grade 15 years earlier.

[Nivek_ogre]

I would say Ujiri trading Demar for #2 was a bold move knowing #2 has a high chance of bolting. He took a risk on trading for a 1 year rental and ended up winning a title. The Lakers don't ever have to make bold moves because players like Davis try to force their way to LA. So GTFO here with your nonsense. You are a typical closet Laker fan.

I wouldn't say it was a bold move at all. To me it was a no lose situation. You gamble and you get a top 5 player for a potential championship and at the same time get rid of a bad contract in demar derozan. His gamble paid off. I don't think demar is as bad as most do here but for Toronto his contract was bad and the team had stagnated with him.

[picnroll]

Lakers are a team that isn't afraid to make bold moves and they eventually trade their way to titles. It has happened in the past Kobe/Shaq and will happen again.
WTF are you talking about. If you mean bold moves like breaking NBA rules, tampering then you're onto something. LAs a desireable location. Lakers have taken advantage of that for years. A near idiot GM and owner would be successful there. They have proven though a complete idiot can’t.

[GusT15]

What happened to the Spurs trading DDR and getting the #4 pick? C'mon spurstalk.

https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1140033468920938498

Just cause DeRozan can't get us #4 it doesn't mean it's off the table generally cause of the trade.

[Twisted_Dawg]

Three first rounders including the fourth overall pick. Don’t love Ingram or Ball but a lotto ticket with them. And Hart, who I love as a role player.

... compared to the 29th pick and a decent center two years from getting paid, and a net negative SG

You're forgetting the $5 million the Spurs sent the Raps in this trade. The WORST trade in Spurs history.

[BackHome]

Damn 3 first round picks and 3 players.

[Hoops Czar]

Lakers are a team that isn't afraid to make bold moves and they eventually trade their way to titles. It has happened in the past Kobe/Shaq and will happen again.

Spurs will probably win a championship again, too. Probably not until at least 2040 and most likely not in San Antonio but it will happen again.

[ace3g]

https://twitter.com/DraftExpress/status/1140025235632209920

[Biggems]

Nawlins needs to draft Zion and Hunter.

[cjw]

You're forgetting the $5 million the Spurs sent the Raps in this trade. The WORST trade in Spurs history.

Doesn’t matter much in the grand scheme of things

Oh wait it does! They can’t even go out and buy a pick now this year from a cheap ass owner like the Bulls or Suns: http://www.cbafaq.com/salarycap.htm#Q98

[Rosewood]

Pelicans shit on Lakers in this trade, I have no clue why everyone is so high on empty-stat AD. Dude hasn't won a fucking thing. DeMar Derozan and Kyle fucking Lowry did way more than AD.

[Uriel]

Is Kawhi Lakers bound?

[ZeusWillJudge]

Is Kawhi Lakers bound?

Wouldn't that be the shit? I can hear the sound of heads exploding all around the league. But especially in Toronto.

[rasuo214]

This could still end up disastrous for the Lakers. They probably need another star player or it could be the Celtics-Nets trade 2.0.

[picnroll]

Wouldn't that be the shit? I can hear the sound of heads exploding all around the league. But especially in Toronto.

I think kwitter likes being “ the man”.

[DPG21920]

This could end up being bad for both teams. NO got a good deal on paper but unless it was a case of the Lakers sucking so bad at player development that made Zo/BI look meh, they didn’t get any all star potential in the deal. On top of that Ingram needs to get paid next year so worst case there if he’s just good enough on another bad team to warrant a raise. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Ingram traded mid season if his value rises because of the above. Plus their are injury concerns. But the picks were good and it looks like a good value on paper.

For LA they knew their youth was overrated as hell which is why they were fine getting rid of them all. Getting AD means you guaranteed you got at least one star for your 6 years of being awful. However, LA has some tough roster building ahead. Even if they land a Kyrie, while they would be formidable they will really have to nail the budget signings. Health of AD and Bron are big too. But it’s a move LA had to make but they had to give up a lot for a one team race.

But it’s bad for the league, IMO, how these agents are tampering and power brokering. I’m all for players having power but you can’t have these guys functionally cheating. Plus rewarding complete ineptitude (Lakers) usually is bad business.


But let’s go; shits going down now.

[NickiRasgo]

Hope atleast the Pelicans are interested in getting Derozan from the Spurs for 4th pick - could an NBA owned team help us? :p:

[Nivek_ogre]

Hope atleast the Pelicans are interested in getting Derozan from the Spurs for 4th pick - could an NBA owned team help us? :p:

The NBA doesn't own the Pelicans.

[Russ]

The NBA doesn't own the Pelicans.

I think it's Tom Benson's widow.

[NickiRasgo]

The NBA doesn't own the Pelicans.

Thanks for this. I thought it's still owned by NBA after all these years. :wow

[BatManu20]

Watch D-Lo go back to the Lakers now that Kyrie is expected to sign in BKN.

[baseline bum]

The Lakers just sold their future for a nonexistent present.

The key will be filling out their roster with cheap vets, of course. The Lakers' FO has already shown they can't competently do that.

On the bright side, they won't have to worry about blowing their draft picks anymore.

What future was Ingram, Ball, and Hart? They got a franchise guy in his prime for the #4 pick, a couple of likely late firsts, and a grab bag of garbage. James + Davis + whoever else they sign with their near max cap slot is going to be a legit contender in a year where the conference (and thus the entire league) is wide open.

[ace3g]

https://twitter.com/TimBontemps/status/1140085647543193601

[slick'81]

In terms of pics it wasnt that bad a haul for the pels tbh.If ball of ingram turn into anything no might salvage this deal

[Robz4000]

:wow the pick swaps too. Pelicans might've actually won the trade.

[picnroll]

https://twitter.com/TimBontemps/status/1140085647543193601

Dayan Lakers were desperate.

[Dverde]

If you add in Julius Randle, they are basically the 2017- 2018 Lakers with Zion and Holiday.

[picnroll]

If you add in Julius Randle, they are basically the 2017- 2018 Lakers with Zion and Holiday.

and probably Hunter.

[baseline bum]

:wow the pick swaps too. Pelicans might've actually won the trade.

Meh what were the Lakers going to do with those picks anyways? Have they had a draft pick pan out since Van Exel? :lol

[BWS-1994]

Wow... 3-4 unprotected picks? Probably until LBJ’s run in the NBA.

[slick'81]

Wow... 3-4 unprotected picks? Probably until LBJ’s run in the NBA.

Yup lakers only move to aquire a top tier talent to pair with lebron

[DPG21920]

Griffin should flip Ingram & Zo now while he can.

[pgardn]

WTF are you talking about. If you mean bold moves like breaking NBA rules, tampering then you're onto something. LAs a desireable location. Lakers have taken advantage of that for years. A near idiot GM and owner would be successful there. They have proven though a complete idiot can’t.

This

Their management is flat out horrid.

[Robz4000]

Meh what were the Lakers going to do with those picks anyways? Have they had a draft pick pan out since Van Exel? :lol

They'd fuck them up, true, but the Pelicans making the picks are a different story. Remember, 3-4 years from now Lebron will prolly be retiring, AD might be gone/damaged goods/still an empty-stats superstar, and the Lakers pick could be high while the Pelicans may be a piece away from contending.

[tbdog]

Holy fuck, Lakers gave up all their future for a shot right now.

[Ron Swanson]

:wow the pick swaps too. Pelicans might've actually won the trade.

Yeah, those later picks may be pretty good.

[Mikeanaro]

:lmao LOLONZO
:lmaoBUM BALLA BRAND

[Robz4000]

Holy fuck, Lakers gave up all their future for a shot right now.

Right call with the Dubs out of the picture for now. Better to have a bird in the hand than two in the bush, etc.

[NickiRasgo]

The Lakers doesn't need a pick anyways, they could attract players from the free agency better than the Spurs. Besides, they suck developing players from the lottery pick, maybe one of the reason is due to the pressure that they're playing in LA.

[baseline bum]

They'd fuck them up, true, but the Pelicans making the picks are a different story. Remember, 3-4 years from now Lebron will prolly be retiring, AD might be gone/damaged goods/still an empty-stats superstar, and the Lakers pick could be high while the Pelicans may be a piece away from contending.

Even if that's the case that's a chance highly worth taking to win in the next 2-3 years. With Davis and James in hand and a 30% max slot left to spend they're going to land at least one one other strong player this summer too. Plus they'll get some ring chasing vets with Golden State's chances dead next season.

[Robz4000]

Even if that's the case that's a chance highly worth taking to win in the next 2-3 years. With Davis and James in hand and a 30% max slot left to spend they're going to land at least one one other strong player this summer too. Plus they'll get some ring chasing vets with Golden State's chances dead next season.

Agreed, but it also makes sense for the Pelicans. Still hate the trade, but now I see how it makes sense for the Pelicans.

[DPG21920]

It’s so damning of LAs youth that they couldn’t make the playoffs with Bron and swapping them all for just AD makes them title favorites lmao

[DPG21920]

Picks are very valuable but no got no good players. And they fit awful. Zo can’t shoot. Ingram can’t shoot. Zion is an ok shooter.

[RD2191]

It’s so damning of LAs youth that they couldn’t make the playoffs with Bron and swapping them all for just AD makes them title favorites lmao

They can still land a marquee free agent though can't they? 3-peat if they land Kawhi tbh

[RD2191]

Holy fuck, Lakers gave up all their future for a shot right now.

They had no choice tbh. If you sign lebron you have to go all in. The league will be as open as ever next season tbh.

[DPG21920]

They can still land a marquee free agent though can't they? 3-peat if they land Kawhi tbh

For sure but it’s already made la betting favorites before that. But yup, there is still a very real poss that LA can get another max player. But it’s not guaranteed - depends on how and when this actually goes down. They could have anywhere from 24M to 32M

[DPG21920]

They had no choice tbh. If you sign lebron you have to go all in. The league will be as open as ever next season tbh.


LA had no choice is right. They landed Bron and missed playoffs. Their team was in shambles. Their front office was a laughing stock and they’ve known the youth wasn’t worth a thing.

If they whiffed on AD not only would free agency be a disaster but the youth would probably demand a trade to since the relationship would be beyond repair.

[JeffDuncan]

So who will be the Fakers point guard? LeBron has always needed an outstanding point guard.

[Degoat]

I bet Trevor ariza goes ring chasing with the lakers

[mo7888]

Yall are going to be wrong about Ingram and Lonzo.

[NickiRasgo]

Lakers can't even make a playoffs with those lottery bound players - they did okay and will be fine besides they can still attract a player from the free agency. Not unless AD got injured mid-way in the season but the Lakers did the right thing. Time will tell if they actually loses the trade. In today's generation, it's hard to get a player who acts like an alpha - most of them are no longer plays for competition and are just contented getting paid.

[DPG21920]

Ya it was a no brainer for LA since they suck at player development anyways and didn’t give any good players. lol

[RD2191]

For sure but it’s already made la betting favorites before that. But yup, there is still a very real poss that LA can get another max player. But it’s not guaranteed - depends on how and when this actually goes down. They could have anywhere from 24M to 32M

Definitely gonna be interesting to see what happens. Hopefully they crash and burn. :lol

[RC_Drunkford]

would be funny if the Lakers snatch Bogdanovic :lmao

[Truth4sale$]

If Lakers have any injuries, they will be screwed due to a lack of depth. Where as New Orleans is on a nice path to building a well rounded "team" with good youth and potential. They maybe 3 years away from contending.

[RC_Drunkford]

I don't know why anybody here is critical of them adding to the pieces in place. They have a ton of cap space and almost every good 3-and-D wing is a free agent. Add Marcus Morris and Danny Green and voila. Bring back Rondo and there you go. PG will be the key position for LA, hopefully they won't be able to sign an All-Star. I could see Ariza and Jeff Green joining them on cheap deals. Their bench would probably be trash, but they will still be a playoff team. How the fuck did they not give up Kuzma?

[DPG21920]

What will be funny is if one of these picks LA gave NO turns into Bron Jr when he’s drafted lol

[blizz]

Anyway NO takes Demarr for the 4? Woj says they want a veteran all star.

[Play Boban]

I just hope LaVar and Lonzo can survive those cold, snowy New Orleans winters tbh........ :wakeup

[Dejounte]

Lakers are getting Kawhi too. Just a bad feeling. All the signs have been there.

[slick'81]

Kyrie/kemba or bust for la

[J_Paco]

So, let’s recap:

The 4th pick in a pretty widely acknowledged 3 player draft.
Blood clot
Broke shot
Role player PG
2 shitty late 1st rounders

Oh, and NO has just become the NBAs farm team. They knuckled under, bent over, and took out the lakers trash the next morning. Agents now know they are an easy mark. Look for the Zion trade demand in 3 years.

Sheesh, when you put it like that.....

Although, I do think DeAndre Hunter has all-star/Bruce Bowen or Quitter lockdown defensive potential but would be a massive reach at #4.


Spurs need game changers, not semi productive role players. You won't find those players in the high teens, low 20's.

That guy, Quitter Leonard, who everyone is proclaiming is "the best player in the NBA," says hello.

[ShutUp SayItAgain!]

The future is shit, but that's alright, Spurs had their day and drew some tears outta 12be doing it. Life is good.

I mean this pic is really why you're here trollin' isn't it? That shit hit y'all hard. It still hurts. :cry
http://dsz7vodgjx60a.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/bil-kobe-cry.jpg

:lmao :lmao

[monty4329]

So, let’s recap:

The 4th pick in a pretty widely acknowledged 3 player draft.
Blood clot
Broke shot
Role player PG
2 shitty late 1st rounders

Oh, and NO has just become the NBAs farm team. They knuckled under, bent over, and took out the lakers trash the next morning. Agents now know they are an easy mark. Look for the Zion trade demand in 3 years.

Actually, the League traded Zion for AD + some change.

[monty4329]

The League gave Zion to NO for this reason.

The two GS injuries complicate the plans a bit, now they have to force a few more trades to have another attractive team.

[gambit1990]

Has shades of

https://cdn-s3.si.com/s3fs-public/2012/10/lakers-preview.jpg
:td tbh

lebron >>> busted, bitter kobe
AD >>> that version of howard

[gambit1990]

it's real dumb how much blowback lebron got for not getting the lakers to the POs.

no one (including myself) wanted to trade kawhi for lakers' trash. lakers' trash was literally lebron's team :lol and he still had a chance of dragging them to the POs if he hadn't got hurt.

if KD or even kawhi was on the lakers instead of lebron last year, they wouldn't have made the POs either.

lakeshow on the verge of being something real. spurs fans doubting them the way they doubted kawhi after the trade TBH.

[gambit1990]

also, the reports of kobe recruiting hard for kyrie :lmao

kobe wants to pit kyrie against lebron. kyrie is already kobe lite.

if kobe really wanted this laker team to succeed then he would've recruited kemba. any chip lebron wins with la hurts kobe.

[Rusty]

Kyrie going to the Lakers as well

[kobyz]

Why we didn't offer Murray, White, Walker, Jakob, Bellinelli and Bertans expiring, #19,29 and 3 future picks? We could have beaten Lakers offer!

[kobyz]

Lakers are now the heavy favorite to win the title and having a cake walk to the finals!

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

Whoa great deal for Griffin and NO. These picks all the way to 2025 have the chance to make it the new Boston Brooklyn deal.

[kobyz]

Whoa great deal for Griffin and NO. These picks all the way to 2025 have the chance to make it the new Boston Brooklyn deal.

All those picks are late first round, lol griffin

[RC_Drunkford]

Why we didn't offer Murray, White, Walker, Jakob, Bellinelli and Bertans expiring, #19,29 and 3 future picks? We could have beaten Lakers offer!

Yeah right, so that AD leaves next summer and we become a lottery team for the next 5 years

[BillMc]

LaVar Ball says Lakers will never win a championship without Lonzo!

So, there's that....:lol

[GreekSpursfan]

Everything depends on LeBron's health and possible regression. LeBron can be LeBron for two years max then we take over again because their front office remains trash even if they will have AD

[kobyz]

Yeah right, so that AD leaves next summer and we become a lottery team for the next 5 years

It gives you chance to win the title, and that's worth it...

[anon]

Has anyone already pointed out the disparity between the haul Griffin got for a disgruntled franchise player that was adamant about an LA destination all season in effect tanking his value versus the impoverished dregs Buford got for a disgruntled franchise player that was adamant about an LA destination all season in effect tanking his value? Oh minus a 5 million dollar kicker as well.

[picnroll]

Has anyone already pointed out the disparity between the haul Griffin got for a disgruntled franchise player that was adamant about an LA destination all season in effect tanking his value versus the impoverished dregs Buford got for a disgruntled franchise player that was adamant about an LA destination all season in effect tanking his value? Oh minus a 5 million dollar kicker as well.
Somewhat different circumstances. AD signaled he would only sign with a specific team. Kwitter signaled he would only sign with a team in a specific city PLUS no one knew if he was going to have to play in the wheel chair league when he did.

[spursparker9]

LaVar Ball says Lakers will never win a championship without Lonzo!

So, there's that....:lol

He also said he would beat MJ 1 on 1.

[anon]

Somewhat different circumstances. AD signaled he would only sign with a specific team. Kwitter signaled he would only sign with a team in a specific city PLUS no one knew if he was going to have to play in the wheel chair league when he did.
So the trade with only one defined market got a more significant haul than the trade with double the potential markets. That's an even worse look for Buford!

Had 1 team to trade to yet still managed to get a good haul. I was told that was impossible.

[mo7888]

Whoa great deal for Griffin and NO. These picks all the way to 2025 have the chance to make it the new Boston Brooklyn deal.

Yep

[dbestpro]

In today's NBA, a high scoring center is fools gold. He must shoot consistently 60% or higher to match a 40% three point shooter. The worth of a center now is block shots, rebounds, and the ability to defend on the perimeter. There is a reason New Orleans never did well even though it had some decent talent. They key for LA, is not Davis and James, but rather the talent the put in the other three positions. Kuzma can shoot and will help, but just adding vets like they did last year did not work.

[Murray2k]

Has anyone already pointed out the disparity between the haul Griffin got for a disgruntled franchise player that was adamant about an LA destination all season in effect tanking his value versus the impoverished dregs Buford got for a disgruntled franchise player that was adamant about an LA destination all season in effect tanking his value? Oh minus a 5 million dollar kicker as well.

Yeah we really should have got a better haul for Kawhi, we messed up badly there.. Nothing that can be done about it now, just have to hope PATFO are able to fix this I guess.

[tbdog]

It's just insane how a team can be mismanaged, season after season. Lottery pick after another with no ability to develop those young players. Get caught tampering. GM resigns through the media. And they still end up with two gems wanting to join them.

[offset formation]

seriously tho, how come pop couldnt pull off a deal like this for kawhi

Stop blaming pop and start blaming neph. He put Spurs in a horrivle spot and those teams offer was never that great because no one knew neph's health status.

PATFO is best in the business but even they can get bent over a barrell in the right circumstances.

Fuck neph. And fuck anyone that doesn't comprehend that.

[offset formation]

It's just insane how a team can be mismanaged, season after season. Lottery pick after another with no ability to develop those young players. Get caught tampering. GM resigns through the media. And they still end up with two gems wanting to join them.

Yes. They were born on third and think they hit a triple. And their fan base are all enormously entitled douchenozzles that expect a homerun.

Fuck them.

[mo7888]

In today's NBA, a high scoring center is fools gold. He must shoot consistently 60% or higher to match a 40% three point shooter. The worth of a center now is block shots, rebounds, and the ability to defend on the perimeter. There is a reason New Orleans never did well even though it had some decent talent. They key for LA, is not Davis and James, but rather the talent the put in the other three positions. Kuzma can shoot and will help, but just adding vets like they did last year did not work.

Kuzma shot 30% from 3 last year... I think he's fool's gold....100% agree on the rest..

[Jordan Jackson]

Your move rc

Incoming contract extensions for DeRozan and Mills. Checkmate.

[CGD]

Incoming contract extensions for DeRozan and Mills. Checkmate.

That’s cold...

[hater]

They will be fun team to watch and possibly west Champs as showers are now fucked :lmao

[CGD]

NOLA now has some nice chips to flip now. I’d love Ball ASAP if them.

Curious to see the direction they take, so they suck one more year? Do they try to get an established player like Beal now with their capspace?

[Dennis the Menace]

Incoming contract extensions for DeRozan and Mills. Checkmate.

Nah, we’ll give Rudy a 3 or 4 year deal. He was totally washed up by the end of the season. Not his fault with the Achilles situation but still he has no more explosiveness at the tail end of a season.

RC and Pop will think it was just the alcohol in their system making it look that way. Not reality. 2 years should be tops, but since they’ve been Dumb & Dumber the last 3 years in front office decisions they’ll extend him 3 or 4.

[Russ]

Nice article by Ramona Shelburne about how the Spurs tried to get from the Lakers what NO ended up getting:

The Massive Risks and Rewards Behind this Anthony Davis Trade Play

Last summer, the San Antonio Spurs thought they had the Los Angeles Lakers right where they wanted them. L.A. had the inside track to sign LeBron James as a free agent on July 1. But the belief around the league was that James wouldn't come to the Lakers by himself and spend the last years of his prime babysitting their young roster.

The Spurs thought it was a moment of maximum leverage from which to trade Kawhi Leonard, and they wanted everything the Lakers could offer. Not a couple of the Lakers' young players and draft picks. All of them.

The Lakers had spent five years building their team through the lottery and felt good about how they had reshaped their roster. They had held on to their young players when Paul George was traded. When Jimmy Butler was traded. When DeMarcus Cousins was traded. Were they really going to part with all of them now? Could they sign James without that second star in place?

The Lakers held firm. James came anyway, banking on the Lakers getting him a co-star in a trade or via free agency in the summer of 2019. Leonard was traded to the Toronto Raptors and won an NBA title.

The Pelicans' trade demands in exchange for Anthony Davis were nearly identical to the Spurs' requests for Leonard. Their pressure points, leverage and even the young players involved were virtually the same.

The Pelicans have agreed to send six-time All-Star Anthony Davis to Los Angeles, where he'll team up with LeBron James, sources tell ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Full story

But the Lakers were in a very different place this time around. The NBA is in a very different place this time around. Because two of the top free agents about to hit the market -- Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant -- just suffered catastrophic injuries that will keep them out all or most of next season. A third, Leonard, just won his second Finals MVP, and the Lakers' chances for even getting a meeting with him on July 1 seemed to be dimming. And a fourth, Kyrie Irving, just fired his agent and has been increasingly linked to the Brooklyn Nets.

That's virtually the entire top tier of this summer's vaunted free-agent class essentially coming off the Lakers' board. All of which made Davis the top player that the Lakers had the chance to acquire this summer.

The Lakers couldn't leave things to the whims of free agency anymore. Not with James hitting his mid-30s and the pressure on controlling owner Jeanie Buss and general manager Rob Pelinka reaching a fevered pitch following the embarrassing resignation and media tour from former team president Magic Johnson.

Sure, Pelinka could've cut some of the tension at his news conference on draft night by making fun of himself for the fake Heath Ledger story that ESPN's Baxter Holmes revealed last month.

But the only way for Pelinka to truly relieve some of the pressure on himself and the franchise was to acquire a superstar at any cost. The Lakers simply could not afford to miss on this trade and free agency again.

Which is exactly what the Pelicans were banking on. And exactly why this trade couldn't happen until everyone set egos, and hurt feelings from February, aside.

Now, calling those discussions in February "negotiations" is a bit of a stretch. The Pelicans were never serious about dealing with the Lakers then. They didn't like being forced into this position by Davis and his representative, Rich Paul. And they probably weren't going to let former general manager Dell Demps make this big of a decision anyway.

So the Lakers -- really just Johnson, because Demps wouldn't talk to Pelinka -- would call and Demps would write names on the board without giving them any feedback. Those names would leak publicly and do damage to the Lakers' team chemistry. But eventually, Johnson and the Lakers got the hint and stopped banging up against what had become an incredibly self-destructive wall.

Everyone involved in those failed trade discussions got hurt.

The Pelicans' season tanked. The Lakers imploded. Demps was fired. Johnson quit, then threw everyone under the bus. Lakers coach Luke Walton left. James, Paul, Pelinka and Buss endured months of withering criticism. Davis was booed by the home fans, taken off promotional materials and criticized for some suspect fashion choices.

Anthony Davis arrived at the Pelicans' season finale wearing a T-shirt with "That's All Folks" printed on it. AP Photo/Scott Threlkeld
It was bad business for both sides. And when everyone came up for air and surveyed the damage, both sides realized there was still a hell of a deal to make if they could get over themselves.

Said one source close to the negotiations, "The biggest difference this time was David Griffin [the new Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations]. He wasn't involved before. He could negotiate frankly and fairly."

For the Lakers, this is a massive gamble, with Davis hitting free agency next summer. He is a better player -- and probably a healthier one -- than Dwight Howard was in 2012, when the Lakers took a similar chance and got massively burned for it. Again, this is what the Lakers do. Chasing superstars is part of their DNA. Add in the pressure of maximizing this three-year window with a still-in-his-prime James and this was an automatic reflex for them. Plus, the Lakers still have up to $32.5 million in cap space this summer. Adding Davis is probably the best pitch they can make to free agents.

For the Pelicans, this could be a Herschel Walker-type haul for a player they were going to lose in a year. They essentially got three top-five lottery picks out of the deal, two of which already have gone through their NBA growing pains. Just the idea of Lonzo Ball throwing lobs to probable No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson is enough to bring fans back to the Smoothie King Center. Ball and Jrue Holiday might already be the best defensive backcourt in the NBA.

The Pelicans might be the rare team to trade a superstar in his prime and not have to rebuild. And this is before we know whether the Pelicans will keep the No. 4 pick or flip it for an established veteran.

Either way, the Lakers gave up a massive load of assets to acquire Davis that they'll either be lamenting for years to come like they did after the Howard and Steve Nash trades or celebrating their iron stomachs if Davis and James team up to restore the franchise to glory.

This is a legacy-defining move for Griffin. He mutually parted ways with the Cleveland Cavaliers after the 2017 season so he could run a franchise the way he wanted, without ownership interference. Griffin was so determined to do things on his terms this time, he passed on an opportunity and massive payday to run the New York Knicks two years ago, because he wasn't guaranteed full control of basketball operations.

Instead, Griffin spent his downtime in Sonoma, California, with his wife. They did a lot of wine tasting and enjoyed the region's world-class culinary scene. He hosted a sports talk show on SiriusXM.

The right opportunity would come. The right terms. And if it didn't, Griffin would just enjoy his life. When Pelicans owner Gayle Benson called this spring, Griffin got everything he wanted.

That's also the approach he took to the negotiations for this trade. The Boston Celtics were serious about trading for Davis, as well. They were willing to discuss young, talented players such as Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart, according to sources close to the negotiations. But the Celtics were never going to give up as much as the Lakers. And Boston didn't have a high draft pick this year to offer, because it simply hadn't gotten as lucky in the lottery as both L.A. and New Orleans.

And so, in a back room of the Hilton Chicago in May, Pelinka and Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry were together where the NBA draws the combinations of numbers for the draft lottery.

The winning combination is drawn first. So everyone knew right away that the Pelicans had won the rights to draft Williamson. But a few minutes later, the Lakers' number came up, as well, and they jumped to No. 4.

Both franchises knew their fortunes would be forever changed. On Saturday, those draft picks formed the bedrock upon which this blockbuster trade was built. For the Pelicans and the Lakers, it's a second chance to expose themselves to true risk -- and championship rewards.


https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/26983092/the-massive-risks-rewards-anthony-davis-trade

[DPG21920]

Man, this trade will be completed July 6th. It shows NO was totally in control. Because of this La will no longer have a max contract available for a third star (at least not a max for vets with certain amount of years of experience). LA will have to convince a star to take a lot less.

If AD doesn’t waive his trade kicker La has 23M in space. If he does they have 28M.

[John B]

:lol Pelicans ended up taking the Lakers' trash, though the three first round picks is nice.

:lmao Spurs got DePression and the 29th pick for the best player in the NBA
Their trash is another man’s gold, D’Angelo, Randle, Lopez all played great after leaving LA. Watch those scrubs ball in NO and get the last laugh unloading cancer.

[djohn2oo8]

Man, this trade will be completed July 6th. It shows NO was totally in control. Because of this La will no longer have a max contract available for a third star (at least not a max for vets with certain amount of years of experience). LA will have to convince a star to take a lot less.

If AD doesn’t waive his trade kicker La has 23M in space. If he does they have 28M.
And LA really shouldn’t blow the rest of that on one player. They will have no bench, no assets to trade in the future. And everything riding on AD’s and LeBron’s health.

[Hoops Czar]

That guy, Quitter Leonard, who everyone is proclaiming is "the best player in the NBA," says hello.

Leonard was a lottery pick.

[ace3g]

https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1140296688650903553

[Degoat]

Idk see why the pelicans would wait until July 30th to complete the trade and help the lakers out lol I would demand it be completed on 6th

[Seventyniner]

The Lakers better do something good these next few years cause they're gonna have another 5-year bottom out in 2023-2028.

[Russ]

https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1140296688650903553

NO may tell the Lakers, "We'll let the trade go until after July 6 if you give us Kuzma."

So you get the Lakers coming and going. (Don't worry, they're used to it.)

[mo7888]

NO may tell the Lakers, "We'll let the trade go until after July 6 if you give us Kuzma."

So you get the Lakers coming and going. (Don't worry, they're used to it.)

Very real possibility there...

[rascal]

Spurs will probably win a championship again, too. Probably not until at least 2040 and most likely not in San Antonio but it will happen again.

I also think the Spurs will eventually leave SA as Spur fans have gotten spoiled and won't support a losing team or long. There are going to be bad years ahead for the Spurs and most Spur fans don't want to accept that.

[Kindergarten Cop]

Leonard was a lottery pick.

Actually not, just outside the lottery.

[rascal]

Lakers will get Kawhi now and win the west.

LeBron, KL and AD will be the top team now that GS is going into next season injured.

[ducks]

Leonard will miss 20 games next season does not play back to back
Ad will miss 20 games injury prone
James could easily
If Leonard goes there

[ducks]

Ball dad says lakers will never win a title again.

[ducks]

Sam Vecenie Sam_Vecenie
·
3h
I mean, if deal goes through on July 6, then Lakers only have (at most, depending on if AD takes his trade bonus), ~27.5M in space — and few avenues to clear more

So Kemba would have to take ~$100 million less guaranteed than his max with the Hornets to sign with LA

[Millennial_Messiah]

The Deportation! led to a title!! :rollin :lmao :rollin

:lmao SA Shits
:lmao Kobe haters

7 Finals appearances > 6, tbh

[Millennial_Messiah]

Lakers will get Kawhi now and win the west.

LeBron, KL and AD will be the top team now that GS is going into next season injured.
Clippers are getting Kawhi and a second tier star. lol if they get Harden though too

[LkrFan]

NO may tell the Lakers, "We'll let the trade go until after July 6 if you give us Kuzma."

So you get the Lakers coming and going. (Don't worry, they're used to it.)

LOL at you farmers giving credence to a Celtic loving hack named Wojtek :lol