Lakers #1 Future Target: Durant or Westbrook?

[yinoma2001]

The conventional wisdom (and somewhat of a consensus view IMO) was that the Lakers will and should go after Durant as the “Next” in 2016. He is already an MVP, and one of the best players in the league. He has star value, and would fit nicely in the pantheon of Laker greats.

However, a few things happened this year.

1. Durant has been injured…a lot…this season. His foot injury is a bit troubling, as we forget that while he’s a lanky big man, he’s nevertheless 6’10 (maybe 6’11). Will that foot injury linger?

2. Washington. They are maneuvering like crazy (both the fanbase and the team) to get his services in 2016. I think their foundational pieces (Wall, Beal, vet big men) will be much better than the Lakers in 2016. I’m not sure that the Lakers appeal very much to Durant (and he’s getting his endorsements anyway…so the LA market isn’t exactly a must-have).

I’ve been on team Durant, but I’m changing my tune. I’m all about getting Westbrook now.

1. I do like how Kobe has all but anointed him as his successor. That means a lot IMO for him

2. I’m not certain Durant wants the pressure of leading the Lakers franchise back to the top, particularly right after Kobe retires. I don’t think he likes that kind of limelight; Russ would be all for that IMO and even if he doesn’t get to the top, I think he embraces the challenge much better.

3. I don’t think the Lakers will have a compelling enough foundation for Durant to join anyways by 2016.

4. Russ has LA ties, and in this case, I think it means something. I know he’s said publicly that he wouldn’t join the Lakers, but: 1) he can’t talk about joining them since he was under contract; 2) why would he diss his current team by doing so; 3) he signed his first extension with OKC b/c it made 100% sense to do so.

So this would require some patience from the Lakers and its fanbase. I don’t think Russ will be on the trading block until after Durant leaves OKC (which I’m banking on him doing so, I don’t think he will forgive them for the Harden fiasco). Once he leaves, OKC will scramble to find out if Russ wants to stay, or whether he wants to be traded. In that scenario, I think Russ is the type of guy who will say “trade me to the Lakers.” If we get a top 5 pick, I wouldn’t get too comfortable with that player. Also, remember OKC was the team spearheading the rally against changing the NBA draft lottery, which tells me that they see that they are running out of time with Durant/Russ and know they may have to blow it up again, tank to get assets, repeat the cycle.

Lakers could try to be patient, and sign him outright in 2017 (damn that feels far away), have the top 5 pick, Randle, 2015 and 2016 free agents, and have him as the last alpha dog piece. However, he’d be turning 29 in November 2017. I think the Lakers would not wait that long.

So, anyone with me? Let’s move on from Durant and start getting the assets for Russ. If Durant leaves, OKC has little choice but to start looking for trade destinations for Russ. I don’t think they trade Durant, but may be willing to see if they can woo him back; they won’t make the same mistake with Russ and they will move him if Durant bounces.
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From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals

[Honeybadger81]

Durant, leave cap space open for Westbrook the year after. The lakers is the right market for these two...

[Don Draper]

Durant has the body/potential to last longer and have a better prime, but attitude and health might stop him. Westbrook's attitude alone makes him somebody you'd want to have, and I'd probably take him over Durant as the latter's foot injury issues worry me.

[KobeRe-Loaded]

I’ve been on team Durant, but I’m changing my tune. I’m all about getting Westbrook now.

Thanks for agreeing w/me Yinoma ! Much love my man!
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#11/08/16 America became GREAT again
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[yinoma2001]

[KobeRe-Loaded]

I'll spill the beans... not making this up.

Westbrook's mom's dream is to have Russell come back home and play for the Lakers.

My sauces are peeps from LA Unified!
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#11/08/16 America became GREAT again
#Avatar-gate

[The Lebrons]

Westbrook!!

[yinoma2001]

[kikanga]

[danzag]

I'm all about Westbrook nowadays. Hope the chemistry on OKC goes really bad and he forces a trade

But since Durant will be a free agent in 2016, the Lakers will go after him first, just for the sense of obligation. If we get him, fine. If not, then we'll go after Westbrook.

[yinoma2001]

[danzag]

Make a poll, yinoma!

[RMurphy_22]

Durant I think...I'd be down with Westbrook too, though I'm concerned with him playing so recklessly everynight will run him into the ground as he approaches 30. He relies more on his athleticsm than technique, while Durant has more technique on top of a lengthy frame. Either one is great btw, rich kid problems with that decision.
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Back to Back Yeah, Yeah...and you know that!
- Magic

[yinoma2001]

If I had the feeling that Durant was interested in the Lakers, and that the Lakers presented a sufficient, ready-made environment (personnel and coaching wise) for Durant, that's a different analysis.

I just get the sense he wouldn't want it, while Russ would be up for the challenge. I mean I couldn't fault Durant for wanting to team up with Wall/Beal in the easier East either (although have to go through Lebron).
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From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals

[Purp&Gold]

durant all the way I like efficiency.

[EZ-Ryder]

[KobeRe-Loaded]

[Thugnomoe]

westbrook doesn't want to come.
KD will probably go to DC.

OKC will hang on to one of them. Most likely RW.

[yinoma2001]

[KobeBryantCliffordBrown]

Westbrook-Better player, more dynamic, killer instinct. Con-Game relies too much on athleticism.

KD-Great, great scorer and underrated defender. Size doesn't ever leave. Game relies less on athleticism. Con-Big man, foot problems. Never good.

I go with RW.
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“It took many years of vomiting up all the filth I’d been taught about myself, and half-believed, before I was able to walk on the earth as though I had a right to be here.”
― James Baldwin, Collected Essays

[yinoma2001]

[KobeBryantCliffordBrown]

[EZ-Ryder]

[yinoma2001]

Personally, I think Durant is a pipe dream at this point, ergo my shift in strategy. No doubt Lakers (and every other team) will be after KD, but I see him going to DC or staying in OKC, with every other team way behind.

So that's why I'd start amassing assets in a trade to an OKC team that may be ready to get back to its tank-tastic ways and rebuild.

When Presti/OKC spearheaded the anti-lottery reform, it told me that they think the chances of Durant/Russ both leaving are high and real.

So I don't see why Durant comes here, but I see why Russ would.
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From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals

[22]

I can't choose lol.


Both their injuries scare me. And I agree Westbrook is more likely than Durant.

As long as we don't make a trade I'd take either one in FA