Why Kawhi should choose the Lakers over the Clippers or anyone else for that matter.
Toronto has been good for Kawhi because it has shown him a couple of important things. One, that other good NBA players can see his dominance fairly quickly. His teammates have had some success prior to Kawhi showing up. He had to convince them that he was the alpha male in this group and he did. He has set himself up to be an alpha male player where ever he ends out playing. But the other important thing he has shown himself is that it is almost impossible to win a ring in this league when you are the lone alpha male on your team. Kawhi has almost always been a super efficient player, shooting at a very high percentage. But in the playoffs, with teams loading up on him with double and triple teams, his percentage is falling off. He does NOT have a consistent threat player next to him. Yeah, he has a couple of guys who COULD go off like Lowry just did, albeit in a losing effort. But none of the other guys can really be depended on to take the double teams away from Kawhi.
So, if he goes to the Clippers, it will be more of the same thing. Good players, good team, but he would have to carry them and when the double teams come, he has nobody else to make them pay for it.
Not so on the Lakers. He has Lebron who is already commanding the double teams and with them together, it is going to be really, really difficult to stop both these guys. On top of that when you do, we have Kuzma and Brandon who can also take advantage of the doubles. Add one of the best passing, defensive minded PG's in the league who's sole pleasure is going to be getting the ball to Kawhi and Lebron in their sweet spots. I see it as a super great situation for him.
Truth is, we have some really good pieces, and had bad coaching who was unable to develop it fast enough or utilize what he had well enough. I think we will be a better landing spot for him, plus we will be stacked so if changes need to be made, we will have flexibility for trades.
On the business side, don't forget that Kawhi is the new face of New Balance...I'm sure some smart guy at NB has offered something like "hey Kawhi, how about a 25% contract kicker if you sign with a big market (Lakers,Knicks, Bulls) team?"
If you look at the top 15 jersey sales, Kawhi is not even there. Jason effin Tatum is on that list. He might even crack top 5 if he signs with the Lakers...
Exactly. So a contact I have that knows Uncle Dennis shared with me similar thoughts.
Regardless of the current turmoil the Laker brand is massive and still the marquee name of the NBA like the Yankees and Cowboys. Kawhi will have ample opportunities. Also loves the exposure and doors that LBJ can open. To Uncle Dennis it’s a win win situation for Kawhi. He comes to the Lakers and the team becomes a title contender the narrative will be how Kawhi helped LeBron right the ship and will be the next Laker great.
Kawhi jersey hanging with the other legends. Sorry Clippers can’t compete.
If you believe Mr. Rambis over at lakerball.com, there are concerted efforts in place by AEG and New Balance to convince Uncle Dennis that the Lakers are the place he needs to be.
Quote:
Jeanie has asked AEG to use this to pitch Kawhi this summer, and they are working on it. They've been talking to Kawhi's uncle and New Balance about a deal structure in the 8 figure range should he end up a Laker. Kawhi though is not forthcoming in his intentions and this does not mean anything as far as him actually signing here. AEG would also rather have Durant as he's worth more, but the Lakers guys prefer Kawhi. LeBron has been talking to both also.
C - Dewayne Dedmon (room exception)/J McGee/Wagner
F - Lebron/Kuzma
F - Kawhi/D Hunter (4th pick)
G - Ingram/Hart
G - Ball/Carusoe/S Napier (vet min)
Praying for a Milwaukee Sweep!
fyi, there'd be no room to sign McGee unless he takes the vet min, which he wont. Plus Id say no way he agrees to being a backup center here either way.
Agreed. Zero chance of having both Dedmon and McGee. Would like to have both, but, can't see that happening. Much more likely to see Chandler return as a backup if he doesn't retire.
C - Dewayne Dedmon (room exception)/J McGee/Wagner
F - Lebron/Kuzma
F - Kawhi/D Hunter (4th pick)
G - Ingram/Hart
G - Ball/Carusoe/S Napier (vet min)
Praying for a Milwaukee Sweep!
fyi, there'd be no room to sign McGee unless he takes the vet min, which he wont. Plus Id say no way he agrees to being a backup center here either way.
Yeah.. that's my one concern as well regarding Javale.
Well, lets put it this way, in order of preferred options:
Starting Center (room exception) - Dewayne Dedmon, Brook Lopez, Kevon Looney, Aaron Baynes, Ed Davis, Javale, Robin Lopez
Backup (minimum): Javale, Nerlens Noel, Kanter, N Vonleh, R Lopez, Christian Wood (major sleeper IMO), J Noah
I strongly suspect T Thompson gets bought out mid-season. He could be a steal!
Let's make sure we have two capable centers to start the season this time. _________________ It was reminiscent of one of those Most Interesting Man in the World advertisements: "I don't always shoot 6-for-28 from the field, but when I do, I become the youngest player in league history to score 28,000 career points."
Let's make sure we have two capable centers to start the season this time.
Perhaps the following two centers are more realistic:
Ed Davis (Room Exception) - elite offensive rebounder, solid finisher around the rim
Nerlens Noel (Vet min) - very good help defender; accepted the vet min last year and is a klutch guy.. this may give him the exposure he needs to land bigger offers in the next off-season
I don’t know if Kawhi holds a grudge against popovich for trading him to the northern most and maybe the coldest weather city in the nba, when he requested a trade. It’s been said, that he prefers warmer climates. idk.
If he does have a grudge, where is the last place pop would want him to go?
The Los Angeles Lakers!
Moving a sure thing in Demar for Kawhi and a new, untested coach.
If Kawhi stays in TOR, you can pretty much expect the Anthony Davis trade market to expand because teams would be more interested in taking a chance at a player who can walk next summer...
The big thing needs to be factored in is that Kawhi isn't a normal NBA superstar personality wise. He's an offbeat guy and if there's any star that won't care about coming off a ship or finals run it's Kawhi. The dude left the most successful nba franchise of the last 20 years.
I still believe it comes down to Clippers (70%) or Lakers (30%)
C - Dewayne Dedmon (room exception)/J McGee/Wagner
F - Lebron/Kuzma
F - Kawhi/D Hunter (4th pick)
G - Ingram/Hart
G - Ball/Carusoe/S Napier (vet min)
Praying for a Milwaukee Sweep!
fyi, there'd be no room to sign McGee unless he takes the vet min, which he wont. Plus Id say no way he agrees to being a backup center here either way.
Yeah.. that's my one concern as well regarding Javale.
Well, lets put it this way, in order of preferred options:
Starting Center (room exception) - Dewayne Dedmon, Brook Lopez, Kevon Looney, Aaron Baynes, Ed Davis, Javale, Robin Lopez
Backup (minimum): Javale, Nerlens Noel, Kanter, N Vonleh, R Lopez, Christian Wood (major sleeper IMO), J Noah
I strongly suspect T Thompson gets bought out mid-season. He could be a steal!
most of those centers will want and get more more than just a room exception. For example Dedmon clearly outplayed his 2 year 14mil contract. He will be looking to get paid up not down, most definitely a long term deal to cash in on his pretty good season. Id say he's getting ATLEAST 4 years-40mil. _________________ (bleep) Kawhi
Joined: 14 Apr 2001 Posts: 144432 Location: The Gold Coast
Posted: Sat May 25, 2019 8:42 am Post subject:
YSong wrote:
l4kerz wrote:
ringfinger wrote:
What a gamble by TOR.
Moving a sure thing in Demar for Kawhi and a new, untested coach.
Yeah, Lakers lost it balls and brains when Buss died.
Quick reminder. Spurs didn’t want to trade with the Lakers. What are u going to do about it?
Teams didn’t refuse to deal with Dr. Buss, only his ignorant children. If he was in charge Kawhi probably would have been a Laker. _________________ RIP mom. 11-21-1933 to 6-14-2023.
Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 40345 Location: Dirty South
Posted: Sat May 25, 2019 10:30 am Post subject:
as much as I want Kawhi to be a Laker, it is just not going to happen with Lebron on roster in my opinion. Everything I have heard, and its not much, suggests being the clear #1 option in important to Kawhi....and that is why Toronto is literally allowing him to do whatever he wants on the court. I am not saying he will resign there, but he likely signs somewhere that does not have Durant, Lebron, Curry, etc.
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