My take on the Lakers (and it’s a good idea to keep an eye on our wounded enemy): They are stuck with Westbrick, probably the worst contract in the history of sports that is going to pay almost $50 million for a season, and LeBron is close to 40, so it may be time to rebuild by getting assets for AD while he still fetches assets, and sending LeBron back to Cleveland (especially if LeBron expresses a desire to surpass Kareem as a Cavalier). These might be the best moves available:
LAL In: Sexton, Love, 2022 Draft Day 1st, 2023 1st
CLE In: LeBron, Horton-Tucker
Sexton and two firsts allows both LeBron and LA to save face. Cleveland makes the under-the-table promise to do whatever it takes to draft Bronny. End of the line for LeBron.
Now who to move AD to…they want the best return possible, ideally with him being shipped to the East so he only has two opportunities per year to embarrass LA, so perhaps a deal with MJ gets it done. Perhaps something like this:
LAL In: Hayward, Richards (He’s Filler to Make the $’s work), 2022 Draft Day 1st, 2023 1st, 2025 1st, 2026 1st swap, 2027 1st
CHA In: AD
LAL helps Charlotte get Hayward off the books and make Charlotte legit contenders if AD stays healthy, so in return they get four first-rounders and a 2026 swap. Quite the haul. The bet is on AD’s health. There’s probably no other way for MJ to get that second superstar he needs to get to the next level…
Obviously these moves give LA a lot of picks, and once Westbrick and Love come off the books in a year, they can try to sign Jokic and then another max free agent after Hayward comes off the books in 2024. We all know they rebuild via free agency, so there you go…if not Jokic in 2023, perhaps Harden, Kyrie, or Beal. Surely Showtime will attract one of those bozos in Kyrie/Harden, or Beal. 2024 may end up being headlined by Kawhi, our very own JB, and/or Lillard. Say the Lakers got Jokic, JB (and/or Kawhi), all of those picks and either retained Sexton or turned him into assets. They could easily be in title contention by 2025…
Also think they’ll opt for a college coach to lead the rebuild. Probably throw a ton of money at Tony Bennett or someone like that.
Thoughts?