I'm guessing you're not familiar with the Lakers cap situation for next year. They're due to have a boat load of cap space. LA could land a top pick and still have room for 2 max-level free agents.
I'm familiar with it. Don't forget that Kobe's salary slot is pretty huge and will eat a chunk of it unless they resign him for much less (and Kobe isn't agreeable to that) or they renounce him (which is not going to happen).
They'll have some cap room (not lots of it thanks to Kobe) and Kobe but ask yourself this, would you think either of these young studs would develop a better team game playing with Kobe or Rondo? My money's on Rondo.
If the Lakers management has even half a clue, they'll renounce Kobe's Bird Right's, or sign him to a substantially lesser value contract on day 1 of free agency.
I just can't fathom how a franchise that has always been one to move from one star to next next with little remorse, would all of a sudden decide to hold onto a fading, past-his-prime former star, at the expense of the ability to sign a new star player. Then again, they let Kobe drive Howard away, so I suppose it's possible.
Kind of funny how the C's and Lakers seem to be reversing roles. Usually it's the C's who hold onto players too long.
None of this is upsetting to me, however. I'm fully enjoying watching LA's new management completely bungle the transition from the Kobe era.
As to your question of who is better to build around, obviously it's Rondo. Rondo is entering his prime, Kobe looks to be done (players his age rarely ever recover from achilles injuries).
Topic: (Hypothetically) Celtics and the Lakers gets #1 and #2 picks (Read 9365 times)