Lakers actively looking to acquire Cousins - Per ESPN

[Chief Macho]

I don't see why what Cousin wants or what the Lakers want has any value.  He's under contract and they don't have to trade him for years. Right?   Trading him to the Lakers without a huge haul would be the most epic failure ever.   Christ, they're in the same division.

[max215]

I know it's weird to see Randle as a deal breaker... but (healthy) Randle and Smart are about even in trade value in my opinion.  If you're the Lakers, why would you bother to include Randle?  Nobody is outbidding you if you give up the #2 pick. 

Lakers should stand firm on refusing to give up Randle.   Kings are playing hardball... they'll cave.  You got this in the bag, LA.   Just offer the #2 and nothing else.  Trust me on this.  I know what I'm talking about.    When Vlade calls and says, "Seriously... include Randle or I'm trading Cousins to Boston", just call his bluff.  There's no way he passes up the opportunity to get the #2 pick.  You win, Lakers.  You win.

This is just as ridiculous as when you said it a few days ago. Randle dropped to 7 specifically because of injuries

Heh... listen to the podcast between Lowe and Ford from today... they specifically talked about how Danny agonized over whether to select Randle or Smart.  Randle was more talented.  He liked Smart's attitude.  Methinks the fact we already had Olynyk and Sully combined with the fact Rondo was a dead man walking had a lil somethin to do with that pick.   We reportedly tried to trade Rondo for Randle months after his injury.   

Healthy... they are even trade value.

I highlighted the key word for you. Randle could never play a full NBA season without injuries. That's what widens the initially minor separation between Smart and Randle.

^^^+1

Even if they were even trade value (which I disagree with), Randle is NOT healthy. A hypothetical situation in which he is healthy is just that, hypothetical.

[LarBrd33]

I know it's weird to see Randle as a deal breaker... but (healthy) Randle and Smart are about even in trade value in my opinion.  If you're the Lakers, why would you bother to include Randle?  Nobody is outbidding you if you give up the #2 pick. 

Lakers should stand firm on refusing to give up Randle.   Kings are playing hardball... they'll cave.  You got this in the bag, LA.   Just offer the #2 and nothing else.  Trust me on this.  I know what I'm talking about.    When Vlade calls and says, "Seriously... include Randle or I'm trading Cousins to Boston", just call his bluff.  There's no way he passes up the opportunity to get the #2 pick.  You win, Lakers.  You win.

This is just as ridiculous as when you said it a few days ago. Randle dropped to 7 specifically because of injuries

Heh... listen to the podcast between Lowe and Ford from today... they specifically talked about how Danny agonized over whether to select Randle or Smart.  Randle was more talented.  He liked Smart's attitude.  Methinks the fact we already had Olynyk and Sully combined with the fact Rondo was a dead man walking had a lil somethin to do with that pick.   We reportedly tried to trade Rondo for Randle months after his injury.   

Healthy... they are even trade value.

I highlighted the key word for you. Randle could never play a full NBA season without injuries. That's what widens the initially minor separation between Smart and Randle.

They both lost trade value.  Smart, because of his underwhelming rookie campaign.  Randle, because he got injured.   I'd guess that Smart has a bit more trade value right now... if Randle is healthy.  Both really good prospects.   Pre-draft, I think Randle was more valuable honestly.

Guess it doesn't matter anyways.  Neither has value comparable to the #2 pick.   So if Lakers are including it, this is donezo. 

[BRC-14]

ProBasketballTalk is reporting that the Lakers aren't wanting to include Clarkson...... and want their #6 pick. Not going to happen.

The Laker fans are up in arms about giving the up the #2, Randle, Clarkson, and the #27 for Boogie. They're saying that is way too much value for Cousins as if any of those guys are proven all-stars in the league.

[JBcat]

Let's say we trade the 28th for Bennet, 31st, and 36th picks as been rumored.  We would then have 3 high second picks that are valuable to move up a few spots with each one(like how we were able to do to trade up for KO).  Maybe then we use the 16th, the 3 high second round picks to get us in the 6th to 10th range.  Then we use Sully (IMO possibly more valuable now than Randle), and let's say the 7th pick as a starting point for Cousins.  I'd do my best to keep Smart and even Bradley as our defensive backcourt.  Maybe we throw in Zeller and/or KO (I'd like to keep KO if possible) and another future pick or 2 (hopefully avoiding the BKN picks).  If we get to this point I think we have more flexibility for packages for Cousins, and even in a 3 way deal with Denver.

I'm also not totally convinced Okofar will be that much better than Al Jefferson.

[Endless Paradise]

ProBasketballTalk is reporting that the Lakers aren't wanting to include Clarkson...... and want their #6 pick. Not going to happen.

The Laker fans are up in arms about giving the up the #2, Randle, Clarkson, and the #27 for Boogie. They're saying that is way too much value for Cousins as if any of those guys are proven all-stars in the league.

I mean, it's quite literally not any different than what Celtics fans were saying about proposed Boston packages for Cousins.

[LarBrd33]

ProBasketballTalk is reporting that the Lakers aren't wanting to include Clarkson...... and want their #6 pick. Not going to happen.

The Laker fans are up in arms about giving the up the #2, Randle, Clarkson, and the #27 for Boogie. They're saying that is way too much value for Cousins as if any of those guys are proven all-stars in the league.

I mean, it's quite literally not any different than what Celtics fans were saying about proposed Boston packages for Cousins.

Except that I think most here were like "YES YES ... DO IT!!  INCLUDE LITERALLY THE ENTIRE TEAM!!! DO IT!!"

We don't have anything approaching the trade value of #2 or the First-Team All-Rookie Jordan Clarkson. 

[max215]

Let's say we trade the 28th for Bennet, 31st, and 36th picks as been rumored.  We would then have 3 high second picks that are valuable to move up a few spots with each one(like how we were able to do to trade up for KO).  Maybe then we use the 16th, the 3 high second round picks to get us in the 6th to 10th range.  Then we use Sully (IMO possibly more valuable now than Randle), and let's say the 7th pick as a starting point for Cousins.  I'd do my best to keep Smart and even Bradley as our defensive backcourt.  Maybe we throw in Zeller and/or KO (I'd like to keep KO if possible) and another future pick or 2 (hopefully avoiding the BKN picks).  If we get to this point I think we have more flexibility for packages for Cousins, and even in a 3 way deal with Denver.

I'm also not totally convinced Okofar will be that much better than Al Jefferson.

3 second rounders, regardless of how good they are, are not moving us up to anywhere near the 6-10 range.

[Rondo9]

ProBasketballTalk is reporting that the Lakers aren't wanting to include Clarkson...... and want their #6 pick. Not going to happen.

The Laker fans are up in arms about giving the up the #2, Randle, Clarkson, and the #27 for Boogie. They're saying that is way too much value for Cousins as if any of those guys are proven all-stars in the league.

I mean, it's quite literally not any different than what Celtics fans were saying about proposed Boston packages for Cousins.

Except that I think most here were like "YES YES ... DO IT!!  INCLUDE LITERALLY THE ENTIRE TEAM!!! DO IT!!"

We don't have anything approaching the trade value of #2 or the First-Team All-Rookie Jordan Clarkson.

2nd pick sure, but Jordan Clarkson?

[crimson_stallion]

They both lost trade value.  Smart, because of his underwhelming rookie campaign.  Randle, because he got injured.   I'd guess that Smart has a bit more trade value right now... if Randle is healthy.  Both really good prospects.   Pre-draft, I think Randle was more valuable honestly.

Very curious, what exactly is it that people see in Randle?

Honestly I see a guy who has average side and length for his position, has no jumper, is a bad passer, is a bad defensive player, has poor defensive anticipation (historically low steal numbers) and who is an average (maybe slightly above average) athlete with significant medical risk and questionable attitude.

i mean, from what I saw (which admittedly, wasn't that much) he wasn't even clearly the best player on his own college team - a lot of people felt Young was just as valuable (if not more valuable). 

The only things I can think off that he really does well are rebounding and low post scoring, but I don't see much chance of his low post game translating to he NBA at the same level (due to the huge difference in size/strength/athleticism in the NBA and his general lack of elite post moves) so that basically leaves rebounding as the one single thing I can see Randle actually being genuinely dominant at.

Yet he was drafted at #7 (and was considered up around that spot through the entire draft process) so obviously other people are seeing something I'm not. 

Just curious what additional value Randle brings that I'm not seeing?

[BRC-14]

ProBasketballTalk is reporting that the Lakers aren't wanting to include Clarkson...... and want their #6 pick. Not going to happen.

The Laker fans are up in arms about giving the up the #2, Randle, Clarkson, and the #27 for Boogie. They're saying that is way too much value for Cousins as if any of those guys are proven all-stars in the league.

I mean, it's quite literally not any different than what Celtics fans were saying about proposed Boston packages for Cousins.

I guess that's true, I'm just at the point where I think no one is untouchable in a Boogie trade. All-Star big men are a rare breed nowadays and I think landing Boogie makes bringing in Love that much more possible. Then when the cap jumps next year we can fill in the missing pieces. I sure hope we do SOMETHING productive this off-season and that the Lakers don't do the usual and have other teams just give them their all-stars for almost nothing.

[BRC-14]

ProBasketballTalk is reporting that the Lakers aren't wanting to include Clarkson...... and want their #6 pick. Not going to happen.

The Laker fans are up in arms about giving the up the #2, Randle, Clarkson, and the #27 for Boogie. They're saying that is way too much value for Cousins as if any of those guys are proven all-stars in the league.

I mean, it's quite literally not any different than what Celtics fans were saying about proposed Boston packages for Cousins.

Except that I think most here were like "YES YES ... DO IT!!  INCLUDE LITERALLY THE ENTIRE TEAM!!! DO IT!!"

We don't have anything approaching the trade value of #2 or the First-Team All-Rookie Jordan Clarkson.

2nd pick sure, but Jordan Clarkson?

If Jordan Clarkson ever lives up the hype that he got this year by playing huge minutes on a trash Lakers team then I will be surprised. He is overvalued by so many, even his First All-Rookie Team was questionable.

[max215]

They both lost trade value.  Smart, because of his underwhelming rookie campaign.  Randle, because he got injured.   I'd guess that Smart has a bit more trade value right now... if Randle is healthy.  Both really good prospects.   Pre-draft, I think Randle was more valuable honestly.

Very curious, what exactly is it that people see in Randle?

Honestly I see a guy who has average side and length for his position, has no jumper, is a bad passer, is a bad defensive player, has poor defensive anticipation (historically low steal numbers) and who is an average (maybe slightly above average) athlete with significant medical risk and questionable attitude.

i mean, from what I saw (which admittedly, wasn't that much) he wasn't even clearly the best player on his own college team - a lot of people felt Young was just as valuable (if not more valuable). 

The only things I can think off that he really does well are rebounding and low post scoring, but I don't see much chance of his low post game translating to he NBA at the same level (due to the huge difference in size/strength/athleticism in the NBA and his general lack of elite post moves) so that basically leaves rebounding as the one single thing I can see Randle actually being genuinely dominant at.

Yet he was drafted at #7 (and was considered up around that spot through the entire draft process) so obviously other people are seeing something I'm not. 

Just curious what additional value Randle brings that I'm not seeing?

TP, I don't get the Randle obsession either. I think he'll be a major bust, and the idea that his value is as high as Smart's because of he has unknown and unrealized 'potential' is ridiculous and illogical.

[Endless Paradise]

I think it just boils down to fans overvaluing their own players and not having a rudimentary understanding of how negotiations work. People always get stuck on this notion of the team selling a star player having no leverage; this idea has never actually played out in reality.

[BRC-14]

They both lost trade value.  Smart, because of his underwhelming rookie campaign.  Randle, because he got injured.   I'd guess that Smart has a bit more trade value right now... if Randle is healthy.  Both really good prospects.   Pre-draft, I think Randle was more valuable honestly.

Very curious, what exactly is it that people see in Randle?

Honestly I see a guy who has average side and length for his position, has no jumper, is a bad passer, is a bad defensive player, has poor defensive anticipation (historically low steal numbers) and who is an average (maybe slightly above average) athlete with significant medical risk and questionable attitude.

i mean, from what I saw (which admittedly, wasn't that much) he wasn't even clearly the best player on his own college team - a lot of people felt Young was just as valuable (if not more valuable). 

The only things I can think off that he really does well are rebounding and low post scoring, but I don't see much chance of his low post game translating to he NBA at the same level (due to the huge difference in size/strength/athleticism in the NBA and his general lack of elite post moves) so that basically leaves rebounding as the one single thing I can see Randle actually being genuinely dominant at.

Yet he was drafted at #7 (and was considered up around that spot through the entire draft process) so obviously other people are seeing something I'm not. 

Just curious what additional value Randle brings that I'm not seeing?

You hit the nail right on the head... I don't think he will amount to much in this league. However, because he was the 7th pick people will continue to think he is going to magically become a stud.