The most talked about inconsequential trade?

[RAAAAAAAANDY]

I can't see the Lakers getting to at least 40 wins, which is what it will take to make the playoffs.  Even if by some chance the 8th seed is under 40 wins, I can't see the Lakers finishing ahead of any of the teams currently ahead or tied with them (which is 7 teams) or Memphis (a half game back).  I believe Minnesota will easily finish ahead of them as well.  I expect Sacramento, Dallas, and Denver to finish ahead of them as well, though wouldn't be totally surprised if any of them didn't.  That just leaves New Orleans and Phoenix.

Especially with teams shooting 30% from 3 against them. That's going to normalize and when it does people are going to remember how awful their defense really is.

[celticsclay]

To be fair the lakers have looked terrible the last 2.5 games now. I'll be the first to admit that. Getting creamed by cousins right now

You're no fun.  I was going to wait for a few more games to call you on it.  Hard to count on a team that is young and has streaky vets (Young and Williams).  The only thing consistent about them is their lousy defense.  Cousins ought to go for 50 on them.  Of course its the Kings so they might figure out a way to lose. 

The Lakers actually have a strong incentive to tank to bottom 3.  Not only would they keep their pick this year but their 2019 1st owed to Orlando would convert to two seconds.  If they're close to bottom 3 at the all-star break, it will be interesting to see what they do.

I just don't think there is any way that happens after hiring Walton and having randle in his 3rd year plus spending big money on vets like deng and mosgov

Walton already said wins don't matter as much as player development.  I don't see them tanking outright.  However if they have no playoff shot at the all star break and are within a few games of the 3rd worst record, I could see them choosing to give more time to their young players.

Look at the teams behind them though. Who will blow past them? Nuggets? Kings? Suns? Wolves? Mavericks? Pelicans? So many bad teams at the bottom

They have a shot at 8 seed. They have enough vets to get them there. Walton is a great coach he proved it last year. They have pieces to make a trade. Larry Nance is a great trade chip. Nick Young will have trade value too. Plus they really just need reps to get better as well. I hate it but they are on their way back.

That was my initial thinking. Then I backtracked after they looked awful in a few games. Then they looked great in the second half. They are a hard team to gauge because they have the inconsistency of talented youth coupled with 2 of their key bets (nick young and louis williams) being extremely streaky players. When Young and Williams are drilling shots and Russell and Randle are playing under control they look like a legit lower level playoff team. When Young and Williams are bricking and Russell is turning the ball over and Randle is playing out of control they look like a truly awful team. One thing going in their favor is that Walton really does seem like an awesome coach and he is really good at calming them down. There was a stretch in last nights game where they were just absolutely brutal, but he got them back under control when a lot of other young teams would have given up.

It's a young team.  They are going to have ups and downs.  Randle looks terrific.  I think Russell is going to be much better than he's looked to start the season.  That kid can be a superstar eventually.  Ingram might pick up steam as the season progresses. 

I wouldn't rule out 30+ wins for them.   I still think a Clarkson for Noel trade would help both the Lakers and Philly.   A Laker core of Russell, Ingram, Randle and Noel would be pretty interesting to watch.   Lakers have drafted really well.  I think them making the playoffs this year would be a major shock, though.  Things should even out as the season progresses.

The premise of this thread is kinda flawed though.   Like when the Pelicans moved Chris Paul and got back Eric Gordon and Austin Rivers.  That return was less important than the fact it helped the team tank for Anthony Davis.  Likewise, when Philly moved Jrue Holiday for Nerlens Noel and Dario Saric, it was less important than the fact it helped them tank for Joel Embiid.   And similarly, when Philly moved MCW and got back that Laker pick, it was less important than the fact it helped them tank for Ben Simmons.   They are still looking at a likely lottery pick out of this... which is solid return for MCW.

sorry man. That doesn't come to passing the sniff test. MCW does not help you win games. That has been proven. He may even make them worse.

Welp in that case, I think you just answered your own question about why moving MCW for a likely lottery pick (mid 1st at the very worst) was a heist for the 76ers.

I didn't say philly did win it. My whole premise was that this trade has been much ado about nothing. Looks like it could be something like the 15th or 16th pick the trade 3. Years later. Nice little asset? Sure... but not worth discussing for 3 years +

You're basing it on the assumption that the Lakers will make the playoffs... which seems as plausible as the #15-16 pick ending up someone like Giannis again.  Still a heist for Philly.

yawn. If you can't acknowledge when this trade was
Made people thought that both MCW would be a lot better and the pick would be a top7 pick then just move along cause your being ridiculous

[tazzmaniac]

To be fair the lakers have looked terrible the last 2.5 games now. I'll be the first to admit that. Getting creamed by cousins right now

You're no fun.  I was going to wait for a few more games to call you on it.  Hard to count on a team that is young and has streaky vets (Young and Williams).  The only thing consistent about them is their lousy defense.  Cousins ought to go for 50 on them.  Of course its the Kings so they might figure out a way to lose. 

The Lakers actually have a strong incentive to tank to bottom 3.  Not only would they keep their pick this year but their 2019 1st owed to Orlando would convert to two seconds.  If they're close to bottom 3 at the all-star break, it will be interesting to see what they do.

I just don't think there is any way that happens after hiring Walton and having randle in his 3rd year plus spending big money on vets like deng and mosgov

Walton already said wins don't matter as much as player development.  I don't see them tanking outright.  However if they have no playoff shot at the all star break and are within a few games of the 3rd worst record, I could see them choosing to give more time to their young players.

Look at the teams behind them though. Who will blow past them? Nuggets? Kings? Suns? Wolves? Mavericks? Pelicans? So many bad teams at the bottom

They have a shot at 8 seed. They have enough vets to get them there. Walton is a great coach he proved it last year. They have pieces to make a trade. Larry Nance is a great trade chip. Nick Young will have trade value too. Plus they really just need reps to get better as well. I hate it but they are on their way back.

That was my initial thinking. Then I backtracked after they looked awful in a few games. Then they looked great in the second half. They are a hard team to gauge because they have the inconsistency of talented youth coupled with 2 of their key bets (nick young and louis williams) being extremely streaky players. When Young and Williams are drilling shots and Russell and Randle are playing under control they look like a legit lower level playoff team. When Young and Williams are bricking and Russell is turning the ball over and Randle is playing out of control they look like a truly awful team. One thing going in their favor is that Walton really does seem like an awesome coach and he is really good at calming them down. There was a stretch in last nights game where they were just absolutely brutal, but he got them back under control when a lot of other young teams would have given up.

It's a young team.  They are going to have ups and downs.  Randle looks terrific.  I think Russell is going to be much better than he's looked to start the season.  That kid can be a superstar eventually.  Ingram might pick up steam as the season progresses. 

I wouldn't rule out 30+ wins for them.   I still think a Clarkson for Noel trade would help both the Lakers and Philly.   A Laker core of Russell, Ingram, Randle and Noel would be pretty interesting to watch.   Lakers have drafted really well.  I think them making the playoffs this year would be a major shock, though.  Things should even out as the season progresses.

The premise of this thread is kinda flawed though.   Like when the Pelicans moved Chris Paul and got back Eric Gordon and Austin Rivers.  That return was less important than the fact it helped the team tank for Anthony Davis.  Likewise, when Philly moved Jrue Holiday for Nerlens Noel and Dario Saric, it was less important than the fact it helped them tank for Joel Embiid.   And similarly, when Philly moved MCW and got back that Laker pick, it was less important than the fact it helped them tank for Ben Simmons.   They are still looking at a likely lottery pick out of this... which is solid return for MCW.

sorry man. That doesn't come to passing the sniff test. MCW does not help you win games. That has been proven. He may even make them worse.

Welp in that case, I think you just answered your own question about why moving MCW for a likely lottery pick (mid 1st at the very worst) was a heist for the 76ers.

I didn't say philly did win it. My whole premise was that this trade has been much ado about nothing. Looks like it could be something like the 15th or 16th pick the trade 3. Years later. Nice little asset? Sure... but not worth discussing for 3 years +

Obviously Philly won the trade.  It is just a matter of how good the pick ends up being.  This draft is supposed to be very good and deep.  The 15th or 16th pick is probably as good as the 5th in the last draft.  Simmons and Ingram would probably be the only players to make the top 10 in this draft. 

MCW was just traded for Snell.  You could put up a poll to see if folks would rather have MCW, Snell or the Lakers 1st but that would be rather pointless and we both know it. 

[celticsclay]

You guys are so defensive about Philly it is ridiculous. Nobody is saying it wasn't a solid deal for philly. The point was that for 3 years we, and other basketball fans talked about his trade. It now appears to be a mid first round pick for a backup point guard that we discussed for 3 years. If you can't see why that is kind of funny just move along and we will agree it was a fascinating deal that we can discuss for 100 years

[celticsclay]

Side note: if the lakers collapse and give them the 4th pick I'll come back and eat my hat. But seriously have a few beers and lighten up guys

[Moranis]

You guys are so defensive about Philly it is ridiculous. Nobody is saying it wasn't a solid deal for philly. The point was that for 3 years we, and other basketball fans talked about his trade. It now appears to be a mid first round pick for a backup point guard that we discussed for 3 years. If you can't see why that is kind of funny just move along and we will agree it was a fascinating deal that we can discuss for 100 years

It won't be a mid 1st round pick if it transfers this year.

[LarBrd33]

Side note: if the lakers collapse and give them the 4th pick I'll come back and eat my hat. But seriously have a few beers and lighten up guys

I have to admit the Lakers look good.  Julius Randle is making me look stupid for saying Marcus Smart is still ahead of him.   Luke Walton might be the best coach in the league... taking this young team to 5-4 is incredible.  Walton is like the Brad Stevens of basketball or something.

But things should even out.

[celticsclay]

You guys are so defensive about Philly it is ridiculous. Nobody is saying it wasn't a solid deal for philly. The point was that for 3 years we, and other basketball fans talked about his trade. It now appears to be a mid first round pick for a backup point guard that we discussed for 3 years. If you can't see why that is kind of funny just move along and we will agree it was a fascinating deal that we can discuss for 100 years

It won't be a mid 1st round pick if it transfers this year.

The whole premise of the thread is that the lakers look like they have a legit shot at the last playoff seed out west. If they get that, it would be a mid first round pick? What is wrong with you?

[celticsclay]

Side note: if the lakers collapse and give them the 4th pick I'll come back and eat my hat. But seriously have a few beers and lighten up guys

I have to admit the Lakers look good.  Julius Randle is making me look stupid for saying Marcus Smart is still ahead of him.   Luke Walton might be the best coach in the league... taking this young team to 5-4 is incredible.  Walton is like the Brad Stevens of basketball or something.

But things should even out.

Thanks for being reasonable in this thread lb. tommy point. I agree lakers could definitely. It keep this up. They do look surprisingly good though

[Moranis]

You guys are so defensive about Philly it is ridiculous. Nobody is saying it wasn't a solid deal for philly. The point was that for 3 years we, and other basketball fans talked about his trade. It now appears to be a mid first round pick for a backup point guard that we discussed for 3 years. If you can't see why that is kind of funny just move along and we will agree it was a fascinating deal that we can discuss for 100 years

It won't be a mid 1st round pick if it transfers this year.

The whole premise of the thread is that the lakers look like they have a legit shot at the last playoff seed out west. If they get that, it would be a mid first round pick? What is wrong with you?

they won't make the playoffs though, so basically this thread is pointless and just another jab your taking at Philly. 

[celticsclay]

You guys are so defensive about Philly it is ridiculous. Nobody is saying it wasn't a solid deal for philly. The point was that for 3 years we, and other basketball fans talked about his trade. It now appears to be a mid first round pick for a backup point guard that we discussed for 3 years. If you can't see why that is kind of funny just move along and we will agree it was a fascinating deal that we can discuss for 100 years

It won't be a mid 1st round pick if it transfers this year.

The whole premise of the thread is that the lakers look like they have a legit shot at the last playoff seed out west. If they get that, it would be a mid first round pick? What is wrong with you?

they won't make the playoffs though, so basically this thread is pointless and just another jab your taking at Philly.

How in the world is me saying they won a trade but it looks like a less epic trade because MCW has fallen off a cliff and the lakes rebuild is ahead a schedule a jab at philly? You really come up with some insane stuff moranis. For the record I love embiid. I am pretty excited to see Simmons. I actually think Holmes could be a surprise players. I probably like Noel more than most. I'm probably one of the more pro philly people on this board. (I'll admit I don't like okafor as those that view him as a future star, but neither do a lot of their fans)

However you constantly feel the need to argue every little thing just for the sake of it. Your the guy that was high on the 76ers bench players like Henry sims, tony wrote, jakaar Sampson, the Turkish dude and Hollis Thompson. Fast forward 18 months those guys are just about all out of the league. This forum would honestly be better if you could just argue over stuff you believed in instead of feeling the need to jump in with a sword filled parachute of nonsense any time someone posts something that could be conceived as a possible sleight to philly or Cleveland. Seriously man have a beer and enjoy the celtics and loosen up.

[tazzmaniac]

You guys are so defensive about Philly it is ridiculous. Nobody is saying it wasn't a solid deal for philly. The point was that for 3 years we, and other basketball fans talked about his trade. It now appears to be a mid first round pick for a backup point guard that we discussed for 3 years. If you can't see why that is kind of funny just move along and we will agree it was a fascinating deal that we can discuss for 100 years

It won't be a mid 1st round pick if it transfers this year.

The whole premise of the thread is that the lakers look like they have a legit shot at the last playoff seed out west. If they get that, it would be a mid first round pick? What is wrong with you?

they won't make the playoffs though, so basically this thread is pointless and just another jab your taking at Philly.

How in the world is me saying they won a trade but it looks like a less epic trade because MCW has fallen off a cliff and the lakes rebuild is ahead a schedule a jab at philly? You really come up with some insane stuff moranis. For the record I love embiid. I am pretty excited to see Simmons. I actually think Holmes could be a surprise players. I probably like Noel more than most. I'm probably one of the more pro philly people on this board. (I'll admit I don't like okafor as those that view him as a future star, but neither do a lot of their fans)

I don't recall anyone ever claiming it was an epic trade.  An epic trade would involve at least one star caliber player which MCW most certainly was not.  The argument from the beginning was the Sixers getting the lightly protected Lakers 1st for MCW was a great return because MCW just wasn't very good.  MCW falling off a cliff and getting traded for Snell ends any debate about that.  Its just a matter of seeing how good the pick ends up being.   

[Csfan1984]

Vin Baker

[celticsclay]

You guys are so defensive about Philly it is ridiculous. Nobody is saying it wasn't a solid deal for philly. The point was that for 3 years we, and other basketball fans talked about his trade. It now appears to be a mid first round pick for a backup point guard that we discussed for 3 years. If you can't see why that is kind of funny just move along and we will agree it was a fascinating deal that we can discuss for 100 years

It won't be a mid 1st round pick if it transfers this year.

The whole premise of the thread is that the lakers look like they have a legit shot at the last playoff seed out west. If they get that, it would be a mid first round pick? What is wrong with you?

they won't make the playoffs though, so basically this thread is pointless and just another jab your taking at Philly.

How in the world is me saying they won a trade but it looks like a less epic trade because MCW has fallen off a cliff and the lakes rebuild is ahead a schedule a jab at philly? You really come up with some insane stuff moranis. For the record I love embiid. I am pretty excited to see Simmons. I actually think Holmes could be a surprise players. I probably like Noel more than most. I'm probably one of the more pro philly people on this board. (I'll admit I don't like okafor as those that view him as a future star, but neither do a lot of their fans)

I don't recall anyone ever claiming it was an epic trade.  An epic trade would involve at least one star caliber player which MCW most certainly was not.  The argument from the beginning was the Sixers getting the lightly protected Lakers 1st for MCW was a great return because MCW just wasn't very good.  MCW falling off a cliff and getting traded for Snell ends any debate about that.  Its just a matter of seeing how good the pick ends up being.

you are kind of getting into semantics at this point. Perhaps you did not ever think MCW was a good player with a chance at stardom, but many people did think that. I think he had a triple double his first or second game, averaged something like 16-5-5 as a rookie and seemed to have a lot of physical tools as a giant point guard with great length. I'll be honest and admit I definitely though he could have star potential. It is hard to remember my exact thinking at the time. Now that thinking looks kind of silly, but pretending it never existed is kind of revionost history. Again, for both you and moranis it is unclear what you are trying to argue and argue so vehemently. It kind of seems like you are fighting an invisible monster here and/or just want to argue. Saying this trade, barring lottery magic, turned out to be less of a blockbuster than originally thought isn't really a debatable point.

[celticsclay]

Vin Baker

That's a good one I have to look up the details on that. Tp for actually adding to the conversation instead of trying to derail it