Woj new Davis article...very in depth and straightforward...

[footey]

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/25892346/new-orleans-pelicans-gm-dell-demps-returned-call-los-angeles-lakers-gm-anthony-davis

Really get the sense the Pels want nothing to do with the Lakers..from the owner to Demps.
Biggest thing is DA does not want to deal Tatum. Sees a big three of him Kyrie and AD.

That would be tough but I think Ainge could still get it done between Brown, Smart and the draft picks.

Smart has so much more value for a good team than a bad team. Really really really hope we don't move him. A favorable S+T of fellow Rich Paul client Morris might help fill in salary.

Yeah it would really suck to lose Smart here.  I always liked Smart but I felt I had to argue against him being a top 100 player last year, seemed fairly open and shut to me.  This year because he looks so comfortable and effective on offense- from 3's to post ups to even floaters- and somehow stepped his game up on D even more than in years past, it's hard to argue against it now. 

He's so much more than salary filler but I feel like because of our mix of high / low contracts, we'd essentially be using him as salary filler here.  I just don't see us winning this sweepstakes without Tatum, so I can accept that.  But losing Smart when he seems like he'd merely be a throw in would really hurt.  Especially with his recent top 10 3-point shooting and the C's being #1 in net points since he began starting.

Yeah, I agree, that was Roy Hobbs' idea, using Morris as a sign and trade and keeping Smart. I want Smart to stay more than Jaylen, and I love Jaylen. Frankly, I'd rather give up Tatum if we could keep Smart and Brown. 

Hayward and Brown are really starting to play well together. I hope Hayward stays, he is a very unselfish player, and will return to the mean as far as shooting better. 

[Silky]

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/25892346/new-orleans-pelicans-gm-dell-demps-returned-call-los-angeles-lakers-gm-anthony-davis

Really get the sense the Pels want nothing to do with the Lakers..from the owner to Demps.
Biggest thing is DA does not want to deal Tatum. Sees a big three of him Kyrie and AD.

That would be tough but I think Ainge could still get it done between Brown, Smart and the draft picks.

Smart has so much more value for a good team than a bad team. Really really really hope we don't move him. A favorable S+T of fellow Rich Paul client Morris might help fill in salary.

Yeah it would really suck to lose Smart here.  I always liked Smart but I felt I had to argue against him being a top 100 player last year, seemed fairly open and shut to me.  This year because he looks so comfortable and effective on offense- from 3's to post ups to even floaters- and somehow stepped his game up on D even more than in years past, it's hard to argue against it now. 

He's so much more than salary filler but I feel like because of our mix of high / low contracts, we'd essentially be using him as salary filler here.  I just don't see us winning this sweepstakes without Tatum, so I can accept that.  But losing Smart when he seems like he'd merely be a throw in would really hurt.  Especially with his recent top 10 3-point shooting and the C's being #1 in net points since he began starting.

Yeah, I agree, that was Roy Hobbs' idea, using Morris as a sign and trade and keeping Smart. I want Smart to stay more than Jaylen, and I love Jaylen. Frankly, I'd rather give up Tatum if we could keep Smart and Brown. 

Hayward and Brown are really starting to play well together. I hope Hayward stays, he is a very unselfish player, and will return to the mean as far as shooting better.

I would take the smart/brown/tatum trio over all star Hayward 10 out of 10 times

[aefgogreen]

I don't agree with those saying Rich Paul is calling the shots.  He works for AD.  Yes, I know he works for Lebron too, but I find it hard to believe that he isn't advocating for Davis.  Call me naïve, but those that think I am wrong, is it really likely that fans know more about Rich Paul's motivations than Davis does?

[fairweatherfan]

This could very easily be construed as teams conspiring against the Lakers.  Especially if the GM's are talking to each other and telling each other not to do business with them (or make them pay a higher price).

Nothing less than they deserve.

"Deserve" is a matter of opinion, and one I won't get into.

But if the league was being fair, instead of folding to public opinion, they'd have fined Popovich for what he said the other day.  You cannot allow coaches, managers, or owners to be openly telling other teams to essentially 'blackball' another team.  I'm pretty sure that's against the rules.

What Popovich "said" is entirely in rumor form right now. Not actionable. If he said it in public or the NBA had other proof I expect he would be fined.