Ariza and LeBron have had bad blood since High School. Ariza and his dad talked mad shit about LeBron being overhyped and Ariza being the better prospect. LeBron proceeded to demolish him weeks later in a matchup scoring something like 50 points while Ariza barely hit double digits lol Would be funny to see them on the same team.
That doesn't worry me. Bron had bad blood with 1/2 of the vets that Magic brought in this year and they have meshed together just fine. If anything having bad blood with Bron is a recipe for success....as odd as it may sound to say.
Oh I am sure it'd be no problem. I don't think LeBron hated anyone more than he hated Lance prior to this year. The rumors just reminded me of that epic ownage. I was so embarrassed for Ariza.
It didn't make any sense when LAL signed KCP before last season either..and then it did because we got LeBron. They were doing the agent a solid. Point being, they're working with Rich Paul again here and Paul controls Anthony Davis as well. So if LAL has to make what could be a lateral move in order to keep the good feelings going and ultimately pull in Davis, so be it. Lakers don't actually have to trade for Anthony Davis during the season. They can clear the cap space after the season and move him into that space by trade
You make it seem as if NO is only trading with the Lakers. They can send AD anywhere they want, so the team with the best offer would get him, provided he is even on the trading block (not a FA for 3 more years). Trading out a young 24yr old KCP for 33yrold Ariza all but kills any trade for Davis and his $25MM. No one is taking back Ariza unless there is more young talent coming back. With KCP there is a possibility that Ball, Hart, and ZU would be enough. Without KCP one of Kuz or Ingram need to be included. To be honest, im not even sure I make the first trade.
They definitely can send AD anywhere they want, but Ariza is on a one year deal and so thats where the cap space and alternative options come into play. We'll be looking at Durant, Kawhi, Klay, etc. and other trade options like Lillard. Ingram is out of here in any big trade, know that much.
Ariza is not KCP's replacement, he is Ingram's eventual replacement. Which means there is an upgrade coming in at SG.
He does have a higher cap hit, 15 vs 12, but i duno. I like the kids. I really don't want to trade any of them. Just sign another FA next year.
Using KCP as a chip is definitely the best way to trade for AD, but don't sleep on Javale as a sweetener. They'll just probably have to go to a third team. Some team out there, likely in the east, could use Javale and KCP. The guy said Orlando, but not just them. Khris Middleton has had multiple big blow ups with his coaches, gotten benched, so Milwaukee may be ready to move on and he could land in New Orleans along with Ingram. Middleton is making just about what KCP and Javale make combined, so it works financially. Lakers can peddle those two as a combo for teams like Orlando and Milwaukee, both in the playoff picture, but out east and not worried about helping the Lakers build an AD/LeBron squad. Can you imagine the length and athleticism of a Giannis/Javale frontcourt in Milwaukee?
So LAL VS Miami tonight is billed as the final LeBron/Wade game Lol Can't wait for Wade to score like 50 because old washed up guys usually find the strength against the Lakers
Shitty little zone defense from Miami. Teams are going to learn, Lakers actually pass very well and can find open shooters. May as well just play them man to man and make them shoot over actual defense
Feels like Kuz is on the verge. It's all coming together. I can remember when Bynum began putting it together on both ends of the floor back in 07/08 Oh, and Zo dunks an awful lot for a guy thats not supposed to be athletic
