http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/24140849/long-los-angeles-lakers-reporter-mitch-chortkoff-dies-78 Was on the Laker beat for as long as anyone. RIP
So LeBron @ center has caught on.. https://hoopshype.com/2018/07/20/los-angeles-lakers-lebron-james-big-man-starting-lineup/ https://bleacherreport.com/articles...ion-of-the-death-lineup-with-lebron-at-center "We may not see this on day one, but the coaching staff is eager to see our version of the [Warriors'] Death Lineup with Lonzo [Ball], Josh Hart, Brandon Ingram, [Kyle] Kuzma and LeBron," a second Lakers executive said. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Thought this part of the piece was interesting as well.. "Could Luol Deng be a stopgap as a small center after sitting out most of last season? The executive said Deng is all but semi-retired. He may never play again in the NBA unless he has a change of heart." So much for Deng. Never really thought he'd be around anyway, especially after Rondo inked and is in line for his #9 jersey. Deng is just a contract at this point.
Also, should say that this stuff about LAL making a move for Kawhi at the trade deadline is dumb. When you get to the trade deadline, the end of the season is only like 4 months off. Trade Ingram or any of the youngsters to get Kawhi 4 months early? Why? They wouldn't beat the Warriors anyway, not on the fly with a big mid-season trade. The media has to relax..LeBron/Kawhi will happen in due time. Media is thirsty as fuck, but LeBron to LAL is enough to hold them for a year. At this point, only way LAL should even entertain trading for Kawhi is if Toronto is willing to take a shitty player package to get multiple draft assets in return. And maybe they would take say Bonga/Deng/Zubac + a couple future 1st rd picks for Kawhi at the deadline? Probably, but then what if they're good enough to make a ECF push with Kawhi? But Deng's contract would come off the books along with Lowry's/Ibaka's and JV can opt out that year as well. That'd be my offer at the deadline, nothing more. If that's not enough and they flip him elsewhere, so be it.
how does Deng get to decide he's semi retired if he's still under contract ? he's just there to chill in the training room and act all stoic or some shit?
Lakers signed Beasley. BTW, I'd take Deng's job any day. Pay me 17MM to bu upset that I'm not playing...
everything i've read is that he stays in game shape and is ready to play if called upon obviously easier said than done but its not his choice he isn't playing anymore than i think its his choice not to play
This is a good question I have no idea other than he's past his prime? Not atheletic enough for this team?
Beasley joins the rogue's gallery known as the LA Lakers. Wonder what Matt Barnes is doing these days? https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1020414220683436035?s=21 <sorry.....missed Darth's post on the signing>
Beasley finally lands, years later. Beasley was reportedly the PF that Kupchak had lined up to take over for Pau/Odom after the CP3 trade
They let Lopez and Julius go because they didn't want to guarantee them significant minutes, so Beasley probably knows it's 10-18 minutes a night at the most ala Lance/Javale. Riley obviously inked Beasley to those Heat teams to ride alongside LeBron/Wade/Bosh, so no surprise that Magic would follow behind Riley and give Beasley a shot. Magic and Pelinka must be fighting off Chris Bosh daily.
I don't like this Carmelo trade. OKC actually coming away with a solid talent..although, they're paying through the ass for Schroder. But he can play. Probably won't start, but he'll take Russ off the ball some for sure
