Laker Fans, Here’s The Deal: Mozgov And Deng For George And ‘The King’

No Comments July 1, 2017 Lakers By John Stellman

Now that all the euphoria emanating from the recent NBA draft has subsided, it’s time to move past the bold, brash predictions from LaVar Ball’s babbling mouth and put the actual events into prospective.

Obviously the Laker fan base is excited. And rightfully so.

Club president Magic Johnson has equipped his team with a point guard who has the potential to rekindle those successful ‘Showtime’ memories of the past.

Perfect Prescription

Lonzo Ball is just what the doctor ordered.

He is exciting.

He is extremely talented.

He is an unselfish pass first, shoot second player.

He has great court vision.

He is a no look passer who can quickly deliver the ball to teammates who better be alert.

Last season, his one and only as a UCLA Bruin, Ball was the NCAA assist leader.

That means he got the ball to teammates who were in a position to score.

And, for the most part, mission accomplished.

The Lakers need his kind of enthusiasm and leadership on the court.

More Magic?

It’s been pretty much a missing ingredient in the Laker arsenal since Johnson retired.

I was ecstatic when NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced the Lakers, with their No. 2 pick, selected Ball.

Truth be told, despite being a lifelong Laker fan, I hadn’t watch many games over the past four seasons. But I will be glued to the tube when the Lakers open their Summer League season in Las Vegas.

This is a young team with tons of potential and I thoroughly believe that the addition of Ball will expedite their growth process.

The nucleus will include the 19 year old Ball, Brandon Ingram, also 19, Julius Randle, 22, Larry Nance, 24, and the 25 year old Jordan Clarkson.

No longer in the mix is D’Angelo Russell, 23, who was banished to Brooklyn.

By trading the slow to mature Russell and overpaid Timofey Mozgov, the Lakers were able acquire an offense minded center (Brook Lopez) and the Nets 27th draft pick in the first round.

Mozgov, who pretty much disappeared down the stretch, has three years left on an outrageous $64M/4y contract.

Lopez’ contract, which will earn him $22.6M this summer, expires at the end of the season.

If the Lakers decide to resign the 29-year old center, he will be required to take a considerable slash in pay.

Money To Spend!

That will put the Lakers in an enviable position when it comes to attracting available free agents.

I think you know where I’m going here.

Indiana’s Paul George has already let it be known that he wants to put on a Laker uniform.

There were discussions prior to the draft between the Lakers and Pacers.

The Lakers reportedly offered either Randle (13.2 ppg in 74 games) or Clarkson (14.7 ppg in 82 games) and two 1st round picks (27 and 28) in exchange for the 27-year old Palmdale, California native.

I can’t understand why the Pacers didn’t jump at the deal?

Did it have anything to do with the presence of Larry Bird in the Indiana front office?

Maybe the team advisor didn’t want to deal with Magic. There’s no love lost between the two.

So this is the best the Pacers could do?

Twenty one year old guard Victor Oladipo, who averaged 5.9 ppg in 81 games as a rookie, and 25 year old center Domantas Sabonis, who has averaged 15.9 points in 291 career games, from Oklahoma City?

Obviously it’s better than receiving nothing if George had walked after the upcoming season.

Been There, Done That!

The Lakers can commiserate. They were left empty handed when Dwight Howard walked away.

And why would teams offer anything of substance for a player they essentially would be renting for one year?

Take Cleveland and Boston for instance.

They met in the Eastern Conference Championship Series.

They are probably convinced that by making another deep run in the playoffs, they could convince George to stay.

Unlikely. After the transaction George made it vehemently clear that nothing had changed. His 2018 destination is still Los Angeles!

So for the second time Thunder fans might have their hearts broken. Only this time it could be a double whammy: Most Valuable Player Russell Westbrook and George!

The biggest downside to George’s one year layover in Oklahoma City is that it delays the Lakers plans to once again become relevant.

Then there is the never ending LeBron James saga.

James will be a free agent AGAIN next summer.

Cleveland is his home.

Glued To Our Seats!

He left once, when he told Jim Gray on ESPN’s “The Decision”, that he was going to Miami.

The Heat appeared in The Finals all four years during LeBron’s stay.

They won twice, but were beaten twice.

His homecoming resulted in three straight Finals appearances.

The Cavs were 1-2 against the Golden State Warriors.

So where does LeBron go from here?

I think he WILL LEAVE Cleveland.

Not Very Popular

He has soured on Dan Gilbert.

The meddlesome owner recently fired general manager David Griffin after 3 1/2 years on the job.

LeBron voiced his respect for the disposed GM.

And if King James does decide to leave again, Los Angeles could be his destination.

Afterall, he does own a home in the Brentwood.

But here is where it gets dicey.

If, for some unforeseen reason, George doesn’t become a Laker and James doesn’t like the Lakers’ chances of competing for a title, he could have opted for the Clippers.

Not anymore.

Chris Paul changed the landscape when he abruptly bid sayonara to Los Angeles for the not so greener pastures in Houston.

Paul is sacrificing between $40M and $50M to make, what he feels, is a serious run at the Western Conference title.

With Paul’s departure, it was imperative that the Clippers resigned Blake Griffin.

Five years at approximately $173M was all it took!

Still, it appears that the Clippers won’t be players in the LeBron Sweepstakes.

But what about the Lakers?

Lakers’ Scenario

By ridding themselves of Mozgov, the Lakers made $48M disappear.

This year’s payroll will be approximately $79M. That’s $20M under the salary cap and $40M under the luxury tax threshold.

Next on the chopping block will be Loul Deng.

He and Mozgov must’ve gotten to know each other extremely well last season while conversing at the end of the bench.

Deng is due to collect $54M over the next three years.

His departure would position the Lakers comfortably enough to negotiate two maximum contracts.

Paul George? LeBron James?

And with Lonzo Ball pulling the trigger, the Lakers perhaps will be setting their sights and taking dead aim at the Golden State Warriors.

Now that’s a conversation we can all have intelligently without raising our voices!

Images: Lebron James: (Getty Images), Paul George: (Photo: Robert Scheer/IndyStar), Lonzo Ball: Joe Robbins/Getty Images

About
Latest Posts

John Stellman

I was born with sports in my blood. I began coaching little league baseball at 15. I was the sports editor of my high school newspaper. I did football play by play for the college radio station. I broadcast high school basketball for a local commercial station. But baseball was always my passion. During the 1970's I covered the Angels for the Orange County Register. And now I am back where I belong...