David Stern Didn’t Let CP3 Come To The Lakers, But He Couldn’t Stop AD

No Comments June 19, 2019 Lakers By John Stellman

Now quietly place your first finger over both of your closed lips.

Exhale slowly through your nose.

Take another deep breath.

Open your mouth and let it all out.

Look around carefully.

He’s nowhere in sight.

Adios Amigo

David Stern has ridden off into retirement.

Thank goodness he’s the former commissioner of the National Basketball Association .

This time he can’t open his big mouth at the expense of the Lakers.

It was Stern, you might remember, who quashed the three team trade that would have sent Chris Paul to the Lakers.

Pau Gasol was headed for Houston.

New Orleans would have received Kevin Martin, Luis Scola, Lamar Odom, Goran Dragic and Houston’s 1st round pick (via New York).

The commish said NO!

Whatever You Say, David!

“I’m going to correct your language: What ‘cancellation’? The GM [Dell Demps] was not authorized to make that trade,” Stern told Brian Berger on the Sports Business Radio Road Show.

The league had seized control of the team and Stern deemed it not in the best interest of the NBA.

“And acting on behalf of owners, we decided not to make it. I was an owner rep. There was nothing to ‘void.’ It just never got made,” Stern said at the time.

“When you’re the commissioner and you have two teams that are ticked off at you, as in the Lakers and Houston, and the GMs without wanting to be attributed, spend their time trashing you, the wrong impression can be granted.

“It was one of the few times I decided to just go radio silent and let it play out, and I got killed. So, the answer is: there was never a trade. It was never approved by me as the owner rep.”

A week or so later, Paul was dealt to the Clippers for Eric Gordon, Chris Kaman, Al-Farouq Aminu and Minnesota’s unprotected 1st round 2012 draft pick.

Once Was Enough!

For the Lakers, lightening will not strike twice!

Anthony Davis is headed from the French Quarter to LA Live.

On their way to Bourbon Street are Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart and three 1st round draft picks, including the 4th overall selection this year.

But this is just the beginning.

And they’ve turned up the fire. The heat in on General Manager Rob Pelinka.

After having been told for over a year that the Lakers would have the resources to sign at least one super star to a max contract, there are suddenly questions.

The numbers just don’t add up.

The Lakers don’t have the required $32.7M to even start talking about Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Kemba Walker, Kyrie Irving or Jimmy Butler.

Whoever winds up with that No.4 pick certainly isn’t going to wait 30 days to sign their draftee. The prestigious Las Vegas Summer League open July 5. The deal can be consummated July 6.

Where Were You, Rob?

Pelinka is a former agent. Didn’t he know that a delayed signing would have cap ramifications?

Or was it David Griffin, his Pelican counterpart, who wouldn’t budge?

Needless to say, it’s a problem.

So is Davis’ $4.1M kicker, which counts against the Lakers cap.

It’s a decision AD has to make. He’s not obligated to waive it, but you’d think the opportunity to bring another super star aboard might weigh heavily.

We’ll see.

Even if all else fails, the Lakers still have attractive options.

They could use their projected $23.7M to fill out the roster with less expensive pieces.

Russell To The Rescue!

So where do we start?

How about D’Angelo Russell?

Remember him?

He’s the guy Magic Johnson ran out of town, citing maturity issues.

In 2017 the Lakers sent Russell and Timofey Mozgov to the Barclays Center for Brook Lopez and the Nets 27th pick (Kyle Kuzma).

Lopez reportedly wants to return to the Lakers.

Taken second by the Lakers in the 2015 draft, the now 23-year old Russell exploded in Brooklyn.

After averaging 13.2 points per game in his rookie season in Los Angeles, Russell averaged a career best 21.1 ppg in his second year with the Nets.

An unrestricted free agent, Russell is due to earn $9,160,706 in 2019-2020.

Brooklyn is the early favorite to land Celtic free agent Kyrie Irving, which would make Russell expendable.

And the Lakers are reportedly meeting with Russell.

There are several other candidates whose 2018-19 salary was in the $5M range.

Seth Curry ($2.7M) connected 45 percent of the time from 3-point range, better than his brother (Steph).

Patrick Beverly, ($5M+) shot just under 40 percent from beyond the arc and is a good floor spacer.

Marcus Morris ($5.3M), averaged 12 points per game and is a tough defender.

And Jeremy Lamb ($7.4M) shot just under 35 per cent from 3-point territory.

Probably Too Much

Pricier options are also available.

Trevor Ariza ($10M, 12.5 ppg), Danny Green ($10M, 10.3 ppg), Darren Collison ($10M, 40 percent), and Terrence Ross ($10.5M, 38 percent) are out there.

So are DeMarcus Cousins ($10-12M, 16.3 ppg), JJ Redick ($12.5M, 13.4 ppg) and Avery Bradley ($12.9M, 35 percent).

What does Pelinka, now in total charge of all basketball operations, do?

He could probably sign three of the less expensive free agents to help fill out the roster, or ink a couple of those with more glitter.

Hold over Reggie Bullock, who earned $2.5M, averaged 11.3 points per game last season.

Rajon Rondo ($9M) and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (12M) could be too costly.

There are plenty of combinations out there and Pelinka needs to be extremely creative.

What would I do?

Personally, I’d like to see the Lakers sign a max free agent.

After all, that’s what we were promised last summer after LeBron James came aboard.

I realize that Anthony Davis is going to require a max deal next summer, but what about now?

Both LeBron and AD are on the campaign trail, attempting to recruit some of the big names.

There must be some one out there looking for a ring,

Question is, at what cost?

Bye, Bye Cavs

When LeBron made “The Decision” to ditch Cleveland for South Beach, he, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh down sized their contracts for the good of the cause.

And it worked.

Miami was crowned NBA champions in 2011-2012 and 2012-2013.

That’s what going to have to happen this season if the Lakers hope to raise the Larry O’Brien Trophy.

Realistically however, it probably won’t.

The money just isn’t there like we were told it would be.

So lets start by signing Lopez, whom the Lakers should never have let go in the first place.

Here’s a “big” who can go outside, opening up the lane for LeBron and AD, because he’s a 3-point threat.

The return of Russell? I’m not so sure.

Does he have his head together?

Nobody questions his pure talent or athleticism.

If he’s turned the page and comes aboard with Lopez, the Lakers still have in the neighborhood of $10-$12M to add some pieces.

If nothing else, it’s at least a start.

And the beauty if it all?

David Stern can’t do anything about it.

image: David Stern (Photo by Jeff Golden/Getty Images)

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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...