LALakers 2024-25 PlayIn Again, Stans!

[snowmanny]

A couple of questions: First, do we need a Lakers thread? Yes, because it is the Lakers and their relevance is unquestioned.

Second, should that thread be started by a knowledgeable and dedicated Lakers fan, and should we respect the usual SoSH decorum of not stomping all over a thread dedicated to a rival team? No, because it is the Lakers.

I will leave the finer points of roster management and X's and O's to our resident experts. For now, I am focused on the most pressing headlines from LakerLand:

1) LeBron James turns 40 the December. Have we ever seen anyone that age still able to whine about calls at such a high level?
2) Will the Lakers outmaneuver the Suns to get Bronny and if they do why isn't he getting any minutes?
3) Can the Lakers emerge from the play-in tournament for a record third straight year, and if they do shouldn't that count as some sort of title?
4) From a distance I really like JJ Redick and he sure seems to know a lot about basketball. I feel the same way about some posters here and wonder if they will get interviews with the Lakers once Redick is fired.
5) How is it possible that the Lakers are +2000 to win the Western Conference when they have two of the very best players in the world and are poised to add another superstar, probably, so I'm told.

 

[SemperFidelisSox]

6) Lebron has until June 29 to decide on the opt out. The only person whose reporting matters when it comes to Lebron is Windhorst, and he thinks James will opt out and wait to see what off-season moves LA makes.

7) Will the Lakers start counting the Minnesota Twins two championships as their own?

 

[tims4wins]

Immaculate opening post. 5 stars.

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

8) Will the Lakers be the first team to go Back 2 Back on the Inseason Tournament, and will the NBA consider that worthy of mentioning with the winner of the (real) Postseason Tournament?

 

[Ale Xander]

9) Did we need a Lakers thread SO SOON?

 

[The Raccoon]

Immaculate opening post. 5 stars.

If we counted the stars that snowmanny achieved as as "snowminne" decades ago in another forum it would even be 10 stars. But nobody in their right mind does count that way...

 

[jsinger121]

In the words of Bill Simmons the Lakers are fucking done. +2000 is exactly what they should be. Lebron is 40. Anthony Davis is 31 and has hardly stayed fully healthy his entire career. The rest of the roster is Russell and Austin Reaves plus garbage.

 

[bankshot1]

They're done until they entice Wemby to jump ship and then reload around him. Its the LA Lakers model since 1960 when the Minn franchise reloed to LA, and was further refined by acquiring HoF (mostly) centers from Wilt, KAJ, Shaq, Gasol, Davis. They're vampires.

 

[Ed Hillel]

We need to draft Bronny.

 

[The Social Chair]

They're done until they entice Wemby to jump ship and then reload around him. Its the LA Lakers model since 1960 when the Minn franchise reloed to LA, and was further refined by acquiring HoF (mostly) centers from Wilt, KAJ, Shaq, Gasol, Davis. They're vampires.

The super max makes this path unlikely until a player is at the end of their 3rd contract.

In 5 - 6 years they can go after a Tatum or Luka.

 

[j-man]

They're done until they entice Wemby to jump ship and then reload around him. Its the LA Lakers model since 1960 when the Minn franchise reloed to LA, and was further refined by acquiring HoF (mostly) centers from Wilt, KAJ, Shaq, Gasol, Davis. They're vampires.

wemby is never leaving san Antonio

 

[Jake Peavy's Demons]

Immaculate opening post. 5 stars.

Sorry, this is a thread about the Lakers, not the Celtics' starting lineup.

 

[bankshot1]

wemby is never leaving san Antonio

J man you gotta think outside the coffin. The Lakers are vampires.

 

[lovegtm]

The super max makes this path unlikely until a player is at the end of their 3rd contract.

In 5 - 6 years they can go after a Tatum or Luka.

Yup, AD was an anomaly in that he turned down the supermax. Everyone else (except Kawhi, although it's unclear whether it was on the table) has taken it.

This is part of a broader problem for the Lakers: the younger generation of stars just doesn't seem to care as much about being in LA (and NYC, to an extent). They can go there in the offseason, and Instagram makes it so that you don't have to be in the social capitals to have an "active social life."

 

[j-man]

J man you gotta think outside the coffin. The Lakers are vampires.

lol wemby likes SA i could see pop staying in the front office for a few years after he is done coaching to make sure he stays

gonna be hard for the lakers going forward because as loveftm says u dont need the big market anymore

they cant trade Lebron unlees its to cleland then i hope they like even mobley
AD would want Chihgo or maybe indina but they couild only do mcondall and sikmam

and with mobley sikman reaves mcondall and russell that wont make the playoffs in the west

so unlees giamms signs there its gonna be 5-10 years of no la in the playoffs

 

[brendan f]

The Lakers are at the perfect cross section of relevance and self-parody, Maybe they'll hang another in-season tournament banner this year.

 

[ElUno20]

The Lakers are at the perfect cross section of relevance and self-parody, Maybe they'll hang another in-season tournament banner this year.

Damn this is brilliant. Can i subscribe to your email newsletter?

 

[nattysez]

Woj says the Lakers have signed Redick to a 4-year deal to be their head coach. Shams says he's getting 4/$32m.

https://www.threads.net/@wojespn/post/C8ctXjZx6x-/?xmt=AQGzUYFGGw5G96ye72cuvgC_oyDdBRvQnVGLC-j9oiaTGA

I cannot overstate how hilarious I'll find it if LBJ decamps to Phoenix after they draft Bronny.

 

[NYCSox]

That's disappointing as Redick seems to know what he's talking about.

But it won't matter when Davis and LeBron miss a combined 75 games next season.

 

[Hal Waffid]

Haha JJ Redick. Redick Ralph. "I'm gonna Redick!"

Sorry

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

Redick has almost no downside here. He gets the Lakers seat which is a big deal regardless of their prospects and if they somehow outperform next season he will be lauded. On the other hand, if their results are middling or worse he can always go back to podcasting/color work as he has already proven he is one of the best out there.

I am fascinated to see if he sticks around post LeBron/AD if only because we will presumably get a better window into how he might run a team without superstar input. He may not make it that far though.

 

[ManicCompression]

I'd happily take $8 million a year to be Pelinka's next scapegoat

 

[reggiecleveland]

Just when I thought I could not dislike Jj Reddick more than I did. Anything is possible.

 

[snowmanny]

I cannot overstate how hilarious I'll find it if LBJ decamps to Phoenix after they draft Bronny.

Is “they” Phoenix or LAL? Either one would be LOL.That being said it makes little sense for LeBron to spend this year on a team that isn’t a true contender.

 

[radsoxfan]

Barring a gift of a trade, hard to see where the Lakers are getting their next All-Star caliber player over the next few years.

AD played 76 games and Lebron played 71 games last year. It's not like there is some huge upside here by staying healthy. They'll be lucky to tread water in games played for those 2.

 

[Senator Donut]

Woj says the Lakers have signed Redick to a 4-year deal to be their head coach. Shams says he's getting 4/$32m.

https://www.threads.net/@wojespn/post/C8ctXjZx6x-/?xmt=AQGzUYFGGw5G96ye72cuvgC_oyDdBRvQnVGLC-j9oiaTGA

I cannot overstate how hilarious I'll find it if LBJ decamps to Phoenix after they draft Bronny.

I've already seen JJ's contract compared to the Rhamondre Stevenson extension on social media. Four years is the kind of term usually committed to the most physically demanding position in major team sports, yet somehow the Buss family has convinced JJ to take a four-year contract to coach one of most volatile teams in the league.

 

[Hal Waffid]

The first J in JJ Redick stands for "Jeff Saturday".

I guess the second one does too.

 

[joe dokes]

That's disappointing as Redick seems to know what he's talking about.

Most, if not all NBA coaches, probably know what they're talking about. Convincing the players of that is a whole other thing.

 

[Ed Hillel]

Man of the people:
View: https://twitter.com/legionhoops/status/1803874139310297266?s=46&t=11SXTvIYT-tl8b6e7iEUVQ

 

[nattysez]

Is “they” Phoenix or LAL? Either one would be LOL.That being said it makes little sense for LeBron to spend this year on a team that isn’t a true contender.

It seems like Phoenix is seriously considering drafting Bronny and then trying to lure LBJ with the chance to win a final title with his son.

At the same time, Bronny has refused to work out for any teams other than Phoenix and LAL. Hard not to draw a conclusion from that.

Durant-Booker-Beal-LBJ sounds a lot more like a contender than LBJ-AD-Reeves, and the injury risks are about the same.

Buuuut, this could all just be a smokescreen to get Bronny drafted.

 

[Euclis20]

Lebron's agent came out yesterday and said that he absolutely would not be signing anywhere for the minimum. I'm still relatively stupid regarding the cap rules, but I don't think Phoenix can offer him much more than that.

 

[DavidTai]

Lebron's agent came out yesterday and said that he absolutely would not be signing anywhere for the minimum. I'm still relatively stupid regarding the cap rules, but I don't think Phoenix can offer him much more than that.

What about a sign and trade?

 

[strek1]

A good puppet for Lebron to manipulate. (If LeBron stays).

 

[Euclis20]

What about a sign and trade?

What does Phoenix have to offer? Beal is a deeply negative value contract, and I believe the only future 1st they own is this year's pick, which is just the #22 (every other 1st through 2030 is gone or subject to swap rights). I know teams tend not to get a ton in these situations, but getting Beal and a late 1st this year is worse than letting Lebron go for nothing as a free agent.

 

[wade boggs chicken dinner]

What about a sign and trade?

PHO's cap space means that to do a sign and trade, they have to send out matching salary, which is KD, Beal, or Booker. Examining Suns' Salary Cap, Decisions for 2024 NBA Free Agency After Wolves Loss | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors | Bleacher Report .

 

[snowmanny]

We need to draft Bronny.

We draft 54 and Lakers draft 55. It would be funnier if we drafted Deuce.

 

[tims4wins]

Fun fact that I read this morning: the Lakers have finished in the top 6 of the west ONCE in the last 12 years.

 

[lovegtm]

What about a sign and trade?

I might be wrong, but I don't think 2nd apron teams can do S&Ts. Trying to prevent scenarios exactly like this.

 

[The Social Chair]

Fun fact that I read this morning: the Lakers have finished in the top 6 of the west ONCE in the last 12 years.

Take out the mickey mouse ring and the last 12 years have been similar to the Celtics in the 90s. Even down to the cheap nepobaby owner.

 

[Justthetippett]

We draft 54 and Lakers draft 55. It would be funnier if we drafted Deuce.

I'll buy Deuce having a better professional career than Bronny. We can be patient.

 

[The Social Chair]

View: https://www.twitter.com/KatieMo61/status/1804157234449932504

 

[brendan f]

Damn this is brilliant. Can i subscribe to your email newsletter?

Why, thank you.

Redick has almost no downside here. He gets the Lakers seat which is a big deal regardless of their prospects and if they somehow outperform next season he will be lauded. On the other hand, if their results are middling or worse he can always go back to podcasting/color work as he has already proven he is one of the best out there.

The downside is the Lakers are a train wreck. This is reminiscent of the Steve Nash hire for the Nets---a thoughtful, seemingly intelligent ex-player, but someone with no formal coaching experience. It's very typical Lakers to make a splashy move in hopes of fixing serious flaws in their roster construction.

Also, during the height of Black Lives Matter, Nash admitted he "skipped the line" over more deserving candidates. This shouldn't be overlooked or forgotten in a league with mostly black players.

And then the team crashed (while tuning out Nash completely). Sure, JJ can go back to broadcasting, but this has a chance to ruin him as a coach.

 

[Bosoxian]

The Lakers haven’t developed even a decent role player in years. Does Lebron want to send his kid there?

 

[m0ckduck]

The Lakers haven’t developed even a decent role player in years. Does Lebron want to send his kid there?

Uh, Austin Reaves is the epitome of a player development success story, right? But, other than him, sure.

 

[DavidTai]

Uh, Austin Reaves is the epitome of a player development success story, right? But, other than him, sure.

Alex Caruso too?

 

[brendan f]

Alex Caruso too?

Yes, plus Kuzma and Caldwell-Pope. You could also give them credit on Zubac, but that was a while ago. They aren't incapable of developing talent.

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

Why, thank you.


The downside is the Lakers are a train wreck. This is reminiscent of the Steve Nash hire for the Nets---a thoughtful, seemingly intelligent ex-player, but someone with no formal coaching experience. It's very typical Lakers to make a splashy move in hopes of fixing serious flaws in their roster construction.

Also, during the height of Black Lives Matter, Nash admitted he "skipped the line" over more deserving candidates. This shouldn't be overlooked or forgotten in a league with mostly black players.

And then the team crashed (while tuning out Nash completely). Sure, JJ can go back to broadcasting, but this has a chance to ruin him as a coach.

We clearly don't agree - barring really bizarre decisions or bad behavior by Redick he has little downside from where I sit.

If this fails he likely has a robust media job market and if he wants to continue coaching his prospective suitors will know full well what his coaching history is so if they exist at the time, presumably they are making a fully informed decision. And if he does ruin his coaching market, he can make a healthy living describing what we see on the court.

This is a great risk reward for JJ.

 

[snowmanny]

Someone has been watching Jaylen Brown





View: https://twitter.com/ClaireMPLS/status/1805354397930770780?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
">June 24, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Claire de lune at JJ press conference;

i asked
@jj_redick
what misconceptions about him he’s most looking to disproving. his answer had a lot of confidence and a lot of 4 letter words

 

[astrozombie]

https://www.si.com/nba/lakers-looking-to-trade-first-round-pick-per-report

Wait, the Lakers want to trade a mid-round pick in a weak draft for a contributor? You don't say!

 

[snowmanny]

From the above:

“This is actually the second straight year they hold No. 17. Last year they took Jalen Hood-Schifino who ended up appearing in just 21 games as a rookie and scored a grand total of 34 points. If they can take the same pick and turn it into someone like Jerami Grant or Jonas Valanciunas, that's a no-brainer.”

I’m not feeling that Grant trade from the Portland side lol.