Let’s make this less ambiguous: who could realistically end up on the market as useful as Lauri Markkanen at the deadline (who, by the way, will probably be available at the deadline too)?
Does Lauri Get Traded?
- Thread starter Saint Cy of JFC
- Start date
I have no idea because that wasnt the point I was making at all.
I'm not worried. Even with Lauri I think we are in that bottom 5. Without him we are for sure bottom 5.
Simply saying this is the price to acquire him. The Jazz’s price calculation is that they’re losing Lauri on a longterm deal because he will sign an extension (that only the Jazz can offer and he, by all acounts, likes it here). If you want him you have to come get him.
But yeah, I don’t think anyone pays the price before getting locked in, it then just complicates the later trade proposals. I’m theoretically into keeping him (but it’s somewhat contingent on a bunch of things happening that probably won’t).
You right.
Bottom 5 for me. As we currently stand a 9-10 tight rotation is going to have at least 5 very young players. Where do you have us currently in the western conference? Right now I think we are locked in that bottom 2.
Our conference is brutal. Do you have us currently in the bottom 2?
The 2nd worst team in the West this past year had the 5th worst overall record. Just because you are the 2nd worst team in the West does not guarantee a bottom 5 finish. I think finishing 5th would be the absolute lowest they could finish, and that's with some level of ****ery. I think they are going to finish 6th-8th (which I'm fine with).
The west has the potential to be significantly better this year though. I expect those bottom 2 teams in the west to get beat up quite a bit more than they did last year. As it stands right now the top 13 projected teams in the west as a whole this year looks significantly stronger than last year for me. This is the way I see it right now.
Thunder- improved
Wolves- improved
Griz- significantly improved
Nugs- similar
Rockets- improved
Lakers- similar
Clippers - worse but still fighting for a playoff spot
Kings- Improved
Suns- Improved
Warriors- similar/improved
Pelicans - improved
Spurs- improved
Mavs- improved
Blazers- improved
Obviously injuries can shake things up real quick but this is how I see it currently with what the other teams have done so far. Almost every team has made an effort to get better on paper while our focus seems to be making sure that our youngsters will get minutes and I'm very happy about that but we also know that will lead to serious growing pains.
The Lakers being "similar" means they are still pretty bad. Anthony Davis and Lebron were incredibly healthy last season. Lebron is a year older and will be coming off Team USA. They only had a +.6 point differential last year w/ Davis playing 76 games and Lebron playing 71. Lakers should be aggressively trying to add someone to avoid an embarrassing collapse this year
Uncomfortable conversation, but if Davis/Lebron dont play at least 60 games, Utah (with Lauri) is probably a better team on paper even with the Lakers having no incentive to lose.
Uncomfortable conversation, but if Davis/Lebron dont play at least 60 games, Utah (with Lauri) is probably a better team on paper even with the Lakers having no incentive to lose.
The Lakers top 5 rotation players (by MPG) played 82, 78, 76, 76, and 71 games last year. They were one of the most healthy teams in the NBA.
To say they are "similar" without making any significant additions is laughable, especially when Lebron is going to turn 40 w/ Team USA under his belt.
To say they are "similar" without making any significant additions is laughable, especially when Lebron is going to turn 40 w/ Team USA under his belt.
Who of those teams didn't improve whether it is projected internal improvement or adding players? Do you feel like the jazz have improved?
The lakers were a borderline play in team last year and they will likely be that this year. Strictly from a talent perspective they are at a similar level to last year. I do like the addition of Knecht and he should give them decent minutes right away.
They will be in the 35-45 win range and we will be in the 15-25 range. Also if you want to see ugly imagine our roster without Lauri for a month.