Los Angeles Lakers Rumors: With another asset acquired from the trade with the Brooklyn Nets, the Lakers have sent another trade proposal to the Indiana Pacers for Paul George.
With the Los Angeles Lakers making the first big move of the 2017 NBA Draft, Lakers rumors have quickly picked up. The Lakers have reportedly agreed to a trade with the Brooklyn Nets that has the rumor mill whirring.
On Thursday, the night of the 2017 NBA Draft, the Lakers and Nets are expected to complete a deal. The Lakers will trade D’Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov to Brooklyn for Brook Lopez and the 27th overall pick.
Rarely does a trade make sense for both teams involved, but this is that rare case. The Nets land a building block in Russell that should thrive with Kenny Atkinson as head coach; Atkinson was a big part of Jeremy Lin and Linsanity with the New York Knicks. It is a pretty good haul for an expiring contract in Lopez.
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Lopez gives the Lakers a go-to option offensively. But, the Lakers have their eyes on a bigger prize, which this trade puts them on a path to do. Not only did the Lakers clear $54 million in cap space by trading Mozgov, they added another trade asset with the 27th pick.
According to sources, the Lakers have wasted no time in trying to flip that 27th pick for a bigger haul; Paul George. It was reported earlier in the day that the Lakers were trying to trade for George. With the Russell trade now seemingly completed, the Lakers have updated their offer to the Pacers.
According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, the Lakers are once again trying to land George, but with a modified offer. Stein is reporting that the Lakers are now offering the 27th and 28th picks in addition to either Jordan Clarkson or Julius Randle for George.
Can the Lakers now land Paul George by offering Thursday's No. 27 and 28 picks and either Julius Randle or Jordan Clarkson? They're trying.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 20, 2017
This would be a great move for the Lakers. They are better off landing George now than waiting around for him to sign as a free agent next offseason.
The Lakers should not run the risk of losing George to a contender, say the Cleveland Cavaliers. What if the Cavaliers trade for George and convince him and LeBron James to stay for the long haul despite him reportedly prefers the Lakers?
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Even including Clarkson or Randle along with the multiple picks would be a steal for the Lakers. George is one of the best players in the NBA entering the prime of his career. Getting him into the fold sooner, rather than later, can only help the Lakers going forward.