The ultimate of Lakers rumors last summer may have changed the Clippers franchise to possible ruin.
When the Clippers brass landed not only the top free agent in the NBA in Kawhi Leonard but Paul George in a surprise trade, some wondered (This site included!) if Rob Pelinka was going to keep his job much less checking his qualifications.
Remember the big laugh over lunch Jerry West had with his colleagues over the trade that netted Ivica Zubac that cost…Mike Muscala?
"“Shortly after the trade deadline, Clippers consultant Jerry West — who spent more than 40 years with the Lakers as a player, coach and executive — got together for dinner with old friends who also had former Laker ties, sources said. He couldn’t believe how Zubac fell into his lap. The Clippers, sources said, never even called the Lakers to inquire about Zubac. The Lakers made the offer and the Clippers gladly accepted. “Sources said those at the dinner table shared a hearty laugh at the Lakers’ expense.”"
Who’s laughing now at who’s expense?
.@TomPennLAFC discusses the reported addition of Montrezl Harrell to the Lakers. pic.twitter.com/ktaynLG5Zf
— NBA TV (@NBATV) November 21, 2020
It goes a lot deeper than the Lakers signing Harrell at a reasonable rate. Now that Harrell is gone, the Clippers overspent (…and Lake Show Life means OVERSPENT!) big time with a $64 million contract to keep Marcus Morris on the roster. That might be the reason that the Clips had to let JaMychal Green walk (Signed up with Denver on a two-year deal at $15 million).
Plus, this signing is not about money for Harrell, this is about a winning culture that has been built around LeBron, AD and the front office. The Charlotte Hornets reportedly offered more money.
Last year, the Kawhi signing may have rushed Pelinka into overpaying Danny Green a two year $30 million dollar contract allotted for Leonard. Read on to see what Pelinka’s actions might push Jerry West into a rushed Clippers deal.