I'm okay with this, but I'd really like Ben McLemore back as well, as means to get us to trade Lou Will, and give a guy the Kings are going to cut loose a chance.
Any trade we make is to accomplish some things, because if we lose, it's just going to happen, we're not in a position to rattle off more than a dozen or so wins in any trade we make, or if we stayed the same.
1. Clear out some of the contracts we have
2. Get some players back who are expiring or that we could get rid of.
3. Get rid of players that won't help us win. (Luol, unless Nance were to be traded, and Deng can get 20 minutes at the 4... But that's not happening....Lou, who isn't a good fit with Clarkson or Nick, and I prefer those 2 who will play within the offense more often than Lou does, also Clarkson is 7 years younger than Lou)
4. Get rid of players that won't be here long term (Black, he will unfortunately be a cap casualty... He pretty much has to, if not after this season, after next, there's no way around it)
5. Bring back players that will help out the Lakers rotation in the future
Lakers get: Rudy Gay, Ben McLemore, 2018 2nd swap from Portland
Kings get: Luol Deng, Marcelo Huertas
*Rudy is gone after the season, Ben McLemore isn't likely to stay with the Kings, he's busted at this point, unless he gets to a new team with a new opportunity.
Timberwolves get: Lou Williams, Tarik Black, Jose Calderon, 2018 2nd from Denver
Lakers get: Ricky Rubio, Nikola Pekovic, Jordan Hill
Out of all the people we traded for
- Ben McLemore likely gone (RFA)
- Nikola Pekovic retires
- Rudy Gay likely looks for a long term deal at whatever cost to get money before he has to play
- Jordan Hill you let his contract lapse, it's nonguaranteed
Then going into 2017 free agency
PG: Russell, Rubio
SG: Clarkson
SF: Ingram
PF: Randle, Nance
C: Mozgov, Zubac
with Ben Mc's QO & Nick's player option, we have the ability to chase a max player, and a cheap big (or if we let both of them go, max player + $15mil).. Or punt it to 2018 for a max player + $20mil dollars on top.
Can chase Heyward & Noel in July....
And even if you miss out on both, sign some 1 year fillers (SG, SF, C), come back with that space in 2018, and open up $10mil more by stretching Mozgov
