Warriors and Lakers are leading Vegas odds to be champs in 2020

I'd like to rescind what I said about the Warriors on the other thread after learning Klay did in fact blow out his knee. Assuming Durant is gone, that team is gonna drop off next year, IMO anyways. Cant wait for them to be in the finals and Ironman quoting this in 12 months. By the way Ironman, good work posting that pic of Bennett guarding Nurse on the other thread. I saw that on Twitter this morning and was amazed. Crazy world. 

posted by Ironman92

Warriors and Lakers are leading Vegas odds to be champs in 2020

Apparently they know something about the Lakers that the rest of us don't.

@like_that ^

posted by BR1986FB

Apparently they know something about the Lakers that the rest of us don't.

Before Lebron came back to the Cavs, their odds of winning a title at one point went from one of the worst in the league to nearly the best odds of winning it all overnight.  A few days later Lebron announced he was going back to Cleveland. 

posted by Commander of Awesome

 

@like_that ^

Facts only. 
 

The AD trade is likely going to happen. I’ve read the only hold up now is finding a 3rd team to help out. 

As much as I don't want to see a Lakers supert eam (or anymore super teams in the NBA), it would be hilarious to see Lebron/AD/Kawhi/Kyrie (not even sure if this is possible) just bully Steph. 

They have to make some more moves in order to trade for AD AND sign a max guy. But I have no idea what it would take. 

Also, sounds like Kyrie is all but set to sign in Brooklyn. Really sucks for D Russ. 

posted by wildcats20

They have to make some more moves in order to trade for AD AND sign a max guy. But I have no idea what it would take. 

Also, sounds like Kyrie is all but set to sign in Brooklyn. Really sucks for D Russ. 

D Russ is going to get paid.  I wouldn't feel too bad for him. 

posted by like_that

D Russ is going to get paid.  I wouldn't feel too bad for him. 

I didn’t realize he was a FA. So, yeah lol. 

posted by wildcats20

I didn’t realize he was a FA. So, yeah lol. 

Restricted, but still. 

posted by wildcats20

They have to make some more moves in order to trade for AD AND sign a max guy. But I have no idea what it would take. 

Also, sounds like Kyrie is all but set to sign in Brooklyn. Really sucks for D Russ. 

if they renounce all their FA they have 65 mil open. They can get 2 max guys.

LBJ is such a fuggin beast.

AD to the Lakers for Lonzo, Ingram, Hart and 3 first rounders. 

posted by wildcats20

AD to the Lakers for Lonzo, Ingram, Hart and 3 first rounders. 

Which includes #4 pic this year

So who is next to L.A.?

Apparently they are targeting Kemba. But they better talk to a few others first. 

posted by wildcats20

Apparently they are targeting Kemba. But they better talk to a few others first. 

I like Kemba but don’t think he’s the right 3rd wheel

Not giving up Kuzma AND getting rid of Lonzo Ball in the deal is a steal for the Lakers. Hard to imagine Ball being a starting PG on a good offensive team in the NBA. He's such a negative offense, I wouldn't want my offense flowing through him.

posted by Commander of Awesome

Not giving up Kuzma AND getting rid of Lonzo Ball in the deal is a steal for the Lakers. Hard to imagine Ball being a starting PG on a good offensive team in the NBA. He's such a negative offense, I wouldn't want my offense flowing through him.

Yeah, really can’t believe they did it without giving up Kuzma

Kuzma is a fine player. Nothing special. They need to upgrade over him as the 3rd wheel. Lonzo would’ve been better to keep, but no way New Orleans was doing it without Ingram and Lonzo.

I still think Kawhi ends up there now that they landed AD. 

posted by Laley23

Kuzma is a fine player. Nothing special. They need to upgrade over him as the 3rd wheel. Lonzo would’ve been better to keep, but no way New Orleans was doing it without Ingram and Lonzo.

I still think Kawhi ends up there now that they landed AD. 

I have a feeling he stays in Toronto. Had they lost? I definitely would have seen him moving along. 

All the talk is Kyrie to Brooklyn and I am leaning that way. However, there is a small piece of me that is saying he’s going to LA. I’m not 100% sure I like the fit, but I wouldn’t complain. 

The Lakers need to add some shooting, which was always the problem. They don’t have to get a PG, I think Caruso would be just fine as a distributer and d guy. After Kawhi, Butler would be my next target. 

posted by wildcats20

I have a feeling he stays in Toronto. Had they lost? I definitely would have seen him moving along. 

All the talk is Kyrie to Brooklyn and I am leaning that way. However, there is a small piece of me that is saying he’s going to LA. I’m not 100% sure I like the fit, but I wouldn’t complain. 

The Lakers need to add some shooting, which was always the problem. They don’t have to get a PG, I think Caruso would be just fine as a distributor and d guy. After Kawhi, Butler would be my next target. 

FWIW Windhorst said he thinks Leonard is gone on his most recent podcast.

For the Lakers/Pelican's trade.

Ingram: Any word on Ingram's injury? Hope it's not career ending like Chris Bosh's. That alone would make me not even want him if I'm the pelicans, unless their medical staff 100% said he's fine.

Lonzo Ball: His family drama in conjunction with his complete lack of shooting makes him a fairly 1 dimensional player IMO. It would be pretty touch to even play him in the 4th quarter/playoffs IMO. Even his defense started to lack quite a bit last season, plus you factor in his lengthy injury history, and well I just don't see the appeal. He's like the anti IT, but least he plays defense. He's a nice player, but hard to even see him being a great player unless something dramatic happens. It's possible, look at Kawahi.

Josh Hart: 40% FG%, yikes. Haven't watched a ton of lakers games, but is he extremely athletic and a good defender or something?

This picks: #4 this yr is nice, the rest...eh. Unless the Lakers fall off a cliff, they're a nice piece for sure, but nothing earth shattering.

All in all, this trade reminds me of the Kyrie trade. Better than the Cavs end, but Lakers are getting a generational player for a bunch mediocre parts and draft hope. If I'm the pelicans I wouldn't even want to deal with Ingram or Ball, seems to be doing the lakers a favor. Much like the Cavs did the Celtics a solid but taking IT off of their hands.