I know I know what I am saying could be considered blasphemy, but hear me out. At Lebron James’ age is it time to not seek a max deal, and gear up to win one more NBA finals.
The Lakers are just an epic disaster ( Russel Westbrook getting $44.2 Million), Anthony Davis ($35 Million), and Lebron getting $41 Million per year. What kind of roster are you supposed to build around that?
The big 3 philosophy is outdated, and it just does not work. Lebron is not the same type of player he was to be able to just bully his way to carrying his team.
The upcoming salary cap for the 22-23 season is at $122 Million, and the luxury tax (which I am sure the Lakers will reach) is at $149 Million. For those who can add(which is all if you) the 3 players of Westbrook. Lebron and Davis are at 85.5 $Million. I know the remarks “Well Jamey that leaves $36.5 Million for the Lakers to get role players around the three.”
This isn’t 2k bro. You want to know much how a better-than-average role player costs. Take for instance, and I am sorry I mean no offense. Solid players that can sometimes take over. Or streaky players.
Tim Hardaway Jr.: $19.6 Million.
Eric Gordan: $19.5 Million
Aaron Gordon: $19.4 Million
My point is this. You got to draft players. You have to draft to build depth. Allow having those higher contracts. Guess how many picks the Lakers have in 2022.
BIG FAT 0.
Let’s look at the rosters of the 4 teams in the conference finals. If you look at the teams what do they have? Yes they have players with high salaries, but they have a lot of key players, and some cases star on rookie contracts.
I think King Tampering needs to have an understanding of the way the NBA is heading. If you are going to have high-paid players. Every roster has them. You got to learn better roster management and better roster building. Have an understanding of what they want to do offensively and defensively.
AND find a dang coach. No coach wants to work there. It’s going to be an awful place to work. Lebron is a superstar but has to understand he can’t hijack an organization.
Now I love Anthony Davis.
23 points a game averaging 9 rebounds a game.
Listen to what was given up
22 1st round
23 1st round swap
24 or 25 ever the Pelicans would rather have.
Now you can debate if he is worth that much, and honestly, I do think so, but I think there was 0 plan once they got Davis. No play for more picks on other players, or anything. It is showing. This is not the same era or the same Lebron when he went to Miami.
I want to say this because I do not want people to get it twisted. In no way am I saying that Lebron is overrated ( I don’t see how anyone can say that), and YES he did have one of his best years statistically. Maybe it all falls on the Lakers (which I doubt it does), but what I am saying is he tampered and got Westbrook and Davis and now they can’t get anybody. Let me list the roster for the Lakers last year:
DJ Augustin (a rotational player that you can’t count on)
Avery Bradley ( read same as DJ Augustin)
and can keep listing, and saying the same thing. Rotational player. Not great scorers which makes no sense, and a lot of…
SOME young players who I like: are Talen Horton-Tucker and Kendrick Nunn.
So yeah the roster is a whole bunch of mid.
Rob Pelinka
Get some draft picks. Got to offload some contracts. You are going to have to eat this year’s salary, but even begin scouting already next year. You never know. I think Lebron IF he is wanting to make another run at an NBA final before he retires. He is going to have to accept he doesn’t need a max contract.
Debate it with your momma, because it is my opinion. The teams that have multiple max contract players have a good core of rookie deal or lower deal players. Who can be counted on?
