With Kentavious Caldwell-Pope heading to the unrestricted free agent market, the Lakers have significant interest in pursuing him, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter link). However, according to Wojnarowski, that interest will hinge on Caldwell-Pope’s willingness to sign a one-year “balloon” deal.
The Lakers have been unwilling this summer to commit to multiyear deals for free agents, since the team intends to retain as much cap flexibility as possible for the summer of 2018, when potential targets like LeBron James and Paul George will reach free agency.
By my estimation, the Lakers have a little over $17MM in available cap room. The team reportedly made a one-year, $17MM offer to Dion Waiters, and would likely put the same offer on the table for Caldwell-Pope. However, the former Pistons guard could almost certainly land a more lucrative multiyear deal from another team, such as the Nets — assuming the Wizards match their offer sheet for Otto Porter.
Still, a one-year deal might hold some appeal for Caldwell-Pope, particularly if he were given a primary scoring role. His numbers haven’t improved much over the last three years, but he’s still just 24 years old and probably has more upside than he has shown. If he were to sign a one-year deal with the Lakers and enjoyed a breakout season in 2017/18, he’d likely be one of the top players on the market a year from now. Given how many teams are expected to be over the cap in 2018 though, I’d still expect Caldwell-Pope to pursue a long-term payday this year if such an offer is out there for him.
J.J. Redick provided a blueprint for a one-year “balloon” offer earlier in the week when he reached a one-year, $23MM agreement with the Sixers.
Pelinka is not bringing in Lebron at 34 years old, even with George and Lebron the Lakers won’t beat the Warriors.
What about George and Westbrook leaving OKC together to both go play out in LA?
Doubt it, Westbrook isn’t built like that to just bolt and go elsewhere to go team up with another player. I respect Lebron James as an athlete and he is a hall-of-famer but I just don’t see Lebron taking on more pressure in LA regardless of his business ventures because it would mean facing Golden State probably sooner in the playoffs. I really believe Russ and George will grow together and both re-up in OKC.
I see them staying together, but if they both grew up in LA I can just see that being enticing and they still get to play together and would likely have a better core around them. It’s not difficult to beat Andre Roberson, Adams, and Kanter lol
Roberson and Adams play defense and Kanter is really good on offense off the bench. Westbrook will not want to play in Walton’ system, thats why Ball was drafted since he is a pass first player.
Please ignore Dionis. He’s a hopefully okc fan. Sadly George is leaving regardless, the lakers core is far more talented than okcs. Plus they can sign two max players, which yes puts there core ahead of defensive only players like Roberson and Adams. It remains to be seen as to whether Westbrook would leave, he prefers to jack up as many shots as he can and be the go to guy on an 8th seeded playoff team. Seeing as Houston, Minnesota, and golden state all got better I think russel would be not to consider it.
A lineup of
Ball
Westbrook
George
Ingram
Lopez/zubac
Could in theory compete for a 4 seed in the west.
Dionis knows it all, duh!
Pelinka would be foolish to not offer Lebron a max contract and Lebron doesn’t care when he faces GS. Lebron and George are a better fit in LA than George and Russ.
Only problem I have with Westbrook is that he sucks on D. Great athlete but doesn’t put in the work! I would love a Westbrook/George duo alongside Ball and Ingram and possibly still Lopez but I think if you are looking to matchup against GS Lebron/George is the better combo.
He didn’t put in the work this past season because all of his energy had to go into carrying the offense. Granted he comes with the normal superstar defense (lazy at times, too busy complaining) but he is a really good defender when he locks in. He’s much better than Harden at least, who doesn’t even try to put the effort in.
Dionis is a Knicks “fan”
The Lakers core, as currently constructed, is not far better than OKC’s core. Even if you add George, you can’t call their core better yet. Ingram and Ball (as well as all the other young guys not named Randle and Nance) are completely unfinished or unproven products. They could be great, they could be decent, or they could be bad. I mean if we’re going to talk potential as making a team’s core great, then the 76ers would have a better core (or just as good of a core as the Lakers).
Keep dreaming Russ isn’t leaving OKC.
highly unlikely Paul stays in okc
Love it!!!
Your statement is reality.
However, if it does happen…