As the top-seeded team in the Western Conference when the NBA went on hiatus in March, the Lakers have a vested interest in what form the league will take upon its return this summer. With that in mind, Brett Dawson, Bill Oram, and Brian and Andy Kamenetzky of The Athletic explore how each of the proposed playoff formats would impact the Lakers and discuss which ones the team might favor.
The Athletic’s panel agrees that the Lakers, who are already losing home-court advantage – assuming the NBA resumes play in Orlando with no fans in attendance – would be opposed to a World Cup-style, play-in pool, which would increase the likelihood of a top team being knocked out early in the postseason.
However, The Athletic’s writers think L.A. would be all over the idea of reseeding the playoff teams one through 16, regardless of conference. In that scenario, the Lakers wouldn’t have to get past the Clippers to get to the NBA Finals — they’d instead be pitted against the Jazz or Rockets in round two and likely the Nuggets or Raptors in the semi-finals.
Here’s more on the NBA’s Los Angeles teams:
- Lakers guard Danny Green has stayed busy during the NBA’s layoff in part due to his role as the team’s union representative, writes Tania Ganguli of The Los Angeles Times. It’s a responsibility Green takes seriously, having kept his teammates up to date on the latest discussions between the NBA and NBPA. “I care about the game of basketball and the next generation and want to make it better for them,” Green said of his NBPA role. “I’ll be, in the future, the old guy. It’s a fraternity you gotta make sure that it comes full circle where everybody is getting taken care of.”
- Jovan Buha and John Hollinger of The Athletic dig into the Clippers‘ outlook beyond this season, with Hollinger arguing that retaining Marcus Morris should be a top priority for the club after surrendering a first-round pick for him at the trade deadline. The team also figures to try to re-sign Montrezl Harrell, though Hollinger notes that there are a number of potential center alternatives on the free agent market if the Clips get outbid for Harrell.
- In case you missed it a few weeks ago, we previewed the Lakers‘ and Clippers‘ salary cap outlook for the 2020/21 season, taking a closer look at how much spending flexibility each team will have this offseason.
If Knicks offer 27 years old Harrell 4 years 120 million contract, what should the Clippers do？
Comparable contract 31 years old Kevin Love
Sign Morris 20 million a year contract instead?
My top 3 favorite topics
1 How can 76ers salary dump 19 million？Al Horford trade proposal
2. How much Knicks will offer Harrell？
3 Will Warriors use a portion of 17 million trade exception？
Clippers favorite topics
If Jam Green option out
Will Clippers resign him？
Will Clippers resign Jackson and Morris if they get overpaid contract from other teams?
Should the pool concept be adopted,
One team from each tier group plays for the right
to retain their team name if they win it all.
Otherwise they have to change their team name.
Tier 1 = Lakers
Tier 2 = Jazz
Tier 3 = Sixers
Tier 4 = Nets
Tier 5 = Pelicans
Sixers are the only team of that list with an actual connection between their name and the city. 1776 76ers.
Is Harrell the Knicks top free agent priority? If that’s the case don’t count on it. They never seem to get the top guy. I am hoping Morris will consider coming back to NY
Harrell is a fantasy. Forget Morris. Knicks are rebuilding. No part for them. Morris and Harrell will most likely be retained. Though it will be tough. Clippers have a real shot for 3-5 yrs. Plus they are going to Brand new building. If there was ever time to go over cap. It is now. Still someone could offer Harrell crazy money. In these times just doesn’t make sense for any team really. Who adds him and contends. That’s only reason it would happen. Clippers and Lakers, Warriors too. Are all about Right Now. Their window is NOW. All have legit opportunities for 3 yrs. They are not letting key players walk. Unless they can replace them with better.
Knicks have to spend 50 million salary to meet minimum team salary offseason
Knicks are playoffs team after free agency
Not rebuild
Yes the Knicks have all this money to spend but on who of any quality will come. Got burned many times. I’ll have to see it to believe it. Honestly there are no superstars this summer available. AD is another fantasy to come to NY. Next summer if they strikeout again I guess keep building with draft picks and hope they eventually turn things around.
Why would the Knicks want Harrell he’s an undersized PF/C who can’t shoot. They already have Mitchell Robinson, Taj Gibson, Juilius Randle and others. They have already said if they wanted a 4 then it would be a floor spacing big and that’s not Harrell
The purpose of signing quality free agents is to increase team trade value , …… later trade for diamond
Don’t forget
All my trade proposals for Warriors and 76ers are to save 40 million luxury tax for them each
Where’s LA?