According to a report from Ben Stinar of Forbes (Twitter link), the Lakers have sent home their players who don’t have guaranteed contracts as a coronavirus precaution in order to limit the number of people on the court during training camp.
The exact details here are a little unclear. The Lakers reportedly agreed to Exhibit 10 deals with undrafted rookies Zavier Simpson, Tres Tinkle, and Kevon Harris, but those signings haven’t been announced by the team and haven’t shown up in the league’s public transactions log, so it’s possible they simply won’t be officially finalized.
Meanwhile, Quinn Cook formally re-signed with the Lakers on Friday, and Keith Smith of Yahoo Sports reports (via Twitter) that Cook received a non-guaranteed training camp contract. However, it doesn’t appear that Stinar’s report would apply to the veteran guard. Head coach Frank Vogel suggested on Sunday that he expects Cook to begin practicing later this week once he clears COVID-19 protocols, as Dave McMenamin of ESPN tweets.
As we await more details on the Lakers’ camp roster, let’s round up a few more notes on the NBA’s two L.A. teams…
- After signing a five-year contract with the Lakers, Anthony Davis explained that he felt more comfortable locking in a longer-term deal in part because of his injury history, writes Dave McMenamin of ESPN. “I do have a little history with injuries, and a two-year deal, you kind of bet on yourself. … God forbid, knock on wood, something happens,” Davis said. “… I want to secure the most amount of years possible and be here long-term with this team, so I thought the five-year deal was best for me in my situation.”
- After suggesting during an appearance on the All The Smoke podcast that Doc Rivers misused him last season and suggesting the Clippers failed to make adjustments during their second-round loss to Denver, Paul George walked those comments back a little on Friday, as Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN details. Rivers’ response, per Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer: “Hey, listen, I enjoyed coaching him. So not a lot to say there. (New Clippers coach) Ty Lue was sitting right next to me. So he better hope it’s not adjustments. It ain’t going to be much different.”
- Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Clippers point guard Patrick Beverley said that he and his teammates are entering the season angry and looking to make up for their disappointing playoff showing. “The attitude around here is guys are pissed off,” Beverley said, according to Youngmisuk. “Which is good. We should be pissed off after our exit last year in the playoffs. … It is a little quieter workplace and guys are more locked in, more focused, and that is the way it should be.”
Cook as an example
Teams should avoid give Players final year portion of guarantee contract
Al Horford has $14.5 million guarantee amount at 4th year
Teams give those to ensure said player coming aboard-
While its easy to Monday morning Qb all that have gone wrong its harder to find the info and what ones ultimately swayed a player who trajected upwards after to staying on long term bc of the partial guarantees-
Free market aka free agency has 2 parties at the table member, and theres always 29 other places to drop your resume if you dont like the offer/vibe given at table
A good contract still has significantly more value than the downside of a bad contract in todays NBA
Clippers still aren’t beating lakers, and rockets got better adding wood and getting rid of westbroke, suns are also much better. West will be much more difficult this season and clippers biggest issues are still unaddressed point guard and head coach. Lue was a terrible hire and will be exposed this season, because lebron basically ran the team just look to vogel this past season, lebron can win with anyone.
lol delusional..clippers got better this offseason and they were tied with lakers 2-2 in the regular season..the scariest part of the lakers are gone (Mcgee,Howard) & they got slower/older/undersized at Center…Lebron is another year older and Kawhi is still in his prime…Kawhi is the only one in the league that gives lebron problems
Accept the 2 wins by clippers only one was more than 4 points….it’s not close. Clippers added a 32 year old ibaka how in clear decline and still have no point guard to lead the team. They also are stuck with pandemic p, lmao lakers added more offense in harrell and schroder and brought back most of the defense from last season. Gasol rates as a similar defender to Howard, not a rim protector but great team defender especially in Vogel’s system.
lmao clippers in the playoffs would have been tougher for lebron..we know how he cant handle pressure..he benefited from no fans also..and Ibaka old? lmao!! lakers fans wanted him and lost his services and now saying he’s old when ur prized signing was a washed Marc Gasol..lakers fans are funny af…Lakers taken to 6 games by a mediocre Miami team…& Harrell is useless in the playoffs in the West with teams having superior Bigs…ok they have more offense but theres only one ball! lmao clippers were stacked and still lost..that makes no difference
Javale Mcgee was so scary as a Laker, parents petitioned him to not be Javale Mcgee for Halloween as it was scaring all the kids a little too much
Thanks Doc, laughing is the greatest cure avail
Lakers lost two of their best Shot Blockers for an Old Gasol & undersized Harrell..Helps clippers be able to drive in easier than before! cope!!! LMAO
Preseason, a Clippers fan’s time to flex
lmao not even a clippers fan but whatever helps you sleep at night
Clippers lost Harrell who was their heart and soul.. he had bad playoffs.. he was also dealing with the death of his grandmother..gasol only needs to replace mcgee.. which he will.. vogel is a defensive minded coach where rivers played Harrell at center exclusively which lakers don’t need to do..vogel will keep the team a defensive team as he has done with his numerous other teams he’s coached.. lakers have clearly gotten better.. clippers replace Harrell and green and shamet with kennard and ibaka.. raptors didn’t even attempt to keep ibaka..
Really laker fans are overeating Harrel. He is a terrible defender , and can’t shoot further than 3 ft from the basket even if his life depended on it. He is good for 15 to 20 min . This season Davis will have to play more center which will take its toll on him. Gasol was a great player but these days he is on his last legs . I would take ibaka currently over these two any day. Going to be a good fight between Lakers and clippers and Denver .
lmao Harrell is legit useless..cant shoot or anything but dunk…Morris will chill at the 3 point line and make him useless or any stretch 4…Jokic was dropping bombs in his face..& Gasol is slow af..what if he gets injured? who do the lakers have as backup? Harrell? AD would need to play heavy minutes…Raptors wanted Ibaka back but want to save money for a big FA next year lmao…Clippers team got bigger and more versatile with Kennard,Batum,Ibaka and can still trade Lou or Beverly for a playmaker…Lakers are relying on injury prone Gasol/Matthews & Lebron has another year of father time added
Harrell is far from useless, and can do alot more than dunk. LeBron is alot of things, but he isn’t stupid. He wanted to target Harrell, because he knows Harrell can play a vital role that will help him win another title..
As a contender, you need that big energy guy off the bench. He rebounds extremely well for his size, he runs the lanes for easy FB points, he can create his own shot down low, he’s an underrated passer, and he brings a dog mentality to your bench…
Plus, you’re greatly underselling Gasol and Matthews. Gasol is an excellent post defender, rebounder, and he can still give you an easy 10-15 a night. Gasol has also extended his range out, to where he can help spread the floor as well. Matthews is another dog, that’s going to fight, scrap for rebounds, play defense, and he can also give you an easy 10-15 a night from deep or slashing to the basket..
Keep underselling these guys, but they’re exactly the pieces LeBron wanted and needed to make another title run. Not to mention, you left off Schroder who they replaced Rondo with, but I guess that didnt fit into your biased narrative, sooo can’t say I blame you..lol
lol Gasol looked slow as hell & is another year older & Harrell is undersized..Clippers have now two legit 7 footers and Morris who can spread the floor…Howard/Mcgee were great at stopping the clippers drives but now they will have an easier time…Kawhi is legit the same size as Harrell and thats your PF/C? …Harrell was lazy all postseason giving up easy baskets…Shroeder was their only good pickup but he’s better as 6th man but wants to start and he’s streaky shooter….delusional bronsexuals LMAO…hopefully Gasol doesnt get injured or Lakers are f*ked
LAL still better than BOS!
Well, Kawhi has some pretty big problems himself..Staying healthy..I would be worried that even in a shortened season, he still had to rest several games, due to his knees..
So yeah, if Kawhi can stay healthy and 100%, then yeah he could definitely give LeBron and the Lakers fits. Although, right now, that’s a pretty big if!!
Kawhi isnt managing his workload because he doesnt want to play, nor because he’s lazy, it is because he HAS TO!! That is a huge red flag moving forward, and something that would definitely give me some concerns if I’m the Clippers coach or gm..
Lue won with allowing Lebron to lead he can win with Leonard Leading as well!
Heres an idea Paul-
Dont say anything, ever, really at this point nobody believes anything you say anyways so this will just save you the later shame
The west is still competitive this yr. There four teams with a legitimate shot. Lakers, Clippers, Nuggets, Blazers. And 1st rd gms are not a lock. Lakers strength last yr was their depth. With new guys here. They have to find that again. They still have two of best players in gm. If the team supports them. They are tough to be beat. I don’t see them as overwhelming favorites. McGee and Howard anchored their D. They were 3rd in team D last yr. They won’t do that this yr. Still are the team to beat. That Clippers gm coming up should be fun.
the only smart post here lol lakers fans overrate their teams when the West can go either way and u also have Dallas with Porzingis back that could be a darkhorse
LAL still way better than BOS ever was, is or ever will be as simple as!
Stick with your sad beanietownies celtics & leave the mighty Lakers well alone!
Well !!!! I guess that Laker, Celtic love is still alive lol. East coast West coast. Not a Laker guy. Kareem is one my favorite all time. Harlem NY
Yes, the Clippers are “good” but they were “good” last year or supposed to be. Yes, they could possibly win it all or they could choke once again, choke so bad that other NBA players can’t help but laugh at them. I respect Clippers fans who have been with the team for a long time, but recent bandwagon mouthy fans – give me a freakin’ break.
lol they havent even had time to gel..its like 2011 heat team…Kawhi/PG13 and the team were out most of the season and could have made the WCF with a clusterf*k of issues just on talent alone