27 Jul 2017 18:10:00
1. Lakers trade Julius Randle and Luol Deng to the Hawks at the trade deadline for Marco Bellineli, Ersan Illyasova, and Mike Muscala.

The Hawks capitalize on their expiring veteran contracts by adding a new building block to their recent rebuild. Lakers clear $30.5 mil off the cap next summer (including Randle's $12.5 mil cap hold).

2. Lakers trade Jordan Clarkson for a late 1st or early 2nd rounder.

Lakers go into 2018 free agency with just over $80 mil to spend. Sign George and Cousins to the max and resign KCP if LeBron won't take a pay cut at nearly 34 years old with a billion dollar Nike contract...

Ball - Ennis - draft pick
KCP - Hart
George - Kuzma
Ingram - Nance Jr.
Cousins - Zubac - Thomas

1.) 28 Jul 2017
28 Jul 2017 17:30:45
Didn't see much in Hart for him to replace Clarkson as backup SG. Ingram isn't strong enough for PF, he will get bullied.

2.) 29 Jul 2017
28 Jul 2017 22:40:41
Did you watch Hart play in college? He improved every year and his game will translate to the NBA. He will become one of the more reliable bench players in the league by the time he enters his prime. Considering that Clarkson was traded primarily as cap relief in this scenario, the $11 mil in salary cap difference between the 2 players allows us to have about $20 mil on top of 2 max contracts and is well worth the minimal difference in skill between the two as a backup SG.

In regards to Ingram, you're correct at the moment. Given this is 15 months into the future and that may not be as significant an issue, especially with the constant increase in small ball/ positionless lineup emphasis. The reason I said Ingram at the 4 is because Paul George complained when the Pacers tried to utilize him there, but in this situation I would expect the Lakers to have him guard opposing power forwards that play within 15 feet from the basket.