Max Lerner

NBA Outsider | Sports Biz Classroom ‘18

[Max Lerner @maxIerner]

@EricPincus Would ultimately end up effectively trading Ayton, Vando, and Knecht for DFS and Hardy for 3 players they seemingly want off the roster.

Both ex-Luka teammates, semi-coincidently at least.

[Max Lerner @maxIerner]

@EricPincus I’d like to see Vando + Knecht + 2 2nds for DFS?

CHA turns cap space into 5 picks from 3 + adds a young player they at least once traded for in Knecht.

LAL frees up a little cap this year, but more beyond ‘26-27. DFS can fill a need this year + history with Luka + LA/Redick.

[Max Lerner @maxIerner]

@KeithSmithNBA If his issue with the Lakers is tension between he and Pelinka (what it seems like from an outside perspective), Walter can intervene to resolve.

[Max Lerner @maxIerner]

@KeithSmithNBA There’s a strong option still out there.

If LeBron can be believed to be willing to take the vet minimum, plugging him in makes the rest of the depth chart make sense.

With him, they are a contender. Plus his family lives there, plus his son is on the team.

[Max Lerner @maxIerner]

@KeithSmithNBA Couldn’t a team with cap space (like the Lakers) trade for his rights as an RFA & then resign him with bird rights after his cap hold of $19.5 giving them?

That’d be a much stronger trade than a S&T because it lets them preserve cap space.

[Max Lerner @maxIerner]

@TrevorLane My moneys on Ugonna Onyenso.

Tony Bennett knows him well & a developmental defensive C is perfect for them.

[Max Lerner @maxIerner]

@KeithSmithNBA Was expecting/hoping for:

26-27: $41.2M (or whatever 25% is)
27-28: $37.9M
28-29: $34.6M
29-30: $31.3M (PO)

4 Yr/$145M total/$36.25M AAV ($37.9M AAV over first 3 Yrs).

Thought that’d be a fair number/structure that keeps AR happy without squeezing him just because they can.

[Max Lerner @maxIerner]

Further long-term benefit is they can front load his salary & have it scale down (same should be done for Reaves) while contracts for players signed via cap space scaling up (perhaps bringing back Rui or offer to Peyton).

[Max Lerner @maxIerner]

My ideal Lakers’ move would be trading for Jalen Duren as an RFA for a ‘reasonable’ package back under the guise that if Pistons don’t trade him, then the Lakers will throw a massive offer at him that puts Detroit in a tough position to match or lose for nothing.

[Max Lerner @maxIerner]

If Lakers acquire his rights, they likely save $5-$10mm per year on his contract (with few other teams able to offer a near-max), as opposed to trying to sign him away from Detroit..but more so, can use his bird rights to resign him after using cap space (cap hold is only $19.5).

[Max Lerner @maxIerner]

@WorldWideWob Willingly concede foul on Luka would’ve been ticky tack, but technically a foul…as was the foul on Edwards, ticky tack, but technically a foul, Wolves benefited from the challenge, Lakers didn’t ….but damn.

[Max Lerner @maxIerner]

@WorldWideWob Prior to #1, the trip on Luka (uncalled), that led to the in bounds with 1 sec to advance to mid court, which was turned over - critical mistake by LeBron, but shouldn’t have been in that situation.

[Max Lerner @maxIerner]

@FeedLker @ab12_sol @trevorlane Lakers can’t practically create cap space letting DLo go - DLo would be retained via bird rights. They don’t have a way to sign Lopez that’s not at vet min (which he won’t take).

Hypothetically, a double sign-and-trade for DLo may be technically possible, but not gonna happen.

[Max Lerner @maxIerner]

@BirdRightsPod @alexakaiser Yup, this is always the trade that made sense to me. Think Ben is a negative asset for the Nets, but would be a positive asset for the Lakers.

[Max Lerner @maxIerner]

NBA should auction off draft picks #59 & #60 for charity to the team willing to spend the most on it.

- Raise $ for a cause
- 2 more prospects get to realize their dream & hear their names called
- Final bid deducted from annual cash allowance to maintain competitive balance

[Max Lerner @maxIerner]

If there ever existed a roster for Mike D’Antoni, it’s the Hornets.

[Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn]

Charlotte is dismissing coach James Borrego, sources tell ESPN.

[Max Lerner @maxIerner]

@AndrewKSchlecht Shai’s first all-star game appearance (may not be a bold enough take).

[Max Lerner @maxIerner]

@EricPincus Naturally, can be a decent contract/trade asset at the deadline as well.

[Max Lerner @maxIerner]

So the Lakers are pretty much the redeem team now.

[Adrian Wojnarowski @wojespn]

Free agent F Carmelo Anthony has agreed to a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, his manager Bay Frazier tells ESPN.

[Max Lerner @maxIerner]

Am I getting ahead of myself if I start thinking about the NBA storylines of a Westbrook vs. Harden/Durant finals?

…and Lebron vs. Kyrie.