BigRedDog wrote:

MX25 wrote:

Panos wrote:Why do you think Lakers overpaid?

32.5 for Kessler is fine. You worry about the draft picks after
Luka is past his prime but man oh man Kessler looked like a beast to start last season.

Luka is 27 yrs old. Past his prime?? yeah right

He may not have even peaked yet if he stays committed to his conditioning

Luka is a special player that still requires the right mix of players around him to get it done, but I would never bank on him not being in the mix if he has good players around him

All the new centers from draft and trades something will shake free. Eg kornet (ex Knick) might shake free

I hve my eye more on guys like diabate (sp?) in charlotte

BigRedDog wrote:

MX25 wrote:

Panos wrote:Why do you think Lakers overpaid?

32.5 for Kessler is fine. You worry about the draft picks after
Luka is past his prime but man oh man Kessler looked like a beast to start last season.

Luka is 27 yrs old. Past his prime?? yeah right

Not only is Luka still young his game is such he should be able to still play at an elite level into his late 30’s barring a fluke injury. He’s a point forward with a wide base and uses his center of gravity to post up back to the basket and drive. He doesn’t need to be the fastest guy on the floor to be effective

EwingsGlass wrote:Seems to be a run on centers currently. Feels a lot like 2024 when we traded for KAT - teams locking up Centers early.

Maybe Ayton shakes loose in Los Angeles? They committed big money to Kessler and the guy from Toronto whose name I'm not going to attempt to write. Dadiet ＋ Kolek or McBride works as a trade.

Ayton has had his ups and downs as a player but was solid if not spectacular last year. Maybe he and Mikal are buddies from back in the day.

Obviously Brad Stevens was keen on moving him but still many have questions as to why, or why now? From a 76er perception to pair with what remains of Embiid makes sense. As someone here mentioned the bench will likely be suspect but in the age of parity crazy things can happen.
Look at Knicks! a 53 win team destroys the league in the playoffs after a few adjustments. Good health of course is prerequisite to all championship teams.

But loved his defense and this year he carried the team. He even guarded embiid at times

My suspicion is JB was making noise because he is inherently an alpha and probably feels he’s better than Tatum given his 2 way skills

And the Celtics organization saw too much overlap and too much money tied up in him and Tatum.

Still it makes no sense. Celts never really trade within the conference especially sending a star still in his prime for one who is nearer his end. Gone are the days of Joe Barry Carrol for Parrish and McHale. Or what’s his face for KD. Or what’s his face II for Ray Allen. I say this only partially in jest because the celts were so famous for one sided deals. The saying used to be if you’re a GM and Auerbach calls, hang up!