Best Trade for Paul George
If the Lakers execute the Russell/Mozgov/Lopez trade BEFORE June 30 then they can move Lopez AFTER June 30, as that would be considered the next season, and the NBA moratorium on trading players within the same season would have expired.
That makes a 3-team deal with somebody like Dallas do-able and good for all sides. Here's the breakdown:
Lakers
- Give up: Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson, Kyle Kuzma, and 2018 and 2019 2nds (from Calderon trade)
- Acquire: Paul George and Wesley Matthews
- Why this works for LA: they get the All-star player they want along with his Bird rights as well as a serviceable SG to replace Clarkson and mentor Hart. Lakers would still have about $20m in cap space next offseason, but could stretch Deng or go over to re-sign George if a max FA came available.
- Give up: Paul George, Monta Ellis
- Acquire: Clarkson, Brook Lopez, Kyle Kuzma, Dallas 2018 first, Lakers' 2018 2nd
- Why this works for Indy: they get players, picks and cap relief for a guy they were going to lose anyway and an aging guard whose best days are behind him. Dallas' 2018 first could be a lottery pick, as they will have trouble competing in the West. Hard to see them getting a better offer.
- Give up: Wesley Matthews
- Acquire: Julius Randle, Monta Ellis, Lakers' 2019 2nd
- Why this works for Dallas: they signed Barnes, they traded for Noel and they just drafted a PG. This move allows them to get rid of Matthews' contract and acquire some cap-controlled front court help for Noel and Barnes. The Lakers' 2nd is extra incentive to pick up Ellis' contract, which only has three years left anyway.
Win-win trades are rare in the NBA...win-win-win trades even more so. But given each teams' needs and who is available, this one does it - everybody gets something, but nobody gets everything.
More importantly: if the Lakers pull this off, it means they will have traded Russell, Randle, Clarkson, Mozgov, late first and 2 seconds for Paul George, Wesley Matthews, and cap space. That's a deal I can live with.
Make the call, Rob!