Trade Announced
With Mark Cuban debating over Dennis Smith Jr. and Jonathan Isaac, a Paul George trade has finally happened. Multiple sources have indicated that a trade is close, but LA Times Beat Writer, Mark Medina has reported that both teams are on a standstill.
I'm told Lakers + Pacers currently at standstill on Paul George trade involving either Randle or Clarkson & 27th and 28th pick.
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) June 21, 2017
During the Draft, the Lakers realize that they need to add something to the pot. The Pacers are uninterested in Julius Randle because he’s one year away from free agency and has learned from the Pelicans that trading for a guy with a year left until restricted free agency could hurt your team.
As a result, the Lakers unwillingly add a 2020 first round pick to the deal and the Pacers eagerly accept the trade. Magic Johnson and company finally make a big move and ShowTime 2.0 is born.
After the Knicks pass on Dennis Smith Jr, Mark Cuban receives a phone call from Tom Thibedeau. Thibs says he will trade Rubio and a first for the 9th pick. Cuban immediately hangs up the phone and selects Dennis Smith Jr.
Dallas hasn’t had a franchise point guard since Steve Nash and Mavericks fans are excited that their team kept their pick and selected a player that wasn’t complete garbage *cough Jared Cunningham.
Smith fits the Mavericks rebuilding timeline and brings excitement to Dallas. The combination of Smith, Barnes, and Noel makes them a modern day early 2000’s Clippers. Dallas becomes one of the best league pass teams and makes Cuban excited for a Post-Dirk Future.
The Kings luck out and manage to fill the small forward hole they have with Gay opting out with Jonathan Isaac. Isaac is one of the most intriguing players as he is a high-risk high reward player. Currently, Isaac is very raw and will struggle. However, if given time, Isaac can be a Rashard Lewis type stretch four who can also impact the game defensively.
In the past, the Kings have struggled to make their young players great as only DeMarcus Cousins and Isaiah Thomas have been the Kings only draft successes since 2010. However, the Kings have cleaned house and have made vast improvements ranging from hiring Dave Joerger to learning how the CBA works.
Kings fans should be excited if Isaac falls to 10 as a Hield, Fox, Isaac core is what should be, a promising start to a successful rebuild by Vlade.