People, I think we need to accept that these trade talks are real. They are happening.
Here's the thing though...
The Lakers are notorious for getting franchise bigs gifted to them. They see a rookie in Vlade, backed by an idiot owner and a undermining coach, major blood in the water. They think they can bamboozle us so they call to set up a trade.
Vlade basically asked for EVERY SINGLE ASSET the Lakers have.... Their top pick this year, last year's lotto pick, an up and coming young PG, and "other draft assets" ... and....AND.... They have to take back scrub Landry on his horrendous contract.
They are left with Cuz, Kobe, and trash. That team isn't going anywhere. And they risk a Howard scenario all over again, because when the losses stack up, Kobe and the LA media are turning on Cuz in a heartbeat... and maybe he doesn't even stick around.
Lakers HAVE to balk at that offer. It's not even an offer..... it's just Vlade saying "F you, Mitch."
Now, here's the other thing....
We need to accept that yes, Cousins did ask for a trade. Was it recent? Was it during the aftermath of Malone's firing? When Karl was hired? Moot point, it happened.
But because Vlade isn't a bumbling amateur like our departed friend, Mr. Weasel, he knows that while we may need to trade Cousins eventually, we have him locked up for three years. Why panic and sell low, when we can still turn this thing around and build a team around a future HOFer?
So Vladfather USED the Lakers interest in Cousins to gage his trade value by asking for EVERYTHING, while at the same time publicly saying he will not trade Cousins, to avoid alienating the star.
Vlade doesn't intend to trade Cuz unless he has to, but now he has a better idea of what he's worth if that dreaded day should come. He also got to show GMs around the league that he isn't some noob to be ****** with. If you're going to bother us about Cousins, you better come with an insanely good offer..... which is what Vlade has been saying all along.
Well played Vlade, well played.
Scary thing is..... There is a chance that we DO get that insanely good offer. And it may come out of left field. But after these past few days I think Vlade is going to make the right call on draft day.