Whose rebuild is better? BOS vs LAL

[slamtheking]

Lakers should have taken Okafor, but Russell has significantly more value around the league than anyone on Boston's roster and it isn't close.  Russell could be the centerpiece of a trade for someone like Cousins, no one on Boston even comes close to that level.  Boston has a significant edge in future draft picks though (though no one has any idea just how good those picks will be). 

Lakers could offer Russell, Randle, Clarkson, any other warm bodies and Kobe's little black book and that still wouldn't be enough to get Cousins. 

I'm not saying Smart, some other young guys and a lot of draft picks from the C's would get it done either but I'd lay odds the C's deal would get more consideration considering the volume of picks and the fact the picks aren't just tied to how the C's perform.

[Evantime34]

Long term I think it's us.

They have better top end developmental talent right now with Randle and Russell. However, next draft we could have 3 lottery picks and they probably won't have any picks at all.

Really, I think our rebuild is on a better track because we are in the east and rebuilding there is easier.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

From a potential standpoint, it's LA. You have Randle plus the #2 pick in Russell from this past June's draft.

We have a #2 pick—Evan Turner. 

[Celtics4ever]

Ours, we don't have cance., I mean Kobe to poison it.

[Evantime34]

From a potential standpoint, it's LA.  You have Randle plus the #2 pick in Russell from this past June's draft. 

If we are talking about potential and how good players will be in the future we should also take into account our picks in next years draft vs their lack of picks.

[Donoghus]

From a potential standpoint, it's LA.  You have Randle plus the #2 pick in Russell from this past June's draft. 

If we are talking about potential and how good players will be in the future we should also take into account our picks in next years draft vs their lack of picks.

I was just going off actual players not future uncertainties.  Celtics certainly seemed better stocked in that regard, on paper.  The unknown is a) where those picks will be b) what the Celtics actually do with them and c) who they draft.

[MBunge]

Russell could be the centerpiece of a trade for someone like Cousins, no one on Boston even comes close to that level.   

Sacramento would be more likely to trade Cousins for Smart and Sully than for Russell and anyone else on the Lakers' roster.  Granted, it would be a 0.1% chance instead of a 0.01% chance.

Mike

[littleteapot]

I think there was 1 legit potential superstar in last years draft and 8 or 9 very solid players. I don't think Russell is such a good prospect that he trumps all the C's current and future assets.

By the way, we also have a major edge in how we manage our team.

[Celtics4ever]

I don't think Russell is such a good prospect that he trumps all the C's current and future assets.

He has not shown one sign of being a dominant player and looks more like a system guy, so far.   If I was LA I would be nervous, sure he is a rookie and all but should not he look good against other rookies?

[Evantime34]

From a potential standpoint, it's LA.  You have Randle plus the #2 pick in Russell from this past June's draft. 

If we are talking about potential and how good players will be in the future we should also take into account our picks in next years draft vs their lack of picks.

I was just going off actual players not future uncertainties.  Celtics certainly seemed better stocked in that regard, on paper.  The unknown is a) where those picks will be b) what the Celtics actually do with them and c) who they draft.

Yeah, I agree that off actual players they have more potential than ours, just want to throw out the caveat that it probably shifts in our favor in the next few years as we could have 8 firsts in the next 3 years and the Lakers will only have 2.

[Boris Badenov]

Here's one way to think about it. If offered a complete trade of organizations - players, picks, GM, coach - today, would you do it? Ours for theirs.

For me it's a clear "no." Mostly because of Ainge and Stevens.

[littleteapot]

I don't think Russell is such a good prospect that he trumps all the C's current and future assets.

He has not shown one sign of being a dominant player and looks more like a system guy, so far.   If I was LA I would be nervous, sure he is a rookie and all but should not he look good against other rookies?

I wouldn't go that far he's definitely a great prospect, just not a sell the farm type of prospect.

[hpantazo]

I don't think Russell is such a good prospect that he trumps all the C's current and future assets.

He has not shown one sign of being a dominant player and looks more like a system guy, so far.   If I was LA I would be nervous, sure he is a rookie and all but should not he look good against other rookies?

I wouldn't go that far he's definitely a great prospect, just not a sell the farm type of prospect.

I would honestly much rather have Smart than Russell, and I think many GMs would as well. Smart is set for a breakout season. He just takes over a game on both ends of the floor.

I think the Lakers made two major mistakes in their rebuild. #1: they kept Kobe and signed him to a big contract , which not only hampered their cap, and hurt the development of other guys, but prevented them from getting value for him in a trade like the Celtics did with KG and Pierce.

#2: passing up Okafor to take Russell will haunt them for years. I think they did so because they thought they were going to be able to trade for Cousins and/or sign Aldridge or Love to compete now with Kobe, but it was a very dumb move.

[littleteapot]

Russell has a TON of skill and if he keeps developing that he could definitely be a great player. I'm not sure he has the body to get to the rim or play D in the NBA. It will be interesting to see how he develops.

[droopdog7]

I don't think Russell is such a good prospect that he trumps all the C's current and future assets.

He has not shown one sign of being a dominant player and looks more like a system guy, so far.   If I was LA I would be nervous, sure he is a rookie and all but should not he look good against other rookies?

I wouldn't go that far he's definitely a great prospect, just not a sell the farm type of prospect.

I would honestly much rather have Smart than Russell, and I think many GMs would as well. Smart is set for a breakout season. He just takes over a game on both ends of the floor.

I think the Lakers made two major mistakes in their rebuild. #1: they kept Kobe and signed him to a big contract , which not only hampered their cap, and hurt the development of other guys, but prevented them from getting value for him in a trade like the Celtics did with KG and Pierce.

#2: passing up Okafor to take Russell will haunt them for years. I think they did so because they thought they were going to be able to trade for Cousins and/or sign Aldridge or Love to compete now with Kobe, but it was a very dumb move.

Haven't followed Russell at all but I'm not sure Smart will ever take over on both ends of the floor, much less do it this year.  From what I see he remains a below average offensive player and I believe this limitation will stay with him throughout his career.