Great defense by Desmond Bane. But what the hell Anthony Davis?? pic.twitter.com/DS6zIaYSeA

— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) April 25, 2023

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Any cap team has to make those decisions and it ends up getting some guys paid who shouldn't be.

They're $12 million/season type of middle class players, but because the team that loses them can't replace that level of production with a cap exception, they end up overspending to keep them because "it's only money" and they're already over the cap.

It's an oddity that really doesn't become a major problem unless/until a team has a superstar retires and now they're trying to rebuild around another frail star player but lack the cap space to get out into the market because of that albatross 'luxury' deal.

So...y'know, exactly what the Lakers will be going through in 2 seasons.

It's a REAL quandry for them but signing him will make them better for the remainder of LBJ's career in LA so they'll almost certainly do it. And regret the shit out of it when James retires and they're STILL over the cap so they can't do anything to replace him.
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Apparently he's grabbing at his hip in pain. What's new?
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Cannot believe this is a 2-point game.

LA looks like they should be getting run out of the gym. Probably only a matter of time.
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You know Dillon Brooks teammates talk mad shit about him when he's not around.
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This is my shocked face.
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:-)
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Movther of fuck - you have GOT to hit that corner 3.

All that ball movement and crisp passing and you gack and open look.

THEN ANOTHER! 2 great passes and Rui can't finish.

This is just spectacularly poor finishing. But hey, at least they're finally actually playing basketball.

And another clang.

I can't type as fast as the Lakers can miss open looks.
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Can the Lakers make some of these open threes LeBron is getting them?
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Sweet merciful jesus, they finally hit a fucking basket.
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Ja Morant is a crazy athlete.
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No, I meant specifically as it relates to DLo. My greatest fear was the Wolves giving him a huge deal.
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Yeah - I really wanted to root for the Grizzlies.

Then I tried it.

Man - fuck those guys. As a casual fan, they're a lot of fun. But when you start to actually pay attention - that team can go molest collies.
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Oh I knew what you meant.

I'm just saying that Russell isn't really anything special in this regard. Worse players than him see the benefit of those bird rights every year. KCP kept getting deals WELL beyond what he was worth because the Lakers couldn't replace him, they were up against the cap and they had his bird rights so they just had to grab their ankles.
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{Clang}
{Clang}
{Clunk}

The third one was another Davis miss as his misses are bad enough at this point that they even sound like shit.
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