Here’s your Dixon-Ticonderoga Pencil….I want you to connect the dots on these NBA deals and tell me if any of them make any sense to you.

GOLDEN STATE…They are trying to pull off two deals at once.  They believe, based on relationships with their head coach, their star player, and LeBron James, they can lure King James from the Lakers as a free agent.  He would sign a (15M) deal.  Golden State is attempting at the same time to make a deal with Washington, to acquire legendary F-Anthony Davis and his big money contract and have him arrive simultaneously with LeBron.  The Warriors would give up #1 picks and some young combo guard.  But where is your future if you do this?  You add the 41-year old King James, the of-injured AD, to the aging Steph Curry and the older Draymond Green.  Could they win?  Could they stay healthy?  Does any of this make any sense?

CLIPPERS…They are taking trade calls for Kawhi Leonard without any explanation as to why?  Are they tired of Kawhi’s load management issues?  Is it because they want to rid themselves of this year’s (50M) deal and the impending (123M) he would be due on an extension?  Are they tired of his private demands to go get this player, that player?  Do they fear the NBA will void his contract and strip him of the right to play in LA?  Very odd.  You move him, that means all the talent from the era they hoped would get them to the finals, are gone.  Zubac..Harden..George..and then Kawhi.  It would entail a big rebuild and lots of losing likely to come.  Do they regret the OKC trade that started all the changes?  Can they get equal value if they move him to Toronto or Dallas?  Draft picks in the future won’t play next winter.  Any of this make sense to you?

LAKERS…Rumors a dime a dozen right now, all swirling around LeBron.  Let him walk and get (50M) in cap space.  Shop him to his favorite destination, maybe Golden State in a trade.  Work out a bigger deal to let him go back home to Cleveland, with the rumors James to the Cavs with two #1 picks for Cavs starting C-Jarrett Allen.  The Lakers just spent big money to keep Austin Reaves; have Luka Doncic healthy; could bring back Rui Hachimura; but still have a hole in the paint.  If LeBron departs, you have a massive hole in your offense.  If you trade multiple #1’s-you have no future.  Have to solve this riddle.  Lots of moving parts.  Which deal makes you better?

Connect the dots for me and tell me if any of them make sense.

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