42. "it worked out great for both sides. " In response to In response to 41
that's not what's material here.
The commentary in February was that there were going to be several compelling offers for N.O. to look at this summer (which turned out to be false).
Also - Lakers were offering Kuzma along with the core and picks in February - which would've been too much - but would've been an unbelievable package for the Pels. People here were *still* saying that the Pels should've waited - which turned out to be unsound advice.
The Pels just didn't want to give in to the inevitable -and it cost them some trade value for sure. Lakers had way more leverage this summer to hold on to their most coveted young rising star (Kuz) than they did in February when they were willing to part ways.