The Lakers did not offer to match. The GS deal was on the table. Everyone, including us fans, knew about it. They didn't even flex at the idea because it was out of their range.
How do you know this? Turiafs negotiations came before Sashas. At that point the Lakers did have cap space.
I don't claim to know the Lakers offered to match behind closed doors. But you and WoW don't know either. It might have been all about playing time. And to be sure it's his choice. If Golden can get healthy who knows what they can do in 2009 playoffs.
Because Mitch Kupcheck said they were not going to match?
The Lakers have cap space FOR THIS UPCOMING SEASON. However they have a number of contracts that will be coming up in the next 2-3 years that include Andrew Bynum. Now if they have to let go of a few guys to keep him I think we all would agree that is ok. I love Turiaf to death. I really do enjoy seeing him on my favorite team and what he brings. However he is not an Andrew Bynum heh
Like I said to you earlier in the thread. The Lakers had 2 people ahead of Ronnie for both positions that he can play. There is literally 4 guys who would play the PF or C position before him. The Lakers signed Sasha because they don't have an abundance of outside threats. It's Kobe, Fish, and Sasha. That's it.