Picture this: the Suns have just bumped Clipset out of the playoffs. Uncle Dennis -- I mean, Kawhi -- is unhappy with something Clippers have done and is shrouding an injury in mystery to extract negotiating leverage (this sounds familiar). Paul George, despite his massive efforts to the contrary, just exudes insecure loser energy. California is all about vibes, and that does not bode well for him.

Portland is about to hire a r*pist as a head coach, and Dame does not want to waste the remainder of his prime trying to elevate this awkwardly constructed team to a first round exit year after year. A move to LAC would give him the perimeter defender and literal #2 he's always needed.

PG and Dame make identical salaries, but Dame is probably valued higher. Getting Mann might give them enough courage to part with CJ in a separate deal and hit a hard reset on this era.

Or, IDK, I'm sure the Lakers will find a way to trade Kuzma+KCP+a 2nd round pick for Dame.