Who is the best fit for the Lakers?

[RedTorro]

Pick who they should snatch up (or keep away from the other teams) and explain why.

[Colin]

i don't think they should go after a veteran, but rather one of the younger players. My vote went to Juwan Howard, but P.J. Brown and Gilbert were close 2nd and 3rd.

I don't think Jermaine will go to L.A., because for a player his age there's no wy he'll take the minimum.

[RedTorro]

i don't think they should go after a veteran, but rather one of the younger players. My vote went to Juwan Howard, but P.J. Brown and Gilbert were close 2nd and 3rd.

I don't think Jermaine will go to L.A., because for a player his age there's no wy he'll take the minimum.

And thats exactly whats wrong with the NBA today, it's all about the money not love of the game or winning rings.

[Andrew]

But that's the thing - it's not guaranteed the Lakers will win the 2004 championship (sorry, it's not. Nothing in sports is guaranteed). Signing with the Lakers might not mean a championship.

Besides, it says something about Jermaine O'Neal to commit himself to turning a team into a title contender rather than signing elsewhere and getting a free ride. No, it's not stupidity - it's a competitive spirit that is quite admirable.

I think the Lakers should go after Juwan Howard, primarily because he's the most likely player to sign. Various articles have mentioned Scottie Pippen is either going to retire or stay in Portland. He hasn't closed the door on the Lakers, but has been reported as saying going to the Lakers wouldn't be an ideal move at this point.

Karl Malone has been linked to Dallas (sort of), and along with Gary Payton, doesn't really seem like taking that kind of paycut and reduced role. That's why I think the Mailman will end up going to San Antonio, an Eastern team or even staying in Utah.

The Lakers can really only afford to pay one of the top veteran free agents, and even then they'll be sacrificing a lot of money. And maybe that's for the best. After all, a ridiculously deep Blazers team hasn't accomplished much since they took that route back in the 2000 offseason.

Again, I say Juwan Howard. The Lakers need a power forward who doesn't mind being the third, fourth or fifth scoring option, can rebound and play defense. I think Howard fits the bill - and we know he'll work for what Los Angeles can offer him.

[Rens]

PJ Brown is not young.

[Shep]

The Lakers need a power forward who doesn't mind being the third, fourth or fifth scoring option

i think he would mind, we all saw how successful his stint in Dallas was.

and we know he'll work for what Los Angeles can offer him

again, i don't think he would

[Colin]

PJ Brown is not young.

No he's not young, but he's younger than the others. He was born in 69, Payton was born in 68, Pippen in 65, Malone was born in 63, and Howard was born in 73, but Arenas was born in 82. If they're going for a power forward, then he's the 2nd youngest main possibility. Before anyone says what about JO, he most likely won't sign, he probably money than can be offered by the Lakers.

[Andrew]

i think he would mind, we all saw how successful his stint in Dallas was.

True, that didn't work out too well. Still, he might want to play for a winning team, and to do he'll have to make sacrifices. I know that's pretty rare in a professional basketball player who can still be one of the top two or three players on a team, but you never know.

again, i don't think he would

I agree it would be surprising if he took such a paycut, but his agent has stated that a paycut is not out of the question. The most surprising part of that is, of course, his agent is David Falk.

But if Juwan Howard won't work for that kind of money, then I don't see Gary Payton, Karl Malone or Alonzo Mourning taking that kind of paycut.