Lakers Thread

[Jackal]

We have different views on the term "legit".

Not to mention Simmons to the Lakers is a long ways off. And Hibbert...sigh Hibbert.

[Bruce]

Hibbert was a dice roll. The Lakers paid with a 2nd round pick and the Pacers got a quick salary dump. After losing out on the big names, I think it was a worthwhile experiment. 10 out of 10 times if the Lakers was in the same position, I think it was and will be the best move. Too bad it is not panning out.

With regards to Derozan, I think the Lakers are not the best at being patient with young players. But I think the Lakers are better off sticking with focusing on re-signing Clarkson. In my mind, their games are essentially the same. I still think It would be harder to get a player to switch teams than to get them to re-sign. The focus I think should be the whole in the SF spot. The most important move the Lakers will make this off-season is to do their due diligence and make a run at Durant because let's face it, the Lakers need a franchise player. If not, and the Lakers do get within the top 3 pick. There is of course Simmons and the supposedly more versatile Ingram from Duke. If the Lakers still fail at that, there is unrestricted free agents Batum, Jeff Green and maybe Harrison Barnes. I do hope though that this off-season the Lakers won't find themselves trying to scrape the bottom of the free agent pool once again.

[Jackal]

Yeah Hibbert was worth the risk given what was given up. It's just frustrating seeing a player fall on his ass that often.

From what I've read the draft is 2-deep, if LA doesn't get the 1-2 pick, what do you think they ought to do?

I'm not sold on Derozan, he doesn't have much of an outside shot and from the handful of games I've seen I can't say I'm comfortable with him being "the guy".

I'm hoping the Warriors try to save some money and Barnes falls to the Lakers. I think they're going to strike out on any big names in free agency. If Durant leaves it'll be for the Wizards or in crazyverse for the Warriors.

[Stress Fracture]

Clarkson's development will be affected if and when Derozan signs with the Lakers this offseason. Those two almost have the same skillset.

[Bruce]

Yeah Hibbert was worth the risk given what was given up. It's just frustrating seeing a player fall on his ass that often.

From what I've read the draft is 2-deep, if LA doesn't get the 1-2 pick, what do you think they ought to do?

I'm not sold on Derozan, he doesn't have much of an outside shot and from the handful of games I've seen I can't say I'm comfortable with him being "the guy".

I'm hoping the Warriors try to save some money and Barnes falls to the Lakers. I think they're going to strike out on any big names in free agency. If Durant leaves it'll be for the Wizards or in crazyverse for the Warriors.

I think the draft is good up to 5. For me, unless there is some big name player that is enamored with donning a Lakers jersey, it's the draft or bust for the Lakers. After the Lebron-Bosh-Wade clusterfuck and the KG-Pierce-Allen super team, most big names will want to join a team that already has an established core. Let's just hope that the young guys has ways to go and will still develop by leap and bounds.

[Jackal]

That's exactly why I'd rather they not throw the max at DeRozan. Clarkson basically does the same things and has a developing outside shot.

Realistically I think it'll be a good 3-4 years before they'll be in the playoffs again.

[air gordon]

DeRozan on the current max would be a good deal. DeRozan can put the ball in the basket, is a free throw monger, and is only 26. he fits in with another scoring guard... a la Russell..

are laker fans comfortable with giving the keys to the offense to randle and russell?

clarkson's contract is up too. how many years/$ should he get?? Clarkson's 3pt shooting is a on slight uptick though his scoring in the paint is noticeably lower this year

[Jackal]

He'll be getting the new max, right? Tv money kicks in this off season I thought?

Not comfortable handing the organization over to Randle/Russel, that's still a good 3-4 years away at least.

Clarkson will probably get around 10-13 million, around that much I'm guessing. Think he'll remain a Laker for a few more years.

[air gordon]

10-12mil per year for Clarkson?

I don't know what the new max is next year. I was merely stating if the Lakers can sign Derozan on the current max, it would be a good deal.

If randle and russell aren't ready in the next few years, who should be the teams leading scoring next year?!?

[Jackal]

Teams with enough salary-cap room can give Clarkson a max of $57.8 million over four years or $34.1 million over three years. Clarkson can sign an offer sheet with only one team, which the Lakers have the option of matching.

Yeah, around that much.

And Clarkson will probably be the ppg leader, not sure what the offense will look like if Williams/Byron are still doing their thing. It could very well be Williams too.

[NovU]

I like Russell. He has been improving steadily and that's with Kobe, Lou, Clarkson heavily involved in backcourt usage war. He's learning how to play off the ball and should get better as he gradually becomes focal point on offense.

Keeping Clarkson would be a no brainer but would that further hinder Russell's development? If then let the Nets deal with him. They will probably try to snatch and max pay Clarkson or Harrison Barnes at Max(or near).

The Lakers have options anyways. First and foremost, your priority is Kevin Durant. Have him signed then one of the bigs. Perhaps get either Pau/Dwight lol back, or Noah at discount, Whiteside at max should be good. DeRozan and everyone else are secondary options. In the worst case, I don't think overpaying either DeRozan or Clarkson will be a bad idea, as long as you could develop your other young assets.

[Andrew]

During the Warriors game, I heard Kevin and Reggie talking about how the Lakers want Randle to be Draymond Green. That might be expecting just a bit too much out of him, at least as far as ballhandling and playmaking are concerned.

[Jackal]

Everyone wants their ball-handlng tweener PF to be Green now. Before if your PF could handle the ball and bring it up they wanted the player to be Blake Griffin. I think Randle can be good, he just needs to put in the work. He's essentially a rookie so I'm hoping that'll work itself out. Tracy Murray will be reworking his shot this offseason so hopefully that's there next year too. And a right hand.

I don't think keeping Clarkson (which I'm almost certain will happen) will hinder Russell at all. They play well together, it's quite fun to watch. Byron just has messed up rotations and makes Clarkson/Williams handle the ball at the end of the shot clock way too often which leads to an iso play/ill advised shot.

The Lakers biggest thing is indeed the middle, I'm all for letting this backcourt develop. Clarkson needs to work on his defense though, he's far too athletic to get that lost on defense.

A defensive big would be ideal; I don't know about Whiteside, I think that's a guy who will get paid big time and either be injured all the time or be out more than in because of foul trouble.

My ideal off-season would be a get of Ezeli and Barnes/Batum.

Ezeli
Randle
Barnes/Batum
Clarkson
Russell

New coach.

[Andrew]

Health probably wouldn't be too much of a concern with Whiteside, but attitude might be.

[air gordon]

If you can't land the big names, why not just go all in with the current core players? Let them have their growing pains.
Williams is just a stopgap, no?
That dream scenario lands highly paid complimentary type players anyway

$10-12 million for a guy with 2 ok seasons on a losing team. Wow times are changing

[Andrew]

Needless to say, landing Ben Simmons would answer a few questions as to who to build the team around. A Plan B would be advisable, of course.

I'd suggest a lot of people were too quick to give up on Russell. As for Hibbert, I expect he'll be gone at the end of the year. There was a funny moment in the Warriors game where he was short on a tip attempt right under the basket. Kevin and Reggie could barely contain their disgust; it was probably the closest any NBA commentator has come to saying "Good Lord, that guy is complete shit" on the air. It's a shame, at one point Hibbert seemed pretty solid with decent skills. It wasn't a bad gamble to bring him in and see if he was worth keeping around for the rebuilding efforts, but the answer would appear to be no.

[air gordon]

anyone "giving up" or giving (or whatever the opposite of giving up is) on Russell are idiots. 39 games under under his belt

apparently KAT and KP are already being crowned the best. a lot of pressure on Russell.

[Andrew]

Oh yeah, knee-jerk reactions to a rookie trying to adjust to the pros and not being a once-in-a-generation type of talent. No doubt about that. It's also the Internet, where declaring anything will be a failure, flop, or bust is the popular choice.

[NovU]

Don't cha guys hava feeling the Lakers are gonna land a big fish in no time? Max paying guys like DeRozan/Barnes is what small market teams do. The Lakers' pond is bigger, they bring in whales not tuna fish. Hollywood needs a new representative and there'll be plenty of superstars who wants to claim the city. May not be this year, it's coming. Kupchak won't commit to something crazy but keep things flexible. He'll rather pay for sure deals or young guys with upside who can easily turn into trade baits to the Lakers' pond.

anyone "giving up" or giving (or whatever the opposite of giving up is) on Russell are idiots.

Is he still on your trade block tho?

[Andrew]

Yeah, I could see it happening in a couple of years. At the same time, this is the brass that bid against themselves to overpay Kobe for a couple of injury-riddled, sub-par farewell seasons. I couldn't rule out the possibility they'll do something ill-advised.

[Jackal]

Let's not forget Kupchak basically got the Lakers Chris Paul, Dwight Howard and Steve Nash. I trust Mitch, the Kobe contract aside, I trust Mitch.

It's Jim Buss I'm a bit weary of. The coaching decisions have been a head scratcher to say the least.

I think Durant will end up signing a 1+1 deal, he'll be eligible for the 10 year vet contract after that I think. 35% of the cap, right? I don't think he's headed to LA in any way.

[NovU]

You never know anything can happen with the Lakers. Players get discontent and their availability changes all the time. Superstars always get to have a say where they want to go so LAL is the ultimate favorite. That's why small towner like myself cannot be your friend and root for the Lakers.

[air gordon]

yeah i agree. the hollywood draw has kept rebuilding out of the equation... more like retool and back into the playoffs. from an outsider POV this retool/rebuild is different-
*last offseason was the first to see LA strike out in free agency. the hibbert deal turned out as a blessing in a disguise though!
*the main pieces they have are young and not established.
*not sure how the lakers fans feel about Byron scott as the coach long term (Thibs anyone??)
*while the city of los angeles is a draw, the "second" team in the city is now the darling.

very interesting to see what kind of free agents are brought in. randle, russell, and the future draft pick will need minutes.

edit- yes i'd trade russell for danny green

[NovU]

edit- yes i'd trade russell for danny green

Sure thing, boss. Check for offer submitted.

[air gordon]

I wasn't serious about it, bub. I'll give you your due credit. You certainly are committed to your fantasy bball team. Maybe try fan duel/draft King to reap the rewards of your commitment