Let's be honest, Kobe is the Greatest Of All Time

[DJ]

Ha, I almost nailed the final score of the Laker game. Off by a point.

 

[Mecca]

say the Lakers do this: draft Mudiay....sign Monroe (17 million) and Tobias Harris (13 million), Lou Williams (6 million)

PG- Mudiay
SG- Kobe
SF- Harris
PF- Monroe
C- Hill

bench- Lou Williams (PG/SG), Nick Young (SG), Julius Randle (PF)

would that be acceptable?

Love Lou.

But, he would be redundant with Swaggy on the roster.

How about a defensive wing like Afflao?

Or

Maybe a mix between the 2, Wesley Matthews?

As long as they stay away from Eric Gordon, they should be fine.

 

[trojanfan12]

Totally agree.

I don't think they should pursue Rondo.

I pray they don't go after DeAndre Jordan.

Roy Hibbert?

The guys that would be at the top of my list if I wanted to get younger would be Reggie Jackson, Monroe and Tobias Harris.

I really like Thad Young too.

But, can he play sf?

The 4 should be reserved for Randle.

I'm on the fence about Rondo. There's a lot to be said for him defensively and him being a pass first point guard. Plus, Kobe wants him on the team bad. However, the fact that he's been in the league as long as he has and still hasn't developed a dependable jumper and can be a liability at the free throw are red flags for me. Maybe a summer of "Camp Kobe" will help him with that.

I know the Lakers are interested in bringing in a top flight big. If I had to guess, I think the top 3 on their list would be Gasol, Monroe and DeAndre (sorry). It'll be a matter of which one Byron likes the most and who will sign with them.

If I had to guess, out of the 3, Monroe would probably be most likely. I seem to remember hearing that he may want out and I don't think the Lakers interest is a well kept secret. Plus, I think Gasol is happy in Memphis and will stay there.

If the Lakers go after DeAndre, I think it will come down to how badly the Clippers want to keep him. The Lakers will throw a max deal at him and try to woo him by offering Kareem to work with him on his game. In that scenario, if the Clippers offer him a max, I think he stays. If not, I think he walks across the hall.

 

[DJ]

Love Lou.

But, he would be redundant with Swaggy on the roster.

How about a defensive wing like Afflao?

Or

Maybe a mix between the 2, Wesley Matthews?

As long as they stay away from Eric Gordon, they should be fine.

Afflalo is a SG, same position as Kobe. And I don't think he can play SF.

 

[Mecca]

I don't necessarily want Rondo either, I don't think he and Kobe would be a good fit.

Rondo needs to be surrounded by shooters.

So, Dallas is the perfect fit...imo

As for bigs....

Al Jeferson has been injured alot lately or I would give him a long look.

Enes Kanter is fools gold....run.

Monroe...maybe Asik if you get another scorer?

 

[Mecca]

I'm on the fence about Rondo. There's a lot to be said for him defensively and him being a pass first point guard. Plus, Kobe wants him on the team bad. However, the fact that he's been in the league as long as he has and still hasn't developed a dependable jumper and can be a liability at the free throw are red flags for me. Maybe a summer of "Camp Kobe" will help him with that.

I know the Lakers are interested in bringing in a top flight big. If I had to guess, I think the top 3 on their list would be Gasol, Monroe and DeAndre (sorry). It'll be a matter of which one Byron likes the most and who will sign with them.

If I had to guess, out of the 3, Monroe would probably be most likely. I seem to remember hearing that he may want out and I don't think the Lakers interest is a well kept secret. Plus, I think Gasol is happy in Memphis and will stay there.

If the Lakers go after DeAndre, I think it will come down to how badly the Clippers want to keep him. The Lakers will throw a max deal at him and try to woo him by offering Kareem to work with him on his game. In that scenario, if the Clippers offer him a max, I think he stays. If not, I think he walks across the hall.

It is my greatest fear because I know it's a distinct possibility.

 

[Mecca]

Afflalo is a SG, same position as Kobe. And I don't think he can play SF.

Yeah...I think Russ had Lou as a reserve.

I think Afflao would be a better signing because he can defend or step into a starter role if Kobe says farewell.

 

[trojanfan12]

Small Forward Free Agents in 2015

LeBron James- lol
Kawhi Leonard- restricted- gotta think he stays in SAS
Luol Deng
Jeff Green
Tobias Harris

these are basically the only substantial SF free agents

it makes me wonder if maybe drafting a SF would be the better way to go- as its a LOT easier to find a very good PG in todays game than a SF


as for big men there seems to be more options

Marc Gasol- gotta think he stays in Memphis
Pau Gasol- cant see the Lakers wanting him back or him going back
Greg Monroe- a definite option and would be a very nice pickup
Kevin Love- I think its a good bet he stays in Cleveland- if your the Lakers would you really WANt to give him a max money and extension too? i dunno about that......i mean you probably do- but i think a younger guy with some defensive ability like Monroe who wont beexpensive might even be better long term
LaMarcus Aldridge- gotta thinkt he Blazers go after him hard- but it might be an option
Deandre jordan- gotta think the Clips try and go ahrd after him- but if they dont offer him a max and the lakers do.....but as a lakers fan do you REALLy want Jordan on a max? i wouldnt
Al Jefferson- has a player option- but with how he is playing he will probably decline it- he could be an option
Omer Asik- I think this would be a very smart pickup by the Lakers- a definite option
Brook Lopez- might not be a bad option- injury concerns have to be a drawback- but he would help
Roy Hibbert- good question here- I think he would bea good option for the Lakers though

Paul Milsap- i think this is a solid and realistic option
David West- if you cant get anyone else on a 1 year deal to have him start while Randle gets ready?
Thad Young- a solid option
Tristan Thompson- i dont see him leaving- and i think you Lakers fans would pull your hair out if you gave him 13 million a year , lol

these are the guys who would be considered "significant additions"
there are other guys like Robin Lopez, Brenden Wright, Tyson Chandler, Brandon Bass, Amare, Thomas Robinson...at SF- wilson chandler, chase budinger, matt barnes, derrick williams is restricted


as Lakers fans- if you were realistic- considering how much you would have to pay them- who do you think they should go after?

Agree about Marc Gasol staying in Memphis. I think he's happy there and I think Memphis will pay what they have to. If they don't, then they're idiots.

Agree about Pau. The Lakers want to get younger and Pau is too old. Plus, with how he's played, you have to think the Bulls want to keep him.

Would love to see the Lakers get Monroe.

Kevin Love is interesting. There have been Love to the Lakers rumors for so long and to the point that prior to the trade, some GM's were saying that they wouldn't even bother trying to sign him because they were so convinced that he was going to the Lakers. With that much smoke, there has to be a fire somewhere. I think that how much that changes will depend on how the Cavs do the rest of the way and how comfortable he can be in his role there. If they make the finals or even the ECF, I think he stays in Cleveland. Anything less than the ECF and it starts getting a little more dicey.

I don't see LA leaving Portland. I think they'll give him a max deal. They are on the edge of having something special.

If the Lakers go after DeAndre, it'll come down to how badly the Clippers want to keep him. They've invested a lot in improving his game, but are they willing to give him a max deal?

On the rest of them, I'm not sure they'd have much interest in anyone other than Asik.

 

[DJ]

For a veteran signing off the bench at the league minimum.......I'd take Amundson.

Lord, knows we only have like 5-6 players under contract (we need lots of players) and he's looked solid for the Knicks so far since he's gotten a little playing time. I'd bring him in and give him 10-13mpg in 50 or so games. He plays defense and rebounds well for a backup.

 

[DJ]

 

[WiggyRuss]

I'm on the fence about Rondo. There's a lot to be said for him defensively and him being a pass first point guard. Plus, Kobe wants him on the team bad. However, the fact that he's been in the league as long as he has and still hasn't developed a dependable jumper and can be a liability at the free throw are red flags for me. Maybe a summer of "Camp Kobe" will help him with that.

I know the Lakers are interested in bringing in a top flight big. If I had to guess, I think the top 3 on their list would be Gasol, Monroe and DeAndre (sorry). It'll be a matter of which one Byron likes the most and who will sign with them.

If I had to guess, out of the 3, Monroe would probably be most likely. I seem to remember hearing that he may want out and I don't think the Lakers interest is a well kept secret. Plus, I think Gasol is happy in Memphis and will stay there.

If the Lakers go after DeAndre, I think it will come down to how badly the Clippers want to keep him. The Lakers will throw a max deal at him and try to woo him by offering Kareem to work with him on his game. In that scenario, if the Clippers offer him a max, I think he stays. If not, I think he walks across the hall.

I agree- the most sought after free agent is gonna be Gasol as he is probably thebest center in the league- but i doubt he goes anywhere


Greg Monroe I think is destined to be a Laker and should sign for like 16-17M. After that it just depends.

I think Brandon Knight would be a very nice fit at PG- his game has really really elevated.....but if you draft that Mudiay there is no way you spend that money on a PG



Still- SF is the Lakers biggest hole- and there just arent many guys out there- Thad Young is a realistic target because Tobias Harris is gonna get a ton of dough......


Monroe at PF and Young at SF would be a good start- combined that would probably be like 28 in salary (17 and 11 is realistic)

that would leave them a little money to add a third guy- whether they wanted to go after a 2nd tier PG, or a 2nd tier big man would be up to them

if they lose that pick it would be pretty devastating

 

[WiggyRuss]

the Lakers need to address SF badly- but the options are just so limited.

LeBron and Leonard are not going anywhere

I wouldnt want to bring in Luol Deng unless it was on a short deal and you really wanted to make a short term while Kobe is still playing

Tobias Harris is the best young player out there

Thad Young is a solid vet- not too old- but old enough to step right in and play solidly- and he wont break the bank- but will cost at least 10M i think....

If this Mudiay guy is amazing and you get that high of a pick i think you gotta take him- but getting a SF or C that is elite is a lot harder- and when you get teh chance to draft one- its hard to pass it up....

there are usually PGs you can get- its the most stacked position in basketball...heck the Suns have 3 good ones.

Its why I cant believe the Heat have NEVER managed to get a good one over the last upteenth years.....same with the Lakers though too- they cant ever seem to get a good pg

 

[trojanfan12]

the Lakers need to address SF badly- but the options are just so limited.

LeBron and Leonard are not going anywhere

I wouldnt want to bring in Luol Deng unless it was on a short deal and you really wanted to make a short term while Kobe is still playing

Tobias Harris is the best young player out there

Thad Young is a solid vet- not too old- but old enough to step right in and play solidly- and he wont break the bank- but will cost at least 10M i think....

If this Mudiay guy is amazing and you get that high of a pick i think you gotta take him- but getting a SF or C that is elite is a lot harder- and when you get teh chance to draft one- its hard to pass it up....

there are usually PGs you can get- its the most stacked position in basketball...heck the Suns have 3 good ones.

Its why I cant believe the Heat have NEVER managed to get a good one over the last upteenth years.....same with the Lakers though too- they cant ever seem to get a good pg

Depending on what happens with the draft and FA, Kobe could spend his final season playing SF for a good amount of time if needed. He's played it before and really isn't that much different than SG in todays NBA. Also, depending on how things go, they could draft Mudiay and then trade him. It's going to be a very interesting off-season.

As for the Lakers and Heat not getting better PG's. The Lakers ran the triangle for years and the triangle isn't a PG friendly offense. The Heat had Lebron, so there was really no need for a top PG as Lebron had the ball most of the time anyway and if he didn't have it, D-Wade did.

 

[DJ]

Yeah, if we don't get a PG we could play Mudiay, Clarkson and Kobe in a 3 guard offense.....or Kobe at the SF position. And bring back Johnson on a 1.5 million to 2 million per season deal as a backup.

 

[DJ]

Add Monroe and Thad Young (if we add him, obviously Kobe plays SG and Clarkson comes off the bench) and we could compete for the 7-8 seed maybe.

Bring back Black, Johnson, Price, and Kelly (he's under contract). Davis is probably gone, but we have Randle anyway.

 

[DJ]

Add a few other veterans to fill out a squad, like Amundson as an energy guy off the bench to play defense and rebound.

 

[DJ]

Later all.

 

[SJ76]

Rondo didn't show me anything tonight. DRose played well and moved without the ball. Rose had that quick first step. I think he's pacing himself.

Bulls have a huge line up with Snell butler Noah Gasol. If Rose keeps attacking the rim, look out.

 

[SJ76]

And the Lebron and magic comparison must be based on height. Magic had court vision only guys like pistol Pete, bird and Stockton had. D Williams had it early in his career. Lebron had magic's size, but that's it. Lebron is quicker and jumps higher, but magic had eyes in the back of his head and was a smart player.

Just because Lebron wants to pass first, doesn't make him like magic.

 

[LALakersboy24.7]

And the Lebron and magic comparison must be based on height. Magic had court vision only guys like pistol Pete, bird and Stockton had. D Williams had it early in his career. Lebron had magic's size, but that's it. Lebron is quicker and jumps higher, but magic had eyes in the back of his head and was a smart player.

Just because Lebron wants to pass first, doesn't make him like magic.

Nobody will ever be like Magic.