Lakers Off-Season Thread

[lakersrule]

When you win less than 20, none of them matter.

Certainly true. I'd rather enjoy the few positives though than be such an angry curmudgeon all season, especially considering the low expectations to begin with.

 

[lakersrule]

Don't forget though - that last year the Lakers kind of fucked up their second pick by taking Russell who so far hasn't been a disaster - but the top the one the Lakers could have had won rookie of the year - so now we have to hope Buss doesn't have a senior moment again

KAT went #1. The Lakers picked #2. How were they supposed draft KAT?

 

[shopson67]

I wasn't too worried actually - I knew that it was huge risk and felt like that if the Lakers had 30 wins or so, they would be in better shape for the free agency. Now it's like they have to re-do last season and do it right for the next free agent market. In some ways - Scott set us back an entire year with the developing of the players and the Buss team kind of screwed up the second pick with Russell who could have been worse, but also could have been better with the other player already sitting in that two spot.

Okafor is not a fit for Luke's system and is one of the worst defenders in the league. Unless they were going to draft Porzingis, Russell was the right pick. Give him time.

 

[trojanfan12]

I wasn't too worried actually - I knew that it was huge risk and felt like that if the Lakers had 30 wins or so, they would be in better shape for the free agency. Now it's like they have to re-do last season and do it right for the next free agent market. In some ways - Scott set us back an entire year with the developing of the players and the Buss team kind of screwed up the second pick with Russell who could have been worse, but also could have been better with the other player already sitting in that two spot.

Uh, what?

I think the Lakers are in better position to attract FA's than they have been in about 4 years. They have a good young core and the ability to add another talented player with the #2 pick. Add to that, the fact that they have $60 million in cap space (meaning they can add 2 max guys or a max guy and 2 or 3 mid-level guys) and one of the hottest young coaches in the league...there's a lot to attract FA's.

Had the Lakers won 30 games, they likely would have kept Byron and they wouldn't have the #2 pick in the draft.

 

[tomodach10]

Okafor is not a fit for Luke's system and is one of the worst defenders in the league. Unless they were going to draft Porzingis, Russell was the right pick. Give him time.

Well you would think that a #2 draft pick would make all rookie team. Russell will have to play better. I think he will.

 

[shopson67]

Well you would think that a #2 draft pick would make all rookie team. Russell will have to play better. I think he will.

You would also think that if crafting an all-rookie "team", it wouldn't include 3 centers in the starting 5, especially in today's NBA with the center position devalued.

Russell did make the all-rookie team, just as a 2nd teamer (along with the other PG, Mudiay).

 

[True Lakers Fan]

Uh, what?

I think the Lakers are in better position to attract FA's than they have been in about 4 years. They have a good young core and the ability to add another talented player with the #2 pick. Add to that, the fact that they have $60 million in cap space (meaning they can add 2 max guys or a max guy and 2 or 3 mid-level guys) and one of the hottest young coaches in the league...there's a lot to attract FA's.

Had the Lakers won 30 games, they likely would have kept Byron and they wouldn't have the #2 pick in the draft.

I understand what you're saying, but from Kupchak said, I got the feeling that the Lakers expected to win around 30 games which would have shown that the rookies were ready to work with a couple of veterans and suddenly jump into it like Miami did. The way I see it - I would rather win the 14 games and get that pick - but that was a huge gamble that you don't take if you don't need to. If the Lakers don't attract veterans, I think it's the matter of next year when they will. A couple of the players I don't want on my short list are older players like Wade, Lebron, Durant. We want younger players that won't be old in two years

 

[trojanfan12]

I understand what you're saying, but from Kupchak said, I got the feeling that the Lakers expected to win around 30 games which would have shown that the rookies were ready to work with a couple of veterans and suddenly jump into it like Miami did. The way I see it - I would rather win the 14 games and get that pick - but that was a huge gamble that you don't take if you don't need to. If the Lakers don't attract veterans, I think it's the matter of next year when they will. A couple of the players I don't want on my short list are older players like Wade, Lebron, Durant. We want younger players that won't be old in two years

Yeah, I could see FA's possibly taking a "let's give it one more season and see what they do" approach.

As much as it looks like the Lakers are finally headed in the right direction, they may want to see one more year of development from the youngsters and also see how Luke does as a head coach. Sometimes, the distance between the assistants chair and the head coaches chair can be huge.

Some are expecting some of the FA's (KD in particular) to sign a 2 year/1 year opt out ala Lebron. While I don't think any of them would do that specifically to wait and see what happens with the Lakers. It would give them a chance to see what happens and maybe give them an option they are more comfortable with than they might be this off-season.

Of course, if they do that, they also run the risk of the Lakers deciding to move on to someone else.

 

[True Lakers Fan]

Yeah, I could see FA's possibly taking a "let's give it one more season and see what they do" approach.

As much as it looks like the Lakers are finally headed in the right direction, they may want to see one more year of development from the youngsters and also see how Luke does as a head coach. Sometimes, the distance between the assistants chair and the head coaches chair can be huge.

Some are expecting some of the FA's (KD in particular) to sign a 2 year/1 year opt out ala Lebron. While I don't think any of them would do that specifically to wait and see what happens with the Lakers. It would give them a chance to see what happens and maybe give them an option they are more comfortable with than they might be this off-season.

Of course, if they do that, they also run the risk of the Lakers deciding to move on to someone else.

I think at this point if the Lakers hold court and develop what they have that by the end of the next season, Jim Buss will be able to say that his rebuild has been successful and that the Lakers will be attractive to free agents again and will be able to justify his being able to stay put and I think he should. As an owner he is still going to be making the same decisions any way. There is no way that Jeannie Buss is going to exclude Jim from her decisions and if you're going to be fair - it does take time for some one new to learn how to be a good leader. Granted hardly any one likes Jim, but He hasn't really had a fair chance to see his dream completed.

That being said - the clock is ticking and I see better free agents looking at the Lakers this year then those last year and each year the free agents looking at the Lakers getting better. I have always said that it takes time. Even the wonderful Jerry West went ten years in between championships and at the risk of quoting that politician who told Dan Quale he was no Jack Kennedy - Jim Buss is no Jerry West or Jerry Buss

 

[shopson67]

I don't really see the need to trade the pick. The Lakers have 60M in cap space to chase veteran additions, how much more do they really need? If the vet additions make some of the youngsters expendable, then you worry about that in the future. This isn't a one season turnaround; it's a multiple season process to get back to being contenders.

 

[Retroram52]

Apparently Mitch is stating in public that the Lakers have no plans on trading the pick.

Mitch Kupchak says the Lakers do not plan to trade the second overall pick

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

Apparently Mitch is stating in public that the Lakers have no plans on trading the pick.

Mitch Kupchak says the Lakers do not plan to trade the second overall pick

I read that too Retro. Mitch said before the draft they went in to it as if they'd lost it. Now that they're guaranteed to get Simmons or Ingram, that player is a bonus.

And best of all, will hardly count against the cap.

 

[OutlawImmortal]

Okafor is not a fit for Luke's system and is one of the worst defenders in the league. Unless they were going to draft Porzingis, Russell was the right pick. Give him time.

Then again, Scott might have told Porzingis to "earn" his minutes.

 

[tomodach10]

I don't really see the need to trade the pick. The Lakers have 60M in cap space to chase veteran additions, how much more do they really need? If the vet additions make some of the youngsters expendable, then you worry about that in the future. This isn't a one season turnaround; it's a multiple season process to get back to being contenders.

I agree keep the pick. Add vets.

 

[trojanfan12]

I don't really see the need to trade the pick. The Lakers have 60M in cap space to chase veteran additions, how much more do they really need? If the vet additions make some of the youngsters expendable, then you worry about that in the future. This isn't a one season turnaround; it's a multiple season process to get back to being contenders.

I think it depends on what the offer is. I think if you can get an all-star level player who is still young (about 28 or younger), then you have to give that some very strong consideration.

Mitch will practice his due diligence and listen to all offers. I'm sure some will have him hanging up the phone and laughing, while others he will have to give some serious thought.

 

[Retroram52]

We will see if Luke retains this guy. The odds don't looks so good with Brown, sweet Lou possibly returning, and DeRozan maybe coming to LA.

Lakers News: Marcelo Huertas Says 'It Would Be Awesome To Stay In L.A.' - Lakers Nation

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

We will see if Luke retains this guy. The odds don't looks so good with Brown, sweet Lou possibly returning, and DeRozan maybe coming to LA.

Lakers News: Marcelo Huertas Says 'It Would Be Awesome To Stay In L.A.' - Lakers Nation

As long as he's willing to be 3rd/4th choice PG and will play for peanuts, then yeah why not?

 

[trojanfan12]

We will see if Luke retains this guy. The odds don't looks so good with Brown, sweet Lou possibly returning, and DeRozan maybe coming to LA.

Lakers News: Marcelo Huertas Says 'It Would Be Awesome To Stay In L.A.' - Lakers Nation

I hope the Lakers keep him too. As the article said, he struggled a good portion of the season and ended up buried on the bench. But then, over the last several games, he looked like the guy we saw in pre-season again.

If Luke brings the offense that most expect, I think Huertas could do very well in it. Seems suited to him.

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

With all the rumours going through Lakerland, i'd prefer the team drafts Simmons or Ingram and see what happens.

 

[trojanfight]

DeRozan refutes LA buzz, eyes return to Raptors