shopson67
Well-Known Member
Does anyone actually think adding Lebron and PG this offseason makes the Lakers a top 4 team in the WC? Because it doesn't. They needed nice little role players, exactly like Clarckson and Nance, in order for that to happen. And Lebron and PG are aware of that too and it is why you won't see a bonanza this offseason for the Lakers.
Only way this really works out is if the Lakers are patient and use this cap space to acquire major draft pick assets for taking on other teams bad contracts. But doing that puts their window for the playoffs down the road to 3 or 4 seasons away. I can't imagine them having that type of patience.
If you're going to critique the Lakers, you should at least know their situation. Clarkson is a backup combo guard. He's a nice piece, but he's also the type of guard that scores without an assist (ball dominant), which isn't a great fit in Walton's system. Nance is a great defense and hustle role player, but the Lakers are overstuffed with PFs that need minutes already with Kuzma and Randle ahead of him (already pushing Randle to small-ball center much of the time). They are great pieces to have for depth purposes, but they aren't crucial to the Lakers' future.
Lakers got useful players to replace them for the balance of the season, cap space to improve the roster this summer or next, and a 1st round pick out of the deal. Cavs got athletic youth that is under control for another year or two for IT (who wasn't fitting yet and was likely gone this summer) and an underused and aging Frye. Great deal for both sides. The draft pick was the cherry on top for the Lakers.