The 2015-2016 LA Lakers

[Retroram52]

So did I CL67.

 

[Retroram52]

I am getting the sense that Mitch has assembled a team that really may come together in a way that may surprise themselves and a lot of people throughout the NBA. I get this sense reading and watching the players they have bought in. I like what has transpired and this could be a pivotal year for the Lakers.

VIDEO: Lou Williams On Sixth Man Role With Lakers, Playing In The West | Lakers Nation

 

[trojanfight]

What happened with the upshaw signing? Heard several reporters mention it being something that was in the works but 2 weeks later no deal. Did they move on?

 

[Retroram52]

Not that I know of trojanfight.

 

[shopson67]

thought they signed him up...?

Not as of yet. Nothing completed officially.

 

[trojanfan12]

Most recent article I can find on Upshaw. This one is less than 24 hours old.

Lakers News: Robert Upshaw Not Expected To Be A 'Rotation Player' If Signed | Lakers Nation

Mitch on him contributing this season:

It’s unlikely that Robert will contribute to the team next year to win games. I think you know Robert and how he’s bounced around at the college level. He’s a player that we looked at in Summer League, and we’re continuing to have conversations with his representative. If we did something with Robert, it would be based on potential going forward. … We’ve made commitments to some rookies because they got drafted very high. But to look at a guy that wasn’t drafted and say, “This is a guy that’s gonna be in the rotation.” That’s not realistic at all.

This is from a week ago.

Los Angeles Lakers' Gamble on Robert Upshaw Is Poised to Pay off | Bleacher Report

 

[shopson67]

To me, that means sign him to a largely unguaranteed contract and send him to the D-league. Hasn't happened yet though, and Upshaw has enough upside for someone else to get aggressive and snipe him away.

 

[trojanfan12]

To me, that means sign him to a largely unguaranteed contract and send him to the D-league. Hasn't happened yet though, and Upshaw has enough upside for someone else to get aggressive and snipe him away.

I agree. They could even keep him with the Lakers and send him to D-fenders for a few games here and there like they have done with other "project" type players. Hopefully, they won't drag their feet too long.

 

[Retroram52]

I am sure the Lakers will make a move here shortly as they are in contact with his agent and I believe he really wants to play for the Lakers. If he is signed, he'll do the D-league journey and work his way into the rotation in say a year or two.

 

[TheSnowdog]

Iggy really bolstered that GSW team though. Without him, no championship. Wouldn't consider him a top level FA, but definitely a second tier.

That may be what OKC is missing; that vet that knows how to win.

Agree with this

Iggy is like ooze - you pour him on a team and he is able to fill in a lot of cracks

 

[trojanfan12]

Agree with this

Iggy is like ooze - you pour him on a team and he is able to fill in a lot of cracks

Yep. Every championship team has an Iggy or 2. Play some defense, add a little offense, grab a few rebounds, throw in a steal or 2. Guys like Iggy aren't leading a team to any titles, but you can't win a title without them.

 

[shopson67]

I am sure the Lakers will make a move here shortly as they are in contact with his agent and I believe he really wants to play for the Lakers. If he is signed, he'll do the D-league journey and work his way into the rotation in say a year or two.

They reportedly are still interested in Seraphin. He's more developed than Upshaw, but is undersized at 6'9 or 6'10 and there are still other teams interested as well.

If the Lakers could just dump the flotsam of Kelly and Sacre, they could finish up this roster.

 

[trojanfan12]

They reportedly are still interested in Seraphin. He's more developed than Upshaw, but is undersized at 6'9 or 6'10 and there are still other teams interested as well.

If the Lakers could just dump the flotsam of Kelly and Sacre, they could finish up this roster.

I wouldn't mind them keeping Kelly for another season to see if he can develop. But, as much as I like Sacre, he's as good as he's ever going to be. I wouldn't mind seeing them move him to create a roster spot for a guy with upside.

If the roster numbers are where I think they are, then they could dump Sacre for Seraphin and still keep Upshaw and Kelly.

 

[shopson67]

I wouldn't mind them keeping Kelly for another season to see if he can develop. But, as much as I like Sacre, he's as good as he's ever going to be. I wouldn't mind seeing them move him to create a roster spot for a guy with upside.

If the roster numbers are where I think they are, then they could dump Sacre for Seraphin and still keep Upshaw and Kelly.

The problem with that is that either Kelly or Black (or both) wouldn't see the floor behind Randle and Bass, stunting any potential growth for either.

 

[trojanfan12]

The problem with that is that either Kelly or Black (or both) wouldn't see the floor behind Randle and Bass, stunting any potential growth for either.

True. On the other hand, Kelly can develop without any pressure on him. The idea for him is a "stretch 4" role. I don't see Randle or Bass filling that role.

 

[Retroram52]

And at the end of last year Kelly was starting to have some good games with consistent outside shooting. He's had another year under his belt and this year if he doesn't progress, he'll be out the door one way or another like Wes Johnson was this year.

 

[shopson67]

Even if he does develop as a perimeter threat, he doesn't really provide anything else and Randle is the future for the Lakers at that position.

4 year collegiate player with two ~34% 3 pt shooting pro seasons, he's most likely on his last chance in LA.

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

We've got to consider the fact that people might get injured next season again. Hopefully not but guys like Kelly and Sacre would have to step in again then!

 

[DJ]

The Lakers need to.sign Upshaw. He may not do much the first season but he has some major upside in a few years.

 

[DJ]

Since people on previous page were talking about him.....NY & Houston are both interested in Boozer.