Lakers 2014 Off-Season Thread

[lakersrule]

Clarkson looks solid. A very good selection by Mitch. But I think i'd rather see him come off the bench and fill in for both the PG and SG positions. Could be part of a great 2nd unit.

Start him slow like we did with Kobe and see how he progresses.

I think he'll be a good NBA player. One knock was his perimeter shooting. I think his form looks pretty good though. With the repetitions he'll get now as a professional, the jumper should improve. He has good size and length. Decent handle which is another thing he can improve. Gets to the rim. A lot to like about this kid.

 

[trojanfan12]

I think he'll be a good NBA player. One knock was his perimeter shooting. I think his form looks pretty good though. With the repetitions he'll get now as a professional, the jumper should improve. He has good size and length. Decent handle which is another thing he can improve. Gets to the rim. A lot to like about this kid.

If memory serves, he was projected to go higher in the draft than where the Lakers got him. Anyone hear why he dropped? Not that I'm complaining, based on what he's shown so far, he could end up being a steal if he puts in the work.

 

[lakersrule]

If memory serves, he was projected to go higher in the draft than where the Lakers got him. Anyone hear why he dropped? Not that I'm complaining, based on what he's shown so far, he could end up being a steal if he puts in the work.

The Lakers had him higher on their draft boards which is why they bought the pick. Not sure where others slated him.

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

On a different note, I have a bit of a dilemma: Do I unfollow Pau Gasol on twitter, or not?

 

[Retroram52]

Likewise TJF12 and you are welcome.

 

[lakersrule]

On a different note, I have a bit of a dilemma: Do I unfollow Pau Gasol on twitter, or not?

I did. I stopped following Meeks and Bazemore as well!

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

I did. I stopped following Meeks and Bazemore as well!

I stopped following those two as well. Bazemore was easy - he was only a part of the team for a few months. But Pau is different.

T'is tricky!

 

[trojanfight]

In today's news dirk signed with the mavs 3 years 25 million. Kobe draws that in next season alone. No changing it now just pointing out what could have been done

 

[LALakersboy24.7]

In today's news dirk signed with the mavs 3 years 25 million. Kobe draws that in next season alone. No changing it now just pointing out what could have been done

Yea I agree, it sucks balls that Kobe should of taken less, but I don't blame him. Jimmy boy is the one calling the shots.

 

[lakersrule]

A healthy Kobe is worth more than Dirk. Health is an obvious question mark though.

 

[Louie26]

Aldridge has already said he's going back to Portland

Ok, but we still have a whole year. Things change, maybe he goes back, maybe not. There were A LOT of people, who thought LBJ was going back to Miami. Even though he never came out and said he was, there was that assumption.

Plus, why would Aldridge come out and say, yeah, I want out of Portland?

 

[tomodach10]

Ok, but we still have a whole year. Things change, maybe he goes back, maybe not. There were A LOT of people, who thought LBJ was going back to Miami. Even though he never came out and said he was, there was that assumption.

Plus, why would Aldridge come out and say, yeah, I want out of Portland?

Here we go again! forget that, I heard in 2022 Durant will be a free agent. He will only be forty. let's keep all this cap space and pray that we get a top free agent. Not a good long term strategy.

 

[trojanfan12]

Ok, but we still have a whole year. Things change, maybe he goes back, maybe not. There were A LOT of people, who thought LBJ was going back to Miami. Even though he never came out and said he was, there was that assumption.

Plus, why would Aldridge come out and say, yeah, I want out of Portland?

I think Aldridge is likely to remain in Portland, but as you say, things can change. Portland was not expected to perform like they did last season. If they revert back to where they were expected to finish, he may change his mind, losing does that.

Also, he kind of "came into his own" this past season and in the playoffs. If it turns out that he was a one year wonder, no one else will want him anyway. Imagine what Hibberts value would have been had he been a free agent after 2012-13 and how much it would have dropped if he were an FA after this season.

 

[wildturkey]

Ok, but we still have a whole year. Things change, maybe he goes back, maybe not. There were A LOT of people, who thought LBJ was going back to Miami. Even though he never came out and said he was, there was that assumption.

Plus, why would Aldridge come out and say, yeah, I want out of Portland?

Leverage to do exactly what Kevin Love is doing. Plus, he already said it. He said it a couple of years back that he wanted out, but Portland put pieces around him to win. And now he says he likes his teammates and will resign in the off season.

 

[Retroram52]

Dirk Nowitzke refused a max contact with Lakers just several days hence. SBNation has the article.

 

[Retroram52]

Lance Stephenson signed with the Hornets. No trip to LA for ear-blowing Lance.

 

[lakersrule]

Dirk Nowitzke refused a max contact with Lakers just several days hence. SBNation has the article.

The Lakers quickly refuted that. I don't believe they did.

 

[Louie26]

Here we go again! forget that, I heard in 2022 Durant will be a free agent. He will only be forty. let's keep all this cap space and pray that we get a top free agent. Not a good long term strategy.

So by this line of thinking, if we sign a bunch of 2nd tier guys to 3-4 year contracts, that get us knocked out of round 1, we still won't have enough money to sign a max guy. Because, as we all know, MOST FA are gonna be overpaid!

I agree hoarding money isn't the greatest idea either, but last year was pretty much rock bottom for the Lakers. It's gonna take some time to get back.

 

[Retroram52]

Yes it is Louie. About 5 years or so depending on the amount of influence short buss is permitted to have on this franchise going forward.

 

[wildturkey]