Lakers Off-Season Thread

[Retroram52]

Man, talk about rumors!

 

[Black Adam]

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

same...

 

[Kold]

DeRozan refutes LA buzz, eyes return to Raptors

That seems like something that he HAS to say, but with all of that being said, somebody is gonna give him 100 mil, and I really hope that it isn't us. Derozan has a flashy mid range game, but that's about it. I'd rather see if we can meet with Harrison Barnes, or just keep 1 of our max slots open

 

[trojanfan12]

That seems like something that he HAS to say, but with all of that being said, somebody is gonna give him 100 mil, and I really hope that it isn't us. Derozan has a flashy mid range game, but that's about it. I'd rather see if we can meet with Harrison Barnes, or just keep 1 of our max slots open

I think that the only reason to sign DeRozan or Barnes would be if the Lakers are going to trade the pick or trade Clarkson. They will be drafting either Simmons or Ingram and either one will fill the spot at SF.

If they choose to trade the pick, then I'd prefer Barnes over DeRozan because DeRozan is on the small side for an SF. If they are going to trade Clarkson, then I'd like to see them go after DeRozan. I really liked him in the regular season, soured on him early in the playoffs, but he stood up well against the Cavs.

He can get to the hoop and has a very good mid-range game. He'll need to improve his 3 point shooting to take the next step though.

 

[trojanfan12]

Looks like the Lakers aren't as high on DeRozan as some think:

Los Angeles Lakers reportedly 'aren't that high on' DeMar DeRozan

 

[trojanfight]

NBA Rumors: Lakers Target Hassan Whiteside Prefers To Stay With Miami Heat - Lakers Nation

 

[Retroram52]

Yea. DeRozan is also stating publically he wants to return to Toronto. I think Whiteside would change his mind if the Lakers gave him a huge amount of cash but you never know.

 

[trojanfan12]

Yea. DeRozan is also stating publically he wants to return to Toronto. I think Whiteside would change his mind if the Lakers gave him a huge amount of cash but you never know.

A lot of the stuff that is being stated right now is the typical stuff that these guys have to say. It just wouldn't make sense to talk about leaving right now. Of the 3 FA's that the Lakers are rumored to be going after, I think their best shot is probably Whiteside.

I think Durant stays in OKC on a 1 year deal because of how far they got this year and because he can sign a 5 year deal next off season that will be ridiculous. He'll see what the team does this off season to improve, see how next year goes and what Westbrook is going to do.

DeRozan probably stays in Toronto. The question will be what they will pay him to stay. It seems like the Raptors want to keep him, but not on a max deal. If the Lakers aren't as interested as everyone thought earlier, he probably stays put, even if it's less than max.

Whiteside is interesting because of Miami's cap situation. He has said he wants to stay in Miami and Riley has said that he is priority #1 going into the off season. However, they don't have his Bird rights and they are capped out. They are going to have to move some players and obviously want to try and keep him on a less than max deal. They also have to pay D-Wade. Considering that, if Bosh doesn't get cleared he could be signed, but the team may not be as good as they were this year. It sounds like he might give the Heat a "hometown discount," but the question is how much? What happens if they offer him less than a max deal and the Lakers or someone come at him with a max contract? Also, never underestimate Riley's ability to figure stuff out.

 

[shopson67]

A lot of the stuff that is being stated right now is the typical stuff that these guys have to say. It just wouldn't make sense to talk about leaving right now. Of the 3 FA's that the Lakers are rumored to be going after, I think their best shot is probably Whiteside.

I think Durant stays in OKC on a 1 year deal because of how far they got this year and because he can sign a 5 year deal next off season that will be ridiculous. He'll see what the team does this off season to improve, see how next year goes and what Westbrook is going to do.

DeRozan probably stays in Toronto. The question will be what they will pay him to stay. It seems like the Raptors want to keep him, but not on a max deal. If the Lakers aren't as interested as everyone thought earlier, he probably stays put, even if it's less than max.

Whiteside is interesting because of Miami's cap situation. He has said he wants to stay in Miami and Riley has said that he is priority #1 going into the off season. However, they don't have his Bird rights and they are capped out. They are going to have to move some players and obviously want to try and keep him on a less than max deal. They also have to pay D-Wade. Considering that, if Bosh doesn't get cleared he could be signed, but the team may not be as good as they were this year. It sounds like he might give the Heat a "hometown discount," but the question is how much? What happens if they offer him less than a max deal and the Lakers or someone come at him with a max contract? Also, never underestimate Riley's ability to figure stuff out.

Miami has to figure out Deng in that cap situation as well. He's probably gone unless he's willing to take a huge paycut. He could be a SF option for the Lakers to help groom Simmons/Ingram.

 

[trojanfan12]

Miami has to figure out Deng in that cap situation as well. He's probably gone unless he's willing to take a huge paycut. He could be a SF option for the Lakers to help groom Simmons/Ingram.

Most seem to think that Miami has to get rid of Deng if they want to keep Whiteside. I agree that Deng would be a good choice to bring in to help groom Simmons/Ingram. At 31, he's no longer in his prime, but should still have 2-3 good seasons left in him, especially coming off the bench.

 

[lakersrule]

Looks like the Lakers aren't as high on DeRozan as some think:

Los Angeles Lakers reportedly 'aren't that high on' DeMar DeRozan

Good. I'd rather keep developing Clarkson at the 2 rather than pay huge money for DeRozan. Clarkson is better from the perimeter and the better passer. He's a better fit for Luke. Given Clarkson's work ethic, I think we'll see another significant increase in his 3-point shooting percentage.

 

[trojanfan12]

Good. I'd rather keep developing Clarkson at the 2 rather than pay huge money for DeRozan. Clarkson is better from the perimeter and the better passer. He's a better fit for Luke. Given Clarkson's work ethic, I think we'll see another significant increase in his 3-point shooting percentage.

Agree. I like Clarkson. Reminds me a bit of Eddie Jones.

 

[DJ Fieri]

Good. I'd rather keep developing Clarkson at the 2 rather than pay huge money for DeRozan. Clarkson is better from the perimeter and the better passer. He's a better fit for Luke. Given Clarkson's work ethic, I think we'll see another significant increase in his 3-point shooting percentage.

He's gonna get paid.....how much? I'm thinking 10-12 million per season but the salaries are gonna be exploding this summer.

 

[DJ Fieri]

Most seem to think that Miami has to get rid of Deng if they want to keep Whiteside. I agree that Deng would be a good choice to bring in to help groom Simmons/Ingram. At 31, he's no longer in his prime, but should still have 2-3 good seasons left in him, especially coming off the bench.

I'm thinking Joe Johnson might be better. He's a better scorer and passer and he might be fine starting for half of next season and then moving to the bench. Deng might not think he's a bench player.

 

[OutlawImmortal]

Idk I say forget Derozen he's poor man's Kobe. Whiteside and Durant would change the tune around the Lakers real quick. But it's a pipe dream, if they aren't able to attract anyone then I'd probably prefer to keep the max slots open.

 

[ANGELAKERAMS]

I would hate to see the Lakers trade any of their current players. they have a nice young core and trading away any of them for veteran help may hurt more than help.

I saw one rumor that stated the Lakers trade Russell and #2 for Paul George. that's just too much to give up. I like Paul George alot and he would definitely help, but trading Russel and Simmons/Ingram for him would hurt more than help the team.

I would like them to just sign FA's that actually want to be here when this team turns it around, draft Simmons/Ingram and build this thing the right way.

don't overthink and try and get cute. there is no Jerry West in the FO.

 

[Black Adam]

I would hate to see the Lakers trade any of their current players. they have a nice young core and trading away any of them for veteran help may hurt more than help.

I saw one rumor that stated the Lakers trade Russell and #2 for Paul George. that's just too much to give up. I like Paul George alot and he would definitely help, but trading Russel and Simmons/Ingram for him would hurt more than help the team.

I would like them to just sign FA's that actually want to be here when this team turns it around, draft Simmons/Ingram and build this thing the right way.

don't overthink and try and get cute. there is no Jerry West in the FO.

there IS, however a Mitch Kupchak and the guy knows what he's doing IF he's allowed to do his job...

DO agree about not overthinking this thing, though. keep the pick, draft Simmons or Ingram, KEEP the core young and grow 'em together...

 

[ANGELAKERAMS]

there IS, however a Mitch Kupchak and the guy knows what he's doing IF he's allowed to do his job...

DO agree about not overthinking this thing, though. keep the pick, draft Simmons or Ingram, KEEP the core young and grow 'em together...

well, he did panic after Stern nixed the Chris Paul trade and made that horrible trade for Nash.

he's been solid, but he's no West.

 

[trojanfan12]

well, he did panic after Stern nixed the Chris Paul trade and made that horrible trade for Nash.

Hindsight is 20/20. What is a bad trade now, wasn't then.

When that trade was made, everyone said it put the Lakers right back in the finals. They were going to have Howard and a point guard who could distribute the ball to Kobe, Dwight and Pau. There isn't a GM in the league who wouldn't have done that exact same deal...including Jerry West (who also said it was the right move at the time).

It's not Mitch's fault that Nash's body decided it was time to fall apart on him or that Dwight is a bitch.

 

[ANGELAKERAMS]

The guy had a bad back long before the Lakers traded for him.

Giving up 2 1st rounders for him was ridiculous then, and it looks horrible now.

Thankfully, the last 2 years the ball has bounced the Lakers way or the rebuild would've taken even longer.

I understood the gamble with Dwight and had no problem with that ( especially for a broken down Bynum ). But I hated the Nash trade then and now.