Short Buss Might be a Genius

[trojanfan12]

Re-signing Kobe for that amount basically tells me 4 things:


1.) The Lakers are re-paying Kobe for all that he has meant to the franchise and all of the money he made for them. This is not an unusual move for the Lakers. Had Shaq stayed, he would have been given a similar deal before he retired.


2.) Pau Gasol is as good as gone. He will either be traded before the deadline for players and/or picks. Or he will be allowed to walk away as a free agent. The only way that I see him remaining a Laker is if he takes far less than he is getting ($10 million or less).


3.) The Lakers will make a big push to land either Lebron in 2014 or Kevin Love in 2015. I don't know if they will get either (I think Love is more likely) but the Lakers will make a huge push. Lebron, in D'Antoni's system, would be even more of a monster than he is now. Love would work as the "stretch 4" that D'Antoni likes.


4.) Barring a miraculous healing of his injuries, the Lakers will waive Steve Nash after the season and use the stretch provision on him.

 

[LAKERSUSCBAM]

Lakers have always used the draft. Heck how do you think they obtained Magic, Kareem, Worthy and Kobe.

They either drafted them or gave away high draft picks to get them.

My post referenced past 15 yrs - of course I'm aware how they got players mentioned thru draft.

 

[BOTSLAYER]

Yes, it's because he's not very smart. Which is why he is also wrong.

 

[trojanfan12]

 

[BOTSLAYER]

I agree with you Klove is your best bet and hopefully you guys get a good draft pick this year, that is really your only hope to be relevant in the next 3 years. Honestly though, you got 5 rings with Kobe, 3 years off and let the rebuild begin with that $3b TV contract or what ever it is.

 

[trojanfan12]

I agree with you Klove is your best bet and hopefully you guys get a good draft pick this year, that is really your only hope to be relevant in the next 3 years. Honestly though, you got 5 rings with Kobe, 3 years off and let the rebuild begin with that $3b TV contract or what ever it is.

Exactly, it's not as if the Lakers signed him to some 5 year max deal. They signed him to a contract that still allows them to go after a max deal player in 2014 or 2015 and then another max player in 2016 when Kobe's contract is off the books.

Meanwhile, they retain a player who will make more money for the franchise than he will ever be paid. Also, there is no guarantee that the Lakers won't be relevant in less than 3 years. They will put together a very attractive deal for Lebron and if they don't get him, then they will go after Kevin Love in 2015.

In 2016, there will be more attractive free agents (I think both Durant and Westbrook are available) so they can go after another one then.

You also have to remember that this likely marks the beginning of the end of Pau as a Laker. I believe that the Lakers will either trade him before the deadline for players and/or picks or let him go as a free agent.

 

[LogicMan]

I suspect the only player to make it to FA will be Lebron. The others will be traded in their final years if their own team cant get them to sign a max deal. No team wants to be left with a superstar walking. Now if the Lakers have assets to lure other teams to do a sign and trade, you may get that type of talent Trojan.

Many teams will be after Love. I expect Dallas to really go after him

 

[trojanfan12]

I suspect the only player to make it to FA will be Lebron. The others will be traded in their final years if their own team cant get them to sign a max deal. No team wants to be left with a superstar walking. Now if the Lakers have assets to lure other teams to do a sign and trade, you may get that type of talent Trojan.

Many teams will be after Love. I expect Dallas to really go after him

Rumor on Love is that he wants to play for the Lakers. He also played at UCLA, so he knows L.A. A Pau for Love deal has been discussed between the Lakers and T-Wolves twice, but in both cases, one or the other was injured prior to the deal being done (at least that's what was reported out here).

As for having assets to trade, that is why I believe they will trade Pau before the deadline for picks and/or players. They would then have whatever picks they get for him plus their own and perhaps a couple of players to throw in aw well. Picks and players (especially those with expiring contracts) can be very attractive to a team that is looking at losing a superstar.

And Dallas goes hard after every superstar free agent and they never get them. I don't know why, it seems that they would be a very attractive destination, but they just never get them.

 

[BOTSLAYER]

You guys have a good shot at Love, I agree KD and Westbrook might be available soon. They have to be sick of their Owner penny pinching them out of contention year after year.

Even with Love, Kobe and a top 3 pick in '14 you are not contending until Kobe's money comes off the books and you can fill in the rest of your starters with some solid players...and another superstar.


There is no way LBJ goes to LA in '14. Absolutely no way. He left a dumpster fire of a franchise because they could not put together a championship squad he is not going to leave a championship committed team for a team where Kobe takes up all other cap space to get a championship team mean while making more than him, not going to happen.

 

[trojanfan12]

You guys have a good shot at Love, I agree KD and Westbrook might be available soon. They have to be sick of their Owner penny pinching them out of contention year after year.

Even with Love, Kobe and a top 3 pick in '14 you are not contending until Kobe's money comes off the books and you can fill in the rest of your starters with some solid players...and another superstar.


There is no way LBJ goes to LA in '14. Absolutely no way. He left a dumpster fire of a franchise because they could not put together a championship squad he is not going to leave a championship committed team for a team where Kobe takes up all other cap space to get a championship team mean while making more than him, not going to happen.

I don't think Lebron will be a Laker either, but it won't be because of Kobe or even money. The Lakers can a sign max deal player in 2014 or 2015. If Lebron came to L.A. he would get that max deal (obviously). Then he plays 2 years with Kobe and the Lakers can add another max player or possibly 2 in 2016 when Kobe's contract comes off the books.

To think that Lebron would turn down the Lakers because of Kobe is incredibly shortsighted. People can criticize Lebron for many things, but an inability to see the big picture is not one of those things. Again, I don't think the Lakers get him, but the reasons won't be what you think they are.

As for not being able to contend if they get another superstar in 2014 or 2015, you're wrong again. The league is full of Ray Allens. There are plenty of very good vets who will sign with a contender for less in order to chase a ring.

As badly as you want this to be the death knell for the Lakers for the foresseable future, it just isn't necessarily the case. The Lakers said they have a plan and no offense, but I'll take their word over yours.

 

[LAKERSUSCBAM]

As badly as you want this to be the death knell for the Lakers for the foresseable future, it just isn't necessarily the case. The Lakers said they have a plan and no offense, but I'll take their word over yours.

and the haters/jealous know the Lakers have always come up with a big name or two over the years that's led them to titles....if you polled the leagues' players and asked them where they'd prefer to play all things being equal, Lakers would be their primary choice. Starting with the banners, taking care of their marquee players(except those that threaten ownership, ie Shaq), lifestyle, endorsements, Hollywood, women, weather, etc. etc. this is the place they'd want to be and be seen -- no brainer.

 

[Black Adam]

Exactly, it's not as if the Lakers signed him to some 5 year max deal. They signed him to a contract that still allows them to go after a max deal player in 2014 or 2015 and then another max player in 2016 when Kobe's contract is off the books.

Meanwhile, they retain a player who will make more money for the franchise than he will ever be paid. Also, there is no guarantee that the Lakers won't be relevant in less than 3 years. They will put together a very attractive deal for Lebron and if they don't get him, then they will go after Kevin Love in 2015.

In 2016, there will be more attractive free agents (I think both Durant and Westbrook are available) so they can go after another one then.

You also have to remember that this likely marks the beginning of the end of Pau as a Laker. I believe that the Lakers will either trade him before the deadline for players and/or picks or let him go as a free agent.

This was kind of my thought a little while back on the Lakers board. I definitely think the Lakers will try to get a deal in for Pau before the trade deadline. Not sure who they will try to land, though...

 

[trojanfan12]

This was kind of my thought a little while back on the Lakers board. I definitely think the Lakers will try to get a deal in for Pau before the trade deadline. Not sure who they will try to land, though...

Yeah, I hate the idea of the Lakers getting rid of him, but the writing is on the wall, imo. I like Pau, always have, but he is the Lakers most tradeable commodity. His recent improved play makes him an even more attractive player for a team that feels they are 1 big away from being contenders.

Just as an "out there" example, imagine Pau in OKC. He would be the post presence on offense that they sorely need, yet can shoot all the way out to the 3 point line. There are plenty of contending or potentially contending teams that could use Pau and may be willing to part with a nice package of picks and players to get him. Especially with his contract expiring and as we saw when he came to the Lakers, he can fit into virtually any system or team because of his basketball i.q.

 

[BOTSLAYER]

1. I don't think Lebron will be a Laker either, but it won't be because of Kobe or even money. The Lakers can a sign max deal player in 2014 or 2015. If Lebron came to L.A. he would get that max deal (obviously). Then he plays 2 years with Kobe and the Lakers can add another max player or possibly 2 in 2016 when Kobe's contract comes off the books.

2. To think that Lebron would turn down the Lakers because of Kobe is incredibly shortsighted. People can criticize Lebron for many things, but an inability to see the big picture is not one of those things. Again, I don't think the Lakers get him, but the reasons won't be what you think they are.

3. As for not being able to contend if they get another superstar in 2014 or 2015, you're wrong again. The league is full of Ray Allens. There are plenty of very good vets who will sign with a contender for less in order to chase a ring.

4. As badly as you want this to be the death knell for the Lakers for the foresseable future, it just isn't necessarily the case. The Lakers said they have a plan and no offense, but I'll take their word over yours.

I am not saying LBJ has a personal grudge against Kobe, I am stating he (as am I) will be looking at the realistic big picture. The fact is LBJ is not going to want to take a huge pay cut to play in a rebuilding anywhere let alone a place where if he signs the rebuilding process can not even begin until Kobe's contract is off the table.

Kobe, LBJ and a bunch of Ray Allens are not going to cut it.

I think all of your hypothesis are based on a conclusion that Kobe can be the best player on a championship team or that he is not 35 coming off of an achilles rupture.

1. In the 2016-17 season LBJ will turn 32.

2. It is not short sited it is exactly as you called it, THE BIG PICTURE.

3. I think you think that Miami is LBJ and a bunch of Ray Allens, it is not even 2 superstars and a Ray Allen. It is 3 superstars and a lot of young players learning from superstars and Ray Allens. Miami have 6 players taken in the top 5 of the draft. Battier was 6th and Cole was taken in the first round at 28th. It took Miami 3 years to collect this talent and 3 of their stars took pay cuts to do it even before the CBA was going to be a problem. Lets not forget the NBA CBA changed the rules after Miami had already assembled it's big 3. Now you want to tell me that LA with 45% of their Cap in 1 35 year old fresh of an achilles rupture are going to build a team in less time? LBJ knows that and that is why he is not going.

4. You are trusting a guy with a mullet who named his kid Jeger and his best friend is named Chaz.

 

[BOTSLAYER]

The Lakers have the money to spend but they would have to sign and trade a bunch of Birds rights to fit in top talent with the new CBA, I am not sure what pieces they have to trade. I mean stern is out so he won't veto their trades but who knows if the new guy let's it fly.

 

[BOTSLAYER]

Yeah, I hate the idea of the Lakers getting rid of him, but the writing is on the wall, imo. I like Pau, always have, but he is the Lakers most tradeable commodity. His recent improved play makes him an even more attractive player for a team that feels they are 1 big away from being contenders.

Just as an "out there" example, imagine Pau in OKC. He would be the post presence on offense that they sorely need, yet can shoot all the way out to the 3 point line. There are plenty of contending or potentially contending teams that could use Pau and may be willing to part with a nice package of picks and players to get him. Especially with his contract expiring and as we saw when he came to the Lakers, he can fit into virtually any system or team because of his basketball i.q.

Who would they give up? A draft pick? They would have to move Perkins and Ibaka to cover that salary and there is no way that is happening, even if they kept 1 or the other OKCs owner is not a fan of luxury tax.

 

[lakersrule]

Now you want to tell me that LA with 45% of their Cap in 1 35 year old fresh of
an achilles rupture are going to build a team in less time?

Where do you get 45% from? It is more like around 35%. There's room to sign a max player next season with some cap room left over. I don't think that happens though. In the summer of 2015, the Lakers will still have cap room to sign a max player (say hello to KLove) with even more cap room available (see you later Nashtie). Then in 2016, the Lakers can sign another max player with Kobe coming off the books. That is looking like the rebuild plan to me.

Getting say Love and Westbrook would be a nice duo to build a contender around. Both will be entering their prime years. The Lebron era players will be past their primes. The younger generation won't be quite there yet.

 

[lakersrule]

The Lakers have the money to spend but they would have to sign and trade a bunch of Birds rights to fit in top talent with the new CBA, I am not sure what pieces they have to trade. I mean stern is out so he won't veto their trades but who knows if the new guy let's it fly.

This makes absolutely no sense.

 

[starbigd]

ANY team can rebuild quickly. I don't like the Kobe deal, I think they overpaid him......but it's their money. He wasn't likely to get more anywhere else.

ANYONE that thinks Carmelo Anthony is going to be the saviour is in for a rude awakening. If the Lakers are smart they don't even bother talking to him. He adds nothing......sure he can score, but he's a ball black hole and plays no defense. He's not the missing piece. Better guys out there.

As long as Kobe is on the team, he's the focus of the offense. You need a role player, but I don't know who's available. I don't see ANY max player coming to play with Kobe as long as they aren't able to be THE guy......most of these guys' egos won't let them play second fiddle, even to Kobe.

Thats always the struggle......trying to find a superstar that is willing to give up minutes and stats. This is why I've always said the Lakers will be better off when Kobe retires, since he isn't really going to take a paycut or shoot less.

I'd wager most players in the league want to play in LA. So there's going to be opportunities. It comes down to SMART money management and personnel decisions.

 

[BOTSLAYER]

This makes absolutely no sense.

I am under the impression that to go over the salary cap you need to use exemptions, such as Bird rights.

Salary Cap is at $58m for the 13-14 season with the Luxury thresh hold at $71m.

If the Salary Cap goes to $60m then Kobe's $24m is exactly 40% of the salary Cap.