tOfficial 2015 NBA Draft/Free Agency Thread

[Kold]

As for FA, as already mentioned by you guys, I can definitely see them going after Butler. I have no clue what's going to happen with Love, and it seems like they are going to lowball Rondo if they go after him. I'm moreso excited about the years to come in free agency however. Also as for the draft, there are already rumblings that Minny wants Okafor, so it may be Kentucky West in LA. Also, reports have it that Randle has been working out to possibly make a transition to the SF spot. We'll see about that one, but for the here and now, I'm good with whatever big guy is left over which is at this moment Towns

 

[True Lakers Fan]

you make a very good point. The LAST thing the Lakers should do in my opinion is to trade Randle or Towns/Okafor for immediate help unless its aplayer in his prime that is a multi time all star. If they try and rush it in order to give Kobe another shot it would be a disaster... DONT belike the Knicks and be ina huge rush all the time.

However- in todays NBA- the 4 and 5 position is ideally one guy that can guardthe rim, and one guy that can rebound andwhat not- butALSO canstretch the floor. Its very hard on teams that have guysat the 4 and 5 if neither of them can shoot. Its one reason why i think it really sucked they missed out on Randle's year of development- and scouting him todetermine if oneday they think hecould stretch the floor.

I think they PROBABLY have to take Towns or Okafor......I just really like Russell though- and a dominant 3 who can do anything is probably the hardest thing to find in the NBA and its probably the best thing to have in the NBA...

I mean- if they start both say Okafor and Randle- if they are 2 rooks that cant shoot a lick- its obviously a developmental year for the team pretty muchno matter who they get in free agency short of LeBron- ESPECIALLY if Clarkson is their starter at PG (which i dont think will be the case- its not too difficult to find a starter level point guard in free agency)...

it should be itnersting though- i applaud the Lakers and their patience thus far in enduring a few awful awful seasons without panicking and making long term moves that will tie you up that have pretty much become the Knicks trade mark pre-Phil...

If I am the Lakers, I would be keeping all of my rookies and draft picks. The Lakers has a nice core of young players and simply have to start rebuilding now. The Lakers, however can and will try to sign a couple of quality free agents. I am not fond of Kevin Love and Rondo as a package because of them have had too many injuries and aren't the same as they were, but if they could get Dragic and Andre Jordan with Kobe, the Lakers could at least be interesting to watch and make the season a lot fun and who knows if they get lucky. I know I'm going to get slammed by a certain moderator in here for saying this, but all indications to me is that Kobe has had a good career and has seen his best years. I think it would be miracle for his body to hold up to that kind of pressure. I would love to see it happen though and it's not impossible. Jason Kidd surprised me too after several bad years of injuries. For me, I am lowering my expectations so I won't be disappointed

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

Yeah...Minny will probably pick Okafor.

Power of the agent and all that Jazz.

I'm sure they will bend over backwards to keep Wiggins and his Team happy.

The Wolves apparently love Jahlil Okafor and he has same agent as Andrew Wiggins, Bill Duffy.

Ryan Wolstat@WolstatSun

 

[WiggyRuss]

Boy we are in PRIME position to rebound. Doesn't have to be next year, but for years to come I am/and was confident years ago that things would turn around. Excuse this snarky comment.....but the whole "Lakers have no future" argument from some time ago is looking pretty rough right about now

Lakers definitely have a bright future...in my opinion they are still 2-3 years away from contending to win a playoff series IF they do it the right way.

In the grand scheme of things- withthe new CBA and the new era when Kevin Durant can be insanely popular from Podunk Oklahoma City, things were gonna change- no team is going to be able to great year after year after year-

The Lakers won a couple titles just a handful of years ago.....this past season was like what? year 2 of their rebuild? They probably have 2-3 more years if they exercise patience- which i think is the way to go.

I think they should develop Randle and whoever their pick is - not trade them- try and sign ONE guy this offseason to a long term contract that takes advantage of the cap going up- I mean, Draymond Green would be INSANELY awesome for them and unlike the Bulls- the Warriors really really have a effed up salary situation....that would be my advice.....develop the 2 young studs- and sign a young guy to a long term deal that can develop with them.

Say they get a guy like a Tobias Harris to a 4 year deal or Draymond Green (which migth be a bit unrealistic but ya never know)- or even a Wes Mathews- now HE might be avalaible because of the injury and would be a STEAL at 15 a year once the new cap stuff breaks in.....

say they sign Tobias harris and he develops into a very good SF.....let him, Clarkson, Randle and lets say Towns- develop for a year or two....and THEN- when those guys are ready- and the team is very attracted not only because its LA- but because they are ready to win- THEN you get 1 or 2 big time fre agents to put it all together....


Ive heard rumors the knicks would consider trading their pick for Rose...how bout that? lol

 

[WiggyRuss]

if they go out and sign say Love and Rondo- shot term it would look good on paper- but a team of Rondo/Kobe/Russell/Randle/Love - that would bea fun team to watch- but it would suck defensively and probably be a disaster long term....

overall- the Lakers have a very bright future as long as they are patient....dont bethe Knicks and try and do it all in one offseason.

 

[WiggyRuss]

As for FA, as already mentioned by you guys, I can definitely see them going after Butler. I have no clue what's going to happen with Love, and it seems like they are going to lowball Rondo if they go after him. I'm moreso excited about the years to come in free agency however. Also as for the draft, there are already rumblings that Minny wants Okafor, so it may be Kentucky West in LA. Also, reports have it that Randle has been working out to possibly make a transition to the SF spot. We'll see about that one, but for the here and now, I'm good with whatever big guy is left over which is at this moment Towns

ill post a picture of myself bobbing for apples in the shitter if Butler signs with anyone but the Bulls. IT is simply not even a smidgeon realistic he leaves there when all they have to do is match any offer and the max anyone can offer is 15 million dollars.

 

[Black Adam]

Boy we are in PRIME position to rebound. Doesn't have to be next year, but for years to come I am/and was confident years ago that things would turn around. Excuse this snarky comment.....but the whole "Lakers have no future" argument from some time ago is looking pretty rough right about now

try telling that to the individual trying to pour water on our immediate future...

 

[Black Adam]

Yes, that's what I'm seeing too.

Only thing that can derail that is probably his physical.

I have not ready anything that would suggest he has any issues.

But, this would make me pause....

Chad Ford: Karl Towns was an 81% free-throw shooter. Okafor 51%. That’s a big deal to scouts after watching D’Andre Jordan/Dwight Howard hack-a-thonsTwitter @chadfordinsider

when I was watching sports center they brought this up. and let's face it, free throws are as important as rebounding if you wanna win titles...

 

[trojanfan12]

Yeah - but the Leadership pulled the trigger, but I say we blame Michael Jordan for drafting him to begin with. On the other hand, Kwame Brown did bring us Gasol and two more championships so..... Mabe it was worth a little bit of rain. Man I hated that guy though - he was so stupid and clumsy

I will say that in his decidedly below average career, the closest he ever came to actually being decent was with the Lakers under Phil. When they darn near upset the Steve Nash Suns in the first round, he was a big reason.

 

[trojanfan12]

Ive heard rumors the knicks would consider trading their pick for Rose...how bout that? lol

If that happens, then Phil somehow caught the Dolan disease which would surely mean that the zombie apocalypse will follow shortly after that trade.

 

[trojanfan12]

if they go out and sign say Love and Rondo- shot term it would look good on paper- but a team of Rondo/Kobe/Russell/Randle/Love - that would bea fun team to watch- but it would suck defensively and probably be a disaster long term....

overall- the Lakers have a very bright future as long as they are patient....dont bethe Knicks and try and do it all in one offseason.

Rondo, Kobe, Russell, Randle and Love?!? Why would they want a starting lineup that has 2 point guards, 2 power forwards and a shooting guard?

Assuming the Lakers take Okafor or Towns, I think they remove themselves from the Kevin Love sweepstakes, especially with Love having suffered yet another injury. If they select Russell, then there is no need to go after Rondo.

I'd like to see them get Okafor or Towns and try to get Butler or Dragic. If they get Butler (doubtful) then maybe go after Rondo on a 1 year, team friendly deal. If they get Dragic (also doubtful), then they don't have to worry about going after Rondo.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

Yeah...Minny will probably pick Okafor.

Power of the agent and all that Jazz.

I'm sure they will bend over backwards to keep Wiggins and his Team happy.

The Wolves apparently love Jahlil Okafor and he has same agent as Andrew Wiggins, Bill Duffy.

Ryan Wolstat@WolstatSun

Rondo, Kobe, Russell, Randle and Love?!? Why would they want a starting lineup that has 2 point guards, 2 power forwards and a shooting guard?

Assuming the Lakers take Okafor or Towns, I think they remove themselves from the Kevin Love sweepstakes, especially with Love having suffered yet another injury. If they select Russell, then there is no need to go after Rondo.

I'd like to see them get Okafor or Towns and try to get Butler or Dragic. If they get Butler (doubtful) then maybe go after Rondo on a 1 year, team friendly deal. If they get Dragic (also doubtful), then they don't have to worry about going after Rondo.

I would go Okafor/Towns too.

But, if they were to select Russell, I think getting Monroe would be a definite possibility.

Who do you like with their later pick?

I know this guy is a knucklehead. But, Robert Upshaw could be a steal.

If anyone could keep his head straight, it's the Lakers.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

Rondo, Kobe, Russell, Randle and Love?!? Why would they want a starting lineup that has 2 point guards, 2 power forwards and a shooting guard?

Assuming the Lakers take Okafor or Towns, I think they remove themselves from the Kevin Love sweepstakes, especially with Love having suffered yet another injury. If they select Russell, then there is no need to go after Rondo.

I'd like to see them get Okafor or Towns and try to get Butler or Dragic. If they get Butler (doubtful) then maybe go after Rondo on a 1 year, team friendly deal. If they get Dragic (also doubtful), then they don't have to worry about going after Rondo.

I would go Okafor/Towns too.

But, if they were to select Russell, I think getting Monroe would be a definite possibility.

Who do you like with their later pick?

I know this guy is a knucklehead. But, Robert Upshaw could be a steal.

If anyone could keep his head straight, it's the Lakers.

 

[Shanemansj13]

when I was watching sports center they brought this up. and let's face it, free throws are as important as rebounding if you wanna win titles...

Tell that to Shaq. But I do agree regardless, Shaq is an exception.

 

[trojanfan12]

Yeah...Minny will probably pick Okafor.

Power of the agent and all that Jazz.

I'm sure they will bend over backwards to keep Wiggins and his Team happy.

The Wolves apparently love Jahlil Okafor and he has same agent as Andrew Wiggins, Bill Duffy.

Ryan Wolstat@WolstatSun


I would go Okafor/Towns too.

But, if they were to select Russell, I think getting Monroe would be a definite possibility.

Who do you like with their later pick?

I know this guy is a knucklehead. But, Robert Upshaw could be a steal.

If anyone could keep his head straight, it's the Lakers.

Upshaw could be okay with a later pick. If he starts any crap, Kobe and Byron will kick his ass. Personally, if he's available with one of the later picks, I'd like to see them go after your boy Looney. Although, I'm not sure he'll be available at 27. Rumor is that the Celtics are interested and their first pick is at 16. If they decide to gamble and wait, their next pick would be at 28, which would give the Lakers a chance to scoop him up 1 pick ahead of them (which could be fun).

He's considered a project, so it's likely he wouldn't be an immediate threat as far as creating a logjam at PF with Randle also, I'm not sure, but he may project as an SF in the NBA.

 

[trojanfan12]

Tell that to Shaq. But I do agree regardless, Shaq is an exception.

Actually, Shaq isn't even much of an exception. The Hack-A-Shaq pretty much stopped when he started hitting free throws, as he says, "when it mattered." So, while he never became a good free throw shooter, he became good enough to pretty much stop the Hack-A-Shaq.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Rondo, Kobe, Russell, Randle and Love?!? Why would they want a starting lineup that has 2 point guards, 2 power forwards and a shooting guard?

Assuming the Lakers take Okafor or Towns, I think they remove themselves from the Kevin Love sweepstakes, especially with Love having suffered yet another injury. If they select Russell, then there is no need to go after Rondo.

I'd like to see them get Okafor or Towns and try to get Butler or Dragic. If they get Butler (doubtful) then maybe go after Rondo on a 1 year, team friendly deal. If they get Dragic (also doubtful), then they don't have to worry about going after Rondo.

Rondo or Dragic
Kobe
Some free agent or current player (maybe Butler)
Randle
Towns

Not a bad lineup at all. Towns is the pick if Minny passes on him, no doubt

 

[Heatles84]

dude...you need to understand the AMAZING deal guys that sign as max free agents this summer are going to be soon--- its why you listen to the Chicago/Cavs series and here HONEST opinions on how garbage man Tristan Thompson will get a max deal.

A max deal for a butler or green or even a thompson- is going to be about 15.5 million dollars. about 1/4 of the cap - that is the definition of a max player unless they are a Rose rule max - they get 1/4 of thecap...which will be about 16 million. Its what Kyrie Irving signed and its why he is goign to be one of the best deals in the NBA later on in his contract.

Butler signing a 16 million dollar max right now is a STEAL for the Bulls. 2 years from now 1/4 of the cap is going to be OVER 25 million for a "max" player. There is no way on Gods green earth the Bulls do not bring back Jimmy Butler at 16 million a year , when 3 offseasons from now the cap is going to be 108 million dollars at 16 million is going tobethe going rate for a above average big man like Tristan Thompson.

Its why giving Dragic 20 million is something that is palatable if you believe in him- he gets a little extra than the guys coming off their rookie deals - but soon he will be LESS than 1/5 of your cap even though he will be a "max"-

its why Draymond Green will DEFINITELy get the "max" 15-16 million.


and the thing is- the Lakers cant even offer as much since the home team gets the built in advantage of an extra contract year and slightly higher raises.

The Bulls would move Noah or Gibson or wheover LONG before they declined to give Jimmy Butler 16 million a year.- especialy when 16 million a year is going tobe a STEAL soon.

Butler hasn't signed anything with the Bulls, and I agree with you on how he'll get better. But.....it's being rumored that the Lakers will offer him a MAX deal. Butler's a restricted FA and can receive other offers. It's just that the Bulls get a chance to match. The only difference between the Lakers or Bulls offering it is that the Bulls can given an extra year. However, with the new CBA rolling out after next season, that's a good thing for Butler who's still young. Plus, that extra year is extremely overrated. That money is always made up on the following contract.

 

[trojanfan12]

Rondo or Dragic
Kobe
Some free agent or current player (maybe Butler)
Randle
Towns

Not a bad lineup at all. Towns is the pick if Minny passes on him, no doubt

Yeah, that's not a championship roster (at least not in year 1 or 2), but it's definitely a playoff roster that can be built into a contender (unfortunately, probably not until Kobe's contract comes off the books).

 

[Heatles84]

Rondo, Kobe, Russell, Randle and Love?!? Why would they want a starting lineup that has 2 point guards, 2 power forwards and a shooting guard?

Assuming the Lakers take Okafor or Towns, I think they remove themselves from the Kevin Love sweepstakes, especially with Love having suffered yet another injury. If they select Russell, then there is no need to go after Rondo.

I'd like to see them get Okafor or Towns and try to get Butler or Dragic. If they get Butler (doubtful) then maybe go after Rondo on a 1 year, team friendly deal. If they get Dragic (also doubtful), then they don't have to worry about going after Rondo.

We need Dragic to stay in Miami. Go after other PGs!!!!!