The Back-to-Back NBA Champion LA Lakers Offseason Thread | Page 8

LA9erFan · 2010-06-20T22:53:55-07:00

Laker Free AgentsPhil Jackson - It's being reported that he's strongly leaning toward returning. The only potential hiccup would be Dr. Buss trying to slash his salary. Considering the ownership's commitment to success, I'd be very surprised if something didn't get worked out. Derek Fisher - A virtual lock to be re-signed. For all of his misgivings, he is the emotional leader of the team, and once again came up huge in the postseason. He'll probably get a two year deal as a sign of respect from the Buss family, around $3.5M per year. Jordan Farmar - Farmar is probably gone. He is a restricted free agent, which means that the Lakers can match any offer that he receives, but my impression is that they will let him walk. He's expressed a desire to spread his wings in a more open court offense, and the triangle doesn't match his skill set. He competed hard for the Lakers this postseason, and I wish him well if he does in fact go elsewhere. Shannon Brown - Brown holds a player option on his contract, which he probably won't exercise, but has expressed a desire to stay in LA and a separate contract should be worked out. I believe that they will come to an agreement on a 2 year contract worth around $5M, with a team option for a 3rd year. Josh Powell - Probably gone. The Lakers will likely look to sign a better PF/C at the vet minimum, and there are several available. DJ Mbenga - I think Mbenga's a 50/50 shot to come back. If so, he'll get a minimum contract. Adam Morrison - Goner. So that leaves us with this roster. Let's say Mbenga doesn't re-sign: PG: Derek Fisher SG: Kobe Bryant, Shannon Brown, Sasha Vujacic SF: Ron Artest, Luke Walton PF: Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom C: Andrew Bynum Team Needs -Outside Shooting -Someone who can get to the hoop -Athleticism What I think the Lakers will look to do in Free Agency With Farmar's departure being likely, our most obvious need is at the PG spot. With that in mind, I believe that one of the following 5 players will be a Laker next season. Earl Watson - Watson is a solid veteran that the Lakers will likely strongly consider. If I had to put my money on one guy signing with the Lakers, it would be him. He's a superb defender at the PG spot, but is a streaky jump shooter and not great at getting to the hoop. Only a so-so distributor as well. Has a nice nasty streak in him, and would fit in well with the defensive mentality of this team. A Watson/Kobe/Artest/Gasol/Bynum defensive squad is a pretty enticing prospect. Steve Blake - Blake is a steady veteran with a high B-ball IQ, and an excellent catch & shoot player. Decent defender. Not a guy who can get to the hoop or finish all that well, but would likely organize the 2nd unit's offense in a way that Farmar did not. He would be a severe downgrade in transition though. Luke Ridnour - From the "God, I hope not" files, Ridnour is an option for the Lakers. Despite being the distributing PG in the group, he's very poor on the defensive end and only a so-so catch & shoot guy. Doesn't seem like a good fit for a team that runs the triangle, but he's a possibility if the Lakers want a "pure PG". Tracy McGrady - Well wouldn't this be a nice and juicy subplot to next season? There are rumors that McGrady is strongly interested in playing for the Lakers, and would a role off of the bench. While he isn't a PG, he would likely fill that role on offense, with Shannon Brown guarding PGs on the other end. As presently constructed, Kobe is the only Laker that can get to the hoop and create shots for others, and T-Mac would be a welcome addition in this respect. Of course there are concerns about his health, but I believe it's worth the risk. He's the player I'd want most out of this group. The second, smaller (but important) signing I believe that we'll make is for veteran, front court depth. I believe that we'll sign either Kurt Thomas or Joe Smith, with Thomas being more likely. With Bynum's injury issues, it would be wise to address our front court depth. Raja Bell: Added to the list due to rumors. He would make a lot of sense in the respect that he's intelligent, defensive minded, and can knock down a catch and shoot three pointer. If we sign him, keeping Shannon Brown is a must though, IMO, due to his athleticism. As is true with all of these guys, what we'd lose in athleticism will be gained in intelligence. The Farmar/Brown backcourt was a dumb one. NBA Draft The Lakers own the 43rd & 58th picks in this year's draft, as Memphis owns our 1st round pick, which finishes up the Pau Gasol trade. I actually think that one or both of our picks is going to make the team this year, despite being a 2nd rounder. I believe that we can address some of our athletic deficiencies in these spots. Here are some of my favorite prospects that may be available at these spots, or guys that the Lakers have worked out. Jarvis Varnado PF - This is the guy I want the most. For some reason, a lot of mocks have the NCAA all time leader in blocked shots slipping down into the Laker's area. It's his one real NBA skill, but he's dominant at it. Blocks shots with both hands, has ridiculous length, and great timing. The idea of the Lakers getting a shot changer like this guy in the 2nd round makes me shake my head. Mikhail Torrance, PG - If it isn't Varnado, Torrance is my 2nd choice. Has great size for a PG (6'5", 209lbs) and is a very good athlete. Has legitimate PG distributing skills, as well as the tools to become a very good defender. I think he has the potential to fit in very well in LA. He's #2 in this video. Nothing incredible here, but you can see his size, length, & glimpses of his athleticism. Charles Garcia, SF/PF Garcia's a bit of a mystery. He has lottery talent, but apparently a 10 cent head, which is why he plays at Seattle University. All of seen of the guy is this clip, and it inspired me to read up on him. He's 6'10", mobile, and explosive, as you're about to see. Matt Bouldin, PG/SG I'm not a huge fan, but the Lakers have worked him out. I don't think he has the lateral quickness to be a factor in the league. Alexey Shved A 6'7" PG out of Russia that's intriguing. Has a bit of Goran Dragic to his game. Final Roster In a big picture sense, we're looking for depth that can minimize the wear & tear on our core group. Fisher/Bryant/Artest/Gasol/Bynum/Odom are going to get the lion's share of the minutes when games are on the line, but if we can get guys that can minimize the stress of the mileage that's put on during the regular season AND contribute in small doses in the playoffs, it will be a successful offseason. PG: Derek Fisher, Earl Watson, 2nd Round pick SG: Kobe Bryant, Shannon Brown, Sasha Vujacic SF: Ron Artest, Luke Walton PF: Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom C: Andrew Bynum, Kurt Thomas, 2nd Round pick That's the squad that we're most likely to see at the beginning of next year, IMO. OKC's athleticism concerns me against that group, but against anyone else that would be a really tough squad to beat in a 7 game series. And T-Mac instead of Watson would be very, very intriguing. [ Edited by LA9erFan on Jun 22, 2010 at 19:43:05 ]

Jun 29, 2010 at 9:25 AM

#106

LA9erFan
Veteran
Posts: 66,021

Brian Shaw took the Cleveland job.

Jun 29, 2010 at 9:29 AM

#107

NineFourNiner
Hall of Fame
Posts: 78,708

Originally posted by LA9erFan:
Brian Shaw took the Cleveland job.

Wow. Does this mean he knows that Phil is coming back? I'd like to think that he'd value a reasonable chance to coach in LA over a sure chance to coach a possibly LeBronless Cav squad.

Jun 29, 2010 at 9:49 AM

#108

LA9erFan
Veteran
Posts: 66,021

Originally posted by NineFourNiner:
Originally posted by LA9erFan:
Brian Shaw took the Cleveland job.

Wow. Does this mean he knows that Phil is coming back? I'd like to think that he'd value a reasonable chance to coach in LA over a sure chance to coach a possibly LeBronless Cav squad.

It might. It could also mean that he caught wind that Byron Scott's been promised the job if Phil doesn't return. I really hope that Buss doesn't f**k around with Phil's salary too much and drive him into retirement. But if anyone deserves the benefit of the doubt, it's Buss.

Between the big free agents, the Celtics getting old, and Phil Jackson possibly leaving, I can't think of a summer where the landscape of the NBA could change more than this one. You could reasonably argue that the only top team that would look similar to the way it did last year is Orlando.

Lakers = Phil might be gone
Boston = Doc might be gone, Ray Allen too, Sheed retired
Cleveland = LeBron might be gone & Mike Brown already is.
Phoenix = Amare might be gone.

Jun 29, 2010 at 9:55 AM

#109

DynastyChile
Veteran
Posts: 14,808

I really didn't wanna lose Shaw before we knew if Phil was coming back. I wanted him to replace Phil pretty bad, and I wouldnt really be all that thrilled if B scoot is ourn ext coach.

Jun 29, 2010 at 12:59 PM

#110

NineFourNiner
Hall of Fame
Posts: 78,708

Originally posted by LA9erFan:
Brian Shaw took the Cleveland job.

But wait! There's more -
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5340096

Jun 29, 2010 at 1:02 PM

#111

valrod33
Hall of Small
Posts: 138,122

Originally posted by NineFourNiner:
Originally posted by LA9erFan:
Brian Shaw took the Cleveland job.

But wait! There's more -
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5340096

Owner of the Cavs: so do you have any other questions?

Shaw: you guys keeping LeBron?

Owner: No

Shaw: f**k this

Jun 29, 2010 at 7:56 PM

#112

ninernut
Info N/A

go lakers!

Jun 29, 2010 at 8:03 PM

#113

StOnEy333
Hall of Fame
Posts: 99,664

I'd rather have Shaw than Scott, just because it would be more of the same with Brian. With Scott, the whole system would probably change. I think Scott's a good coach. Just not my first choice.

Jun 29, 2010 at 10:43 PM

#114

phatbutskinny
Veteran
Posts: 27,247

where could i get cheap laker banners?

Jun 29, 2010 at 10:52 PM

#115

StOnEy333
Hall of Fame
Posts: 99,664

Originally posted by phatbutskinny:
where could i get cheap laker banners?

What do you mean by banners?

Jun 29, 2010 at 11:05 PM

#116

phatbutskinny
Veteran
Posts: 27,247

Originally posted by StOnEy333:
Originally posted by phatbutskinny:
where could i get cheap laker banners?

What do you mean by banners?

like just something i can hang on my wall. plain and simple with the lakers logo. everything on amazon is 20-30 im looking for about 15 bucks tho

Jun 29, 2010 at 11:17 PM

#117

phatbutskinny
Veteran
Posts: 27,247

http://www.amazon.com/Angeles-Lakers-Applique-Banner-Flag/dp/B002AUEBQC/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1277878506&sr=1-4

this is the one i want but its too expensive

Jun 29, 2010 at 11:22 PM

#118

StOnEy333
Hall of Fame
Posts: 99,664

Originally posted by phatbutskinny:
http://www.amazon.com/Angeles-Lakers-Applique-Banner-Flag/dp/B002AUEBQC/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1277878506&sr=1-4

this is the one i want but its too expensive

I don't think you're gonna find anything that size for cheaper than $30.

Jun 29, 2010 at 11:36 PM

#119

phatbutskinny
Veteran
Posts: 27,247

Originally posted by StOnEy333:
Originally posted by phatbutskinny:
http://www.amazon.com/Angeles-Lakers-Applique-Banner-Flag/dp/B002AUEBQC/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1277878506&sr=1-4

this is the one i want but its too expensive

I don't think you're gonna find anything that size for cheaper than $30.

f**k I NEED A JOB

Jun 30, 2010 at 4:03 PM

#120

DynastyChile
Veteran
Posts: 14,808

Sooooo what do we think about our draft picks?

Devin Ebanks and Derrick Caracter