The Back-to-Back NBA Champion LA Lakers Offseason Thread | Page 41

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 ]

Sep 9, 2010 at 6:49 AM

#601

H41L5ATAN
Veteran
Posts: 4,417

Originally posted by KALI-KING:
Barnes booked on Domestic Violence charge.

LINK

Sep 9, 2010 at 12:00 PM

#602

LA9erFan
Veteran
Posts: 66,021

Originally posted by MIMLaker:
How is it we have two, 6'7", defensive-minded, enforcer-type small forwards...

... with one allegedly slapping an opposing assistant coach in summer league and getting arrested in connection with a domestic violence incident...

and the OTHER one is Ron Artest???

MIM

Sep 9, 2010 at 12:05 PM

#603

jrg
Veteran
Posts: 166,549

Sep 9, 2010 at 12:10 PM

#604

StOnEy333
Hall of Fame
Posts: 99,664

Originally posted by LA9erFan:
Originally posted by KALI-KING:
Barnes booked on Domestic Violence charge.

LINK

Greeeeeeeat.

I said it before, and I'll say it again. "f**k Matt Barnes."

Sep 9, 2010 at 12:12 PM

#605

LA9erFan
Veteran
Posts: 66,021

Originally posted by StOnEy333:
Originally posted by LA9erFan:
Originally posted by KALI-KING:
Barnes booked on Domestic Violence charge.

LINK

Greeeeeeeat.

I said it before, and I'll say it again. "f**k Matt Barnes."

Yeah, I'm starting to hop on that bandwagon. Players who are douchey on the court don't bother me, but this and the slapping the coach thing are totally different.

Just don't be a reason that we don't three-peat, s**thead.

Sep 9, 2010 at 12:14 PM

#606

StOnEy333
Hall of Fame
Posts: 99,664

Originally posted by LA9erFan:
Originally posted by StOnEy333:
Originally posted by LA9erFan:
Originally posted by KALI-KING:
Barnes booked on Domestic Violence charge.

LINK

Greeeeeeeat.

I said it before, and I'll say it again. "f**k Matt Barnes."

Yeah, I'm starting to hop on that bandwagon. Players who are douchey on the court don't bother me, but this and the slapping the coach thing are totally different.

Just don't be a reason that we don't three-peat, s**thead.

Barnes couldn't do anything to stop Kobe before, and he won't be able to stop him now, either.

Sep 9, 2010 at 12:15 PM

#607

danimal
Veteran
Posts: 14,705

Originally posted by LA9erFan:
Originally posted by StOnEy333:
Originally posted by LA9erFan:
Originally posted by KALI-KING:
Barnes booked on Domestic Violence charge.

LINK

Greeeeeeeat.

I said it before, and I'll say it again. "f**k Matt Barnes."

Yeah, I'm starting to hop on that bandwagon. Players who are douchey on the court don't bother me, but this and the slapping the coach thing are totally different.

Just don't be a reason that we don't three-peat, s**thead.

yep I am pulling a complete 360 here, loved Barnes for a minute, now he is nowhere worth the risk...even if that risk is just a small distraction. We got a machine here. Don't f**k with the machine

Sep 9, 2010 at 12:43 PM

#608

socalfan21
Veteran
Posts: 21,046

I'm not goin to pass judgement until the season starts... everyone makes stupid mistakes...

Sep 9, 2010 at 12:44 PM

#609

TheSixthRing
Beer Gut
Posts: 82,263

Can I get the Vegas odds on Barnes and Artest getting into scuffles during scrimmages at some point in the season?

Sep 9, 2010 at 1:01 PM

#610

GameOver
Veteran
Posts: 12,170

lol guys, hes just really excited for the season to start, he musta got in an argument with his sacramento kings fan girlfriend...and well...hes very proud of his fanhood and will not let any man (or woman) challenge it...

Barnes, I support you, just stop the nonsense or we'll tell Fish you were talkin s**t on his sick daughter...and you dont want that Matty...you just dont want that...

Sep 9, 2010 at 1:06 PM

#611

socalfan21
Veteran
Posts: 21,046

Originally posted by GameOver:
lol guys, hes just really excited for the season to start, he musta got in an argument with his sacramento kings fan girlfriend...and well...hes very proud of his fanhood and will not let any man (or woman) challenge it...

Barnes, I support you, just stop the nonsense or we'll tell Fish you were talkin s**t on his sick daughter...and you dont want that Matty...you just dont want that...

GameOver... I approve this message

Sep 9, 2010 at 1:27 PM

#612

jrg
Veteran
Posts: 166,549

Originally posted by TheSixthRing:
Can I get the Vegas odds on Barnes and Artest getting into scuffles during scrimmages at some point in the season?

That would be interesting.

Sep 9, 2010 at 9:32 PM

#613

ads_2006
Veteran
Posts: 64,484

Ron Artest

Selling his ring so he can donate the proceeds

Although, he could just donate the money he has

Sep 9, 2010 at 9:33 PM

#614

phatbutskinny
Veteran
Posts: 27,247

Originally posted by ads_2006:

Ron Artest

Selling his ring so he can donate the proceeds

Although, he could just donate the money he has

HE'S SO f**kING AWESOME!

Sep 9, 2010 at 9:49 PM

#615

LA9erFan
Veteran
Posts: 66,021

Originally posted by ads_2006:

Ron Artest

Selling his ring so he can donate the proceeds

Although, he could just donate the money he has

True, but him simply writing a check doesn't heighten the awareness about the issue the way that auction the ring off does. Props to him.