The Lakers should be able to get a draft pick (probably 2nd round) for him considering that he's a reasonably good backup center that no doubt several teams could most definitely use.
I think the Lakers will want to get an idea on how much Upshaw can really contribute in the near term before they go this route however.
The Lakers tried to trade him for months and not a single team wanted him. You expect someone to be interested in him after a couple of games in preseason? Plus everyone knows we have to make some cuts so we have no leverage. Just think man.
I think we can take a few things into consideration.
1. Most rumors has Sacre , Young, Kelly packed together
2. Some teams are already hit by the injury bug
3. Every team has their own "Upshaws" and yet preseason reveals that not everyone has the same upside.
A serviceable center at $1M is movable.
What rumors?
July rumor when the team tried to clear more cap space. Because the purpose was to clear space, Young was the main target. Sacre was not on the block alone.
Point is, whether Sacre is movable without taking salary back. At $1M, yes.
At worst case, a team might claim Sacre after we waive him and clearing his salary off the books. _________________ "He's a Zen master, so he can speak to you, and he doesn't need a microphone; you can hear him in your head, 'Ron, don't shoot, don't shoot.' Whatever, pow, three. I love the Zen, though."
Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 40345 Location: Dirty South
Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2015 9:32 pm Post subject:
At the end of the day, Upshaw is less capable on day one than Black or Sacre, and although I do think there is a chance he can be developed into a very good defensive NBA center, his timetable to even contribute is further away than I expected. At the same time, I think Sacre is near his ceiling which is pretty much a universal 3rd string NBA Center, and Black may not have a high ceiling, but he is more "alpha" than either on the court.
Since we are trying to develop and line our ducks for 2017 and 2018 (Jim's red line), I think we keep Black and Upshaw. Place Upshaw in the D-League as much as possible to develop his game.
Sacre will get another chance to play in the NBA. Legit 7 footers that are thicker than skeletons and have some level of talent do not grow on trees. Sacre is good enough to be in the league when he plays at his best, but I see no sign of his game advancing.
I wonder if the Lakers have any plans to develop Upshaw like they did Bynum? With Bynum they treated him like the Golden Child. They brought in Kareem to tutor him, they stood behind Bynum while Kobe wanted to trade him...etc.
Although Upshaw is a lot older than Bynum when he came into the League it seems that Upshaw might have similar if not better potential....long arms, jumps high, good timing and has a nice shot.
When Bynum came in I remember that he was a "reacher" instead of a jumper.....always reaching for rebounds and blocks rather than jumping...he eventually started jumping though.
Imagine Upshaw with some Kareem training and a couple of years of working out under professional trainers.
So, how is BS going to pick which centers stay? Hibbert plays every game....so we know he is a lock.
But then he played Sacre two games then never again. He played Upshaw one game and we haven't seen him in two games. And then he's been sprinkling in bits of Black and Bass at back up center here and there.
It seems too random or infrequent to collect enough data to make a smart decision.
I don't remember Black playing last night against Sacramento....did he?
Right now what is killing the Lakers the most is the back up center position for sure.
Soon as the bench starts playing we get killed in the offensive board's & the paint.
Just need a solid backup anchor center. _________________
It needs to be Black and Kelly or Black and Bass as the 2nd unit front court. Bass and Kelly is a defensive sieve and is also not a good rebounding unit.
Black and Bass are a bit redundant IMO. Assuming Upshaw and Nance remain inactive and/or sent to the D-league, I think some combination of Black/Bass/Kelly (depending on the matchup) as your backup bigs will suffice on most nights.
I'm keen to see more time with Black + Bass; and Black + Kelly.
I think Black and Kelly will actually give us adequate defensive energy and shot blocking against other 2nd units.
on the other hand, black and bass will provide toughness and rebounding.
bass and kelly doesn't work because both of them are set shooters.
and when both of them steps out to create space, there is no one to pass to under the rim for easy baskets or to attempt offensive rebounding.
I would give larry samders a non guaranteed min and see
Ah no thank you because he's a bad influence and he'll ruin Upshaw
U want to bubble wrap upshaw & put him in the showcase as well?
Upshaw will be what he wants to be just like javariz Critt
Same thing goes Sanders too I would rather go with Black and Sacre than this pothead with mental issues.
I agree, I love Upshaw. However don't even think about bringing sanders here, dude doesn't even like basketball anymore , not the type of guy you want around this franchise
I'd how it's Upshaw dimply because we're young as is and not going very far. It's important to give the possible future guys minutes. Sacre will not be a Laker next season so idk why he deserves PT.
Joined: 14 Apr 2001 Posts: 144461 Location: The Gold Coast
Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2015 9:07 am Post subject:
a2j1m wrote:
I'd how it's Upshaw dimply because we're young as is and not going very far. It's important to give the possible future guys minutes. Sacre will not be a Laker next season so idk why he deserves PT.
The team is trying to win, and Upshaw is nowhere near being good enough to be a rotational player. _________________ RIP mom. 11-21-1933 to 6-14-2023.
I'd how it's Upshaw dimply because we're young as is and not going very far. It's important to give the possible future guys minutes. Sacre will not be a Laker next season so idk why he deserves PT.
The team is trying to win, and Upshaw is nowhere near being good enough to be a rotational player.
And is not mutually exclusive to keep him and develop him for the next seasons beyond this. _________________ From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals
Joined: 14 Apr 2001 Posts: 144461 Location: The Gold Coast
Posted: Thu Oct 15, 2015 9:32 am Post subject:
Exactly, you hang onto him and work on his development, but you don't throw him to the wolves. With the ability of Bass and maybe even Randle to play small ball center, you don't need production from Upshaw this season. If he develops and you get some, all the better. _________________ RIP mom. 11-21-1933 to 6-14-2023.
Tarik Black as backup C should be a no-brainer. He rebounds and has shot blocking potential. It's not like he's gonna get a ton of minutes as the backup anyway, and you aren't gonna get someone who's starter potential to backup Hibbert. Bass and Kelly playing together has it's perks and can work nicely for a stretch or two in some games, but anything more than that won't go well. Neither are shot blockers and collectively they struggle to get rebounds.
If the intrigue is in having a small ball C, I don't understand the constant criticism of Black being "undersized." He's gonna block more shots and grab more rebounds than Bass and Sacre both. I don't understand people's hang up on him.
Last edited by Judah on Thu Oct 15, 2015 10:49 pm; edited 1 time in total
Tarik Black as backup C should be an obvious no-brainer. He rebounds and has shot blocking potential. It's not like he's gonna get a ton of minutes as the backup anyway. You aren't gonna get someone who's starter potential to backup Hibbert. Bass and Kelly long term isn't gonna work. Neither are shot blockers and collectively they struggle to get rebounds. If the intrigue is in having a small ball C, I don't understand the constant criticism of Black being "undersized." He's gonna block more shots and grab more rebounds than Bass and Sacre both. I don't understand people's hang up on him.
Tarik Black as backup C should be an obvious no-brainer. He rebounds and has shot blocking potential. It's not like he's gonna get a ton of minutes as the backup anyway. You aren't gonna get someone who's starter potential to backup Hibbert. Bass and Kelly long term isn't gonna work. Neither are shot blockers and collectively they struggle to get rebounds. If the intrigue is in having a small ball C, I don't understand the constant criticism of Black being "undersized." He's gonna block more shots and grab more rebounds than Bass and Sacre both. I don't understand people's hang up on him.
Agreed.
Definitely a no-brainer. Tarik has proven his worth as the #1 back-up. He hustles and gives 100% effort.
The battle that looms involves Sacre vs Upshaw for the third spot.
I would give larry samders a non guaranteed min and see
Guy didn't want to play basketball so much that he walked away from a $44 million contract. Give him a non-guaranteed min and what happens?
Black is the only choice.
The problem is who plays backup PF. I like Kelly for the way he can stretch the floor and be a surprising weakside shot blocker and Bass is just a steady veteran. _________________ "There's only 2 dudes better than me, and I'm BOTH OF THEM."
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
, not the type of guy you want around this franchise
