2007-08: Laker NBA champions?

LawyerShawn · Star Player Joined: 22 Jun 2005 Posts: 1834

2007, Phil Jacksons last season under his current contract, could very well be the Lakers best chance at a championship. Bynum will be ready to seriously contribute. Farmar and Sasha will be a year older. Laker starters should be a year wiser.

Projected Core:
PF:Lamar Odom
SF:Vladimir Radmanovich
C: Kwame Brown|Andrew Bynum
SG: Kobe Bryant|Maurice Evans
PG: Sasha Vujacic|Jordan Farmar

Total Salary: 47 Million
Projected Salary Cap Space: 8-10 Million

Free Agents: Smush Parker, Ronnie Turiaf. Luke Walton, Brian Cook (Brian Grant Salary Expires)

activeverb · Retired Number Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 37470

For the Lakers to contend by next year, a lot of players who are total question marks right now (Bynum, Farmar) would have to pan out really, really well. Could it happen? Sure. Is that any particular reason at this point to expect it to happen? Not really.

Also, your 2007-08 salaries are off. I think you forgot Radmonovich's $5 million, which brings us up to $52 million or so. It's unlikely we'll be spending anything more than the mid-level.

wolfpaclaker · Retired Number Joined: 29 May 2002 Posts: 58348

You should be looking at MLE players, because for the Lakers to win a championship IMO they would need a core of players together that were there the previous season in a deep playoff run.

1st thing before offseason begins, Re-sign Walton and Smush.

Turiaf is actually on a 3 year contract because he signed with a portion of the MLE and NOT the regular 2 year deal that 2nd rounders get. So no need to re-sign him.

Let Mihm and Cook walk, Grant off the books. That's around 20 million in payroll.

Center: Kwame/Bynum. Assuming Bynum can play 20-25 mpg, I'm happy with this position. Shotblocking, Rebounding, Size, Man defense, Low post scoring all addressed with the two players.

Offense: Solid.
Defense: Good

Power Forward: Odom/Turiaf. Seem strong here, especially if Rony can come in for 15-20 and play an enforcer role. He should be stronger and more Tri savvy by now.

Offense: Good.
Defense: Solid.

Small Forward: Radmanovic/Odom/Walton. Good offense, I question whether the Lakers need an athletic SF that can run the wings, finish and defend. Maybe someone from the draft, if not FA.

Offense: Good
Defense: Questionable without that athletic SF

Shooting Guard: Bryant/Evans/Vujacic. With Bryant here, you don't need much else but with backups like Evans and shooting cameos by Sasha, I think the Lakers are more than set here.

Offense: Excellent
Defense: Good

Point Guard: Parker/Farmar/Vujacic. I question the leadership at this position. Farmar would still be young and I don't know if he can bring that veteran presence at PG that championship teams need. Parker should be solid and Vujacic used for pesky D and some shooting. Definetely need a floor leader/Veteran Guard with championship experience.

Offense: Solid
Defense: Questionable

At this point, I would then go into the offseason looking for 3 things.

1- Draft the most athletic SF in next year's draft that's left in the 20's. Current choice - Cory Brewer.

2- Make a pipe run at Billups. After that look at more realistic pick ups such as Eddie Jones or Jalen Rose.

3- Deepen your power rotation. Add a Reaf Lafrentz who can give you some spacing and shotblocing at the 4 spot.

2007-2008 Projected Roster:

C Kwame/Bynum
F Odom/Turiaf/LaFrentz
F Radmanovic/Walton/Brewer
G Bryant/Evans/Vujacic
G Jones/Parker/Farmar

I would feel pretty damn good about that roster.

fansincemagic · Franchise Player Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 11076

The only thing I got against the possible core is Sasha. For all we know, he may not even make the roster. Even if he does, I'd like to believe he becomes the player we've wanted him to, I won't hate but if I were a betting man... my money wouldn't be on him. The scary thing is, the whole topic is based around "IF". If Bynum is ready to contribute as say a 20-30mpg center, you're looking at a playoff type rotation inside of:

"guard" /Farmar
Kobe /"guard"
Radman/Odom/Kobe
Odom/Brown
Brown/Bynum

That's what I'd aim for the 7 man rotation to be, with both youngsters not counted on to start, but able to do so if they work towards it. Kobe and Odom are really your stars (if Lamar gets there), and Vlad, Kwame and a "guard" are guys that can play multiple positions that enable you to use your stars and youngsters the right way.

This guard I speak of is someone I've been running my mouth about getting for a while. Ideally you'd add a Ron Harper/Larry Hughes type guy that could defend PGs well, and slide over to SG to enable Kobe to be utilized as a SF at times. He would basically play starter minutes between the 2 spots, and even if Farmar becomes a good floor general you still need a better defensive stopper.

Judging about current returns on the players above, there aren't many that fit the mold except Pietrus and Chauncey, and neither will be there for the MLE. I've gotta stress that though an aging Bibby or other solid true PG are worth the pickup, ideally I'd want a guy that can play both guard spots. Only time will tell what Mitch can pull of in the offseason, but I'd look at other avenues besides banking on doing anything in the free agent market. That's why I support a Mihm/Cook/pick package deal to land a solid guard at midseason, provided Bynum steps up.

If the youngsters step up, great, but if neither Bynum nor Kwame pan out inside they are in trouble.

fansincemagic · Franchise Player Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 11076

like the way you're going wolfpacklaker, Eddie makes sense as a guard, and your pickups are realistic. LaFrentz could take the LLE, and is that shot blocking type guy that can play either 4 or 5. The best part is, a rookie like Brewer wouldn't be counted on to play major minutes, but could end up being a solid player to platoon at SF when you need an athletic type. Again, it would be nice to see Eddie back in a Lakers uni, lets just hope he'd have enough left in the tank for say 2 more years.

wolfpaclaker · Retired Number Joined: 29 May 2002 Posts: 58348

We don't have the LLE next summer since we used it on Williams this offseason. We won't have a LLE until 2008 - that too if the Lakers are OVER the cap.

I am thinking along the lines that IF the bigs progress and Farmar comes along, then the Lakers should have enough that a few marginal moves could take them over the top.

Teams needing to get over the hump need veterans - and I looked at the spots I felt the Lakers could use vets the most.

LaFrentz would bring something different to the team at PF. A true Triangle PF, in the sense that he has a good jumpshot and a face up game. He can also block shots - something that the Lakers could use with Kwame next to him. LaFrentz anchors while Kwame focuses on shutting down an elite bigman. Raef a Vet? Yep.

Jones is the guy we start at PG if Farmar is not ready to play that many minutes and have Farmar/Parker back him up to push the ball. Jones also allows Kobe to defend the PG's and at the same time you can play lineups where your 1-3 are interchangable. Jones a Vet? Yep.

Finally, Brewer is an athletic SF that can really benefit in the 2nd unit with Farmar leading the break. I would like to see Jones start in large part to wanting Farmar leading the 2nd unit as the lead guard who dictates tempo. With a faster tempo you could play Evans and Brewer as your wings with Radmanovic and Bynum as your power players. I think that would be a formidable 2nd unit when Kobe and Odom sit.

lakersdynasty999 · Star Player Joined: 06 Sep 2005 Posts: 1893

try 06-07
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Lakers in '08.
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ACGreen'svcard · Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 1:40 am Post subject:

i think 07-08 is a lock for at the very least a western conference championship appearance. By that time it is very likely that andrew bynum will be starting at center. kwame at the 4. Lamar at the 3 and so on. Oh my goodness that is a scary frontline. Exciting times.
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Great One · Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 1:46 am Post subject:

he_is_the_one · Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 2:13 am Post subject:

activeverb · Retired Number Joined: 17 Jun 2006 Posts: 37470

It all depends on the development of the young guys. Some will probably pan out, some probably won't.

Personally, I wouldn't go after Jones. He's going to be 36 next year and will probably be retired by the time we are true contenders, which is still probably 2-3 years off.

golakersgo121 · Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 7:43 am Post subject:

Guys, pipes and excessive optimism have to be put aside when posting.

1. Next summer with players we have under contract the Lakers will be right around salary cap of $58MM-$59MM. Ronnie's deal is not guaranteed next year, but that's irrelevant as it is under $1MM. First rounder next year takes about $1MM cap space too. And, as somebody fairly stated already, Radman's salary has not been counted. So, barring any trades of significant salary, the only FA money we will have is MLE and vet min.
2. Raef LaFrentz has a PLAYER option next year as well as Billups. Thinking that they'll be happy to take vet min ($1.2MM) and MLE ($5.5MM projected) instead of $12MM and $7MM respectively is a stretch. Billups in particular is the best PG in the league today and will be looking for 5 years $50MM deal.
3. I really like Steady Eddie idea. I always liked him and still do. He might be my MLE choice (I doubt it that the Logo will let him walk though)

Tek9Designs · Star Player Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Posts: 1112

LawyerShawn · Star Player Joined: 22 Jun 2005 Posts: 1834

I did take into account Radmans contract. I assumed Lakers wouldn't pick up Cooks option. Assuming a draft pick we have about 8-10 mil.

I didn't know Turiaf had a 3rd year. hanks for the heads up wolf.

Eddie is certainly a great option. Reminds me of Harper. Both all stars. Both shooting guards playing point in the tri. Both great defenders in their day.

Nocioni and Pietrus are the most available player we could aquire. I agree with the need for an impact veteran however.

wolfpaclaker · Retired Number Joined: 29 May 2002 Posts: 58348

The reason I like Jones is just that. He is that Harper type player who knows how to defend and do some ballhandling. He would have lots of experience.

I would also like him to finish his career on a high note with the Lakers.

LawyerShawn · Star Player Joined: 22 Jun 2005 Posts: 1834

golakersgo121 · Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 6:42 pm Post subject:

LawyerShawn · Star Player Joined: 22 Jun 2005 Posts: 1834

golakersgo121 · Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 9:20 pm Post subject:

LawyerShawn · Star Player Joined: 22 Jun 2005 Posts: 1834