Harrison Barnes or DeRozan?

[lakurluv]

I think it's obvious that you Max Out Barnes, because it would probably be significantly cheaper, but other than that, I would rather the Lakers Target both of these Players in Free Agency!

They are both transparent at the wing positions with Barnes being the better defender. Both are athletes and could cause match-up problems in the back court with their length. They are both capable of scoring/putting the ball in the basket.

My thought is that if Durant is no longer a viable option come free agency, we should look to Max both of these players and pickup a Center for the future in the Draft with my pick being Simmons... This young lineup for the future would be very intriguing, giving Barnes the opportunity to really shine in the starting lineup and putting DeRozan back at home in a comfortable environment...

Russell
DeRozan
Barnes
Randle
Simmons
Clarkson becomes the 6th man off the bench he and Russel are interchangeable.

[Dr. Funkbot]

Barnes any day. He is only 23 and actually fills a position of need on the team. Plus he is a good shooter unlike D-Roz and he is cheaper.
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[fiendishoc]

I ignored the RFA aspect of the Poll and voted Barnes simply because he's the more versatile defender. Deroz may be the more dynamic offensive player but if the team doesn't get to a certain level defensively, there's a limit to how improved the offense will be with their reduced early offense opportunities. The net benefit considering both ends would likely be greatly reduced. Plus, having a finisher who hits threes at a high rate isn't the worse thing in the world to have on offense either.

But of course RFA is huge part of the actual decision between the two.

[JM]

Neither can shoot. Pass on these overpriced guys.

[oldschool32]

[venturalakersfan]

[lakurluv]

I'll say this as the playoffs progress, I'm liking Barnes a lot more than DeRozan, I would still take both if I could and KD wasn't an option, but DeRozan is lacking a specific quality that makes me shy away from him as a player... He doesn't have a "Killer" instinct on the floor, for someone who's suppose to be an offensive weapon. Barnes doesn't either, but he's a better defender IMO.

[lakerfanaticPT]

Barnes.....younger, defends, and knows Luke's system. Pretty easy decision.

[fansincemagic]

I think it revolves around your opinion of how Luke would use DeRozan. The guy is a legit scorer, but I have reservations about how it affects the young guys. Since they're putting a lot of faith in Luke, they should give him who he wants. On one hand you get an instant 20ppg+ scorer on the other you get a really good young great role player he knows well. Luke would also have insight on Harrison's potential to serve a bigger role. The timing of UFA's vs RFA's could be important as well but for all we know, DeRozan may take extra time to entertain multiple offers anyway. I don't think it's as easy of a decision as many think it is.

[gng930]

They don't have to be mutually exclusive, especially since they don't even play the same position and Barnes is a RFA. RFA pursuits in the past have always come later, which makes sense since any offer sheets don't become official until after the moratorium. Why would a team chase an RFA from Day 1 and tie up their cap space for the moratorium period and an extra 3 days?

Pursue KD, DD, and Biyombo first.

If KD declines, then extend the max to Barnes.
If DD declines, extend an offer to Fournier or Bazemore
If Biyombo declines, make the same offer to Ezeli.
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[GonzagaAlum]

Both... Sign both isn't bad either.

Then trade Lou, Nick Young, #32 for a center and also sign a center with any remaining cash.

You'd have

DLO/Clarkson
DD/Clarkson
Barnes/Ingram
Randle/Nance
Traded Center/Black

solid 2 deep.

Ingram gets time to develop.

That being said if only one... especially with Ingram coming... DD. No doubt.
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I would be willing to pay you for it.

[ocho]

Would be thrilled to have either but I would prefer DeRozan. I see Barnes disappear from a lot of big games.
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14-5-3-12

[999]

DerOzan is not gonna leave if they beat the cavs

[lakurluv]

I honestly believe KD will totally be off the table especially if OKC wins a title, we can forget it!

Barnes probably has the most upside, because he's a few years younger and if he could obtain the mid-range game that DeRozan Has, he's definitely the player to go after.

DeRozan is already locked into who he is as a player, I doubt that he grows more into that 3-point shot. You have to have a desire to be that type of specialists.

I would actually go after both!

[GonzagaAlum]

[etmo]

Sigh. Probably Barnes.

Dont really want both -- we need someone like Whiteside more than another little dude, so gotta save room for that. Also, with Clarkson / Ingram / DLo / Derozan / Barnes, it's too many little dudes for too few spots on the floor, and that's not even factoring in Nick Young & Lou Williams. Having said that, we need pieces, so we take both if we can get them, but we'd be trading some pieces away afterwards. That trade market is too uncertain for me to be excited about it.

Barnes has a 3, which will probably be more important to Luke's system.

Taking Barnes makes GS weaker, and we want to weaken the teams above us in our conference.

I honestly don't like either player, and I don't even like Whiteside, but I'm trying to keep in mind the Lakers are the beggars that cannot be choosers.

[JamaalWilkes]

DD by far.

Harrison Barnes blows goats.

He disappeared in playoffs.

[unleasHell]