Smush After '07

kqiu2210 · Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 9:34 pm Post subject: Smush After '07

Since Smush is playing so well, it kinda makes me wonder what will happen to Smush in '07. Now lets SUPPOSE this, Smush continues to average 18-20ppg and 2.5+ steals, a couple of assists and boards. Smush wins MIP and in '06 Lakers picks up his TO. Now in '07, would you want to see the Lakers drop Smush and pick up another Star. Or see the Lakers keep Smush for maybe 5/6m a year, and pick up a solid decent bigman for around 6+m. What comes into my mind is that if the Lakers do well this season, it kinda feels like its all possible because of the gold we struck in Smush, so should we keep the player who gave us "life in the dark days"?

Note: Yao and Amare ARE gone, so there probably won't even be a star left?

purple8goldvanessa · Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 9:39 pm Post subject:

i think signing a big star name is a mistake. I think more important than star talent is chemistry. Even with gary payton and karl malone, we didn't do well at all. I rather have a guy come in and wants to play with kobe, and knows that kobe is the number 1 guy. Smush is just playing so unselfishly and playing well with kobe. You can just see them clicking on all levels on the court. Hopefully, we can leave cap room for smush to be resigned.

pokoy · Moderator Joined: 12 Apr 2001 Posts: 14545

If it were up to me, I'd resign Smush (if we're basing this on his performance so far). I doubt we'd be able to keep him though since all we'd have for him is the MLE and I doubt the upper ups are ready to max him out on that; and I also am assuming that there will be other teams eager to steal him away, especially if he keeps this up.

He's a young guy, so he'll go for the $$$$. Can't blame the guy.

kobenbynum · Star Player Joined: 29 Jun 2005 Posts: 1276

Smush all the way baby!

Mockerfab4 · Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 9:57 pm Post subject:

A solid big man is all we need. No more superstar egos! Our backcourt right now, is the best IMHO in the league. Our frontcourt needs some help though, so I'd settle for a solid veteran big man to teach Kwame a thing or 2 (or 3 or 4), pull down boards, defend the paint, do all the scrappy things on defense, while Kobe, Lamar and Smush do most of the work on the offensive end.

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venturalakersfan · Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 10:00 pm Post subject:

Why can't we sign Smush and a big time FA? The fact is, we could. Or better yet, trade Odom and change for Lebron in 2008, and still be able to sign a decent big for 6-10 mil.
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DiehardLakerFan · Starting Rotation Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 463

sign Smush and a star

purple8goldvanessa · Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 10:03 pm Post subject:

venturalakersfan · Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 10:07 pm Post subject:

pokoy · Moderator Joined: 12 Apr 2001 Posts: 14545

Texas_Pete · Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 10:37 pm Post subject:

^^But why would he not be in our long term plans

I can't think of a better fit at PG in the NBA right now than Smush. Sure there may be a few better PGs, but Smush seems to fit the triangle like a glove. Plus he is only 24. I say sign him to a 5-year $20-25 million deal. (after this year when he proves he can do it for 82+ games)

dontbreakmyballz · Starting Rotation Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 378

C'mon your talking about 2 to 3 years from now. Whatever happens is gonna happen. Don't stress about things you have no control over and instead enjoy the fact that the team you love is 3-1 and looking good.

NestT · Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 10:59 pm Post subject:

The press reports I have read said he has a two year contract with the first partially guaranteed.

In summer 07 he will be an unrestricted FA but Grant,George,Slava will be off the books so we will be under the cap.

If we assume a moderate 3% rise in the cap we should be able to sign Smush and a big time FA.

Hell, maybe we should consider signing him to an extension soon.

Maybe after the all-star break.

We don't want to be like the Rockets when they signed Cato or the Blazers when they signed Grant.

We want to be like the Queens when the signed Peja long term.

aiel · Star Player Joined: 16 May 2001 Posts: 1211

wknchan · Sixth Man Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Posts: 75

Pay smush the MAX.

msb212 · Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 11:42 pm Post subject:

I would give him the other half of the mle as a bonus if he continues to perform at this level...

kqiu2210 · Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 11:49 pm Post subject:

can someone explain why we could only offer smush the MLE? don't we have a TO on him next season? and in '07 we WILL have cap space