Steve Francis Available? Good fit for the Lakers?

twoface723 · Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 5:38 pm Post subject:

I really don't care who we trade for; just make a trade.

Vlade · Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 5:48 pm Post subject:

I have to admit, the idea of trading for Francis is intriguing. It seems some team will get him cheap, so why not us, right?

Well first off, there is the question of his "fit" on this team... he is renowned for selfish play, but does have great skill. Is that something Phil could work with? Is that any more difficult than coaching a guy like Odom, who has talent but is UN-selfish, to a fault?

Even if we tried to get Francis, we would have to consider whether we'd try to get him for expiring contracts and perhaps a modicum of talent (Cook, Kwame) and a pick, OR for Odom. OPTION 1: If we go for the former, then, as some have already pointed out, goodbye 2007 plan. So what we have to ask ourselves is this: is Francis a better player than we can hope to get in free agency? If the answer is yes, then you do the trade. If no, then perhaps you still consider...

OPTION 2: we trade Odom... ideally we'd get not only FRancis in this deal, but hopefully Turkoglu as well (or possibly a larger deal bringing us Hill). Hill might be the preferred choice here, since he fits within the 2007 cap plan, but I am not sure we could muster the contracts to trade foir both w/o giving up too much.

Bottom Line: this is a tough call. It is an option that we must explore, but we shouldn't be upset if Mitch & co. decide to tay out of the Francis sweepstakes.
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TEEGUNN · Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 6:14 pm Post subject:

Francis has become more of a team player of late. It seems his ego has been taken down a notch or two, and I could see him taking up a supporting role next to Kobe (yes, really). If his contract wasn't so atrocious I would say give it a shot. Of course, if his contract was more cap-friendly then lots of teams would be willing to give him a shot. I can't see a scenario where Buss/Mitch decides to take on Francis and his horrible K... unless they get Howard back too. We know that isn't happening. But just for fun:

Various Lakers junk plus Bynum

for

Francis and Howard

DOO IT MITCH!!!
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lakeshow03 · Star Player Joined: 19 Jul 2005 Posts: 3078

Walter Sobchak · Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 6:27 pm Post subject:

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

I know that it might not work out...but...What if it did? Francis Kobe and Lamar. Showtime could be back in LA!

And lots of people say why would orlando do this?

Well, why did Toronto trade VC to Nj. for nothing?

why did the nugs give up nothing for kmart?

these trades happen all the time...its jus life in the nba. only other offers out there i know of is nene and watson...and why would they want watson for 5 mil and nene who will prolly resign with someone else next yr when they could get kwame at half of francis salary down there or george slava exp. contracts
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Krispy Kreme · Franchise Player Joined: 30 Mar 2003 Posts: 12252

francis:

-plays no d
-needs the ball to be effective(ala LO and he cant play well with Kobe half the time)
-is a headcase
-turnover prone
-not a team player

=NO!

Magic'sSon · Starting Rotation Joined: 09 Oct 2005 Posts: 817

twoface723 · Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 7:23 pm Post subject:

If we don't have to give up Kobe or Lamar, why not trade for him?

thumpinghead · Star Player Joined: 17 Nov 2005 Posts: 5657

Walter Sobchak · Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 7:26 pm Post subject:

Magic'sSon · Starting Rotation Joined: 09 Oct 2005 Posts: 817

Sage_10 · Star Player Joined: 24 Dec 2005 Posts: 6668

I can't see this guy working effectively alongside Kobe. I just don't see it.

Magic'sSon · Starting Rotation Joined: 09 Oct 2005 Posts: 817

Smel Counts · Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 8:25 pm Post subject:

All depends on which Francis we get. Is it 1)the low BB IQ selfish chucker who needs the ball all the time, or 2)this new Nash wannabe who figured the game out after hanging w/ John 'yoda' Lucas.
If he really is willing to play a team game then by all means grab him, but if he truly has been 'enlightened' then Orlando would be stupid to get rid of him.
Personally, I take Francis and Garrity for Odom, Slava, and McKie at this point and keep the '07 plan in tact. He has a huge potential upside that we know Odom doesn't and worse case scenario, we've got another Odom but just in a different position.
Cato and Battie are both FAs after this year and do us no good. Because of this they may very well want Kwame and George for Francis, which is fine by me. If it's not working out we can trade Odom next year for an expiring contract and be right back on track w/ the '07 plan.

Magic'sSon · Starting Rotation Joined: 09 Oct 2005 Posts: 817

^^^^I like your thinking Smel.

LOL at John "Yoda" Lucas comment

Damn I wish we could get a healthy Grant Hill!!

Kobina returns · Starting Rotation Joined: 04 Mar 2005 Posts: 701

Screw the 2007 plan or whatever plan there is. If we can get somehow get Francis by a miracle without trading our core younsters, he could help us be a contender. Kobe's prime wouldnt be wasted as we have a chance to contend this year! If only miracles happen.
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jmac78 · Starting Rotation Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 690

Francis is basically Smush Parker x 10. This man is more athletic, quicker, has a jumper, and can dunk with AUTHORITAY. I'd say he defends just about as good as Smush, if not better.

If we kept Odom, which would be preferred, Francis wouldn't play point anyway. He'd be the 2-guard. Spot up for open jumpers, or he could fake the jumper (no one else on this team pump fakes, but Kobe), and take it to the rim.

Francis is a significant talent upgrade to any of our guards not named Kobe. If all it costs is Kwame and George, and maybe a pick, I'd do it.

This however forces us to forego the 2007 plan, unless we trade both Franics and Odom for maybe...... KG!

Smel Counts · Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 9:06 pm Post subject:

KG ain't going anywhere. They just won in Phoenix. Banks was on fire again.
Francis didn't do crap tonight in a bad loss to Washington.
We can always trade Odom for expiring contracts to get back under the cap.

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

daniel80111 · Starting Rotation Joined: 15 Mar 2005 Posts: 281

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

daniel80111 · Starting Rotation Joined: 15 Mar 2005 Posts: 281

Smel Counts · Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 10:43 pm Post subject: