Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2016 6:14 am Post subject: Realistic Free Agency
Obviously it would be great to land either Harrison Barnes, Demarr DeRozan, Al Horford or a real pipe dream like Andre Drummond or Kevin Durrant...
But in reality I do believe the Lakers have a good, actually better than good shot at landing a top free agent and offering them the max. IMO our main point of focus should be to get back at the Heat from Nabbing Shaq years ago and go after their Big Man in the Middle Hassan Whiteside.
Whiteside is exactly what this team needs in a center, Young, Athletic can provide a post presence and play DEFENSE!!! He would fit in well with our young core, making us a better team instantly; maybe not a playoff caliber team, but a more competitive team next year!.
Chandler Parsons would also be a good fit for this Lakers team to round out either the starting five, or come in off of the bench to provide some scoring punch. I say off of the bench because I truly believe that Ben Simmons will be the Starting Small Forward for the Lakers next season and we will roll all out with our young guns.
Brandon Jennings should also be a target for the Lakers. He loves LA and the team, he's from Compton CA. He's not the player he was after the injury, but if we can keep Lou Will, he and Jennings off of the Bench would be a great second combo, to fill in for the young guns in Russell and Clarkson. Somewhat redundant, but it could work and would solidify our Guard rotation for a few years.
The objective for the Lakers should be to become better defensively and have a versatile rotation. Truth be told I like Brandon Bass and what he brings to our team on both ends of the floor not to mention a solid vet presence in the Locker room. It would be good to keep him next season to usher in his LSU family in Simmons... Bass can play that Dramond Green role for the Lakers in stints, he doesn't have the 3-ball like Dramond, but he's big and versatile enough to cover many positions and give Whiteside a breather!
A realistic look at the Lakers Next Season:
Russell + Clarkson + Simmons + Randle + Whiteside
Jennings + Williams + Parsons + Nance Jr. + Bass
Huertas + Brown + Black
Players out: Kelly + Sacre + Young + MWP + Hibbert
And put together a realistic team. I did not take into account the next Draft Pick as there is still a chance that it will be lost...
We already seemingly have PG (Russel) SG (Clarkson) and PF (Randle) covered, meaning besides more experienced BIGS off the bench, we need a starting "C" and "SF".
Whiteside would be a great fit, would rather have Drummond, but since he is restricted the best Mitch could do is offer a huge max. contract and hope Detroit doesn't match OR hope that Drummond only signs a one-year deal and becomes unrestricted in 2017.
As for a SF, I would not go for Parsons, I would target DeRozan if he opts out or Batum who is averaging: 14.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 5.5 apg.
Next are two other things you need to consider, first love Russel, but he is ONLY averaging 3.5 assists and that is too low for a true PG. So I would still consider signing Rondo, who is averaging a very respectable 11.9 ppg, 12.1 apg, 6.4 rpg.
If Clarkson stays he could slide up to SF or if he leaves, you could slide Russell over to SG, which is more of what he is anyway!
I am fine letting the following players move on: Kelly, Sacre, Young, MWP, Hibbert, Black & Huertas
And adding more veteran depth and all of these guys are making low amounts of money: C= Zaza Pachulia (9.8 ppg, 10.5 rpg), C = Festus Ezeli (7.5 ppg, 5.9 rpg), even either of the "Al's" would help Horford or Jeffereson.
The current Lakers are just too porous in the middle.
PG: Rondo, Russell
SG: Clarkson, Williams
SF: Batum, ??
PF: Randle, Bass, Nance +???
C: Whiteside, (Jefferson or Pachulia)
I would love to hear other people plans for next year... _________________ “Always remember... Rumors are carried by haters, spread by fools, and accepted by idiots.”
As for a SF, I would not go for Parsons, I would target DeRozan if he opts out or Batum who is averaging: 14.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 5.5 apg.
Next are two other things you need to consider, first love Russel, but he is ONLY averaging 3.5 assists and that is too low for a true PG. So I would still consider signing Rondo, who is averaging a very respectable 11.9 ppg, 12.1 apg, 6.4 rpg...
I think Parsons might make a better fit for us, because he can spread the floor well. As much as I'd like to have DeRozan, I just don't see Toronto letting him slip away, but anything is possible. I believe our targets will be "Unrestricted" free agents, those whom we have a better chance of luring because of our talent.
Rondo sounds great, but I somewhat disagree with the knock on Russell..Even though his assists number are low he's still the most viable option at that spot for the Lakers. Once we have a certifiable Front Court in Randle, Simmons (Fingers Crossed) and Whiteside (Hopeful), Russell and Clarkson will get more Assists. I wouldn't mind going after Rondo, but I truly think it's a waste because he seems to have found a home and chemistry with Cousins in SacTown.
I truly like the Batum Idea, he would be a great wing fit for us also, because he's more defensive minded!
I'm hoping the Lakers make a splash this off season both in the Draft and Free Agency. If the pick isn't Simmons IMO then I believe we should trade it for A young ALL STAR PLAYER! I don't like Ingram enough to take him at #2 or #3.
I figure that the Lakers must obtain talent and they'll have to pay a premium at whichever talent level they seek for it.
Either pick up a solid prospect for the Pure Three Man slot (Brown, Ingram, Simmons) in the lottery, or go for one of the three or four best small forwards available in the FA market this Summer. Barnes is essentially the third option at GSW and Batum the second option with CHO; what better quality are we thinking we could get at this point ?
I like Barnes for value, as well as for health, youth, balanced game, length, hops, and shooting efficiency. He doesn't demand the ball so I like him here during rebuilding more than DeRozan for what would certainly be much close to max money. Don't know if Barnes would actually sign here, so the risk assessment of the offer probably plays into it in ways I'm not measuring.
Batum is going to command 25m. Not sure the Lakers will want to fork that over for a 3rd/4th option.
Parsons is nice as he's a 21-22m max, but his back/knees worry me. Plus, Dallas has a good grip on him too.
So I guess in this "realistic" thread, say no KD/DRoz/Batum/Parsons, what next?
Yikes.
If Batum were added to this team he would be a 2nd option at worst.
Who is our 1st option? And if it's JC, I don't think that's enough to sniff the playoffs in the West. Not sure DLO is ready for the #1 option just yet. I think Batum is really a 3rd option sort of player optimally speaking. If the Lakers are cool with dropping 25m for that, then so be it. He's in my list of desired wings, but not at 25m. _________________ From 2-10 to the Western Conference Finals
Joined: 24 Dec 2007 Posts: 35853 Location: Santa Clarita, CA (Hell) ->>>>>Ithaca, NY -≥≥≥≥≥Berkeley, CA
Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2016 10:17 am Post subject:
I don't understand why Batum is going to get a max contract. He's basically Shane Battier. _________________ Damian Lillard shatters Dwight Coward's championship dreams:
Joined: 14 Apr 2001 Posts: 144468 Location: The Gold Coast
Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2016 12:23 pm Post subject:
yinoma2001 wrote:
venturalakersfan wrote:
yinoma2001 wrote:
Batum is going to command 25m. Not sure the Lakers will want to fork that over for a 3rd/4th option.
Parsons is nice as he's a 21-22m max, but his back/knees worry me. Plus, Dallas has a good grip on him too.
So I guess in this "realistic" thread, say no KD/DRoz/Batum/Parsons, what next?
Yikes.
If Batum were added to this team he would be a 2nd option at worst.
Who is our 1st option? And if it's JC, I don't think that's enough to sniff the playoffs in the West. Not sure DLO is ready for the #1 option just yet. I think Batum is really a 3rd option sort of player optimally speaking. If the Lakers are cool with dropping 25m for that, then so be it. He's in my list of desired wings, but not at 25m.
I would hope it would be DeRozan. _________________ RIP mom. 11-21-1933 to 6-14-2023.
I don't understand why Batum is going to get a max contract. He's basically Shane Battier.
I agree, I don't think he will get that big of a Max, but maybe something with multiple years to lock his $$ in long term...
I would like to see the Lakers focus on some Defensive minded Wing players, he could easily be one of them. I think he still has a few good years ahead of him, but I'm sure we've seen his best. Compliment will be the most impact for next season, the Young Guns are starting to Gel and it could bode really well for this Franchise next season if all of them stay especially Clarkson.
Joined: 14 Apr 2001 Posts: 144468 Location: The Gold Coast
Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2016 12:25 pm Post subject:
CandyCanes wrote:
I don't understand why Batum is going to get a max contract. He's basically Shane Battier.
All we need to understand is that there will be around 25 teams with at least one max slot and maybe 3-4 players who are legit max players. Those other 21-22 teams will have to spend those max slots, so guys who normally wouldn't be max players will be getting max contracts. _________________ RIP mom. 11-21-1933 to 6-14-2023.
I don't understand why Batum is going to get a max contract. He's basically Shane Battier.
He's a 27 year-old 3 and D wing that fits exactly with our team's needs. He's a swiss army knife that can score, pass, shoot some and defend. The Battier comparison isn't spot on because Nic is a better scorer and passer by far, but he fits the same role as a wing defender and "glue guy". The max contracts are being tossed about now because the salary cap went way up and the pay scale is skewed, but he's worth at least a 17m/year deal for sure. We'll have to overpay a few guys this summer because of who we are as a brand and the position we're in.
Joined: 29 Jan 2016 Posts: 963 Location: The Dark Side of the Moon
Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2016 9:47 pm Post subject:
Durant is obviously the dream scenario, but I highly doubt it happens.
That being said I want to get Whiteside at C and 1 of (in order) Barnes, Batum, Parsons at SF.
Assuming we keep top 3 pick, take Simmons/Ingram/Dunn/Brown.
#32 take GPII/Kay Felder
Resign Huertas 1 yr, QO Black, Take a chance 1 yr deal M. Beasley, Resign Sacre 1 yr (legit 7 foot practice body, good teammate)
Whiteside/Black/Sacre
Randle/Nance/Beasley
Simmons or Ingram/Barnes/Brown
Clarkson/Sweet Lou/Swaggy P
Russell/Huertas/Felder or GPII
Whether or not it's a playoff team, I don't know. It will depend on the development of our young guns. But they damn sure will be much more competiteve.
The Lakers currently have a good core with Russell, Randle and Clarkson, if you add Nance Jr. to that mix, that's a really good rotation, for next year!
I look at it like this, even with a Top 3 Draft pick we are at least 2 years away from seriously competing for a title. Are our core players enough to lure a Superstar free Agent? Probably so, but then the question becomes, Is our front office strong enough to lure a Superstar Player and that answer is more than likely NO!
With that being said, I believe we lack the tools to get a Player like Durant on this team. I think a second tier All Star player is possible like DeRozan, or Whiteside.
Often times we place our expectations too high and when we fall short it's devastating and takes a while for us to recover.
Hope for a top three Draft Spot, Simmons, Ingram should be the main targets anything after that is trade bait!
Build them into the core and hope for two solid NBA free agents and call it a day! To me that's realistic expectations!
Joined: 17 Jun 2003 Posts: 6287 Location: Central Coast
Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2016 10:21 pm Post subject:
I would keep Russell, Randle, and Clarkson as the core, Nance looks like a possible quality rotation player for the bench. We need starting SF and a C.
Realistic options I think are Derozan at SF. Plan B might have to be guys like Rudy Gay, Matt Barnes, or Simmons out of the draft.
Whiteside is intriguing as a C/big man but there are warning flags with Him, would we offer a big deal - even a max deal for Him? I don't know, seems pricey, but then a lot of guys who are not what I'd consider max players are going to get max deals.
For me, max deals should be for your basic 20 points and 10 (boards or assists) guys - guys who get serious consideration for all star weekend, trying out for the Olympic team, guys who win playoff games, that's a true max player. But with all this cash available, a lot of 15 point and "7" guys who are 3-7th best guys on the team are going to get some max deals.
Talk is the Bulls may let Gasol go - I know he wants another shot at a ring, could see Him in New York or Dallas - I wonder if he might be a plan B option for us if we strike out on Whiteside?
I would keep Russell, Randle, and Clarkson as the core, Nance looks like a possible quality rotation player for the bench. We need starting SF and a C.
Realistic options I think are Derozan at SF. Plan B might have to be guys like Rudy Gay, Matt Barnes, or Simmons out of the draft.
Whiteside is intriguing as a C/big man but there are warning flags with Him, would we offer a big deal - even a max deal for Him? I don't know, seems pricey, but then a lot of guys who are not what I'd consider max players are going to get max deals.
For me, max deals should be for your basic 20 points and 10 (boards or assists) guys - guys who get serious consideration for all star weekend, trying out for the Olympic team, guys who win playoff games, that's a true max player. But with all this cash available, a lot of 15 point and "7" guys who are 3-7th best guys on the team are going to get some max deals.
Talk is the Bulls may let Gasol go - I know he wants another shot at a ring, could see Him in New York or Dallas - I wonder if he might be a plan B option for us if we strike out on Whiteside?
I had read that Pau has a player option, so it would be him choosing to leave rather than the Bulls letting him go.
3rd year in the NBA, with averages of 14.1ppg, 11.8 rpg with FG% of 61.4%.
He is averaging 29.1 minutes.
My concerns are the minutes and the fact that he comes in off the bench.
Lakers have a lot of money and no takers, I have no problem offering near-max money, assuming Durant and James are not interested!
He is young and could grow with the other core players.. _________________ “Always remember... Rumors are carried by haters, spread by fools, and accepted by idiots.”
No doubt Luke will follow the Warrior model and look for versatile players that can do a bunch of things like iguodala, Livingston, Speights....so while everyone is looking at KD, Derozan and Whiteside I'll be hoping we pick up Joakim Noah, Evan Turner and Ryan Anderson
Posted: Sat May 14, 2016 7:57 am Post subject: Free Agents That Would Help Us
These are the free agents that could really help us next year. I listed them in order of preference.
SF: Kevin Durant, OKC
SF: Evan Fournier, Orlando
SF: Nicolas Batum, Charlotte
SF: Harrison Barnes, GS
SF: Chandler Parsons, Dallas
SF: Evan Turner, Boston
C: Andre Drummond, Detroit
C: Hassan Whiteside, Miami
C: Festus Ezeli, GS
C: Joakim Noah, Chicago
If we can get Durant and Whiteside, I would be ecstatic. I would be really happy with Ezeli and Fournier.
Get any of these 2 free agents plus sign Derozan and draft Ingram, would be a perfect summer. It will have me waiting for next season to start!
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
