Aaron McKie vs. Derek Anderson

sodapoppenski · Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2005 9:34 pm Post subject: Aaron McKie vs. Derek Anderson

Well, the L.A. Times online just reported that we're now talking with Aaron McKie, and cited the prodding of Phil Jackson as reasoning behind the new direction. The implication in the article mentions that we're still in negotiations with Derek Anderson as well, but I'm curious about what everyone thinks between the two of them.

Personally, I'm not drastically in favor of one over the other, but probably slightly prefer DA. McKie from three years ago would be a great addition... at this stage in his career I'd love him as a backup, but am not so sure I want him in the starting rotation.

Theoretically, with Aaron McKie rumored to have been on the brink of signing with New Jersey for just the vet minimum, we could sign both DA and McKie to start one and add depth with the other - but to me, we should choose between one or the other and if we add two guards, at least one of them should be 28ish or younger. Why bring a 31 and 32 year old guard aboard, teach them both the triangle, and then drop them right when our plan to contend comes into fruition?

Any thoughts?

Soda

Startrout · Star Player Joined: 06 Aug 2004 Posts: 2144

I'm not excited about any of our rumored pg possibilities. They are all just filler for the next year or two. Rose would be my first choice of the recently mentioned players. But to me trading for Jalen is very unlikely. Also, we can't give up all our backup big's to get him, unless we are sure we can get a productive FA replacement or two (not looking good).

DA scares me a lot because when he goes out with an injury (and he will, even if just for a few games) we are left with starting Smush or Sasha. Smush is a decent defender and ball handler, but not a good leader, passer or scoring threat on offense. So I guess that would be my argument to try and get both DA and McKie. Then we always have one experienced starting quality pg available (in theory) and still have Smush to come in to play D if they are getting killed by the other teams pg's.

I chose DA over Mckie because he's quicker and a bigger offensive threat overall. DA would keep the other team honest and open up the lanes more for our other players. Bottom-line is our PG situation is not going to be good next season (barring something unexpected happening). I expect to see some unusual lineups for the Lakers next season to try and compensate.

sodapoppenski · Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2005 10:46 pm Post subject:

With you on Rose. Before the market got set and slanted towards some overpayment, I thought we might have a shot at Jaric or Daniels, but once the ball got rolling on this year's "players" market those both (in retrospect) weren't very realistic if we're only gonna offer 2 year contracts.

I would have liked Rose over DA or McKie for sure, but I can't even say I'd want to trade for Rose. I'd be willing to make trades to fill the PG spot, but if we do so I don't want a guy as old as Rose, DA, McKie, Payton, etc. We can get a filler type (which Rose is also in my mind) via free agency. If we're gonna trade for anyone, it should be someone who at least might fit into the long-term picture.

Soda

davidse · Franchise Player Joined: 03 Jul 2005 Posts: 14302

watching mckie last season - it just doesn't seem he has anything left.
MAYBE as some type of swing man, but NO WAY can he play point guard anymore - especially on the defensive end.
this better be a leverage move against d.a., or we're in trouble.

Startrout · Star Player Joined: 06 Aug 2004 Posts: 2144

Yeah, I agree with all of that. I was expecting us to trade for a PF or C and not a PG anyways. I thought the Bender deal might go through or maybe something we haven't really talked about much. But, now a I'm starting to think we may not pull off much trade-wise (maybe a small deal).

It would have been nice to get a younger player like Jaric or Duhon, but I agree Jaric was probably fantasy. So DA and/or Mckie make sense for the next year or two. We could do worse, they both have some good qualities that should be able to help us. I hope they can stay healthy and are willing to give us their full effort.

If we can get DA and/or Mckie, plus sign/trade for an enforcer/rebounder/defender PF/C to come off the bench, then we'll be OK. I was hoping for more (and something could still happen), but we almost always hope for bigger deals than what actually comes to fruition.

sodapoppenski · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2005 2:31 am Post subject:

Payton may end up back on the radar for us shortly here as well. RealGM just referenced a report from the Arizona Republic that the Suns have lost interest in GP and are now focusing in what likely would be a trade for James Jones from the Pacers.

If that's the case, the only other teams I've heard were in legit discussions about Payton were the Lakers and Heat. The Heat now are trying to entice Finley and even otherwise may be more interested in bringing back Damon Jones before Payton (plus they've picked up J-Will since the original Payton discussions).

Not gonna say Payton has been even on my short list ever since we picked up Kwame and put our PG-tank on "E," but then again neither were DA or McKie.

Payton vs. DA vs. McKie? Hmmm....

Soda

nextphenom23 · Star Player Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 1284 Location: VA

I would take a veteran PG because Mitch seems so focused on the '07 cap space. We lost out on Jaric, Daniels, and other free agents because we wouldnt give them the years. It looks like DA is close to inking with the Rockets because he probably feels like they can win a championship before us which is probably true because they have been very active in the market. They got a steal with Swift signing for the MLE which I feel like if Mitch could've played his cards right we could've had him and Kwame in the same frontcourt. Every playoff team is getting better except Memphis and Dallas. The T'Wolves look like a playoff team right now and if the Jazz can stay healthy they could very well be one to. But I havent seen much of Mckie since the finals with the Lakers so I dont know how much he has been on the decline. So I still want DA if we had to choose.
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jbiggs · Sixth Man Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 69

heres the article incase some people havent seen it yet

http://www.latimes.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/la-sp-lakers18aug18,1,893679.story?coll=la-headlines-sports-nba-lakers

lakerulz023 · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2005 11:25 am Post subject:

I'd take Anderson over McKie... Anderson has more talent and is more mobile. It looks as if McKie is gonna retire. Dang he looks old!

angel · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2005 2:28 pm Post subject:

If the Nets can only offer veteran minimum, the Lakers can do better by going with the LLE. I don't think it's an either or situation. I think they can potentially get both.
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kups · Star Player Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Posts: 1716

D. Anderson

angel · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2005 4:40 pm Post subject:

Perhaps, McKie's agent is looking for $2M. In that case, the Lakers may have tried to get Anderson to split the MLE to allow the Lakers to acquire both. Based on the physical, they might not be willing to risk the entire MLE.
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sodapoppenski · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2005 6:15 pm Post subject:

Oh no doubt about that in my mind. They won't spend the full MLE on DA or McKie. I think those of you saying they might even try for both could be right, but I hope you're not. As I've said before, if we pick up two guards I don't want them both to be 31+ years old. I'd like at least one guard who's, say, 28 or younger, and can be a longer term piece once things together for us in a couple of years (that way whomever that younger of the two guards is can stay on board and will already know the triangle).

Soda

angel · Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2005 7:37 pm Post subject:

It seems they did the same sort of thing last time Phil came onboard. He signed Ron Harper and Brian Shaw. Both guys seemed over-the-hill. On the brighter side, it was effective the last time Phil did this. Parker, Sasha and Wafer are all signed. These are the younger guards. Of course there is also Kobe.
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jeremysnow · Star Player Joined: 27 Jun 2002 Posts: 7079

AIRZOOMKOBE2k5 · Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2005 12:54 am Post subject:

aaron mckie cuz phil prefers him

utcahoop · Starting Rotation Joined: 04 May 2005 Posts: 263

Get them both. Between the two of them we might get 82 games. Actually I would rather have McKie and Watson.

angel · Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2005 7:11 am Post subject:

I would think the prospect of playing for the Lakers for more money has to be a good alternative.
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sodapoppenski · Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2005 8:23 am Post subject:

jbiggs · Sixth Man Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 69

DA is supposed to make his decision this monday. Its basically us vs the rockets.

lakers_less_340+ · Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2005 12:26 pm Post subject:

McKie is a SG, not a PG, which goes with the Lakers/Phils plan to use Odom as a point forward, Kobe on the wing and the fillers, as some of you refer to, on the current roster to fill the PG position. If DA wants to play the waiting game, fine, let him. It'll be his loss not ours. DA is listed as a SG as well, so all indicators concerning the lakers wish list reinforce the fact that the Triangle offense does not require a legit PG.

Lamar, Kobe and whatever PG is on the floor will share the duty of bringing the ball up court and most likely with Lamar doing the bulk of it.
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scoobs · Star Player Joined: 19 Aug 2005 Posts: 4746

I could very well see the Lakers splitting the exception on McKie and Payton. Payton would have to except a Ron Harper type role as a defensive specialist and handle the ball very little. McKie would fill the Brian Shaw role as perimeter shooter off the bench. Smush Parker would fill the Tyronn Lue role as defensive stopper against quick point guards.

RoughneckPS3 · Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2005 2:04 pm Post subject:

angel · Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2005 4:04 pm Post subject:

Why panic? We know DA is about the money. If the Lakers offerred him $2.5M, we know the Rockets can only offer him the LLE, which is around $1.8M.

McKie can be offerred $1.8M, which compares very favorably with the $1.1M the Nets can offer.

If the Lakers have high bid, the ball is in some other team's court. If neither want to play for the Lakers for more money, it's better not to have them on the team. I don't want any players on the team, who don't want to be on the team.
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silverhair · Sixth Man Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Posts: 44

Well said...!