News 'n Views - June 2016: Lakers prepared for another summer of rejection
Goto page Previous  1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
 
This forum is locked: you cannot post, reply to, or edit topics.    LakersGround.net Forum Index -> Lakers In the News This topic is locked: you cannot edit posts or make replies.
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
lakersfreak
Franchise Player
Franchise Player


Joined: 11 Apr 2001
Posts: 12389
Location: Riverside Rescue

PostPosted: Thu Jun 30, 2016 6:13 am    Post subject:

Lakers prepared for another summer of rejection
by Baxter Holmes - espn.go.com

Maybe this summer will be different. Maybe this is the one that breaks the spell of the past three and sends superstar free agents stampeding back to Los Angeles for more than just an offseason vacation in Rhode Island-sized Brentwood mansions. Maybe now, finally, NBA A-listers will sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, revitalize the league's glamour franchise and carry it to a slew of champagne-soaked Junes.

Or, as Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said recently, "It might not be different." With those five words, Kupchak doused expectations of Lakers fans, preparing them instead for a fourth straight summer of rejection, another offseason of nope.

Sure enough, the latest free agency bonanza, which kicks off at 12:01 a.m. ET Friday, figures to unfold much like the trio that preceded it: with the Lakers striking out on all their top targets, the biggest fish whom the Lakers once always seemed able to reel in.

But that was before the team hit the darkest stretch in its otherwise rich history, missing the playoffs for three straight seasons (a franchise-long drought); and posting a franchise-record for losses in three straight campaigns (winning only 17 games in 2015-16). Along the way, they were turned down by LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and DeAndre Jordan, and All-Star big men Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard each walked away in free agency to accept less money from other teams.

As if the script hasn't been flipped enough, one year after losing Greg Monroe and LaMarcus Aldridge to small markets (Milwaukee and San Antonio, respectively), the Lakers couldn't even get an audience with Kevin Durant, sources told ESPN's Chris Broussard. Meanwhile, Durant has secured sit-downs with other teams, including two of the Lakers' rivals: the Clippers and Boston Celtics.

With a projected $60 million to spend thanks to the skyrocketing salary cap, the Lakers can afford two max-level players (compared to only one last summer) and still have several impact players in their sights, including Hassan Whiteside, Al Horford, Nicolas Batum, Harrison Barnes and Ryan Anderson, sources tell Broussard.

Even then, none of those players would instantly lift the rebuilding Lakers from the Western Conference cellar. Overall, positives are hard to find, but there is one element of free agency that, at the very least, will be different for the Lakers this season –- their pitch.

Continued....
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
lakersfreak
Franchise Player
Franchise Player


Joined: 11 Apr 2001
Posts: 12389
Location: Riverside Rescue

PostPosted: Thu Jun 30, 2016 6:14 am    Post subject:

Who will the Lakers target and how will they fare in free agency?

by Mark Medina - ocregister.com

The length of the Lakers’ offseason shopping list seems extensive. Fortunately for a legacy franchise that has fallen on hard times, they have plenty of money to go on a spending spree.

Once free agency begins on Thursday at 9:01 p.m. PDT, however, the Lakers could soon realize that their more than $60 million in purchasing power does not ensure maximum leverage.

Their top priority seems obvious. Like most teams in the league, the Lakers would love to land Kevin Durant, the seven-time NBA All-Star who would immediately represent the franchise’s next superstar following Kobe Bryant’s retirement after a storied 20-year career.

Yet, the Lakers are not expected to secure a meeting with Durant. Even if the Lakers do convince Durant to let them join a group of suitors that reportedly also includes the Clippers, Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat, the sentiment around the league suggests he will sign a one-year deal (or two-year deal with a player option) to remain with Oklahoma City.

That way, Durant can accomplish three things.

He can see if the Thunder can progress more under second-year coach Billy Donovan after coughing up a 3-1 lead to the Warriors in the Western Conference finals. Having then established himself as a 10-year NBA veteran, Durant becomes eligible for a 35 percent pay increase in a maximum deal as opposed to 30 percent (a difference of nearly $85 million over the course of a contract). And Durant can align his pending free agency with Thunder guard and former UCLA star Russell Westbrook, who becomes an unrestricted free agent next summer when the league-wide salary cap gets another significant bump from this year’s projected $94 million to approximately $108 million.

That dynamic is likely to force the Lakers to execute a fall-back plan that appears more unpredictable.

League sentiment is just as skeptical that the Lakers can land Toronto Raptors shooting guard DeMar DeRozan, a former USC standout. Though the former Compton High star often visits his hometown, DeRozan is expected to stay with the Raptors after they advanced to the Eastern Conference finals.

That leaves the Lakers likely targeting Miami’s Hassan Whiteside and Atlanta’s Al Horford to upgrade their frontcourt. Whiteside would be the most appropriate answer to fill the Lakers’ starting center spot after averaging 14.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and 3.7 blocked shots last season. Meanwhile, Horford averaged 15.2 points on 50.5 percent shooting, though he plays at the power forward spot. Either option would be a significant upgrade from Roy Hibbert, who is not expected to be retained after averaging a career low in points (5.9) and anchoring a defense that ranked 27th in points allowed (106.8).

Continued....
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
lakersfreak
Franchise Player
Franchise Player


Joined: 11 Apr 2001
Posts: 12389
Location: Riverside Rescue

PostPosted: Thu Jun 30, 2016 6:16 am    Post subject:

The Lakers would be fortunate to sign Nicolas Batum
by lakersoutsiders.com

The Los Angeles Lakers were lacking in the wing position last season. They were able to draft Duke’s Brandon Ingram and are now being linked to Nicolas Batum. Batum is entering his ninth year in the league and is a veteran who can improve every aspect of the Lakers.

Nicolas Batum was a valuable part of the Hornets’ rotation. Averaging 14.9 points, 5.8 assists and 6.2 rebounds per game, Batum was also one of four forwards in the NBA to average at least 14 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists in 2015-16.

His all-around ability is solid but his ability to pass is elite for any forward. Out of all forwards, Batum finds himself in the top five in many passing statistics such as assists, secondary assists, free throw assists and potential assists.

His ability to split defenders with the bounce pass off of the pick and roll is extremely strong and Batum is capable of dumping off to the big-man. Batum has also showed proficiency with being able to think and react quickly off of dribble handoffs. This should work well with Larry Nance, Jr. and rookie Ivica Zubac, both bigs who are able to handle passes in most situations, specifically the pick and roll.

Batum is also just a smart basketball player. He is quick to react and can generally read defenders well enough to make the right pass, even if it’s only to make an extra pass. 11.8 percent of his passes end up being assists.

Continued....
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
lakersfreak
Franchise Player
Franchise Player


Joined: 11 Apr 2001
Posts: 12389
Location: Riverside Rescue

PostPosted: Thu Jun 30, 2016 6:16 am    Post subject:

Who should the Lakers avoid signing in free agency?
by silverscreenandroll.com

Los Angeles has a lot of rumored targets, but who should they stay away from?

The Los Angeles Lakers have been linked to essentially every major free agent on the market at this point. The team may not be getting a meeting with Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant, but it looks like they will at least get to pitch just about anyone else they want.

But what kind of players should the Lakers be targeting exactly? Right now the team appears well equipped for a more methodical rebuild, so do they really need to try and go for quick fixes in free agency?

Even if the answer is yes, the Lakers can't sign all of these players, even in a world where they all wanted to sign in Los Angeles. So who should the team stay away from? Our staff of writers attempted to answer these questions in our latest roundtable:

Continued....
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
lakersfreak
Franchise Player
Franchise Player


Joined: 11 Apr 2001
Posts: 12389
Location: Riverside Rescue

PostPosted: Thu Jun 30, 2016 6:17 am    Post subject:

Rookie Outlook: Ingram and Zubac's Top Performances (videos)
by Joey Ramirez - nba.com

In his one year at Duke, Brandon Ingram displayed enough promise to convince the Lakers to use the No. 2 pick of the 2016 NBA Draft on him. The ACC Rookie of the Year put on quite a few eye-popping performances, including 14 games of 20-plus points and eight double-doubles.

The best of Ingram’s best extend beyond the box score, as he showed up in big moments such as late-game situations and in replacement for an injured teammate.

Continued....
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
K28
Franchise Player
Franchise Player


Joined: 29 Nov 2012
Posts: 10038

PostPosted: Thu Jun 30, 2016 8:10 am    Post subject:

lakersfreak wrote:
Lakers prepared for another summer of rejection
by Baxter Holmes - espn.go.com

Maybe this summer will be different. Maybe this is the one that breaks the spell of the past three and sends superstar free agents stampeding back to Los Angeles for more than just an offseason vacation in Rhode Island-sized Brentwood mansions. Maybe now, finally, NBA A-listers will sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, revitalize the league's glamour franchise and carry it to a slew of champagne-soaked Junes.

Or, as Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said recently, "It might not be different." With those five words, Kupchak doused expectations of Lakers fans, preparing them instead for a fourth straight summer of rejection, another offseason of nope.

Sure enough, the latest free agency bonanza, which kicks off at 12:01 a.m. ET Friday, figures to unfold much like the trio that preceded it: with the Lakers striking out on all their top targets, the biggest fish whom the Lakers once always seemed able to reel in.

But that was before the team hit the darkest stretch in its otherwise rich history, missing the playoffs for three straight seasons (a franchise-long drought); and posting a franchise-record for losses in three straight campaigns (winning only 17 games in 2015-16). Along the way, they were turned down by LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and DeAndre Jordan, and All-Star big men Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard each walked away in free agency to accept less money from other teams.

As if the script hasn't been flipped enough, one year after losing Greg Monroe and LaMarcus Aldridge to small markets (Milwaukee and San Antonio, respectively), the Lakers couldn't even get an audience with Kevin Durant, sources told ESPN's Chris Broussard. Meanwhile, Durant has secured sit-downs with other teams, including two of the Lakers' rivals: the Clippers and Boston Celtics.

With a projected $60 million to spend thanks to the skyrocketing salary cap, the Lakers can afford two max-level players (compared to only one last summer) and still have several impact players in their sights, including Hassan Whiteside, Al Horford, Nicolas Batum, Harrison Barnes and Ryan Anderson, sources tell Broussard.

Even then, none of those players would instantly lift the rebuilding Lakers from the Western Conference cellar. Overall, positives are hard to find, but there is one element of free agency that, at the very least, will be different for the Lakers this season –- their pitch.

Continued....


Shaq is the one major free agent acquisition that the Lakers have ever had. Basically every other Laker great has been drafted by the team or acquired via trade. So superstars have never really "stampeded" to LA as Baxter here claims.

Just something to keep in mind.

We can still land quality role players in free agency, and let our young core develop into stars with their help.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
ReaListik
Star Player
Star Player


Joined: 08 Jun 2008
Posts: 6542

PostPosted: Thu Jun 30, 2016 11:02 am    Post subject:

K28 wrote:
lakersfreak wrote:
Lakers prepared for another summer of rejection
by Baxter Holmes - espn.go.com

Maybe this summer will be different. Maybe this is the one that breaks the spell of the past three and sends superstar free agents stampeding back to Los Angeles for more than just an offseason vacation in Rhode Island-sized Brentwood mansions. Maybe now, finally, NBA A-listers will sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, revitalize the league's glamour franchise and carry it to a slew of champagne-soaked Junes.

Or, as Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said recently, "It might not be different." With those five words, Kupchak doused expectations of Lakers fans, preparing them instead for a fourth straight summer of rejection, another offseason of nope.

Sure enough, the latest free agency bonanza, which kicks off at 12:01 a.m. ET Friday, figures to unfold much like the trio that preceded it: with the Lakers striking out on all their top targets, the biggest fish whom the Lakers once always seemed able to reel in.

But that was before the team hit the darkest stretch in its otherwise rich history, missing the playoffs for three straight seasons (a franchise-long drought); and posting a franchise-record for losses in three straight campaigns (winning only 17 games in 2015-16). Along the way, they were turned down by LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and DeAndre Jordan, and All-Star big men Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard each walked away in free agency to accept less money from other teams.

As if the script hasn't been flipped enough, one year after losing Greg Monroe and LaMarcus Aldridge to small markets (Milwaukee and San Antonio, respectively), the Lakers couldn't even get an audience with Kevin Durant, sources told ESPN's Chris Broussard. Meanwhile, Durant has secured sit-downs with other teams, including two of the Lakers' rivals: the Clippers and Boston Celtics.

With a projected $60 million to spend thanks to the skyrocketing salary cap, the Lakers can afford two max-level players (compared to only one last summer) and still have several impact players in their sights, including Hassan Whiteside, Al Horford, Nicolas Batum, Harrison Barnes and Ryan Anderson, sources tell Broussard.

Even then, none of those players would instantly lift the rebuilding Lakers from the Western Conference cellar. Overall, positives are hard to find, but there is one element of free agency that, at the very least, will be different for the Lakers this season –- their pitch.

Continued....


Shaq is the one major free agent acquisition that the Lakers have ever had. Basically every other Laker great has been drafted by the team or acquired via trade. So superstars have never really "stampeded" to LA as Baxter here claims.

Just something to keep in mind.

We can still land quality role players in free agency, and let our young core develop into stars with their help.


That's what they should be doing rather than insane expectations of randomly landing a KD. Gotta get a solid foundation of good 2nd and 3rd tier role players with these draft picks - one or two of these young guys have to turn into allstars in order to win a decent amount of games. All of this has to take place before a KD type remotely considers this team. They need to see that by adding themselves in it puts that team over the top. Major free agents don't want a project
_________________
"We are the goodest." - Shaq ESPN interview
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
Lakerswaves
Rookie
Rookie


Joined: 20 Jun 2016
Posts: 12

PostPosted: Thu Jun 30, 2016 12:38 pm    Post subject: Lakers interested in Jon Leur and Alan Anderson

Lakers interested in Jon Leur and Alan Anderson

From LakersOutsiders

This morning was a rude awakening for the Lakers when reports surfaced that they will not have a meeting with the talented big man, Hassan Whiteside. The Lakers were extremely high on Whiteside that ship has passed. Now, the Lakers have to move forward and look at other free agents options that can offer veteran leadership for this young team.

The Lakers are reported to be interested in Jon Leuer and Alan Anderson.

Leuer is a six-year veteran who had his best season last year under the Phoenix Suns. Leuer averaged career-highs in points (8.6) and rebounds (5.6). Leuer is a solid power forward at 6’9’’who can stretch the floor with his shooting. He shot 38% from deep last season. He could play the four or the five for the Lakers. Leuer could be a good replacement for Ryan Kelly who is likely to leave the Lakers in free agency. Leuer is only 27 and will be entering his seventh season in the league.

continued
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
calistrtballr
Star Player
Star Player


Joined: 24 Jun 2005
Posts: 6352
Location: Los Angeles, CA

PostPosted: Thu Jun 30, 2016 5:20 pm    Post subject:

unacceptable! f! jimbo! and fire mitch too!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
K28
Franchise Player
Franchise Player


Joined: 29 Nov 2012
Posts: 10038

PostPosted: Thu Jun 30, 2016 10:49 pm    Post subject:

calistrtballr wrote:
unacceptable! f! jimbo! and fire mitch too!


It's even more unacceptable when you read about his injuries.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
LaxT
Star Player
Star Player


Joined: 23 Sep 2002
Posts: 2536

PostPosted: Thu Jun 30, 2016 11:37 pm    Post subject:

Quote:

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — The Los Angeles Lakers have extended qualifying offers to Tarik Black, Jordan Clarkson, and Marcelo Huertas, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak.

http://www.nba.com/2016/news/06/30/lakers-extend-qualifying-offers-to-black-clarkson-huertas/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpts

Mozgov/ Black/ Zubac
Randle/ LNJ
Ingram/ Brown
JC/Lou
Russell/ Huertas


Mozgov, Black and Zubac are similar. It shows what Mitch&Luke envision for center.

Four spots left. Next priority is SF. Batum would require the max. Turner or Bazemore for how much?

As a matter of fact, I am thinking maybe Ingram to SG and JC to the bench. That's a pretty good back court. Otherwise, they still need a backup PG.

Mozgov/ Black/ Zubac
Randle/ LNJ
???/ Brown
Ingram/Lou
Russell/ JC/ Huertas
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Reply with quote
Display posts from previous:   
This forum is locked: you cannot post, reply to, or edit topics.    LakersGround.net Forum Index -> Lakers In the News All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Goto page Previous  1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Page 9 of 9
Jump to:  

 
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






Graphics by uberzev
© 1995-2018 LakersGround.net. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Use.
LakersGround is an unofficial news source serving the fan community since 1995.
We are in no way associated with the Los Angeles Lakers or the National Basketball Association.


Powered by phpBB