[cheetosjalapeno17Participant]

So the Lakers have their highest first round pick since god knows when…so I’m wondering who is the best prospect for them going forward? I know the general rule is BPA, but with the pieces the Lakers have (Kobe on his last legs, Randle, Kelly, Clarkson?) who prospect would best fit them? Towns seems like the logical pick, but who is next after him? Also, what if the Lakers get the fifth pick? That lands them squarely outside the top 4 prospects. Who would they get then? Is trading down the best thing to do?

With regards to Lakers offseason, they have plenty free agents coming up. Who are the priority to resign. I know Clarkson is one, Tarik Black too? Ellington? Who also do you think should the sign from the free agents this year?

I have a feeling Rondo is coming to LA, I dunno he looks miserable in Dallas, and he has a great relationship with Kobe. What do you guys think of Rondo’s chances of going to LA, and if he is sure to go to LA, how does this affect their drafting strategy? 

Sorry for the barrage of questions, just really wondering what the Lakers do in the offseason. They seem to always reload over rebuild, but i have a feeling it will be harder to do that now for the Lakers. I have a feeling this draft and offseason will be pivotal to how the Lakers will fare in the future. Anyway Thanks guys! Peace!

[juves4783Participant]

they have a team option on clarkson so he’ll be back for sure.  

for draft…i think it goes like this on their wish list, 1. okafor 2. towns 3. mudiay 4. russell 5. johnson.  in the back end, seems like a good position to add some wing depth.  rj hunter, hollis-jefferson, dekker…really anyone could fit because swaggy p has the length to play sg or sf on the 2nd unit.

as far as bringing people back…i think ed davis will opt out of his contract.  my guess is team will decline jordan hill’s option and keep robert sacre and jordan clarkson.  tarik black may be an option to bring back based on his hustle and can probably get a cheap contract.  ellington is less likely with swaggy p around.

for free agents….they have around $35-40M to make some moves.  i like dragic over rondo but i think either are on top of the wish list.  one guy i think would be a good fit next to kobe is demare carroll at sf.  they probably also have money to make a run at a big.  jefferson, lopez and hibbert have player options and could opt out.  they are guys that may be on the back end of their prime, can still put up respectable numbers and be good mentors if they go with a big on their 1st pick.

 

 

 

[juves4783Participant]

they have a team option on clarkson so he’ll be back for sure.  

for draft…i think it goes like this on their wish list, 1. okafor 2. towns 3. mudiay 4. russell 5. johnson.  in the back end, seems like a good position to add some wing depth.  rj hunter, hollis-jefferson, dekker…really anyone could fit because swaggy p has the length to play sg or sf on the 2nd unit.

as far as bringing people back…i think ed davis will opt out of his contract.  my guess is team will decline jordan hill’s option and keep robert sacre and jordan clarkson.  tarik black may be an option to bring back based on his hustle and can probably get a cheap contract.  ellington is less likely with swaggy p around.

for free agents….they have around $35-40M to make some moves.  i like dragic over rondo but i think either are on top of the wish list.  one guy i think would be a good fit next to kobe is demare carroll at sf.  they probably also have money to make a run at a big.  jefferson, lopez and hibbert have player options and could opt out.  they are guys that may be on the back end of their prime, can still put up respectable numbers and be good mentors if they go with a big on their 1st pick.

 

 

 

[MopgrassParticipant]

 Rondo is 29 and has 3 or 4 years left of high level play. By the 3rd or 4th year maybe they’ll have a playoff team. It doesn’t sound like a smart "build," but might be a good retooling. I don’t think he and Kobe mesh well, nor does any other ball-dominant PG (pretty much every NBA PG). I think they should just go after young guys like Tobias Harris (who always kills them). They can try for the big fish in a few years. I’d like to see them keep running Clarkson out there at PG. He’s made major strides. I’m begin to think he’s a starting NBA PG. His passing is night and day better. 

[MopgrassParticipant]

 Rondo is 29 and has 3 or 4 years left of high level play. By the 3rd or 4th year maybe they’ll have a playoff team. It doesn’t sound like a smart "build," but might be a good retooling. I don’t think he and Kobe mesh well, nor does any other ball-dominant PG (pretty much every NBA PG). I think they should just go after young guys like Tobias Harris (who always kills them). They can try for the big fish in a few years. I’d like to see them keep running Clarkson out there at PG. He’s made major strides. I’m begin to think he’s a starting NBA PG. His passing is night and day better. 

[Flameres15Participant]

In the draft, the Lakers should be looking at a point guard. If D’Angelo Russell is available, he will be drafted. Otherwise, the Lakers should be looking at Emmanuel Mudiay. Jordan Clarkson has been okay on a terrible team, but he looks more like a 6th man than a starter. If the Lakers land the 5th pick and Okafor, Towns, Mudiay, and Russell are all gone, then the Lakers should take Stanley Johnson. Johnson is not a glamour player, but he plays hard and has learned to play all 5 positions in high school, giving him an all-around game.

Rondo should stay away from L.A. I am a fan of Rondo, and playing for the Lakers would be a nightmare. He likes to handle the ball, and watching him play with Monta Ellis has been difficult, but watching Rondo with a 24 second ball dominant Kobe would be even worse. There are talented role players they should look at signing or trading for. (if they do not draft one) At point guard, if the Lakers cannot steal Brandon Knight from the Suns, then they should go after Darren Collison. Collison is not a flashy point guard, but he did help lead the Kings on a terrific defensive run earlier this season. Collison is only 27 and has the skill to handle the point.

The Lakers should look at Khris Middleton (if they do not draft a SF). Middleton is a great 3 point shooter, although he could take more 3 pointers to help that. He is called "the next Shane Battier," and while that might be a lot of pressure, it is evident in his play.

The Lakers should look at Robin Lopez, Roy Hibbert, and DeAndre Jordan as possible center pieces. Jordan Hill is not much of a shot blocker, and with Julius Randle being the future at the PF position, they need a post defender. Jordan will be the most difficult to snatch away, as he is possibly the most important player on the Clippers. That being said, the Clippers do not have a lot of money to re-sign him, and handing Jordan a max contract would get him to switch jerseys without moving. Hibbert is also a nice piece, but he can get lost for stretches during a game. Lopez WILL NEVER LEAVE Portland, but if he should, the Lakers can pay him for his services. Lopez is the diamond of this big man free agent class, whether anyone knows it or not.

Potential line-up (with current 4th pick):

PG: Emmanuel Mudiay

SG: Kobe Bryant

SF: Khris Middleton

PF: Julius Randle

C: DeAndre Jordan

with a bench of:

Jordan Clarkson, Nick Young, Ryan Kelly, Wesley Johnson, Ed Davis, Wayne Ellington, Christian Wood (current 26th mock pick), and maybe re-sign Jeremy Lin.

Not a title contender in their first year, but potential to grow. Also, the 76ers own next years first round pick.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Flameres15Participant]

In the draft, the Lakers should be looking at a point guard. If D’Angelo Russell is available, he will be drafted. Otherwise, the Lakers should be looking at Emmanuel Mudiay. Jordan Clarkson has been okay on a terrible team, but he looks more like a 6th man than a starter. If the Lakers land the 5th pick and Okafor, Towns, Mudiay, and Russell are all gone, then the Lakers should take Stanley Johnson. Johnson is not a glamour player, but he plays hard and has learned to play all 5 positions in high school, giving him an all-around game.

Rondo should stay away from L.A. I am a fan of Rondo, and playing for the Lakers would be a nightmare. He likes to handle the ball, and watching him play with Monta Ellis has been difficult, but watching Rondo with a 24 second ball dominant Kobe would be even worse. There are talented role players they should look at signing or trading for. (if they do not draft one) At point guard, if the Lakers cannot steal Brandon Knight from the Suns, then they should go after Darren Collison. Collison is not a flashy point guard, but he did help lead the Kings on a terrific defensive run earlier this season. Collison is only 27 and has the skill to handle the point.

The Lakers should look at Khris Middleton (if they do not draft a SF). Middleton is a great 3 point shooter, although he could take more 3 pointers to help that. He is called "the next Shane Battier," and while that might be a lot of pressure, it is evident in his play.

The Lakers should look at Robin Lopez, Roy Hibbert, and DeAndre Jordan as possible center pieces. Jordan Hill is not much of a shot blocker, and with Julius Randle being the future at the PF position, they need a post defender. Jordan will be the most difficult to snatch away, as he is possibly the most important player on the Clippers. That being said, the Clippers do not have a lot of money to re-sign him, and handing Jordan a max contract would get him to switch jerseys without moving. Hibbert is also a nice piece, but he can get lost for stretches during a game. Lopez WILL NEVER LEAVE Portland, but if he should, the Lakers can pay him for his services. Lopez is the diamond of this big man free agent class, whether anyone knows it or not.

Potential line-up (with current 4th pick):

PG: Emmanuel Mudiay

SG: Kobe Bryant

SF: Khris Middleton

PF: Julius Randle

C: DeAndre Jordan

with a bench of:

Jordan Clarkson, Nick Young, Ryan Kelly, Wesley Johnson, Ed Davis, Wayne Ellington, Christian Wood (current 26th mock pick), and maybe re-sign Jeremy Lin.

Not a title contender in their first year, but potential to grow. Also, the 76ers own next years first round pick.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Reptilian MonkParticipant]

If Lakers took Okafor and paired him with Julius Randle, I would be concerned with them together defensively being small and not having a good rim protector down low. Karl Anthony Towns would be a better fit and the Lakers have so many holes that the best player available  would work. Mudiay, Russell, and Johnson would all be good options.

[Reptilian MonkParticipant]

If Lakers took Okafor and paired him with Julius Randle, I would be concerned with them together defensively being small and not having a good rim protector down low. Karl Anthony Towns would be a better fit and the Lakers have so many holes that the best player available  would work. Mudiay, Russell, and Johnson would all be good options.

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 I know I am in the minority here but if the Lakers fall to the 5th pick I hope they roll the dice on Hezonja.  I think he has a little higher upside and is a significantly better shooter.  Though Stanley Johnson has been surprisingly decent I don’t see the offensive upside that I see with Hezonja.

With that being said I see a significant drop off from the top four prospects so the most important thing is the Lakers staying in the top four.

 

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 I know I am in the minority here but if the Lakers fall to the 5th pick I hope they roll the dice on Hezonja.  I think he has a little higher upside and is a significantly better shooter.  Though Stanley Johnson has been surprisingly decent I don’t see the offensive upside that I see with Hezonja.

With that being said I see a significant drop off from the top four prospects so the most important thing is the Lakers staying in the top four.

 

[King CaluchaParticipant]

 OMG the Lakers have got Kelly Clarkson

[King CaluchaParticipant]

 OMG the Lakers have got Kelly Clarkson

[kdtriv01Participant]

If they drop out of the top four, I think they should draft Cauley-Stein out of UK. I know some might think this is a little high, but his defensive capabilities from day one are out of this world. It’s not like they’re winning a championship and I think his ceiling is pretty high.

[kdtriv01Participant]

If they drop out of the top four, I think they should draft Cauley-Stein out of UK. I know some might think this is a little high, but his defensive capabilities from day one are out of this world. It’s not like they’re winning a championship and I think his ceiling is pretty high.

[OhCanada-Participant]

Towns is more valuable to the Lakers then Okafor. They already have a big man with a high offensive potential in Randle and need more of an all around big to compensate going forward. Although Okafor seems more NBA ready and they maybe still in win now mode despite having one of the worst stretches in franchise history.

As far as PG’s like Mudiay or Russell I don’t like the idea of developing them around Kobe. If Bryant quits then it is a good idea to bring them in but it has been proven that guards limit their potential around him as he is so ball dominant and nowadays inefficient. They also seem very high on Clarkson deservingly so and after a strong rookie campaign he deserves the right to prove himself to the organization.

It would be tough to select Stanley Johnson ahead of Mudiay and Russell although it may just be the right fit and call.

I would definitely say option A and B would be Towns and Okafor.

 

 

 

[Sewok15Participant]

If you are the Lakers and are basing decisions on a soon to be 37 year old Kobe Bryant who has played 41 games the last two years combined you are in trouble. They need to take the best player available regardless of position.

[Sewok15Participant]

If you are the Lakers and are basing decisions on a soon to be 37 year old Kobe Bryant who has played 41 games the last two years combined you are in trouble. They need to take the best player available regardless of position.

[OhCanada-Participant]

Towns is more valuable to the Lakers then Okafor. They already have a big man with a high offensive potential in Randle and need more of an all around big to compensate going forward. Although Okafor seems more NBA ready and they maybe still in win now mode despite having one of the worst stretches in franchise history.

As far as PG’s like Mudiay or Russell I don’t like the idea of developing them around Kobe. If Bryant quits then it is a good idea to bring them in but it has been proven that guards limit their potential around him as he is so ball dominant and nowadays inefficient. They also seem very high on Clarkson deservingly so and after a strong rookie campaign he deserves the right to prove himself to the organization.

It would be tough to select Stanley Johnson ahead of Mudiay and Russell although it may just be the right fit and call.

I would definitely say option A and B would be Towns and Okafor.

 

 

 

[CU.LIONSParticipant]

Surprise no one mentioned Kevin Love as a possible FA. He loves LA and may not be resigning in Cleveland. There aren’t too many high level FAs available next year. .

[CU.LIONSParticipant]

Surprise no one mentioned Kevin Love as a possible FA. He loves LA and may not be resigning in Cleveland. There aren’t too many high level FAs available next year. .

[Author]

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