[joe2324Participant]

 I didn’t realize this, but the Suns pretty much own the lakers for the next 5 years. Lets suppose the lakers, get the 6th pick in the draft this year and the Suns take that one. I’d imagine the Lakers will improve a little more in 2016 with Julius Randle coming back and maybe get their 5th pick which would go to the Suns. Then, to make it even worse, the Suns have the lakers pick in 17 and 18. The suns will be picking up some nice talent for free at the lakers expense. The only hope they have is to sign some big time free agents because it is not happening in the draft. 

[gopack10Participant]

The Lakers will likely get a Top 5 pick this season so it will be protected.  They’ll be a lot better next year with Randle back, another top pick and with free agency.  The Suns will get the 2016 pick which won’t be in the lottery so it isn’t as bad as it seems.

[gopack10Participant]

The Lakers will likely get a Top 5 pick this season so it will be protected.  They’ll be a lot better next year with Randle back, another top pick and with free agency.  The Suns will get the 2016 pick which won’t be in the lottery so it isn’t as bad as it seems.

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 Not to be this guy but I don’t think you’re understanding it correctly.  If the Lakers finished this year at 6, they would give their pick to the Suns, and that would be the end of it.  If Lakers keep their pick this year, then it goes to top 3 protected next year or the Suns get it.  After that, I believe it becomes an unprotected pick for 2017 and 2018.  The Lakers don’t have to give a pick to the Suns every year from now until 2018 though, luckily that’s not how it works.

The pick will most likely be the Suns next year, hopefully out of the lottery.  Then the Lakers would also have to give the Magic their first, (top 5 proctected) in 2017 or unprotected in 2018. 

So while you are right to some extent, the Lakers have done a good job at sabotaging their future, they should get 2 picks in the next 4 years.

 

 

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 Not to be this guy but I don’t think you’re understanding it correctly.  If the Lakers finished this year at 6, they would give their pick to the Suns, and that would be the end of it.  If Lakers keep their pick this year, then it goes to top 3 protected next year or the Suns get it.  After that, I believe it becomes an unprotected pick for 2017 and 2018.  The Lakers don’t have to give a pick to the Suns every year from now until 2018 though, luckily that’s not how it works.

The pick will most likely be the Suns next year, hopefully out of the lottery.  Then the Lakers would also have to give the Magic their first, (top 5 proctected) in 2017 or unprotected in 2018. 

So while you are right to some extent, the Lakers have done a good job at sabotaging their future, they should get 2 picks in the next 4 years.

 

 

[ChewyParticipant]

 Lakers rarely build through the draft. They rebuild through free agency, so they can turn it around any given off season.

[ChewyParticipant]

 Lakers rarely build through the draft. They rebuild through free agency, so they can turn it around any given off season.

[ropeParticipant]

Draft: West, Magic, Worthy, Kobe

Free Agents:  Shaq, Wilt

Trade:  Kareem,  Shaq, Gasol

In think the Lakers have actually used pretty much all avenues over the years.  The free agent thing is probably the one that takes the biggest hit with the whole  Payton / Malone thing.

Dwight Howard and Steve Nash could also weigh these lists down, but they really just don’t matter that much when you tell the team’s story.

[ropeParticipant]

Draft: West, Magic, Worthy, Kobe

Free Agents:  Shaq, Wilt

Trade:  Kareem,  Shaq, Gasol

In think the Lakers have actually used pretty much all avenues over the years.  The free agent thing is probably the one that takes the biggest hit with the whole  Payton / Malone thing.

Dwight Howard and Steve Nash could also weigh these lists down, but they really just don’t matter that much when you tell the team’s story.

[llperez]

 kobe wasnt drafted, he was a trade

[llperez]

 kobe wasnt drafted, he was a trade

[Hacker90Participant]

really think the Lakers are going to make the playoffs next year?

[Hacker90Participant]

really think the Lakers are going to make the playoffs next year?

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 I will answer that after the off season.  

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 I will answer that after the off season.  

[hbomb3300Participant]

Even in a perfect Laker world where they get Okafor this draft, Randle comes back improved, Bryant stays somewhat healthy, and they pick up a couple decent free agents, they will still be the 10th or 11th  best team in the West.

[hbomb3300Participant]

Even in a perfect Laker world where they get Okafor this draft, Randle comes back improved, Bryant stays somewhat healthy, and they pick up a couple decent free agents, they will still be the 10th or 11th  best team in the West.

[ChewyParticipant]

 Their current roster sucks. But no one thought they would get Pau for as little as they got him for. They were one power tripping commisioner away from having Chris Paul.

My point wasn’t that they will be good next year. My point was they rebuilding by adding established players, not prospects, so losing draft picks hurts them less than small teams.

 

[ChewyParticipant]

 Their current roster sucks. But no one thought they would get Pau for as little as they got him for. They were one power tripping commisioner away from having Chris Paul.

My point wasn’t that they will be good next year. My point was they rebuilding by adding established players, not prospects, so losing draft picks hurts them less than small teams.

 

[hbomb3300Participant]

They gave up Marc Gasol for Pau in that trade, so you can’t really say they gave up "little" for him.  Marc has been a better player than Pau for a few years now. 

[hbomb3300Participant]

They gave up Marc Gasol for Pau in that trade, so you can’t really say they gave up "little" for him.  Marc has been a better player than Pau for a few years now. 

[B-ball fanParticipant]

 Few star player trades net such a good player in return.  Yes, Marc was not expected to be so good, but, in hindsight, that trade was great for both teams.  One of the best NBA trades in recent years in its returns for both teams.

[B-ball fanParticipant]

 Few star player trades net such a good player in return.  Yes, Marc was not expected to be so good, but, in hindsight, that trade was great for both teams.  One of the best NBA trades in recent years in its returns for both teams.

[llperez]

lakers only owe 1 pick to suns, the way things are looking they will get to keep this year and will give the suns their 2016 pick. Lakers did get houstons upcoming first rounder in the next draft but also owe one to orlando eventually 2 years after they give one to phoneix so thats looking like it might be in 2018.

[llperez]

lakers only owe 1 pick to suns, the way things are looking they will get to keep this year and will give the suns their 2016 pick. Lakers did get houstons upcoming first rounder in the next draft but also owe one to orlando eventually 2 years after they give one to phoneix so thats looking like it might be in 2018.

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 They need to at least make some sort of moves to build toward the future this off season, even if it doesn’t necessarily mean getting a franchise player. Draft the best player available with their pick regardless of position. Although they might not be superstars, guys like Greg Monroe, Goran dragic, Tobias Harris and Reggie Jackson would all be major upgrades. In my opinion, they need to sign at least one of these players. Than, when Kobe’s deal is up next summer, they will hopefully have some peices in place to lure a big name player or possibly 2.

If everything falls right they can get back to contention relatively quickly, but they need to start being more aggressive toward rebuilding instead of just playing the waiting game and hoping a big name will just fall into their laps. The past two seasons I get that the plan was just to preserve cap space, but they need to start upgrading the roster again. No more just signing stop gap solutions like Lin and boozer. They will likely lose their pick next yr anyway, so it doesn’t make sense to continue tanking.

 

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 They need to at least make some sort of moves to build toward the future this off season, even if it doesn’t necessarily mean getting a franchise player. Draft the best player available with their pick regardless of position. Although they might not be superstars, guys like Greg Monroe, Goran dragic, Tobias Harris and Reggie Jackson would all be major upgrades. In my opinion, they need to sign at least one of these players. Than, when Kobe’s deal is up next summer, they will hopefully have some peices in place to lure a big name player or possibly 2.

If everything falls right they can get back to contention relatively quickly, but they need to start being more aggressive toward rebuilding instead of just playing the waiting game and hoping a big name will just fall into their laps. The past two seasons I get that the plan was just to preserve cap space, but they need to start upgrading the roster again. No more just signing stop gap solutions like Lin and boozer. They will likely lose their pick next yr anyway, so it doesn’t make sense to continue tanking.

 

[joe2324Participant]

I didn’t realize they were only losing one pick, I thought they were losing picks for the next couple years. 

[joe2324Participant]

I didn’t realize they were only losing one pick, I thought they were losing picks for the next couple years. 

[bigfungotitdone5timesParticipant]

totally agree that the trade for the brothers gasol was great for both teams yes it has looked bad recently but pau got the lakers rings that wouldn’t have been with a young marc at c and now marc is one of if not the best c in the league great trade for both teams

[bigfungotitdone5timesParticipant]

totally agree that the trade for the brothers gasol was great for both teams yes it has looked bad recently but pau got the lakers rings that wouldn’t have been with a young marc at c and now marc is one of if not the best c in the league great trade for both teams

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