Lakers need to build in the draft

You didn’t draft Kobe and you don’t have any picks.

You didn’t draft Kobe and you don’t have any picks.

Hornets drafted Kobe, but yeah same thing. The Lakers mantra isn’t based around the draft any more, they’ve barely had a lottery pick in the last 20 years and still managed to be successful. Lakers are still a very attractive destination for players, as of now, despite the loss of Howard I don’t think they need to change that.

Hornets drafted Kobe, but yeah same thing. The Lakers mantra isn’t based around the draft any more, they’ve barely had a lottery pick in the last 20 years and still managed to be successful. Lakers are still a very attractive destination for players, as of now, despite the loss of Howard I don’t think they need to change that.

.lakers need a good shrink.

.lakers need a good shrink.

Lakers, just like everyone else, need to do their homework when it comes to the draft. Robert Sacre and Darius Johnson Odom aren’t getting them out of this mess… oh forgot about Ryan Kelly. lol

Lakers, just like everyone else, need to do their homework when it comes to the draft. Robert Sacre and Darius Johnson Odom aren’t getting them out of this mess… oh forgot about Ryan Kelly. lol

What year will they have draft picks? And can they cope with tanking once they do?

What year will they have draft picks? And can they cope with tanking once they do?

They have this year’s pick, don’t they? I think they can’t trade 2 consecutive 1sts

They have this year’s pick, don’t they? I think they can’t trade 2 consecutive 1sts

if Lakers are going to a rebulding season, what about shifting Pau Gasol to Atlanta for draft picks and a big economic relief, Atlanta has the cap space to absorb Pau’s contract and it’s look like they want to compete after signing Korver and Milsap and of course the one and only DeMarre Carroll…

if Lakers are going to a rebulding season, what about shifting Pau Gasol to Atlanta for draft picks and a big economic relief, Atlanta has the cap space to absorb Pau’s contract and it’s look like they want to compete after signing Korver and Milsap and of course the one and only DeMarre Carroll…

Lakers are so bad that they could actually land anyone of wiggins-parker-randle

Lakers are so bad that they could actually land anyone of wiggins-parker-randle

Where are the Laker fans? I know Perez is one but where’s his back-up? They’ve either moved to South Beach, swapped for the Clippers (lol) or have chosen another team to suck the life out of.

Gotta love those fickle fans that can’t stand to like teams that aren’t winning all the time!

Where are the Laker fans? I know Perez is one but where’s his back-up? They’ve either moved to South Beach, swapped for the Clippers (lol) or have chosen another team to suck the life out of.

Gotta love those fickle fans that can’t stand to like teams that aren’t winning all the time!

The lakers haven’t had a draft pick higher then 10th in 31 years. In that time frame, they have been to 14 NBA finals appearances. I would say they know how to rebuild without the draft. Shaq, Kobe, pau all trades/free agents. If they do stink this next year, use the money in 2014, why not go after the best available players?

The lakers haven’t had a draft pick higher then 10th in 31 years. In that time frame, they have been to 14 NBA finals appearances. I would say they know how to rebuild without the draft. Shaq, Kobe, pau all trades/free agents. If they do stink this next year, use the money in 2014, why not go after the best available players?

Kobe is not rushing back from his injury just to tank.
I see them finishing around .500

Kobe is not rushing back from his injury just to tank.
I see them finishing around .500

A look at the last 9 drafts for the Lakers:

2005: #37 Turiaf #40 Von Wafer – Monta Ellis, Lou Williams, Andray Blatche and Marcin Gortat still on the board
2006: #26 Jordan Farmar – Steve Novak, Paul Millsap still on the board (not a great draft year for most teams)
2007: #19 Javaris Crittendon – #48 Marc Gasol – Gasol obviously a great pick but Jared Dudley, Wilson Chandler, Afflalo and Splitter all on the board still for Crittendon pick
2008: #58 Joe Crawford – 3rd to last pick. Not much there
2009: #42 Patrick Beverly #59 Chinemlu Elonu – Can’t complain too much about Beverly though they could’ve had either Budinger or Danny Green at that pick. Can’t do much with #59 most years.
2010: #43 Ebanks #59 Caracter – Terrible draft late, not much else they could have done there
2011: #41 Darius Morris #46 Andrew Goudelock #56 Chukwudiebere Maduabum – Not much that late. Could have went with with either Josh Selby or Deandre Liggins at #46 though
2012: #60 Robert Sacre – Not bad for last pick
2013: #48 Ryan Kelly – I like that pick but jury still out

The issue here is that the Lakers haven’t picked higher than #41 since 2007. The Spurs are famous for maximizing late first round picks that the Lakers haven’t had for the last 5 years. But if you go back a little further, you will see that from ’05-’07 the Lakers swung and missed on those picks when they had them. I know that hindsight is 20/20 but Monta Ellis, Aaron Afflalo, Paul Millsap and Gortat were all there for them. They could have had them all if they wanted. I know you cant win ’em all, but 1 for 5 during that span isn’t good enough. Ok maybe 2 for 5 if I give you a pass on Turiaf. I will still rather have Blatche or Gortat, but Turiaf has been a serviceable player.

I don’t think the Lakers need to tank, they just need to hold on to their late first round picks and use them wisely. Besides, they are going to be able to sign 2 max players after next season anyway. Only Steve Nash will be on the books after next season.

A look at the last 9 drafts for the Lakers:

2005: #37 Turiaf #40 Von Wafer – Monta Ellis, Lou Williams, Andray Blatche and Marcin Gortat still on the board
2006: #26 Jordan Farmar – Steve Novak, Paul Millsap still on the board (not a great draft year for most teams)
2007: #19 Javaris Crittendon – #48 Marc Gasol – Gasol obviously a great pick but Jared Dudley, Wilson Chandler, Afflalo and Splitter all on the board still for Crittendon pick
2008: #58 Joe Crawford – 3rd to last pick. Not much there
2009: #42 Patrick Beverly #59 Chinemlu Elonu – Can’t complain too much about Beverly though they could’ve had either Budinger or Danny Green at that pick. Can’t do much with #59 most years.
2010: #43 Ebanks #59 Caracter – Terrible draft late, not much else they could have done there
2011: #41 Darius Morris #46 Andrew Goudelock #56 Chukwudiebere Maduabum – Not much that late. Could have went with with either Josh Selby or Deandre Liggins at #46 though
2012: #60 Robert Sacre – Not bad for last pick
2013: #48 Ryan Kelly – I like that pick but jury still out

The issue here is that the Lakers haven’t picked higher than #41 since 2007. The Spurs are famous for maximizing late first round picks that the Lakers haven’t had for the last 5 years. But if you go back a little further, you will see that from ’05-’07 the Lakers swung and missed on those picks when they had them. I know that hindsight is 20/20 but Monta Ellis, Aaron Afflalo, Paul Millsap and Gortat were all there for them. They could have had them all if they wanted. I know you cant win ’em all, but 1 for 5 during that span isn’t good enough. Ok maybe 2 for 5 if I give you a pass on Turiaf. I will still rather have Blatche or Gortat, but Turiaf has been a serviceable player.

I don’t think the Lakers need to tank, they just need to hold on to their late first round picks and use them wisely. Besides, they are going to be able to sign 2 max players after next season anyway. Only Steve Nash will be on the books after next season.

I honestly think a lot could depend on Kobe and when he returns. Kobe turns 35 next month so only has a limited time left in the NBA to play at a level he feels is acceptable. Kobe is a proud man and I could not imagine him wanting to play if his performances slip much from his elite standards, the only way he might extend his career would be if the Lakers signed a top FA and he could role play alongside them.

Kobe could play to plus 40 but he may not be a 20 to 25ppg player then and he may not want to play on if he cannot reach that level.

If he gets back by Xmas or earlier then the Lakers could be in the play off hunt and if he returns later, you could have the issue of a Lakers team below .500 and with one eye on the draft but Kobe wanting to frive them on.

Could anyone imagine the Lakers saying to Kobe, please sit out as we want to tank.

I honestly think a lot could depend on Kobe and when he returns. Kobe turns 35 next month so only has a limited time left in the NBA to play at a level he feels is acceptable. Kobe is a proud man and I could not imagine him wanting to play if his performances slip much from his elite standards, the only way he might extend his career would be if the Lakers signed a top FA and he could role play alongside them.

Kobe could play to plus 40 but he may not be a 20 to 25ppg player then and he may not want to play on if he cannot reach that level.

If he gets back by Xmas or earlier then the Lakers could be in the play off hunt and if he returns later, you could have the issue of a Lakers team below .500 and with one eye on the draft but Kobe wanting to frive them on.

Could anyone imagine the Lakers saying to Kobe, please sit out as we want to tank.

Good work Velvet

Good work Velvet

I feel like the liklihood of LeBron going to a team that has virtually no one is unlikely, no matter what name is on the front of the jersey.

I feel like the liklihood of LeBron going to a team that has virtually no one is unlikely, no matter what name is on the front of the jersey.