very excited for draft as a laker fan

This topic contains 18 replies, has 7 voices, and was last updated by MastaRedSnappa 12 years ago.

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Posted on: Thu, 06/19/2014 - 6:13pm #56536

llperez
since ive been a die hard laker fan(’91) the lakers havent been too active in the nba draft. But they sure picked what seems like a good time to find themselves in the lottery. I really like the top 8-9 picks of this draft, and even at 7, there is gona be a shot at a real good player. The lakers desperately need defense first and foremost. Both marcus smart and aaron gordon catch my eye for this reason. They also really need bigs. Robert sacre is the only big man under contract and the free agent pool this summer doesnt have a lot of affordable bigs who could come in and help get the team back to the playoffs. This means vonleh and randle are also guys im high on. regardless of what direction they go, i think this is very deep draft and the lakers will get an immediate contributor(considering second rounder ryan kelly got major minutes last season, hard not to get an immediate contributor at 7)
Now here are some interesting facts about the lakers drafting over the years:
the lakers have not had a first round pick since 2007 (javaris critenton). and he was traded during his rookie season in the pau gasol swap. The last first rounder to actually play his full rookie season was jordan farmar in 2006. So yeah, this draft thing is new for fans of the lakers.
the lakers draft 7th this year. They haven’t had a pick higher then 10th since 1982 (james worthy)
the lakers have only had 4 lottery picks since 1977 (35 seasons). All 4 of those lotto picks went to become nba all-stars (magic johnson, james worthy, eddie jones and andrew bynum).

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Posted on: Thu, 06/19/2014 - 6:42pm #922627

Magic Jordan
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Crazy. I guess I didnt put it together that all of our lottery picks have played in an all star game at some point… That’s pretty impressive.

If Embiid slips are you comfortable with that pick? I still think I like them to target Smart or Randle, with Randle being the most realistic target.
You are right with there being no big men in free agency. The ideal off season to me would be land Smart or Randle and then taking Asik off Houston’s hands to help them make room for Melo.
If Embiid does fall to 7 I think the Lakers have to take him…. But boy would it be sketchy. I think it would also mean that we would being trying to secure our lotto pick next year by ending up with one of the worst records. Let Kobe gun himself back into shape without wearing him out. And then next year have enough money for two Max guys…. Plus Embiid and another top 5 pick. This is a crazy unrealistic scenario because A) I don’t think Embiid slips past the Celtics. And B) I don’t think the Lakers are willing to pack away another season unfortunately…. Even though it would be best for them. Suddenly a team with two lotto picks and Kobe looks a lot more attractive to free agents.
No matter what happens I am with you, as a draft fan and a Lakers fan its one of the few times we get to enjoy being both…. So no matter what happens I will be loving next Thursday.

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Posted on: Thu, 06/19/2014 - 6:42pm #922500

Magic Jordan
Participant
Crazy. I guess I didnt put it together that all of our lottery picks have played in an all star game at some point… That’s pretty impressive.

If Embiid slips are you comfortable with that pick? I still think I like them to target Smart or Randle, with Randle being the most realistic target.
You are right with there being no big men in free agency. The ideal off season to me would be land Smart or Randle and then taking Asik off Houston’s hands to help them make room for Melo.
If Embiid does fall to 7 I think the Lakers have to take him…. But boy would it be sketchy. I think it would also mean that we would being trying to secure our lotto pick next year by ending up with one of the worst records. Let Kobe gun himself back into shape without wearing him out. And then next year have enough money for two Max guys…. Plus Embiid and another top 5 pick. This is a crazy unrealistic scenario because A) I don’t think Embiid slips past the Celtics. And B) I don’t think the Lakers are willing to pack away another season unfortunately…. Even though it would be best for them. Suddenly a team with two lotto picks and Kobe looks a lot more attractive to free agents.
No matter what happens I am with you, as a draft fan and a Lakers fan its one of the few times we get to enjoy being both…. So no matter what happens I will be loving next Thursday.

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Posted on: Thu, 06/19/2014 - 6:58pm #922635

llperez
@ magic jordan—–my ideal off-season would be draft whoever fits best(smart,randle,vonleh, gordon, exum) i really dont have a major preference one way or another as i see quality in all of them. Then resign most of last season’s team since none of them (other then pau) will comnad big contracts. I think henry, young, hill, meeks and farmar are all solid players but just didnt have a star around them last season.
As for free agents from other teams, i’ve already stated that lance stephenson would be at the top of my list and i would try and outbid everyone for him. He brings defense, plays mulitple positions, and is young and getting better. Even if the team drafts smart, stephenson could play the 2 and kobe could play the 3. Kobe could be hid on defense since he is old and cant go hard for 30+ minutes on d. If the stephenson thing falls through, then i really dont know what is next. Asik could make sense, but i would want something else thrown in like a pick or something since he is clearly not worth 15 mill no matter how much money the lakers have available.
Gonna be a interesting off-season. I do want the lakers to contend and try and win to finsh kobe’s career, but they have to do it smart. Paying fake stars like melo 20+ mill so we can win 50 games and lose in the playoofs is not the best long term plan. However, sittig on our asses when we have no lotto pick next year(outside of toip 5) and watching the losses pile up doesnt appeal to me either.

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Posted on: Thu, 06/19/2014 - 6:58pm #922508

llperez
@ magic jordan—–my ideal off-season would be draft whoever fits best(smart,randle,vonleh, gordon, exum) i really dont have a major preference one way or another as i see quality in all of them. Then resign most of last season’s team since none of them (other then pau) will comnad big contracts. I think henry, young, hill, meeks and farmar are all solid players but just didnt have a star around them last season.
As for free agents from other teams, i’ve already stated that lance stephenson would be at the top of my list and i would try and outbid everyone for him. He brings defense, plays mulitple positions, and is young and getting better. Even if the team drafts smart, stephenson could play the 2 and kobe could play the 3. Kobe could be hid on defense since he is old and cant go hard for 30+ minutes on d. If the stephenson thing falls through, then i really dont know what is next. Asik could make sense, but i would want something else thrown in like a pick or something since he is clearly not worth 15 mill no matter how much money the lakers have available.
Gonna be a interesting off-season. I do want the lakers to contend and try and win to finsh kobe’s career, but they have to do it smart. Paying fake stars like melo 20+ mill so we can win 50 games and lose in the playoofs is not the best long term plan. However, sittig on our asses when we have no lotto pick next year(outside of toip 5) and watching the losses pile up doesnt appeal to me either.

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Posted on: Fri, 06/20/2014 - 3:59am #922719

Blazermann
Participant
kobe was in the lottery also lets not forget him
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Posted on: Fri, 06/20/2014 - 3:59am #922592

Blazermann
Participant
kobe was in the lottery also lets not forget him
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- Posted on: Fri, 06/20/2014 - 4:07am #922727
  
  llperez
  i didnt include him becasue lakers didnt draft him.
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- Posted on: Fri, 06/20/2014 - 4:07am #922600
  
  llperez
  i didnt include him becasue lakers didnt draft him.
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Posted on: Fri, 06/20/2014 - 4:05am #922725

Ballinmvp
Participant
I think they go BPA whether it be smart, randle, or whoever. They could use a serious upgrade at pg and C in the worst way. Smart would bae great pick for his defensive tenacity and play making ability. Randle would be a bruiser down low and he isn’t afraid to put the ball in the basket and I think the lakers could use a physical bigman who can score up front
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Posted on: Fri, 06/20/2014 - 4:05am #922598

Ballinmvp
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I think they go BPA whether it be smart, randle, or whoever. They could use a serious upgrade at pg and C in the worst way. Smart would bae great pick for his defensive tenacity and play making ability. Randle would be a bruiser down low and he isn’t afraid to put the ball in the basket and I think the lakers could use a physical bigman who can score up front
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Posted on: Fri, 06/20/2014 - 5:42am #922677

Hector_Reyes_8
Participant
I am excited for this draft too because of the amount of players that could potentially be available at 7. Randle, Vonleh, Gordon, Embiid, Smart, and unexpected surprises like LaVine. I will be fine with whoever is chosen at 7 because they all have really good skill sets that can translate to the NBA.
Hoping that either Gordon Hayward, Monroe, or Bledsoe end up in Purple and Gold as well. 🙂
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Posted on: Fri, 06/20/2014 - 5:42am #922803

Hector_Reyes_8
Participant
I am excited for this draft too because of the amount of players that could potentially be available at 7. Randle, Vonleh, Gordon, Embiid, Smart, and unexpected surprises like LaVine. I will be fine with whoever is chosen at 7 because they all have really good skill sets that can translate to the NBA.
Hoping that either Gordon Hayward, Monroe, or Bledsoe end up in Purple and Gold as well. 🙂
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Posted on: Fri, 06/20/2014 - 8:13am #922907

MastaRedSnappa
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Lance Stephenson would be a good FA signing. He’s young, talented/versatle, and plays hard on both ends (he may be crazy but no more than MWP was/is). I think a deal in the $10M/year range will be a lot more than the Pacers will be able to offer him. My concern would be drafting Smart as that would be a very below average 3 point shooting backcourt which would allow the defense to sag in to effectively kill Smart/Stephenson’s penetration. Add to that, assuming Kobe would be playing SF in this scenario, that would hinder his post game (and he’s never been a high percentage 3 point shooter).
The Suns have said that they will match any offer for RFA Bledsoe so I think he’s effectively off the board. I’m kind of lukewarm on Hayward/Monroe. I think it will take some serious overpaying to get them and I don’t think they will get much better than they are now.
I think the best option is for the Lakers to "rent" out their cap space this year to capped out teams that are trying to sign LeBron/Melo like the Bulls, Rockets, and Clippers. They could take on short term salaries like Boozer from the Bulls, Lin/Asik from the Rockets, or Jordan from the Clippers and receive first round draft picks for compensation. That way, the Lakers get some veterans who can contribute this year (but with the flexibility to re-sign them beyond that or not) plus some young talented draft picks on cost-effective contracts to help fill out the roster.
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Posted on: Fri, 06/20/2014 - 8:13am #922780

MastaRedSnappa
Participant
Lance Stephenson would be a good FA signing. He’s young, talented/versatle, and plays hard on both ends (he may be crazy but no more than MWP was/is). I think a deal in the $10M/year range will be a lot more than the Pacers will be able to offer him. My concern would be drafting Smart as that would be a very below average 3 point shooting backcourt which would allow the defense to sag in to effectively kill Smart/Stephenson’s penetration. Add to that, assuming Kobe would be playing SF in this scenario, that would hinder his post game (and he’s never been a high percentage 3 point shooter).
The Suns have said that they will match any offer for RFA Bledsoe so I think he’s effectively off the board. I’m kind of lukewarm on Hayward/Monroe. I think it will take some serious overpaying to get them and I don’t think they will get much better than they are now.
I think the best option is for the Lakers to "rent" out their cap space this year to capped out teams that are trying to sign LeBron/Melo like the Bulls, Rockets, and Clippers. They could take on short term salaries like Boozer from the Bulls, Lin/Asik from the Rockets, or Jordan from the Clippers and receive first round draft picks for compensation. That way, the Lakers get some veterans who can contribute this year (but with the flexibility to re-sign them beyond that or not) plus some young talented draft picks on cost-effective contracts to help fill out the roster.
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- Posted on: Fri, 06/20/2014 - 8:16am #922909
  
  FearTheStache
  Participant
  Weren’t the Suns the ones offering Bledsoe in the Timberwolves deal. Since he wants a max contract, I think he is more available in a sign and trade than many think.
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- Posted on: Fri, 06/20/2014 - 8:16am #922782
  
  FearTheStache
  Participant
  Weren’t the Suns the ones offering Bledsoe in the Timberwolves deal. Since he wants a max contract, I think he is more available in a sign and trade than many think.
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Posted on: Fri, 06/20/2014 - 8:30am #922929

MastaRedSnappa
Participant
… letting him go for nothing to the Lakers in FA is a completely different matter. The Lakers don’t have anything of value to offer the Suns in a potential sign and trade for Bledsoe anyway except for the #7 pick (and possibly some nostalgia value for Nash). I don’t think that’s enough for the Suns as whatever player is selected #7 is very unlikely to move the needle in regards to the Suns making the playoffs in comparison to just keeping Bledsoe or trading him for Love.
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Posted on: Fri, 06/20/2014 - 8:30am #922802

MastaRedSnappa
Participant
… letting him go for nothing to the Lakers in FA is a completely different matter. The Lakers don’t have anything of value to offer the Suns in a potential sign and trade for Bledsoe anyway except for the #7 pick (and possibly some nostalgia value for Nash). I don’t think that’s enough for the Suns as whatever player is selected #7 is very unlikely to move the needle in regards to the Suns making the playoffs in comparison to just keeping Bledsoe or trading him for Love.
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