[220Participant]

A few years ago Jim Buss made a self-imposed deadline to having the Lakers compete in the playoffs in three to four years or he would step down. That mandate clearly influences and puts pressure on Buss and Mitch Kupchak to make the team into a playoff team as soon as possible. That being said the Lakers are a team with some young talent and a lot of cap space. Will adding either Ben Simmons or Brandon Ingram to Julius Randle, D’Angelo Russell, and Jordan Clarkson be enough to sway any notable free agents to join the Lakers? Personally I think Jim Buss may want to start packing up his office.

[MatosParticipant]

 They would have to sign two big names, who are relatively young in a sense. I dont see KD going there and to be honest, I dont see DeRozen or Whiteside heading there either, unless they’re thrown an ungodly amount of money.

[MatosParticipant]

 They would have to sign two big names, who are relatively young in a sense. I dont see KD going there and to be honest, I dont see DeRozen or Whiteside heading there either, unless they’re thrown an ungodly amount of money.

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

It depends on what you mean by "notable"

From a Wolves perspective, I hear "notable" and I think a nice rotation guy, somebody like Nic Batum on the high side and Courtney Lee or Donatas Motiejunas on the low side. Those are guys I’d consider notable signings because they boost your team without reshaping it completely. 

I assume the Lakers are looking for Free Agents that will essentially reshape their team, in which case I doubt they find that guy. 

Don’t see Durant, Horford or DeRozan going to LA this summer. 

 

 

 

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

It depends on what you mean by "notable"

From a Wolves perspective, I hear "notable" and I think a nice rotation guy, somebody like Nic Batum on the high side and Courtney Lee or Donatas Motiejunas on the low side. Those are guys I’d consider notable signings because they boost your team without reshaping it completely. 

I assume the Lakers are looking for Free Agents that will essentially reshape their team, in which case I doubt they find that guy. 

Don’t see Durant, Horford or DeRozan going to LA this summer. 

 

 

 

[UncledrewParticipant]

The most noteable yet attainable free agents for Jim buss to pursue this summer would be Derozan, Whiteside and Horford. I think Derozan plus either of the other 2 would put them in playoff contention(preferable Whiteside over horford). Not guaranteeing but definantly competing for 8th seed at least. Derozan at only 26 would give them a proven Star and 1st option offensively to ease the transition of Ingram, Russell and Randle. Horfords outside game and passing would complement Randles workhorse inside game and Whiteside would be the undeniable rim protector and interior presense defensively the Lakers so desperately need. Derozan and Whiteside should command max contracts but with kobe off the books there should be plenty of cap room to get it done. Russell at point, Derozan at the 2, Ingram at the 3, Randle at the 4 and Whiteside makes them plenty competitive. Jordan Clarkson should make a excellent 6th man and it gives lakers assets, flexibility, youth, experience and room for growth for the future.

[UncledrewParticipant]

The most noteable yet attainable free agents for Jim buss to pursue this summer would be Derozan, Whiteside and Horford. I think Derozan plus either of the other 2 would put them in playoff contention(preferable Whiteside over horford). Not guaranteeing but definantly competing for 8th seed at least. Derozan at only 26 would give them a proven Star and 1st option offensively to ease the transition of Ingram, Russell and Randle. Horfords outside game and passing would complement Randles workhorse inside game and Whiteside would be the undeniable rim protector and interior presense defensively the Lakers so desperately need. Derozan and Whiteside should command max contracts but with kobe off the books there should be plenty of cap room to get it done. Russell at point, Derozan at the 2, Ingram at the 3, Randle at the 4 and Whiteside makes them plenty competitive. Jordan Clarkson should make a excellent 6th man and it gives lakers assets, flexibility, youth, experience and room for growth for the future.

[Andrew1984Participant]

 I could see the Wizards choosing not to offer Brad Beal a max contract due to health concerns, and the Lakers swooping in and doing just that. 

[Andrew1984Participant]

 I could see the Wizards choosing not to offer Brad Beal a max contract due to health concerns, and the Lakers swooping in and doing just that. 

[SeattleSuperChronicsParticipant]

 I can see derozen absolutely coming to the lakers. He is a LA guy. 

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 I think derozan would at least show interest in coming to the Lakers but I kind of question whether it would be smart to throw big money at him long-term. If you bring in derozan the question becomes whether or not you also would be willing to spend to keep Clarkson as well. How receptive would Clarkson be to coming off the bench, particularly when you already have Lou Williams playing essentially the same role?  Presuming the draft pick is ingram, how well would derozan really fit with a core of Russell-ingram-randle by the time they begin to enter their primes in 2-3 years. 

I know beggars can’t be choosers, and if a player of derozan’s caliber is available and willing to come to LA, than conventional wisdom would say you have to pounce on that. However, I just wonder how great of a fit it will end up being long-term. They actually appear to pretty well set for the future in the backcourt. The clear area of need is in the frontcourt and I believe that’s what their number one priority should be in free agency.

 

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 I think derozan would at least show interest in coming to the Lakers but I kind of question whether it would be smart to throw big money at him long-term. If you bring in derozan the question becomes whether or not you also would be willing to spend to keep Clarkson as well. How receptive would Clarkson be to coming off the bench, particularly when you already have Lou Williams playing essentially the same role?  Presuming the draft pick is ingram, how well would derozan really fit with a core of Russell-ingram-randle by the time they begin to enter their primes in 2-3 years. 

I know beggars can’t be choosers, and if a player of derozan’s caliber is available and willing to come to LA, than conventional wisdom would say you have to pounce on that. However, I just wonder how great of a fit it will end up being long-term. They actually appear to pretty well set for the future in the backcourt. The clear area of need is in the frontcourt and I believe that’s what their number one priority should be in free agency.

 

[SeattleSuperChronicsParticipant]

 I can see derozen absolutely coming to the lakers. He is a LA guy. 

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

In as much as free agents love LA and max offers, max offers will be widely available, and I do not think free agents like LA enough to join a dysfunctional setup. It is hard to see how the Lakers want to play. They passed on Jahlil Okafor, and proceeded to kill the Roy Hibbert can make a defense good movement. They gave Nick Young four years when no one could stand having him around for that long. They have a number of young one-on-one players who are not great off the ball, and aided them by adding Lou Williams to take some of those one-on-one opportunities away. Unless they luck into a pair of free agents wanting to play together in LA to really alter the landscape of the league, it is hard for me to see them being all that successful in the free agent market. It would take something crazy like LeBron winning a title in Cleveland, and then deciding he want to play with Wade and Melo in LA for free agency to go the Lakers way.

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

In as much as free agents love LA and max offers, max offers will be widely available, and I do not think free agents like LA enough to join a dysfunctional setup. It is hard to see how the Lakers want to play. They passed on Jahlil Okafor, and proceeded to kill the Roy Hibbert can make a defense good movement. They gave Nick Young four years when no one could stand having him around for that long. They have a number of young one-on-one players who are not great off the ball, and aided them by adding Lou Williams to take some of those one-on-one opportunities away. Unless they luck into a pair of free agents wanting to play together in LA to really alter the landscape of the league, it is hard for me to see them being all that successful in the free agent market. It would take something crazy like LeBron winning a title in Cleveland, and then deciding he want to play with Wade and Melo in LA for free agency to go the Lakers way.

[daggers818Participant]

As much as I’d love to think Durant or some of the other better free agents would come to the Lakers, I just don’t see it happening this summer.  With money available in the market, Durant and others can think about best fit and the chance to win a ring as the compelling factors in choosing their destination.  With the Lakers young roster, winning rings in the near term is not exactly in the forecast, and money is offered elsewhere.  The Lakers would be wise to develop their core of Russell, Ingram (assuming), Randle, Clarkson, Nance, and Brown on reasonable, controllable contracts, and make themselves an atttractive destination for 2017 and beyond.  Build the bench in ’16 free agency and go after some solid, character-guy, veterans like Byombo, Mahinimi, Bazemore, Marvin Williams, Delly, etc.  Don’t spend all your cap, save some cash, get some more cap infusion with the ’17 increase, and then go after a top-tier guy with a deep and young squad to offer, like:

Russell, Bazemore, Ingram, Randle, Byombo

Delly, Clarkson, Williams, Nance, Mahinimi

[daggers818Participant]

As much as I’d love to think Durant or some of the other better free agents would come to the Lakers, I just don’t see it happening this summer.  With money available in the market, Durant and others can think about best fit and the chance to win a ring as the compelling factors in choosing their destination.  With the Lakers young roster, winning rings in the near term is not exactly in the forecast, and money is offered elsewhere.  The Lakers would be wise to develop their core of Russell, Ingram (assuming), Randle, Clarkson, Nance, and Brown on reasonable, controllable contracts, and make themselves an atttractive destination for 2017 and beyond.  Build the bench in ’16 free agency and go after some solid, character-guy, veterans like Byombo, Mahinimi, Bazemore, Marvin Williams, Delly, etc.  Don’t spend all your cap, save some cash, get some more cap infusion with the ’17 increase, and then go after a top-tier guy with a deep and young squad to offer, like:

Russell, Bazemore, Ingram, Randle, Byombo

Delly, Clarkson, Williams, Nance, Mahinimi

[llperez]

 it would be nice to get a star, but honestly the lakers have built a nice young core and have gotten lucky with being able to keep this years pick. I dont think they need to be desperate and feel like they have to build a title contender over night. Bring back brandon bass and jordan clarkson and then go after a starting center and some depth.

Team needs are 

three and d small forward. Im assuming we add ingram to be the starting sf, but we still need a backup behind him who can gaurd opposing teams top wings. Right now anthony brown is only sf on roster and he was the worst player on the lakers last year and if he doesnt improve he might not be around too long. kent bazemore, jared dudley, marvin williams all sound good. Im not even really interested in guys like harrison barnes or nicolas batum becasue they will want too much money and will just take away from ingram’s minutes. 

A center. Preferably one with good defensive rim protection abilities since randle isnt a shot blocker. Whiteside, biyombo, ezeli all come to mind. I dont mind bass and tariq black providing depth but they need a starter big time.

 

 

 

[llperez]

 it would be nice to get a star, but honestly the lakers have built a nice young core and have gotten lucky with being able to keep this years pick. I dont think they need to be desperate and feel like they have to build a title contender over night. Bring back brandon bass and jordan clarkson and then go after a starting center and some depth.

Team needs are 

three and d small forward. Im assuming we add ingram to be the starting sf, but we still need a backup behind him who can gaurd opposing teams top wings. Right now anthony brown is only sf on roster and he was the worst player on the lakers last year and if he doesnt improve he might not be around too long. kent bazemore, jared dudley, marvin williams all sound good. Im not even really interested in guys like harrison barnes or nicolas batum becasue they will want too much money and will just take away from ingram’s minutes. 

A center. Preferably one with good defensive rim protection abilities since randle isnt a shot blocker. Whiteside, biyombo, ezeli all come to mind. I dont mind bass and tariq black providing depth but they need a starter big time.

 

 

 

[HitsterParticipant]

I don’t see KD or LBJ going to Lakers.

Whiteside they will likely put a good offer to but the Heat can give him the biggest deal and at pushing 27 he may well want to get the best deal out there as this will be his first mega pay day.

DeRozan is part of a strong Toronto team and again they can offer him the best deal and you have the issue of him playing with Clarkson and Russell too but he might meet with the Lakers and see their pitch at least.

Horford would be an excellent veteran pick up but would the Lakers want him on mega money when he is about 33 I wonder.

Harrison Barnes could be dangled an offer sheet especially with Luke Walton in situ.

[HitsterParticipant]

I don’t see KD or LBJ going to Lakers.

Whiteside they will likely put a good offer to but the Heat can give him the biggest deal and at pushing 27 he may well want to get the best deal out there as this will be his first mega pay day.

DeRozan is part of a strong Toronto team and again they can offer him the best deal and you have the issue of him playing with Clarkson and Russell too but he might meet with the Lakers and see their pitch at least.

Horford would be an excellent veteran pick up but would the Lakers want him on mega money when he is about 33 I wonder.

Harrison Barnes could be dangled an offer sheet especially with Luke Walton in situ.

[Butter13Participant]

 Why would LA offer anything to Barnes with Ingram likely heading to LA this summer?

[Butter13Participant]

 Why would LA offer anything to Barnes with Ingram likely heading to LA this summer?

[OhCanada-Participant]

 I’ve heard this story every year of my life but have never actually seen it happen. Lakers and Knicks sign everyone in free agency and compete with each other in the NBA Championships! Its just not gonna happen yet we talk about it every year as if its even a remote possibility. Newsflash…its not!

[OhCanada-Participant]

 I’ve heard this story every year of my life but have never actually seen it happen. Lakers and Knicks sign everyone in free agency and compete with each other in the NBA Championships! Its just not gonna happen yet we talk about it every year as if its even a remote possibility. Newsflash…its not!

[HitsterParticipant]

Barnes may not be a top target if we assume they draft Ingram but there would be minutes to be taken on the roster so I think both could potentially exist together long term.

[HitsterParticipant]

Barnes may not be a top target if we assume they draft Ingram but there would be minutes to be taken on the roster so I think both could potentially exist together long term.

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 I kind of doubt horford will show much interest in the Lakers. Whiteside may consider signing there and ideally seems like exactly what they need. However, I’d be  lying if I said that the idea of giving Whiteside huge money to come to LA on a roster with very little veteran experience wouldn’t scare the crap out of me. There just seems like so much potential for disaster there.

In all honesty, guys like ezeli, biyombo or even Ian mahimi may be the more reasonable targets. I know those aren’t the splashy names Lakers fans will want to hear, but this is going to be a process and you have to take your time and look for the right players to fit the team your trying to build rather than just break the bank to sign any player willing to come through the door.

 

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 I kind of doubt horford will show much interest in the Lakers. Whiteside may consider signing there and ideally seems like exactly what they need. However, I’d be  lying if I said that the idea of giving Whiteside huge money to come to LA on a roster with very little veteran experience wouldn’t scare the crap out of me. There just seems like so much potential for disaster there.

In all honesty, guys like ezeli, biyombo or even Ian mahimi may be the more reasonable targets. I know those aren’t the splashy names Lakers fans will want to hear, but this is going to be a process and you have to take your time and look for the right players to fit the team your trying to build rather than just break the bank to sign any player willing to come through the door.

 

[Author]

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