[SamCarlsonParticipant]

 In a follow up to a good thread about Luke Walton, I got the feeling that everyone thinks the Lakers roster is garbage (which it largely is) with limited peices.

Its a big if, but if the Lakers land Ingram then, Russell, Clarkson, Igram, Randle is a pretty damn good core to build around. I maybe like Russell more than most and think he will be a top 10 pg sooner than later and give Ingram 2 years to develop and he can be an elite scorer. Could see them back to trending upwards as soon as after next season.

Thoughts?

 

 

[Robb_CParticipant]

The Lakers are moving along pretty nicely granted they still have Kobes Lifetime Achievement contract still on the books.. The Lakers last time I checked were still in LA, which means they will still land hot names.

[negguaryParticipant]

 can’t see them really getting hot names when they have a player that can’t be trusted on the roster. One thing I’ve noticed about superstars they really like their privacy and I just can’t see them going there knowing that there is a core player on the roster who doesn’t value privacy. Especially if there is another la team in town. 

[negguaryParticipant]

 can’t see them really getting hot names when they have a player that can’t be trusted on the roster. One thing I’ve noticed about superstars they really like their privacy and I just can’t see them going there knowing that there is a core player on the roster who doesn’t value privacy. Especially if there is another la team in town. 

[Robb_CParticipant]

The Lakers are moving along pretty nicely granted they still have Kobes Lifetime Achievement contract still on the books.. The Lakers last time I checked were still in LA, which means they will still land hot names.

[NBAjunkie81Participant]

 I think they have their SuperStar to build around…… & w/ young Blue Chip prospects like Clarkson, Randle & Russell they would really be cooking w/ Chicken Grease at that point…. I agree………..But they have almost even chances to land outside the top 3 & if they lose that #1 pick it would be a disaster…… 

If they get Simmons or Ingram & hire a new coach that creates a lot of excitement for a FA to come in there & team up w/ a nice you core to really build something…….. Even if you fall to #3 & get a guy like Bender – I’m not sure if Bender is coming right over – maybe someone can help me out…… But either way, scouts & fans that follow Euro Ball really Luv Bender & compare him to Porzingus…….

But L.A. has a 19% chance for #1……. an 18% chance for #2…….. & a 17% chance for the #3 pick…….. that’s roughly 56% chance to keep the pick……. but they have the Highest % chance to end up w/ the #4 pick at 32% & a 12% shot to end up at #5……. So that’s a 44% chance of Losing that Lotteyr pick……. It’s close to a Coin flip……  & if L.A. loses that pick it’s going to be Very hard sell to potential Free Agents….. 

 

 

[ballislyfe25Participant]

The only silver lining if we lose the pick and strike out in free agency (again) is that we should be pretty bad yet again and next year’s draft has some pretty good depth along with star potential, from what I’ve read and seen so far. A pick in the 4-8 range could net us a player that may have been the 3rd pick in this year’s draft. 

As for free agency, who are our most realistic targets (not including KD, can’t seen him leaving OKC and Russ for the Lakers haha)? Hassan Whtieside has to be at the top of the list, along with Demar Derozan due to the LA connection. If we offer Harrison Barnes the max, does he take it and does GSW match? 

[ballislyfe25Participant]

The only silver lining if we lose the pick and strike out in free agency (again) is that we should be pretty bad yet again and next year’s draft has some pretty good depth along with star potential, from what I’ve read and seen so far. A pick in the 4-8 range could net us a player that may have been the 3rd pick in this year’s draft. 

As for free agency, who are our most realistic targets (not including KD, can’t seen him leaving OKC and Russ for the Lakers haha)? Hassan Whtieside has to be at the top of the list, along with Demar Derozan due to the LA connection. If we offer Harrison Barnes the max, does he take it and does GSW match? 

[NBAjunkie81Participant]

 I think they have their SuperStar to build around…… & w/ young Blue Chip prospects like Clarkson, Randle & Russell they would really be cooking w/ Chicken Grease at that point…. I agree………..But they have almost even chances to land outside the top 3 & if they lose that #1 pick it would be a disaster…… 

If they get Simmons or Ingram & hire a new coach that creates a lot of excitement for a FA to come in there & team up w/ a nice you core to really build something…….. Even if you fall to #3 & get a guy like Bender – I’m not sure if Bender is coming right over – maybe someone can help me out…… But either way, scouts & fans that follow Euro Ball really Luv Bender & compare him to Porzingus…….

But L.A. has a 19% chance for #1……. an 18% chance for #2…….. & a 17% chance for the #3 pick…….. that’s roughly 56% chance to keep the pick……. but they have the Highest % chance to end up w/ the #4 pick at 32% & a 12% shot to end up at #5……. So that’s a 44% chance of Losing that Lotteyr pick……. It’s close to a Coin flip……  & if L.A. loses that pick it’s going to be Very hard sell to potential Free Agents….. 

 

 

[ExumInfernoParticipant]

 The best player they have on their roster is HUGE SALARY CAP SPACE.

They don’t have a player to build around, yet.  Free agency or the draft should give them that.

A few useful pieces, like Randle, but if the new coach wants everyone traded then the Lakers should do it.  

I expect them to land two big free agents, but not sure who.

 

 

 

[ExumInfernoParticipant]

 The best player they have on their roster is HUGE SALARY CAP SPACE.

They don’t have a player to build around, yet.  Free agency or the draft should give them that.

A few useful pieces, like Randle, but if the new coach wants everyone traded then the Lakers should do it.  

I expect them to land two big free agents, but not sure who.

 

 

 

[The Scare Crow RisesParticipant]

 1. Im super high on Randle, I think he can be a Stud…I think he has that "fire" in his belly, he just needs to stay healthy and be given the keys to the kingdom After Kobe, if just to gain that All Star reputation to help lure the big fish in…

2. I thought the Lakers had to trade Russell or Clarkson in the offseason, now with Clarkson looking like a possible overpay and Russell recently shitting the bed and potentially poisoning the locker room and blacklisting himself, I think they would be best to trade them both, sad as I do like both guys and think they have bright futures, The Lakers just cant overpay for Jordan and keep an unpopular player if they want to eventually chase Westbrook and Durant(I think Russ would come home if the pieces are in place, KD probably joins John Wall in Washington)

3. Everything hangs on the Draft Lottery for the LAKE SHOW, if they land Simmons who already had a relationship with D’angelo than you can salvage his reputation by proxy, if they land the 2nd pick and Brandon Ingram, I’d assume he and any free agents interested in moving to Los Angeles wouldn’t mind it 1 bit if the Front Office moved Russell later that night, get a Top 10 pick or Starter and that’s a Win, your plan should be to build around Ingram and Randle at Worst and laying the ground work to lure Westbrook in a couple years at Best…

4. If they land the 3rd pick, they really dont have a slam dunk here, and may have to take Kris Dunn or Buddy Hield and trade Russell anyway(as I said he really has a chance to chase away Free Agents), they cant really take Bender here as they would be banking on him not only being well worth a Top 3 Pick and he’s gotta be just as good as Porzingas and Okafor seeing as they passed on both big guys this year…Gotta think they need a Top 2 pick or it’s a Bust, the next best prospect dont fit with Russell (if you’re really going to stick with him through and through) Buddy and Russell could fit but is that a slam dunk? Anybody else in play for LA at 3?

5. What if, and this will sting Laker fans, but what if they lose their top 3 pick to Philadelphia, would you be willing to trade Russell for Kris Dunn, Jamal Murray or Buddy Hield if a Team like Phoenix or New Orleans was willing to take Russell on? Let’s say the 3rd Pick from Phoenix for Russell, would that be an Ideal move?

6. Is a sign and trade possible for Jordan Clarkson? Or do you extend him at any cost?

7. Is signing Demar Derozen and Hassan Whiteside the best possible outcome in free agency, because I’ve been on that train for a while, Demar would fill that Sg-Sf role making Clarkson all the more expendable, I don’t know if Whiteside is a glove fit with Randle down low, but he would be a splash signing, he and Demar would begin to eat into the Laker’s newly found cap space but they could retain Clarkson and still have enough money to sign Westbrook in 17? 

The Lakers will have a very busy summer, as an outsider I’m both exited for them and kinda hoping they lose their pick to Philadelphia but rebuild strongly the good old-fashioned Laker way via Free Agency and Trades(Derozen and Whiteside in FA, Russell for a Top 5 pick)

I want them to land a Superstar like Westbrook in 2017, it would bring the sizzle back to LA it deserves, I actually want the Lakers, Celtics, Knicks and my 76ers to regain their glory and become contenders after Lebron wears down, Duncan, Pop, Manu and Tony ride off into the sunset, The Warriors start missing shots and looking mortal and the Westbrook and Durant super duo break up…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

[MopgrassParticipant]

If he plays well next year, I don’t think the Russell will have trouble moving beyond the Nick Young issue. They wouldn’t trade him while his stock was low. I also can see them moving Clarkson, but not because he’ll be overpaid. I think he’ll deserve the contract. The big problem to me is everyone needs the ball in their hands: Russell, Clarkson, Randle. That’s why I always wished they’d use Clarkson to get your Nerlens Noel. Less shooting, more defense. However, I think the Sixers want to keep him and trade Okafor (whom the Lakers don’t want, nor can they afford him). 

I also like Randle. He’s done a great job of growing: hitting free throws, finally going right (often), and rebounding the heck out of the ball. I do wonder about his intelligence: dude just runs into people and gets called for it all the time. He doesn’t adjust to the defense. I also feel he should be a solid defender with his strength and motor, instead he’s under average and misses assignments. His saving grace is that he’s a hard worker. He’ll eventually figure everything out because he’s so relentless. I don bet against those kind of guys. 

[MopgrassParticipant]

If he plays well next year, I don’t think the Russell will have trouble moving beyond the Nick Young issue. They wouldn’t trade him while his stock was low. I also can see them moving Clarkson, but not because he’ll be overpaid. I think he’ll deserve the contract. The big problem to me is everyone needs the ball in their hands: Russell, Clarkson, Randle. That’s why I always wished they’d use Clarkson to get your Nerlens Noel. Less shooting, more defense. However, I think the Sixers want to keep him and trade Okafor (whom the Lakers don’t want, nor can they afford him). 

I also like Randle. He’s done a great job of growing: hitting free throws, finally going right (often), and rebounding the heck out of the ball. I do wonder about his intelligence: dude just runs into people and gets called for it all the time. He doesn’t adjust to the defense. I also feel he should be a solid defender with his strength and motor, instead he’s under average and misses assignments. His saving grace is that he’s a hard worker. He’ll eventually figure everything out because he’s so relentless. I don bet against those kind of guys. 

[The Scare Crow RisesParticipant]

 1. Im super high on Randle, I think he can be a Stud…I think he has that "fire" in his belly, he just needs to stay healthy and be given the keys to the kingdom After Kobe, if just to gain that All Star reputation to help lure the big fish in…

2. I thought the Lakers had to trade Russell or Clarkson in the offseason, now with Clarkson looking like a possible overpay and Russell recently shitting the bed and potentially poisoning the locker room and blacklisting himself, I think they would be best to trade them both, sad as I do like both guys and think they have bright futures, The Lakers just cant overpay for Jordan and keep an unpopular player if they want to eventually chase Westbrook and Durant(I think Russ would come home if the pieces are in place, KD probably joins John Wall in Washington)

3. Everything hangs on the Draft Lottery for the LAKE SHOW, if they land Simmons who already had a relationship with D’angelo than you can salvage his reputation by proxy, if they land the 2nd pick and Brandon Ingram, I’d assume he and any free agents interested in moving to Los Angeles wouldn’t mind it 1 bit if the Front Office moved Russell later that night, get a Top 10 pick or Starter and that’s a Win, your plan should be to build around Ingram and Randle at Worst and laying the ground work to lure Westbrook in a couple years at Best…

4. If they land the 3rd pick, they really dont have a slam dunk here, and may have to take Kris Dunn or Buddy Hield and trade Russell anyway(as I said he really has a chance to chase away Free Agents), they cant really take Bender here as they would be banking on him not only being well worth a Top 3 Pick and he’s gotta be just as good as Porzingas and Okafor seeing as they passed on both big guys this year…Gotta think they need a Top 2 pick or it’s a Bust, the next best prospect dont fit with Russell (if you’re really going to stick with him through and through) Buddy and Russell could fit but is that a slam dunk? Anybody else in play for LA at 3?

5. What if, and this will sting Laker fans, but what if they lose their top 3 pick to Philadelphia, would you be willing to trade Russell for Kris Dunn, Jamal Murray or Buddy Hield if a Team like Phoenix or New Orleans was willing to take Russell on? Let’s say the 3rd Pick from Phoenix for Russell, would that be an Ideal move?

6. Is a sign and trade possible for Jordan Clarkson? Or do you extend him at any cost?

7. Is signing Demar Derozen and Hassan Whiteside the best possible outcome in free agency, because I’ve been on that train for a while, Demar would fill that Sg-Sf role making Clarkson all the more expendable, I don’t know if Whiteside is a glove fit with Randle down low, but he would be a splash signing, he and Demar would begin to eat into the Laker’s newly found cap space but they could retain Clarkson and still have enough money to sign Westbrook in 17? 

The Lakers will have a very busy summer, as an outsider I’m both exited for them and kinda hoping they lose their pick to Philadelphia but rebuild strongly the good old-fashioned Laker way via Free Agency and Trades(Derozen and Whiteside in FA, Russell for a Top 5 pick)

I want them to land a Superstar like Westbrook in 2017, it would bring the sizzle back to LA it deserves, I actually want the Lakers, Celtics, Knicks and my 76ers to regain their glory and become contenders after Lebron wears down, Duncan, Pop, Manu and Tony ride off into the sunset, The Warriors start missing shots and looking mortal and the Westbrook and Durant super duo break up…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

[Ahkasi ClayParticipant]

 can we wait until after the Lotto, to see if the Lakers even have a pick, before we start this?

[Ahkasi ClayParticipant]

 can we wait until after the Lotto, to see if the Lakers even have a pick, before we start this?

[HitsterParticipant]

 The Lakers will always have a chance of getting good FA’s maybe not a peak player who is chasing a title immediately but maybe one who has a title wants a new challenge or the next level down of borderline All Stars. A lot depends on if the Lakers will give the rebuild a bit of time or flip one of the young core for a current top player especially if the Russell situation isn’t resolved.

Also a lot of players may be lured by the thought of playing for Lakers but they may not be the real franchise changing FAs.

The rebuild may take a couple of years, lets take middle ground and say Lakers get 3rd pick they miss out on Ingram and Simmons but add a nice player and lets say they land Al Horford for example as an FA. The young core and Horford would then look a much more interesting option for a really top FA in 2017 or 2018.

 

 

[HitsterParticipant]

 The Lakers will always have a chance of getting good FA’s maybe not a peak player who is chasing a title immediately but maybe one who has a title wants a new challenge or the next level down of borderline All Stars. A lot depends on if the Lakers will give the rebuild a bit of time or flip one of the young core for a current top player especially if the Russell situation isn’t resolved.

Also a lot of players may be lured by the thought of playing for Lakers but they may not be the real franchise changing FAs.

The rebuild may take a couple of years, lets take middle ground and say Lakers get 3rd pick they miss out on Ingram and Simmons but add a nice player and lets say they land Al Horford for example as an FA. The young core and Horford would then look a much more interesting option for a really top FA in 2017 or 2018.

 

 

[markfitz14Participant]

Even if they get to keep the pick this year they will still be one of the worst teams next year.

[markfitz14Participant]

Even if they get to keep the pick this year they will still be one of the worst teams next year.

[Author]

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