[I CALLED GAMEParticipant]

  I’ve seen a great deal of post on this forum about the Lakers presumably keeping their top three protected pick and even winning the "NBA DRAFT LOTTERY" and selecting a true darling dandy in Ben Simmons.

  PAUSE! what about the other hand of cards that can be dealt for the historic franchise, what if they fall out of the top three what would be there next move? who would they look to draft with the 2nd round pick? who would they target in free agency? would they look for a possible trade do they or could they include Nick Young in any possible trade? who would be a possible trade target? do they bring Hibbert back on a discount? Do they fire Byron Scott?

What do you guys think?

 

 

 

[llperez]

 obviously would be really nice to keep pick, but whether they keep it or not i dont think it changes anything in regards to their off-season plan. They will once again try and go after the top notch free agents. They will continue to look to develp the young guys in julius randle, deangelo russell, jordan clarkson and rookie surprise larry nace jr. As for bringing hibbert back im sure that largely depends on what they do or do not do in free agency with the big names. They have over 40 million coming off the books in kobe and hibbert alone. In fact they have only 23 mill tied up for next year which is less then any team in the league other then the blazers. if the big names dont come, it will be interesting to see how they fill out the roster but i prefer they dont reach and overpay average players and instead focus on the young guys. Durant and derozan are the only two unrestrcited guys i would go all out for in free agency. 

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 Derozan is going to be disgustingly overpaid.  Unless he wants to give a home town discount… no thanks.  He isn’t the type of player that moves the needle.  Rudy Gay at the SG position.

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 Derozan is going to be disgustingly overpaid.  Unless he wants to give a home town discount… no thanks.  He isn’t the type of player that moves the needle.  Rudy Gay at the SG position.

[ballislyfe25Participant]

Exactly, and if they happen to lose the pick and strike out again in free agency, they will be terribe, develop the young guns, and get a high pick in next year’s draft. 

As for their FA targets – Derozan, Hassan Whiteside, and a offering RFA Harrison Barnes a max deal seem like the most realistic options. The Warriors have to match any deal offered to Barnes, right? That core is too good to break up.

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 I agree that they should also offer H Barnes a hefty contract, if only to force a division rival.. or former rival 🙁  to make the decision.  It’s a win win.

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 I agree that they should also offer H Barnes a hefty contract, if only to force a division rival.. or former rival 🙁  to make the decision.  It’s a win win.

[ballislyfe25Participant]

Exactly, and if they happen to lose the pick and strike out again in free agency, they will be terribe, develop the young guns, and get a high pick in next year’s draft. 

As for their FA targets – Derozan, Hassan Whiteside, and a offering RFA Harrison Barnes a max deal seem like the most realistic options. The Warriors have to match any deal offered to Barnes, right? That core is too good to break up.

[llperez]

 obviously would be really nice to keep pick, but whether they keep it or not i dont think it changes anything in regards to their off-season plan. They will once again try and go after the top notch free agents. They will continue to look to develp the young guys in julius randle, deangelo russell, jordan clarkson and rookie surprise larry nace jr. As for bringing hibbert back im sure that largely depends on what they do or do not do in free agency with the big names. They have over 40 million coming off the books in kobe and hibbert alone. In fact they have only 23 mill tied up for next year which is less then any team in the league other then the blazers. if the big names dont come, it will be interesting to see how they fill out the roster but i prefer they dont reach and overpay average players and instead focus on the young guys. Durant and derozan are the only two unrestrcited guys i would go all out for in free agency. 

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 Well considering the FO’s acknowledgement that they cannot in fact, walk and chew gum at the same time by publicly saying that the main focus is Kobe’s farewell tour… which in translation is developing our youth isn’t our primary concern I would say it doesn’t really make a difference.  

It would be one thing to state how important it is to make sure Kobe gets the best farewell tour possible.  It is however completely assanine to publicly state that everything is on hold until he is gone.  

Missing out on the pick would be extremely detrimental.  Nothing to show for a full season of terrible basketball.  Not even access minutes played for all of the young guys.  There would be silver lining if the younger players were getting more minutes than they can handle. Anybody who makes the case that they shouldn’t be playing more than 27 minutes a game are just off.  If they are currently averaging 27 minutes a game like Russell is… bumping him up to 35 gives him almost an extra game played every 3 or 4 games.  That matters.  

Losing the pick would be an extra kick in the penis in a year full of them.  I suppose the only possible worst outcome from a year where Kobe does whatever he wants, B Scott does B Scott things, FO cements that it’s okay for Kobe to do whatever he wants AND they lose their pick would be all that stuff and B Scott returning next year.  Which sounds like a real possiblity.

I would be trading Lou Williams, Nick Young, Bass right now…. for a pile of dog shit if that’s all I could get.  In said trade for dog shit, at least they would be clearing about 12 mil off the books.  I think Lou could be moved, Nick I am not so sure about.  But I would move either of them literally for anything offered.  Will the FO do that?  No, because this is Kobe’s world, and trotting non-vets out with Kobe every night would eventually make him angry… and that is clearly the most important thing, keeping him happy during his last 50 games as a Laker.

It’s crazy, a few years ago Mitch was considered a great GM.  When he was under Dr Jerry he could seemingly do what he needed with a hands off approach from the owner.  This makes me inclined to think that Jim Buss is controlling a lot more than I originally thought… or Mitch has simply lost his touch.

There isn’t much to look forward to as a Laker fan, especially if they lose that pick.  If they do lose their pick, there is a good chance they whiff on just about everything this off season.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Hype Machine]

 The upside of playing just 27 minutes is that they’re less chance of injury risk.

27 minutes x 82 games is adequete development time. 

 

 

 

 

[Hype Machine]

 The upside of playing just 27 minutes is that they’re less chance of injury risk.

27 minutes x 82 games is adequete development time. 

 

 

 

 

[llperez]

 i dont care what the front office said about this season is about kobe, the fact is they have madfe it very clear in their actions they are all about the rebuild effort. Clarkson, randle and russell are all top 5 on the team in miuntes and playing over 26 minutes per game each. Nance is now in that rotation as well. Kobe is only playing 30mpg while missing 8 games so far and getting up 17 shots per when he is out there so im not sure how you can say they have  neglected the youth movement. They are also using brown more to see if he can stick as a 3 and D guy instead of trying to force extra minutes to a vet like young or metta. I also like how they have not paniced and went overboard paying sub par guys. Lou will at 7 mill per and bass at a few million per is not dragging the team down. They are also both 30 and 29 years old respectively so its not like they are over the hill. I mean what exactly do you want from them? Cut everyone over the age of 25 and send a dleague team out and scare every possible free agent off forever? We see how well thats working in philly. 

And as for derozan, he doesnt get me super excited eaither, but based on what we are seeing in todays free agency, hes going to get a max. And i like him better then tobias harris who you were hoping the lakers would throw a max deal at a few months ago.

 

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 Yes I think for the current state they are in getting rid of everyone over 25 wouldn’t be a bad idea.  Mostly because just by coincidence there is nobody over 25 on the roster that I deem not trade worthy.  

I am fully aware how many minutes the young guys are playing.  Anybody who opposes giving them more minutes can never seem to provide a counter argument.  The argument for playing them more is simple.  They aren’t winning either way.  Repetition is the key to success, and they are missing reps they will never get back.  

So I ask you,  does playing them more minutes have a downside?  Aside from injury?  Which is ridiculous to take into consideration for any of them except MAYBE Randle.  There is no downside… There is only potential upside to it.  Keyword potential as it is no guarantee more run will have a positive impact for them.  

Mitch just said their biggest priority is sending Kobe off right.  Their biggest priority should be what’s best for the team which is not Kobe Bryant anymore as much as you would hate to admit it.

A max for Tobias at the time would have been overpaying him,  but is what would have been needed since he was a restricted free agent.  A max for derozan right now will be higher than what they could have offered Tobias… So not exactly the same.  I would rather have two decent players for 10 mil each,  then one decent one in Derozan for 20.  He will never live up to the contract he’s going to get,  might as well let someone else make that mistake.  That’s alot of money for someone who doesn’t add wins.  

 

 

 

 

[llperez]

 you would trade lou williams who was the 6th man of the year last season on a playoff team and is currently the second best player on the lakers behind clarkson(imo) and you would trade him for a "pile of shit" (your words) and you would gladly give tobias harris a max contract and you would do a better job as a gm then the lakers?

The lakers are clearly developing their youth AND allowing kobe to retire on his terms(seeing as how ticket prices are up crazy and every arena is selling out the $$$ is another thing good  gm’s do take into concern). Clarkson leads the team in minutes. He is given total freedom. Randle and nance are basically splitting minutes 50/50. Either one you bench means the other young prospect is not getting that key development time you think is no neccessary. And scott has said that one reason julius has lost minutes is due to poor help defense. You dont think there is some benefit to showing young 20 year old rookies that they will lose minutes when they fail to play defense?You think allowing them play poor defense and not be punished by losing minutes is a good thing for their development?

That leaves deangelo russell, a guy who is playing 28 minutes a night. I mean if you think 28 minutes a night for a 19 year old rookie is not enough to allow him to develop, i guess we disagree.

the fact you think that the lakers are not develping young guys and would be better off cutting everyone over 25 and going full on sixers mode is silly.

 

 

 

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 The team you are so content with is currently only 4 games away from being full on sixers mode already….

[llperez]

 lol at content. I want to see them develop the youth and look to add quality free agents. Everything i have posted refelcts that. And at the moment that is what they are trying to do. I actually really like the young guys and i like the fact we are watching kobe’s final season and i like the fact that are worst contract is nick young making 6 mill per for 2 more seasons. 

[llperez]

 lol at content. I want to see them develop the youth and look to add quality free agents. Everything i have posted refelcts that. And at the moment that is what they are trying to do. I actually really like the young guys and i like the fact we are watching kobe’s final season and i like the fact that are worst contract is nick young making 6 mill per for 2 more seasons. 

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 The team you are so content with is currently only 4 games away from being full on sixers mode already….

[llperez]

 you would trade lou williams who was the 6th man of the year last season on a playoff team and is currently the second best player on the lakers behind clarkson(imo) and you would trade him for a "pile of shit" (your words) and you would gladly give tobias harris a max contract and you would do a better job as a gm then the lakers?

The lakers are clearly developing their youth AND allowing kobe to retire on his terms(seeing as how ticket prices are up crazy and every arena is selling out the $$$ is another thing good  gm’s do take into concern). Clarkson leads the team in minutes. He is given total freedom. Randle and nance are basically splitting minutes 50/50. Either one you bench means the other young prospect is not getting that key development time you think is no neccessary. And scott has said that one reason julius has lost minutes is due to poor help defense. You dont think there is some benefit to showing young 20 year old rookies that they will lose minutes when they fail to play defense?You think allowing them play poor defense and not be punished by losing minutes is a good thing for their development?

That leaves deangelo russell, a guy who is playing 28 minutes a night. I mean if you think 28 minutes a night for a 19 year old rookie is not enough to allow him to develop, i guess we disagree.

the fact you think that the lakers are not develping young guys and would be better off cutting everyone over 25 and going full on sixers mode is silly.

 

 

 

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 Yes I think for the current state they are in getting rid of everyone over 25 wouldn’t be a bad idea.  Mostly because just by coincidence there is nobody over 25 on the roster that I deem not trade worthy.  

I am fully aware how many minutes the young guys are playing.  Anybody who opposes giving them more minutes can never seem to provide a counter argument.  The argument for playing them more is simple.  They aren’t winning either way.  Repetition is the key to success, and they are missing reps they will never get back.  

So I ask you,  does playing them more minutes have a downside?  Aside from injury?  Which is ridiculous to take into consideration for any of them except MAYBE Randle.  There is no downside… There is only potential upside to it.  Keyword potential as it is no guarantee more run will have a positive impact for them.  

Mitch just said their biggest priority is sending Kobe off right.  Their biggest priority should be what’s best for the team which is not Kobe Bryant anymore as much as you would hate to admit it.

A max for Tobias at the time would have been overpaying him,  but is what would have been needed since he was a restricted free agent.  A max for derozan right now will be higher than what they could have offered Tobias… So not exactly the same.  I would rather have two decent players for 10 mil each,  then one decent one in Derozan for 20.  He will never live up to the contract he’s going to get,  might as well let someone else make that mistake.  That’s alot of money for someone who doesn’t add wins.  

 

 

 

 

[llperez]

 i dont care what the front office said about this season is about kobe, the fact is they have madfe it very clear in their actions they are all about the rebuild effort. Clarkson, randle and russell are all top 5 on the team in miuntes and playing over 26 minutes per game each. Nance is now in that rotation as well. Kobe is only playing 30mpg while missing 8 games so far and getting up 17 shots per when he is out there so im not sure how you can say they have  neglected the youth movement. They are also using brown more to see if he can stick as a 3 and D guy instead of trying to force extra minutes to a vet like young or metta. I also like how they have not paniced and went overboard paying sub par guys. Lou will at 7 mill per and bass at a few million per is not dragging the team down. They are also both 30 and 29 years old respectively so its not like they are over the hill. I mean what exactly do you want from them? Cut everyone over the age of 25 and send a dleague team out and scare every possible free agent off forever? We see how well thats working in philly. 

And as for derozan, he doesnt get me super excited eaither, but based on what we are seeing in todays free agency, hes going to get a max. And i like him better then tobias harris who you were hoping the lakers would throw a max deal at a few months ago.

 

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 Well considering the FO’s acknowledgement that they cannot in fact, walk and chew gum at the same time by publicly saying that the main focus is Kobe’s farewell tour… which in translation is developing our youth isn’t our primary concern I would say it doesn’t really make a difference.  

It would be one thing to state how important it is to make sure Kobe gets the best farewell tour possible.  It is however completely assanine to publicly state that everything is on hold until he is gone.  

Missing out on the pick would be extremely detrimental.  Nothing to show for a full season of terrible basketball.  Not even access minutes played for all of the young guys.  There would be silver lining if the younger players were getting more minutes than they can handle. Anybody who makes the case that they shouldn’t be playing more than 27 minutes a game are just off.  If they are currently averaging 27 minutes a game like Russell is… bumping him up to 35 gives him almost an extra game played every 3 or 4 games.  That matters.  

Losing the pick would be an extra kick in the penis in a year full of them.  I suppose the only possible worst outcome from a year where Kobe does whatever he wants, B Scott does B Scott things, FO cements that it’s okay for Kobe to do whatever he wants AND they lose their pick would be all that stuff and B Scott returning next year.  Which sounds like a real possiblity.

I would be trading Lou Williams, Nick Young, Bass right now…. for a pile of dog shit if that’s all I could get.  In said trade for dog shit, at least they would be clearing about 12 mil off the books.  I think Lou could be moved, Nick I am not so sure about.  But I would move either of them literally for anything offered.  Will the FO do that?  No, because this is Kobe’s world, and trotting non-vets out with Kobe every night would eventually make him angry… and that is clearly the most important thing, keeping him happy during his last 50 games as a Laker.

It’s crazy, a few years ago Mitch was considered a great GM.  When he was under Dr Jerry he could seemingly do what he needed with a hands off approach from the owner.  This makes me inclined to think that Jim Buss is controlling a lot more than I originally thought… or Mitch has simply lost his touch.

There isn’t much to look forward to as a Laker fan, especially if they lose that pick.  If they do lose their pick, there is a good chance they whiff on just about everything this off season.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Hype Machine]

 Lol I know the odds are theoretically around 50% that they’ll keep the pick…

But…Reality is that its 100%. 

Make of that comment what you like. 

 

 

 

[TripleDoubleScoutParticipant]

 Lol. Honestly my money is on the Lakers getting either the 2 or 3 pick. Luckily Ingram would fit in perfectly there.

[TripleDoubleScoutParticipant]

 Lol. Honestly my money is on the Lakers getting either the 2 or 3 pick. Luckily Ingram would fit in perfectly there.

[Hype Machine]

 Lol I know the odds are theoretically around 50% that they’ll keep the pick…

But…Reality is that its 100%. 

Make of that comment what you like. 

 

 

 

[HitsterParticipant]

 The Lakers have cap space and even if they lose their pick they could still make a major offer to a few top FA’s as an attractive team to join and offer one of them the keys to the franchise. I wonder if the Lakers would be brave enough to keep cap space available for possible moves in 2017, they cannot risk overpaying for good but not All Star level talent.

Byron Scott has had 4 heavy losing seasons in his last 4 years as a head coach and this year looks like being 5, so I do wonder if his best coaching days are behind him. Mitch Kupchak and the Buss Family may have some loyalty to Byron as he was a key member of the showtime Lakers. Perhaps they give Byron a front office role alongside Mitch and make use of Byron’s experience there.

The Lakers job would be top of most coaches’ wish lists and if the Lakers have to longer term rebuild, I’d do what Boston did and get a top young college coach in for the long term or try to get Luke Walton across from GSW.

 

 

[HitsterParticipant]

 The Lakers have cap space and even if they lose their pick they could still make a major offer to a few top FA’s as an attractive team to join and offer one of them the keys to the franchise. I wonder if the Lakers would be brave enough to keep cap space available for possible moves in 2017, they cannot risk overpaying for good but not All Star level talent.

Byron Scott has had 4 heavy losing seasons in his last 4 years as a head coach and this year looks like being 5, so I do wonder if his best coaching days are behind him. Mitch Kupchak and the Buss Family may have some loyalty to Byron as he was a key member of the showtime Lakers. Perhaps they give Byron a front office role alongside Mitch and make use of Byron’s experience there.

The Lakers job would be top of most coaches’ wish lists and if the Lakers have to longer term rebuild, I’d do what Boston did and get a top young college coach in for the long term or try to get Luke Walton across from GSW.

 

 

[he_gets_bucketsParticipant]

 I’d be throwing money at Hassan Whiteside and Barnes this offseason. I don’t think Derozan would help this team at all, especially if they do indeed keep the pick and get a guy like Ingram. That’s too many mouths to feed on offense if you get Derozan. You have 3 young guys you’re trying to develop already that are primarily offensive options in Randle, Russel and Clarkson. Bringing another 2 guard in whose going to demand 15+ shots a game as you get rid of Kobe would be damaging to their development in my opinion, especially again if they get another young scorer like Ingram. Focus on glue guys and defensive stoppers in free agency with high upside, ala Whiteside and Barnes. Barnes doesn’t need to pound the ball to be effective, and he’d look great next to a Clarkson/Russel backcourt. Whiteside would help be a back line against a pretty dismal perimeter defense, though that perimeter would be bolstered by Barnes.

That being said, I don’t think theres any offer that could be made that GSW don’t match so this is all a pipe dream. Miami aren’t a dumb organisation, I don’t think they let Whiteside walk unless the Lakers offer an absurd contract that is unwarranted. I don’t think the Lakers take a step forward this offseason, next year will be more struggles 

 

[blackflash234Participant]

 Whiteside will be an unrestricted free agent. Miami doesn’t have Bird Rights.

[he_gets_bucketsParticipant]

 Doesn’t mean that Riley won’t offer him just as good of an offer

[he_gets_bucketsParticipant]

 Doesn’t mean that Riley won’t offer him just as good of an offer

[blackflash234Participant]

 Whiteside will be an unrestricted free agent. Miami doesn’t have Bird Rights.

[he_gets_bucketsParticipant]

 I’d be throwing money at Hassan Whiteside and Barnes this offseason. I don’t think Derozan would help this team at all, especially if they do indeed keep the pick and get a guy like Ingram. That’s too many mouths to feed on offense if you get Derozan. You have 3 young guys you’re trying to develop already that are primarily offensive options in Randle, Russel and Clarkson. Bringing another 2 guard in whose going to demand 15+ shots a game as you get rid of Kobe would be damaging to their development in my opinion, especially again if they get another young scorer like Ingram. Focus on glue guys and defensive stoppers in free agency with high upside, ala Whiteside and Barnes. Barnes doesn’t need to pound the ball to be effective, and he’d look great next to a Clarkson/Russel backcourt. Whiteside would help be a back line against a pretty dismal perimeter defense, though that perimeter would be bolstered by Barnes.

That being said, I don’t think theres any offer that could be made that GSW don’t match so this is all a pipe dream. Miami aren’t a dumb organisation, I don’t think they let Whiteside walk unless the Lakers offer an absurd contract that is unwarranted. I don’t think the Lakers take a step forward this offseason, next year will be more struggles 

 

[I CALLED GAMEParticipant]

 Russell is starting to display true promise, he’s playing hungry, smart, and with confidence I love what I seen from him tonight. There are so many way the Lakers off season can go after season end but they are on track at least with a few pluses moving forward. And Hassan Whiteside would be a wonderful addition to this young Lakers team & with the possible addition of Ben Simmons could have them really turning heads as soon as next season 

[I CALLED GAMEParticipant]

 Russell is starting to display true promise, he’s playing hungry, smart, and with confidence I love what I seen from him tonight. There are so many way the Lakers off season can go after season end but they are on track at least with a few pluses moving forward. And Hassan Whiteside would be a wonderful addition to this young Lakers team & with the possible addition of Ben Simmons could have them really turning heads as soon as next season 

[HitsterParticipant]

Miami can offer Hassan Whiteside a 5 year deal, he’ll be 27 this summer and is yet to have a really big NBA deal so the extra year that Miami may offer could be a big incentive for him to remain there. A fair few other teams will be looking at Whiteside in FA but he is the sort of guy the Lakers could make a legit play for.

They still have Roy Hibbert’s expiring deal they might be able to turn into something, a team in the play offs wanting an extra big will sometimes give up a late first rounder to add extra depth for that year’s run.

[HitsterParticipant]

Miami can offer Hassan Whiteside a 5 year deal, he’ll be 27 this summer and is yet to have a really big NBA deal so the extra year that Miami may offer could be a big incentive for him to remain there. A fair few other teams will be looking at Whiteside in FA but he is the sort of guy the Lakers could make a legit play for.

They still have Roy Hibbert’s expiring deal they might be able to turn into something, a team in the play offs wanting an extra big will sometimes give up a late first rounder to add extra depth for that year’s run.

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 They do not have his bird rights so they may not have enough room to offer him a max deal.  It will depend on what Wade does.  Whether he will give them a discount, or try to demand another 20 mil.  This will have a direct impact on the amount that they will be able to offer Whiteside.  Plenty of teams will be able to offer him a 4 year max.  Though I believe because of his weird situation being in and out of the league, his potential max should be lower than someone else his age.

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 They do not have his bird rights so they may not have enough room to offer him a max deal.  It will depend on what Wade does.  Whether he will give them a discount, or try to demand another 20 mil.  This will have a direct impact on the amount that they will be able to offer Whiteside.  Plenty of teams will be able to offer him a 4 year max.  Though I believe because of his weird situation being in and out of the league, his potential max should be lower than someone else his age.

[daggers818Participant]

Whiteside and Barnes would be good addtions, of course, assuming Durant is out of the running.

Could Bacon still be available at top of 2nd round for Lakers if no first pick?

Get Walton to coach the team.

Last night’s game against Sactown was perfect in my mind for this season:  learning to overcome adversity with a gritty comeback on the road, seeing the youngsters play well and with moxie down the stretch (esp Russell who seemed to come of age in that game – it’s one game, I know, but still he looked like he had figured something out last night), Kobe played well with some highlight plays, sat at the end and made way for the kids while encouraging and coaching them, Lakers lose so not hurting their draft position to keep in hunt for for their 1st pick.  Perfect!

[daggers818Participant]

Whiteside and Barnes would be good addtions, of course, assuming Durant is out of the running.

Could Bacon still be available at top of 2nd round for Lakers if no first pick?

Get Walton to coach the team.

Last night’s game against Sactown was perfect in my mind for this season:  learning to overcome adversity with a gritty comeback on the road, seeing the youngsters play well and with moxie down the stretch (esp Russell who seemed to come of age in that game – it’s one game, I know, but still he looked like he had figured something out last night), Kobe played well with some highlight plays, sat at the end and made way for the kids while encouraging and coaching them, Lakers lose so not hurting their draft position to keep in hunt for for their 1st pick.  Perfect!

[Author]

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