What about center?

[DadoTheRabbet]

He might just do for a back-up point guard...
[tweet]https://twitter.com/espn_macmahon/status/615625189548666881[/tweet]

Wrong thread. Meant for the FA thread?

Not really. A follow-up to my previous thread regarding the center position and how it affects the rest.

[Danny Darko]

wow did not know he that kind of offensive potential he's showing in this video. Also, seems like he's plenty smart. I hope he's got it together and fullfills his potential with us.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5vOZho1YuM[/youtube]

[john248]

WTF is up with JJ Barea in a thread about centers?

[dockingsched]

I'd love for Tyson Chandler to be able to mentor Upshaw and help him overcome some of the defensive weaknesses that he currently hides with his raw size/length.

[GLRO]

Upshaw, before he got kicked out of Univ of Washington was projected as a lottery pick. Let's see how he does in the Summer League. If he does really well, he might be starting material for the Lakers. He's a rim protector , rebounder, a good post game and developing shot. But if he can just provide rim protection and rebounding, that's all the Lakers need.

[tugs]

I may be more disappointed if Lakers don't sign Upshaw than losing Towns in the draft.

I mean we struck gold last year with Clarkson and Randle and we got another gem in Russell and now have the opportunity to get an undrafted lottery pick in Upshaw. And they already have a decent wing in A. Brown and seem to be quality back ups in Nance and J. Brown.

It's unbelievable how lucky we got to build a complete lineup in two drafts.

[Kilroy]

So what was his drug of choice... He clearly has talent, but in the interview, he still sounds a bit like an addict. They're always really good at saying all the right things.

[TyCobb]

So what was his drug of choice... He clearly has talent, but in the interview, he still sounds a bit like an addict. They're always really good at saying all the right things.

Thank you. Dude sounded like he was fighting the different people talking in his head.

[Kilroy]

So what was his drug of choice... He clearly has talent, but in the interview, he still sounds a bit like an addict. They're always really good at saying all the right things.

Thank you. Dude sounded like he was fighting the different people talking in his head.

Little twitchy too... So I'm thinking he's not a pot-head?

[TyCobb]

So what was his drug of choice... He clearly has talent, but in the interview, he still sounds a bit like an addict. They're always really good at saying all the right things.

Thank you. Dude sounded like he was fighting the different people talking in his head.

Little twitchy too... So I'm thinking he's not a pot-head?

It was marijuana and cocaine.

[Laker_Kid]

So what was his drug of choice... He clearly has talent, but in the interview, he still sounds a bit like an addict. They're always really good at saying all the right things.

Thank you. Dude sounded like he was fighting the different people talking in his head.

thought that too. like how could this guy who says all these good things have such a background in the past. hard to believe. lol

but i really hope he straightens up for his sake and ours. he seems really talented and could be another steal.

[Kilroy]

Not going to ask how an Amateur Athlete can afford a coke habit...

[mcscotty]

Hope he can a stay clean for a few years and help us win a couple chips. He can then ride off into the sunset with crack pipe in hand. Maybe star in a reality show.

[dipstick]

I'm not gonna second guess the Lakers if they sign Upshaw. We brought him in late for a workout. With summer league, we should be able to see him well enough to decide if he's worth a go at a low risk non-guaranteed or at most a partially guaranteed deal. Even if we have to stash him in the D-League to start the year.

[Karmaloop]

Assuming the Lakers can sign LMA, that gives them ~$5M in cap space. What kind of complimentary center is going to sign for that? I'm not a huge fan of Robin Lopez (although he wouldn't be the worst), but he's not taking $5M/year. Almost feel like Kosta Koufos might be the best possible fit.

[dipstick]

Assuming the Lakers can sign LMA, that gives them ~$5M in cap space. What kind of complimentary center is going to sign for that? I'm not a huge fan of Robin Lopez (although he wouldn't be the worst), but he's not taking $5M/year. Almost feel like Kosta Koufos might be the best possible fit.

I'm not even sure we will have a full 5M available if we sign LMA. Legit centers are limited and everyone who's worth anything seems like is getting overpaid.

[Mirjalovic]

Upshaw-LMA-Randle-Black rotation is not too bad.

[Karmaloop]

I'm not even sure we will have a full 5M available if we sign LMA. Legit centers are limited and everyone who's worth anything seems like is getting overpaid.

I'm starting to think that Kosta Koufos might be the best fit. Give him 3 years, $12M with a team option on the third year. Give Koufos 26 MPG, and have LMA take the other 22 minutes. That's 14 minutes at PF for LMA, and that leaves Randle with 34 MPG.

[Jakay]

Thank you. Dude sounded like he was fighting the different people talking in his head.

Little twitchy too... So I'm thinking he's not a pot-head?

It was marijuana and cocaine.

Oh, then nothing to worry about in LA then...

[john248]

Brandon Wright for $5 mil or less.