Lakers trade Walton/Kapono/1st for Sessions/Eyenga

[Sedale Threatt]

Getting young was never really a legit option. The only real chance we have, as risky as it is, is to try to ride our aging core to another title. Long odds, but it would have been every bit as risky to try to hit on an immediate contributor near the bottom of the first round. Those picks don't have nearly the same value as they do in the NFL.

[Wavy Q]

its funny because even though he's a mediocre outside shooter and an even worse defender,

That'll change immensely seeing as he has two 7 footers behind him, defense at the NBA level is more predicated to team structure. He's quick enough to check one on one, all he has to do now if funnel to the middle.......pretty simple really.

The problem is his lateral quickness is poor, he can't guard fast PGs very well.

He can still guard them better than Fisher, but either way.

[B Mac]

I've been clamoring for Sessions for a while now so good to see us pick him up. I've always had a nagging suspicion that we'd somehow snag Eyenga as well from them He's athletic as heck but extremely raw right now-reason why he's being shipped immediately to the D-Fenders. Still only 22 though. Can definitely see him develop into a solid wing defender if he puts in the time and effort (along the mold of a Trenton Hassell, Hassan Adams, Ronnie Brewer or Tony Allen even).

I want to make sure you temper your expectations from Eyenga, and if you dont mind I'll add my two cents on him.

The Cavs assigned him to their DLeague team earlier this year and had to bring him back up because he sulked so much that they knew it wasnt improving his game at all. His work ethic has been extremely questionable during his tenure with the Cavs. Recently during a game against the Knicks he was on Twitter sending messages to a good looking girl that he saw in the stands. The Cavs did some damage control after the game and stated that he was a late add to the inactive list so he wouldnt receive any penalties, but it was at that point that I realized that he was done in Cleveland.

He is still very young at playing basketball (he didnt even start playing the game until just a few years ago) and is extremely athletic, but he just hasnt proven to have the work ethic needed to make a serious push at consistant playing time.

[dockingsched]

Recently during a game against the Knicks he was on Twitter sending messages to a good looking girl that he saw in the stands

what a freaking winner.

[tsherkin]

So hold on, hold on...

The Lakers managed to get rid of Kapono AND acquire Sessions in one fell-swoop?

*claps for management, no sarcasm*

This is basically the first thing they've done since the scam-quisition of Gasol that I've really stood back and admired. This is good. Sessions isn't an All-Star, but that wasn't the issue. He's definitely a starting-caliber point guard, though, and that really matters. Not shooting well under the arc this season, but he's shooting REALLY well above it, and that's kind of important. He's a bit of an inconsistent shooter, isn't really a dominant finisher at the rim... not a scorer. But he has been solid from the line the last 1.5 seasons or so; I'd be a little leery of his 3pt shooting because of his history, but he's athletic, he's a good passer, he's not expecting 40 mpg and he's an infusion of young talent at a position of need.

Great acquisition.

[Mirjalovic]

We in other words get Sessions & Hill in this year draft. This class lacking good point guard, & we need to win now, so its a win to get them. They also NBA ready.

[dockingsched]

Sessions is going to wear #7...too soon, too soon

[Jetset]

We in other words get Sessions & Hill in this year draft. This class lacking good point guard, & we need to win now, so its a win to get them. They also NBA ready.

Jordan Hill is not NBA ready

[The Laker Kid]

I want to make sure you temper your expectations from Eyenga, and if you dont mind I'll add my two cents on him.

The Cavs assigned him to their DLeague team earlier this year and had to bring him back up because he sulked so much that they knew it wasnt improving his game at all. His work ethic has been extremely questionable during his tenure with the Cavs.

I think Kobe will set him straight; hopefully his work ethic rubs off on him.

[Asianiac_24]

What an amazing trade, we managed to dump Kapono on them

[Kilroy]

So is Eyenga injured? BBall Reference has him out inordinately with a 'lacerated toe'...

[snaquille oatmeal]

So is Eyenga injured? BBall Reference has him out inordinately with a 'lacerated toe'...

he gotta booboo. he tripped over a chair in the locker room and cut his toe. after a game he didn't play in no less.

[Kilroy]

Winning!

[So Gutta]

Thank you Cleveland for taking Luke Walton. That guy was stealing $5 mil/ year from the Lakers and did not deserve to be in warm-ups. Mitch made up for the atrocious 6-year deal he gave him. Now we at least have an NBA caliber player ready to check into the game if need be.

[Draper]

Looks like Cleveland has already waived Kapono.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/77019 ... est-season

[Slava]

If he was making the minimum why did they even take him and waive him? Its not like his salary would have balanced the numbers in the trade right?

[Gek]

Maybe they just realized how bad and white he was.

[Draper]

If he was making the minimum why did they even take him and waive him? Its not like his salary would have balanced the numbers in the trade right?

That's what I was wondering too. Funny that two of three players we traded this week have been waived/bought out...maybe not so funny that the only on that'll still be on an active roster is Luke..

[Sofa King]

Maybe they just realized how bad and white he was.

I think they knew since they originally drafted him.

[Kilroy]

Looks like Eyenga is already on the D-Fenders roster... I didn't realize he's only 6'5"... Kinda short for a SF isn't it?
Kinda thinking he never suits up for the Lakers.