2016 Lakers Have the Most Cap Space

[Slava]

They will get KD and Lebron after Golden State repeats this year. Clarkson and Randle will be traded for the third star.

If we get the 2nd or 3nd pick I think there's a 75% certainty we're going to package Randle and the pick for Love.

[WVlakerfan]

They will get KD and Lebron after Golden State repeats this year. Clarkson and Randle will be traded for the third star.

If we get the 2nd or 3nd pick I think there's a 75% certainty we're going to package Randle and the pick for Love.

I'm not a kevin love fan at all, i hope this doesn't happen.

[cashflo]

They will get KD and Lebron after Golden State repeats this year. Clarkson and Randle will be traded for the third star.

You got my attention... Russel? Would be great for OKC if they lose Durant. We would then have maybe a pick and Randle to get another great player.. We can only dream..

[Doormatt]

They will get KD and Lebron after Golden State repeats this year. Clarkson and Randle will be traded for the third star.

You got my attention... Russel? Would be great for OKC if they lose Durant. We would then have maybe a pick and Randle to get another great player.. We can only dream..

Are you saying Westbrook would be great or D'Angelo? either way, if KD leaves OKC they are gonna be left with nothing cuz there is no way WB is staying, and we wouldnt have to trade them anything since KD is unrestricted.

[crazyeights]

They will get KD and Lebron after Golden State repeats this year. Clarkson and Randle will be traded for the third star.

If we get the 2nd or 3nd pick I think there's a 75% certainty we're going to package Randle and the pick for Love.

I was saying a while ago that I could see Love for Durant as being likely.

Love fits better with Westbrook and Ibaka than with LBJ and Kyrie, plus he and Westbrook are buddies.

Durant goes east to avoid GSW in the 2nd round for 5 years and gives himself a puncher's chance at a title for a decade easily.

[bah humbug]

what does the cap situation look like the summer after this? i anticipate that with so many teams having so much cap space everyone will be blowing their wad left and right. if we wait an extra year will we be in a unique position to sign people when others won't? ie should we go after guys like derozan when maybe a year from now other than okc we will be the only team that can offer westbrook a max? (okc/westbrook just an example, not sure who else will be fa)

[TylersLakers]

Well, this is what Mitch and Jim have been waiting for, the ability to be the destination when two max players want to team together to win.

But there aren't two max players this summer that we really want. My guess is that they sign Whiteside and hold tight until the following summer

Yep, I would say this is the likely scenario. Not saying it's a good one, either.

[TylersLakers]

what does the cap situation look like the summer after this? i anticipate that with so many teams having so much cap space everyone will be blowing their wad left and right. if we wait an extra year will we be in a unique position to sign people when others won't? ie should we go after guys like derozan when maybe a year from now other than okc we will be the only team that can offer westbrook a max? (okc/westbrook just an example, not sure who else will be fa)

Depends on how much we use this summer. If we use all our available space in multi year contracts, we should have salary cap room the following year, but probably not enough for a max spot.

If we sign one or two max guys, we would have enough room the following summer for another maximum player.

Also, the contracts of Nick Young and Williams are factors too. If we can manage to dish them off and not take any salary back, we'd have even more flexibility.

[Jakay]

Well, this is what Mitch and Jim have been waiting for, the ability to be the destination when two max players want to team together to win.

But there aren't two max players this summer that we really want. My guess is that they sign Whiteside and hold tight until the following summer

So rinse repeat.

Some day they'll have to stop following the label.

But they've played the long game pretty well here I suppose. now the time to start building for real though. It probably isn't a home run type of off-season, but starting to put together a well thought out team takes time holy deja vu, I swear I've typed this before.

[Spanish_Laker]

Everything relies on ping-pong balls:

- If we keep our pick, we will be able to add to our promising young core another potential superstar, or we could trade the pick for a proven player.

- If we lose the pick, it will be much more difficult to attract top-tier FAs, but anything can happen.

SF and C positions are our voids. We must draft/sign/trade for good players at the 3 and 5 positions (Ingram and Whiteside would be awesome)

[RingsDontLie]

Priority should be Whiteside. I think Russell and Clarkson could turn into one of the best back courts in the league. A Randle/Whiteside combo would make a great pairing as well, especially as Randle develops a consistent jumper. The only issue is a starting SF...hopefully, that is going to be Simmons.

I really think we need a veteran backup PG moving forward too. Hopefully we retain Brandon Bass but I want Nick Young and Lou Williams to be gone.

Starters:

Russell
Clarkson
Whiteside
Randle
Derozoan

[ak7]

They will get KD and Lebron after Golden State repeats this year. Clarkson and Randle will be traded for the third star.

If we get the 2nd or 3nd pick I think there's a 75% certainty we're going to package Randle and the pick for Love.

As if we need anymore players on the team who do not play a lick of productive defense. I want Love as far away from this team as possible.

[MrWaffles]

I don't really care who signs with us this summer. I don't see us making the playoffs next year unless we fire Scott and can land KD somehow... Even then probably not.


On the subject of free agency. The lakers MUST and I say MUST, avoid signing any long term max contract with anyone this summer. Whoever we sign, whether it's a scrub or superstar should get more than a one year deal.

The salary cap will be rising next summer, I assume we will see a lot of one year deals throughout the league unless you're a average player.

Stick to one year deals so we will have even more money for players worth a damn next summer.

For example , I'll throw huge money at Oladipo instead of batum.

[warrenpeace]

Priority should be Whiteside. I think Russell and Clarkson could turn into one of the best back courts in the league. A Randle/Whiteside combo would make a great pairing as well, especially as Randle develops a consistent jumper. The only issue is a starting SF...hopefully, that is going to be Simmons.

I really think we need a veteran backup PG moving forward too. Hopefully we retain Brandon Bass but I want Nick Young and Lou Williams to be gone.

Starters:

Russell
Clarkson
Whiteside
Randle
Derozoan

I see parallel with the Spurs backcourt of Tony Parker and Ginobili. D'Angelo has already said the Ginobili was his favorite player, and i've always seen Clarkson as a taller, more athletic Tony Parker. Clarkson is from San Antonio, so i'm pretty sure Tony Parker was an influence.