Lakers Targets - Free Agent Class 2020

[zimpy27]

Again, FVV and Bertans.

There is a plethora of fillers to plug around the two stars for Pelinka. Plenty of bench bigs available, a selection of swing men defenders, some young guards, some old.

Dragic is old.

All you've told us is that you want FVV, but you keep ignoring the enormous obstacles for getting him.

FVV can't sign here as a free agent, we don't have the cap room.
FVV wants to stay with the Raptors, and the Raptors want to retain him.

The only way we can get FVV is through a sign-and-trade with matching salaries sent out to Raptors.

Why are the Raptors, the #2 seed in the east, going to trade away one of their core players?
What are the Lakers going to send out in a trade that would satisfy the Raptors?

Of course I'd love him on the Lakers, but it's just not happening. It's a complete fantasy, it's virtually impossible.

DJ Augustin is a similar type of player and would be much cheaper anyway.

I don't know if that sort of player is necessary though.

Danny Green has been terrible offensively but has the best on/off in the playoffs. When you look at the minutes at SF it's Green and then a bunch of SGs playing out of position and JR Smith. I think it highlights how weak the Lakers are at the SF that Danny Green is that important.

Therefore a 3+D guard at the SF position should be a big focus. Jerami Grant would be ideal obviously but unlikely. Who else can Lakers get?

[zimpy27]

I honestly think Seth Curry and Finney-Smith are perfect role-playing starters for the Lakers with LeBron, AD, Howard. I just don't know how to give the Mavs an offer to get them.

[king_james_vers]

I honestly think Seth Curry and Finney-Smith are perfect role-playing starters for the Lakers with LeBron, AD, Howard. I just don't know how to give the Mavs an offer to get them.

Yeah I'd love those two as well, but it's sort of the same conundrum as FVV: why are the Mavs trading away any role players at all? Luka is transforming into one of the best players in the game and they looked really good in the playoffs. Mavs are looking to add pieces, not get rid of them.

[zimpy27]

I honestly think Seth Curry and Finney-Smith are perfect role-playing starters for the Lakers with LeBron, AD, Howard. I just don't know how to give the Mavs an offer to get them.

Yeah I'd love those two as well, but it's sort of the same conundrum as FVV: why are the Mavs trading away any role players at all? Luka is transforming into one of the best players in the game and they looked really good in the playoffs. Mavs are looking to add pieces, not get rid of them.

Agreed.

I think Lakers probably should go for a long expensive contract with their expiring.

Middleton would be an ideal target if Bucks trade Giannis or if Giannis leaves Bucks in 2021.

3+D wing players that may be traded to free up cap space include:
Barton, Ingles, Bojan, Ross, Covington, Eric Gordon

[stan francisco]

Again, FVV and Bertans.

There is a plethora of fillers to plug around the two stars for Pelinka. Plenty of bench bigs available, a selection of swing men defenders, some young guards, some old.

Dragic is old.

All you've told us is that you want FVV, but you keep ignoring the enormous obstacles for getting him.

FVV can't sign here as a free agent, we don't have the cap room.
FVV wants to stay with the Raptors, and the Raptors want to retain him.

The only way we can get FVV is through a sign-and-trade with matching salaries sent out to Raptors.

Why are the Raptors, the #2 seed in the east, going to trade away one of their core players?
What are the Lakers going to send out in a trade that would satisfy the Raptors?

Of course I'd love him on the Lakers, but it's just not happening. It's a complete fantasy, it's virtually impossible.

I realize that it’s almost impossible. It’ll have to include a S&T. He’s I’m my mind the ideal fit at point next to LBJ and AD, and I was hoping someone would explain how impossible it is. The multitude of expendable guards we have might not interest them (KCP/JR Smith/Waiters/Cook). They’d ask for THT and Caruso in return.

Actually, I love Carudo’s game. Caruso is a dawg and we have THT coming into form just around the bend. Maybe Caruso starting at PG is an even better fit. It’s ridiculously mind boggling that LBJ has a higher +/- with AC fresh than with any other team mate ever.

Ok then, no FVV needed. Caruso and Bradley and THT will do. We need a swing man defender (Sefolosha) and a three point shooter (Bertans). Wait, we have Green and Kuzma.

Kostas stays, so does THT and Caruso. So, adding a star PG might not be where we should spend our money.

[stan francisco]

I honestly think Seth Curry and Finney-Smith are perfect role-playing starters for the Lakers with LeBron, AD, Howard. I just don't know how to give the Mavs an offer to get them.

Yeah I'd love those two as well, but it's sort of the same conundrum as FVV: why are the Mavs trading away any role players at all? Luka is transforming into one of the best players in the game and they looked really good in the playoffs. Mavs are looking to add pieces, not get rid of them.

Agreed.

I think Lakers probably should go for a long expensive contract with their expiring.

Middleton would be an ideal target if Bucks trade Giannis or if Giannis leaves Bucks in 2021.

3+D wing players that may be traded to free up cap space include:
Barton, Ingles, Bojan, Ross, Covington, Eric Gordon

I like that list. Covington would be a nice fit.

[lazybatman]

Yeah I'd love those two as well, but it's sort of the same conundrum as FVV: why are the Mavs trading away any role players at all? Luka is transforming into one of the best players in the game and they looked really good in the playoffs. Mavs are looking to add pieces, not get rid of them.

Agreed.

I think Lakers probably should go for a long expensive contract with their expiring.

Middleton would be an ideal target if Bucks trade Giannis or if Giannis leaves Bucks in 2021.

3+D wing players that may be traded to free up cap space include:
Barton, Ingles, Bojan, Ross, Covington, Eric Gordon

I like that list. Covington would be a nice fit.

Is he an FA? I like Eric Gordon a lot too.

[zimpy27]

Agreed.

I think Lakers probably should go for a long expensive contract with their expiring.

Middleton would be an ideal target if Bucks trade Giannis or if Giannis leaves Bucks in 2021.

3+D wing players that may be traded to free up cap space include:
Barton, Ingles, Bojan, Ross, Covington, Eric Gordon

I like that list. Covington would be a nice fit.

Is he an FA? I like Eric Gordon a lot too.

Nah these guys are trades.

KCP, AB, Kuzma, McGee are enough salary for Gordon and Covington.

LeBron, Caruso, Covington, AD, Howard
Rondo, Gordon, Green, Markieff

[LAKESHOW]

I've mentioned this before, and believe it the fact today. We got the better Morris brother. Dude is surprising many with his play

[iamworthy]

Read on Twitter

?s=21

[LakersSoul]

Mo Harkless

Then draft a wing like Paul Reed (DePaul). You have Mo, Reed and THT. Huge upgrade on youth and defense.

[lazybatman]

I like that list. Covington would be a nice fit.

Is he an FA? I like Eric Gordon a lot too.

Nah these guys are trades.

KCP, AB, Kuzma, McGee are enough salary for Gordon and Covington.

LeBron, Caruso, Covington, AD, Howard
Rondo, Gordon, Green, Markieff

That'd be a great trade for us, but Morey ain't biting.. lol

[zimpy27]

Is he an FA? I like Eric Gordon a lot too.

Nah these guys are trades.

KCP, AB, Kuzma, McGee are enough salary for Gordon and Covington.

LeBron, Caruso, Covington, AD, Howard
Rondo, Gordon, Green, Markieff

That'd be a great trade for us, but Morey ain't biting.. lol

Depends if he wants to reset in 2021 offseason with $21m cap space.
He would also have a decent team with depth next season:

Westbrook, KCP, Harden, Tucker, McGee
Rivers, Bradley, McLemore, House, Kuzma

[lazybatman]

Nah these guys are trades.

KCP, AB, Kuzma, McGee are enough salary for Gordon and Covington.

LeBron, Caruso, Covington, AD, Howard
Rondo, Gordon, Green, Markieff

That'd be a great trade for us, but Morey ain't biting.. lol

Depends if he wants to reset in 2021 offseason with $21m cap space.
He would also have a decent team with depth next season:

Westbrook, KCP, Harden, Tucker, McGee
Rivers, Bradley, McLemore, House, Kuzma

Eh.. again, we love that trade, but don't have the pieces to tempt Morey at the slightest. Morey would have 25 better trades in his email before that IMO. Any sorta reset for them would mean getting rid of Westbrook while keeping most of that core together.

Our best bet's gonna be a hyperactive sign and trade shopping for FAs(perhaps at higher than market value), where pretty much 70-80% of the roster is on the block to match salaries. I'd be looking to dump Green, McGee, Cook, Dud, first up, and then the rest.

My Rob Pelinka meeting list in order of preference -

Minimum guys -
-Andre Roberson - Kawhi, PG, Iggy level defender who can't shoot, but great(long) clutch player against top offensive talent like -Harden, Kawhi, KD. Big Fan!
-Kyle Korver
-Bellinelli
-Jeff Teague
-Dellavadova(Rondo back up)

Bigs -
-Boogie - cos I love Boogie XD
-Ibaka - Ibaka / Boogie as bigs with a 3-4 above average shooter role players will unlock the 'Lebron offense' to levels even the Warriors couldn't fathom. Ibaka can be elite defensively, and Boogie's.. well, I love Boogie.
-Whiteside / Drummond / Noel - under 5 mil(1000% better than Dwight and McGee combined, and Whiteside & Drummond have made some money, so might come cheap too)
-Montrezl Harrell - just to fcuk with the Clips, if he is even a little bit peeved at the star treatment / getting blamed for the Clips exit.

Wings -
-Tim Hardaway Jr - Rondo replacement, at least for the regular season. Can play SG too. Not a great distributor, but he is what Dion Waiters thinks he is.
-Gallinari
-Bertans
-FVV - very unlikely
-Jeremy Grant
-Dario Saric
-Joe Harris
-Kent Bazemore
-Bogdanovic (restricted)
-Wesley Matthews - Lebron / AD back up defender + 3 pt shooter
-the other dirty Morris bro - more fcuk with the Clips vandetta, and they're pretty useful bad asses.

Trades -
Buddy Hield, Malcom Brogdon - for all we got
CP3 / Lowry - for all we got
Reddick for picks + insignificant role players

I'm not quite at Kobe's "they should want to come here because it's the Lakers" narrative, but this is a definite chance to win a couple of rings, so it's shouldn't be hard sell to flip 2-4 of these guys if Pelinka and Jeahny want some redemption.

[DanishLakerFan]

Theoretically,
Green, Cook, McGee, Bradley, Kuz and 28th selection for CP3.

Would it be worth it? Too much?

[stan francisco]

I like that list. Covington would be a nice fit.

Is he an FA? I like Eric Gordon a lot too.

Nah these guys are trades.

KCP, AB, Kuzma, McGee are enough salary for Gordon and Covington.

LeBron, Caruso, Covington, AD, Howard
Rondo, Gordon, Green, Markieff

Yeah, that’s unbeatable. Replace Covington in that lineup with Bojan, Ross and it’s still unbeatable. Gordon is too old for my taste to give up that much for. And my gut says Kuzma stays on a two year reasonable contract.

LeBron, Caruso, Kuzma, AD, Howard
Rondo, Green, Bertans, Markieff, Kostas
Bradley, THT, Caroline, Cacok, FA C

That works, too.


In my book, players to trade or loose or replace:
Smith, Waiters, Pope, McGee, Q Cook (trade all of them to wherever D’Antoni goes).

[DanishLakerFan]

I hope Rondo/KCP opt in and AD resign.

Question: Do we offer Dwight the full MLE or use the MLE on someone else?

Personally, i'm probably leaning towards offering Dwight the full MLE and then package McGee, Kuz, 28th selection, AB etc. for someone worth anywhere between 10-20 M - possibly a sign-and-trade (Gallinari, Bogdonovic or Bertans perhaps).
Also use BAE on Boogie.

[LAKESHOW]

Again, wholesale changes will weaken the chemistry. Weve seen this before. Guys like a Walton, Sasha V, Farmar, junk pieces to some. But when woven in after years if cohesion, they showed up big time and were vital contributors. We gotta keep that in mind. We wanna repeat? That look from bron or ad to a guy like caruso or whoever, where there's a bond and "the others" make plays for us...is invaluable.

[DanishLakerFan]

Again, wholesale changes will weaken the chemistry. Weve seen this before. Guys like a Walton, Sasha V, Farmar, junk pieces to some. But when woven in after years if cohesion, they showed up big time and were vital contributors. We gotta keep that in mind. We wanna repeat? That look from bron or ad to a guy like caruso or whoever, where there's a bond and "the others" make plays for us...is invaluable.

Agree. You cant find continuation in free agency, so we shouldn't be shaking things up too much. At the same time you have to consider who actually gets minutes in these playoffs, who is producing, who isn't and which areas needs to be strengthend.

I dont really see guys like McGee, Cook, JR, Waiters and perhaps even Bradley as guys we should keep at all costs. They're not playing now and i dont really see them playing much in the playoffs next season either. Of course, if Dwight and Rondo leave it might make sense to keep McGee and Bradley around.

[LAKESHOW]

I agree bout Mcgee and JR. Maybe we can find a replacement for an aging vet.