Management's Best FA Signing

ALL HAIL · Post #1 » by **ALL HAIL** » Mon Jul 8, 2013 12:54 pm

Who is the best "value" free agent signing (not resigning) by Kupchak and Co. (excluding Malone/Payton who fell in their laps)?

My guess Matt Barnes, Josh Powell, and Mbenga.

That list should be much longer in my opinion.

This front office sucks at signing "value" free agents ... absolutely sucks.

Even more disconcerting is the fact that signing "value" free agents is the skill we MOST need right now.

How much faith do you have that our team can recognize needs and fill them cheaply?

Props to Kupchak and Co. for that Matt Barnes signing a few years back though. Keep up the good work.

leeprettyp · Post #2 » by **leeprettyp** » Mon Jul 8, 2013 1:04 pm

Mitch and Jim have never been good at filling out the role players even during our championship runs. The early 2000 2 peat Lakers was a team that was constructed by Jerry West before he left. Even back then they were in love with the "name on the back of the jersey" in regards to players to players to fill out the roster (remember Lindsey Hunter and Tracy Murray). Their good getting the big names over to the team (Nash, DH12, Artest) but were never good a retaining young up and coming role players to keep around aging core of Kobe and Gasol. Guys like Ariza, Shannon Brown, Farmer and now even Earl Clark were not even retained when we could've kept them around for a pretty reasonable deal and in reality its biting us in the azzz right now. I'm reading that Jim and Mitch have already washed this up and coming season away and are starting to preach patience with the fans for a BUSTED 2014 cap space delusional dream their trying to sell. SMH what a sucky way for Kobe and Gasol to go out IMO.

denimourson · Post #3 » by **denimourson** » Mon Jul 8, 2013 1:11 pm

leeprettyp wrote:Mitch and Jim have never been good at filling out the role players even during our championship runs. The early 2000 2 peat Lakers was a team that was constructed by Jerry West before he left. Even back then they were in love with the "name on the back of the jersey" in regards to players to players to fill out the roster (remember Lindsey Hunter and Tracy Murray). Their good getting the big names over to the team (Nash, DH12, Artest) but were never good a retaining young up and coming role players to keep around aging core of Kobe and Gasol. Guys like Ariza, Shannon Brown, Farmer and now even Earl Clark were not even retained when we could've kept them around for a pretty reasonable deal and in reality its biting us in the azzz right now. I'm reading that Jim and Mitch have already washed this up and coming season away and are starting to preach patience with the fans for a BUSTED 2014 cap space delusional dream their trying to sell. SMH what a sucky way for Kobe and Gasol to go out IMO.

Most who left is because of $$$

leeprettyp · Post #4 » by **leeprettyp** » Mon Jul 8, 2013 1:16 pm

denimourson wrote:
leeprettyp wrote:Mitch and Jim have never been good at filling out the role players even during our championship runs. The early 2000 2 peat Lakers was a team that was constructed by Jerry West before he left. Even back then they were in love with the "name on the back of the jersey" in regards to players to players to fill out the roster (remember Lindsey Hunter and Tracy Murray). Their good getting the big names over to the team (Nash, DH12, Artest) but were never good a retaining young up and coming role players to keep around aging core of Kobe and Gasol. Guys like Ariza, Shannon Brown, Farmer and now even Earl Clark were not even retained when we could've kept them around for a pretty reasonable deal and in reality its biting us in the azzz right now. I'm reading that Jim and Mitch have already washed this up and coming season away and are starting to preach patience with the fans for a BUSTED 2014 cap space delusional dream their trying to sell. SMH what a sucky way for Kobe and Gasol to go out IMO.

Most who left is because of $$$

Its always because of money.. Me personally even if it ate into the 2014 cap space dream. Would've kepts Earl Clark around with a 2 year deal to match the Cavs offer. They even got a team option on the 2nd year. The Free agency pool is dwindling and it isnt even much out there. Doubt we really even field a solid team next year. Even if we suck next year I just want a team that i can root for that plays hard (kinda why i'm hoping we can get lamar odom and sasha back)

ALL HAIL · Post #5 » by **ALL HAIL** » Mon Jul 8, 2013 1:43 pm

But even beyond retaining guys, the FO has been even worse at finding new guys to fill team needs for cheap.

They were trying to be really pragmatic by signing McRoberts to that 2 year deal, but even that turned out to be a huge dud.

In over a decade, Matt Barnes signing for the minimum is the lone feather in their hat.

Unfortunate.

Mr MoJo Risin · Post #6 » by **Mr MoJo Risin** » Mon Jul 8, 2013 2:50 pm

I thought Ron Artest was a great signing. Lakers needed a more physical presence and perimeter defender at the time. He was a nice piece and was a factor in winning the 10 ring with him pushing Pierce all over the court.

chefy · Post #7 » by **chefy** » Mon Jul 8, 2013 3:33 pm

Barnes?

Tiesto_Lakers · Post #8 » by **Tiesto_Lakers** » Mon Jul 8, 2013 3:37 pm

I wasn't impressed with Barnes at all as a Laker. He had a few games here and there where he would shoot well or grab some rebounds. Dude wasn't consistent at all and I think the triangle had something to do with it.

Michael Lucky · Post #9 » by **Michael Lucky** » Mon Jul 8, 2013 3:38 pm

we've never had capspace to sign great players during their tenure.

ak7 · Post #10 » by **ak7** » Mon Jul 8, 2013 3:39 pm

As constructed for the past 15 years, the Lakers were never in a position to retain any of their young players who established themselves. They simply costed too much money given their cap situation. Earl Clark would have been a Laker if he was willing to take a 1 year deal at a discounted price, but why after the media hyped him out after his stretch of good play would he not take advantage of it? It's not that the FO is incapable of keeping young guys, it's the simple fact that they don't want to pay a young guy 5 million a year when they can get 2 veteran role players for the same price who "will" contribute more than that 1 young guy for their title runs.

ArC_man · Post #11 » by **ArC_man** » Mon Jul 8, 2013 3:41 pm

Barnes, Artest, Jamison, DFish (if you count want to count that). I don't think it's fair to overly criticize management for not signing enough role players. The way we've gotten our valuable role players lately has been through trades (Clark, Hill, Ariza, Brown).

Michael Lucky · Post #12 » by **Michael Lucky** » Mon Jul 8, 2013 3:47 pm

Earl Clark wasn't even good. He'd have one good game for every 2 or 3 where he was a no show.

leeprettyp · Post #13 » by **leeprettyp** » Mon Jul 8, 2013 3:58 pm

Earl was young, long and athletic with GROWTH opportunities.. Man I swear u guys and your definition of a player not good or sucks is unreal. Earl had potential to get better and was cheap. He's not bad on a contending team as a role player IMO

Tiesto_Lakers · Post #14 » by **Tiesto_Lakers** » Mon Jul 8, 2013 4:04 pm

I feel Earl Clark is a guy who can be easily replaced. Not really good at one thing, he's just a long, athletic player with a decent jumper. Keep in mind he was in a contract season last year---it's never a surprise when a player overachieves during a year like that.

Post #15 » by **Kilroy** » Mon Jul 8, 2013 4:06 pm

Gary Payton? Karl Malone?
Rick Fox?

leeprettyp · Post #16 » by **leeprettyp** » Mon Jul 8, 2013 4:14 pm

Kilroy wrote:Shaq
Gary Payton? Karl Malone?

Lol Shaq was Jerry West. Rick Fox was also West. Jerry even convinced Rick to stay for less money to be part of a contending team core.... And Shaq was the one who made the recruiting pitch out to both Malone and Payton to join us that season. Kobe was also the one who made the pitch to Matt Barnes to join us when he was a free agent. Kobe told the front office he was interested in joining the Lakers. This was right after we won the 2010 finals. We all know players will come to a team thats contending and will take a paycut. But I could argue that allowing guys like Shannon Brown (who only took around 3mill the following season in Phoenix) hurt more than helped us. Think about it Jim and Mitch didnt pay to keep the younger guys but gave long term contracts to all the older players Nash 3year 27mill (and I love Nash but what kind of contract was that?) Steve Black 4years 16mill (i believe off the top of my head). Didnt guys like Aaron Brooks and Nate Robinson sign 1 year deals last season for less than 4 mill?

Post #17 » by **Slava** » Mon Jul 8, 2013 4:16 pm

World Peace was a good signing at that time imo, helped us to a championship. The length of the contract was the only bad thing there. Jamison was a pretty solid signing too.

Re-signing Hill & Shannon for cheap deals was good business, Fisher was the best signing though. He added shooting, leadership and stability at a position of dire need when we needed it most.

Post #18 » by **Kilroy** » Mon Jul 8, 2013 4:20 pm

leeprettyp wrote:
Kilroy wrote:Shaq
Gary Payton? Karl Malone?

Lol Shaq was Jerry West.... And Shaq was the one who made the recruiting pitch out to both Malone and Payton to join us that season. Kobe was also the one who made the pitch to Matt Barnes to join us when he was a free agent. Kobe told the front office he was interested in joining the Lakers. This was right after we won the 2010 finals. We all know players will come to a team thats contending and will take a paycut. But I could argue that allowing guys like Shannon Brown (who only took around 3mill the following season in Phoenix) hurt more than helped us. Think about it Jim and Mitch didnt pay to keep the younger guys but gave long term contracts to all the older players Nash 3year 27mill (and I love Nash but what kind of contract was that?) Steve Black 4years 16mill (i believe off the top of my head). Didnt guys like Aaron Brooks and Nate Robinson sign 1 year deals last season for less than 4 mill?

You're right, I didn't get that this was about Kupchak... I changed it.
So because Shaq recruited them, Mitch gets no credit? Interesting.

I get it, you guys think Mitch is incompetent, and Jimmy's the Anti-Christ and the Lakers are doomed outside of Kobe... But sooner or later, you have to ask yourself, why are you a laker fan if all you like about the org is Kobe? He's about to be gone...

Basically, I've had about enough of the "It's all Mitch's fault, or it's all Jimmy's fault." Nonsense.

Anyone with any concept of reality should realize that since the Shaq days, this team has been handcuffed in free-agency... Trades are the best way to get talent and teams are now clinging to talent like lifes blood.

leeprettyp · Post #19 » by **leeprettyp** » Mon Jul 8, 2013 4:23 pm

I'm not saying Mitch at all Kilroy. My bad if I'm coming off like that. I think the recurring theme is Jim is running the show now. Firing anything that had to do with Phil jackson (employees and players). Hiring his buddies with no basketball experience to make decisions for this franchise. For heavens sake he hired a bartender to be a scout lol... I think Mitch hands are tied at times because Jim has ideas with how he wants the team ran

ALL HAIL · Post #20 » by **ALL HAIL** » Mon Jul 8, 2013 4:50 pm

SlavaMedvedenko wrote:World Peace was a good signing at that time imo, helped us to a championship. The length of the contract was the only bad thing there. Jamison was a pretty solid signing too.

Re-signing Hill & Shannon for cheap deals was good business, Fisher was the best signing though. He added shooting, leadership and stability at a position of dire need when we needed it most.

Yeah Artest was a good signing as a player that met a need at that moment, but it was a bad contract so it doesn't qualify.