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With a projected cap around 90 mil next summer, lakers are in line for the most cap space in the NBA at 57 mil. Keep in mind, this does not count Kobe and Hibbert who both expire and would have big cap holds until they are either renounced or re-signed.

Here's how they compare to the rest of the NBA. [tweet]http://twitter.com/BobbyMarks42/status/619478632587771904[/tweet]
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This amount of cap allows the team to easily target two elite players, something they weren't able to do this summer. If the youngsters also prove themselves as legitimate up and coming stars, the team would be very attractive.

Thankfully, the lakers have carefully kept their flexbility by avoiding big long term deals which makes this type of opportunity possible.

Looking at this has me thinking of next year and the Durant sweepstakes. Does Jordan returning to Clippers eliminate them from Durant. Looks that way to me. Teams that I think will have a legit chance of him will be
OKC
Washington
Lakers
Miami
Probaly in this order to. Big part in getting Durant will be if Russell and Randle develop this year.

Other than Durant, the free agent pool is rather weak. The next best player is either Horford or Mike Conley Jr, so all that cap space could mean nothing, which would explain why the front office took such a long hard look at Lamarcus Aldridge for this year.

Yep, we're going to be looking at guys like Demar Derozan and Al Hortford

If you can't get Durant, get as many decent players together to fill up the starting unit and a solid bench. Go!

Hopefully they can move Nick Young's contract to free up a little more. Granted his $5 mil is a tiny amount, but dude does too much stupid shyt. It's only Kevin Durant next summer anyways.

Slava wrote:Other than Durant, the free agent pool is rather weak. The next best player is either Horford or Mike Conley Jr, so all that cap space could mean nothing, which would explain why the front office took such a long hard look at Lamarcus Aldridge for this year.

Judging from all the money being thrown around, like you pointed out, even the middle tier guys are going to be getting near max contracts. So we'll need all of that just to fill sub-star spots.

Need to be working on their Kevin Durant presentation right now.

Nice we can sign 3 Wes Matthews. This summer was the time to cash in our free agency chips.

TyCobb wrote:Need to be working on their Kevin Durant presentation right now.

Unless Durant has some type of urge to be the "savior of the Lakers" we have no shot at him. He'll either stay with OKC or go to Washington. Pretty much a two dog race I'd bet.

I wouldn't mind Horford with our core, although a lot of Randle and Horford's strengths will overlap, he'd be a nice big in the middle for them. Only thing is, he's going to be 30 when his free agency starts.

I think they end up using the space for assets and preserving it another year, imo.

TyCobb wrote:Need to be working on their Kevin Durant presentation right now.

Lakers have already booked a presenter

Why is everyone buying this idea that KD wants to play in Washington so much? Dude is going to have major options in 2016 and with their roster I highly doubt he wants to leave OKC for that. Wall then what? Beal is a solid player but he's far from a star or even a guy that you can sell a player on IMO. Just a regular guy that can shoot 3s.

Jody Smokz wrote:Why is everyone buying this idea that KD wants to play in Washington so much? Dude is going to have major options in 2016 and with their roster I highly doubt he wants to leave OKC for that. Wall then what? Beal is a solid player but he's far from a star or even a guy that you can sell a player on IMO. Just a regular guy that can shoot 3s.

Like whom that would be more appealing that going home and playing with Wall and Beal who was such a regular guy that he absolutely torched ATL in the playoffs, and the year prior to that Chicago and Indiana. He's only 22. Not to mention, they can get up to $40 mill in cap room (and more depending on whom they trade), which gives them more flexibility for another player as well.

What are these major options outside of OKC and WAS?

ak7 wrote:

Jody Smokz wrote:Why is everyone buying this idea that KD wants to play in Washington so much? Dude is going to have major options in 2016 and with their roster I highly doubt he wants to leave OKC for that. Wall then what? Beal is a solid player but he's far from a star or even a guy that you can sell a player on IMO. Just a regular guy that can shoot 3s.

Like whom that would be more appealing that going home and playing with Wall and Beal who was such a regular guy that he absolutely torched ATL in the playoffs, and the year prior to that Chicago and Indiana. He's only 22. Not to mention, they can get up to $40 mill in cap room (and more depending on whom they trade), which gives them more flexibility for another player as well.

What are these major options outside of OKC and WAS?

Exactly, the fact that Washington has been on the upswing makes them more than legit for KD to look at. And the position they have the most glaring need for is the 3 which is exactly what KD is. But I also believe that he won't have the guts to actually leave OKC, the system is set for stars to make more money with their present team.

Don't understand why guys here are dimissing DeRozan's game, he's still young but he's more of a target get than Durant would be. Pitching Demar on coming home wouldn't be as hard as trying to convince KD to leave. Everyone here has different views on how they see player talent. DeRozan is definitely going to opt out of his deal next summer.

This has been the plan since day 1, ultimately. Some big names come up. Never mind what happened this year, no one was really going over the top with this free agent crowd, but with most max contracts in the 20ish range that makes room for 2 full-on max contracts, plus room to have Kobe back in the fold for not an insane amount.

And the rooks ain't rooks no more, which is actually a selling point in the free agent world.

I feel like a broken record here, but seriously, if this year goes well, as in 30-40 wins, it becomes a VERY attractive destination if two stars get on board.

Future is so bright for us!

60 million is incredible with a core of:
D'Angelo, Clarkson, Brown, Nance Jr, Randle and Upshaw

Durant priority number 1 next year.

Get Kobe back for cheap (around 10-15) or make him retire.

Wing options:
Batum, Gallinari, Green, Fournier (R)

One of these guys for wing versatility, stretch 4 backing up Randle and backup 3.
In the range of 10-15.
Sign Fournier/E. Gordon to around 7 mil if Kobe retires.

Big men options:
Noah, Nene, Hibbert, Horford, Valanciunas (R),

All these bigs should be offered 1- or 2-year deals at most. Filling the void until we can sign a premier big men.
Between 10-15 mil.
Throw the max at Valanciunas, but unrealistic.

C ~ 10-15 mil
Wing ~ 10-15
Durant ~ 25
SG ~ 5 mil
Some veterans

C: Hibbert / Upshaw / Black
PF: Randle / Gallinari / Nance Jr.
SF: Durant / Gallinari / Brown
SG: Clarkson / Fournier
PG: D'Angelo / Clarkson

Trade Williams and Bass for assets, not linking those 2 moves further than a year.
Williams is redundant with Clarkson/ D'Angelo and Bass will be too old going forward by then.

You forgot Tarik Black.

Not sure why people are down on Horford. Our most glaring needs next off season will be at the 3 and 5 spots and Horford is one hell of an option at center. From everything I've seen and heard about this guy makes me think he would a perfect fit for us.

Grantland did an excellent piece on him earlier this year that I suggest checking out. Here's a little piece from it. I don't know about you guys but for a young up and coming team he seems like the right guy to build around as the young players come into their own.

Horford was battling an injury before that Ohio State game, and he could sense the team’s younger big men were nervous about stepping up. He approached Donovan before tipoff and suggested the coach counsel them one last time. “You cannot put a price tag on his basketball IQ,” Donovan says, “and on how he creates chemistry.” The team nicknamed Horford “The Godfather,” because he knew what everyone was doing and thinking, and how to provide just the right quiet advice.

He is still “The Godfather” in Atlanta. “He’s so calming,” Budenholzer says. “I wish I could say that about myself. I draw on him during moments when I’m not poised. He’ll say something calming to me, and to the team.

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/al-horford-atlanta-hawks-superstar/

If he doesn't stay with OKC - He'll probably go with Wizards and go to the East as it's much easier out in the east compared to the west, so don't get your hopes up with Durant - he wants to win and deserves it. If OKC can't get anywhere he'll go to wizards. Unless of course we go to playoffs this year and show off our new talent, but who knows.