2018 Lakers Roster - Lineups and Overall FA Comments/Grades, etc...

[dipstick]

OK so its going to start becoming slow as most of the coveted free agents have been taken, most of our money is gone and we have only a little more open roster spots remaining. So as it is now, our lineup looks like this: (Correct me if I have forgotten anyone.)

C - McGee/Wagner/Zu
PF - LBJ/Kuz/Deng
SF - Ingram/Stephenson
SG - KCP/Hart/Svi
PG - Lonzo/Rondo

Additions :
LBJ, McGee, Rondo, Wagner, Svi, Stephenson

Key subtractions:
Randle

Remaining young guys:
Lonzo, Ingram, Kuz, Zu, Wagner, Svi, Hart

Vet core:
LBJ

Rentals:
McGee, KCP, Stephenson, Rondo

Remaining needs:
Center

So far, the offseason has been a win with LBJ. We don't have a second star but hopefully Ingram can audition for that role before we get aggressive on the Kawhi front via trade. Hopefully BI develops further and we can focus on other needs during the 2019 FA season. Its just a shame that we lost Randle. Would have been nice if we could retain him or at least get something back in return.

As for the remaining needs, I think we added a lot of thoughness with KCP, Stephenson and even Rondo. Not the best additions, but I guess they are quality adds. McGee is a decent add but I think we still need a better starting quality C to be able to compete. And no DHo please!

Overall, good offseason. We added LBJ plus all 1 year deals to help us compete this year while preserving the cap space for 2019. Exciting times ahead!

Thoughts?

[Laker_Kid]

same sentiments here. not bothered too much from losing Randle, but was hoping we had a replacement lined up. wouldnt mind Lopez to complete the roster. he’d fit right in with our lack of perimeter shooting, and provides a decent sane big.

[dipstick]

Actually surprised me that despite losing Randle, Russell, Clarkson and Nance, we still have a lot of kids on board. However, Maginca practically throwing away Mitch and Jim's picks, I don't know if they're doing that consciously/intentionally.

[Spens1]

Its a win but if we break it down deal by deal, its probably more negative than positive, Lebron is an overwhelming positive but the other deals are kinda like wtf moves.

[dipstick]

Its a win but if we break it down deal by deal, its probably more negative than positive, Lebron is an overwhelming positive but the other deals are kinda like wtf moves.

I actually kinda like the Lance Stephenson move. I don't think he's been known to do stuff thats negative for his own team. McGee at minimum is ok but I don't want him to be the opening night starter so I'm waiting for another signing at the C position.

As for Rondo, I guess he was the best available, but not really thrilled with the fit at the price we got him for.

But all in all, they're 1 year rentals that we got so that we can still be players in 2019 free agency.

[ROballer]

I wouldn't be surprised if we throw a hefty 1 yr deal at Montrezl Harrell. He has Richo Paul as his agent, is a restricted FA but he's the only solid big attainable besides Lopez.
Capela and Nurkic are most likely getting matched on every deal, rest of the bigs field is subpar. We do need another C, that's damn sure.

Stretch Deng, give him a one year 15 mil deal. Clippers won't match.

[Spens1]

Its a win but if we break it down deal by deal, its probably more negative than positive, Lebron is an overwhelming positive but the other deals are kinda like wtf moves.

I actually kinda like the Lance Stephenson move. I don't think he's been known to do stuff thats negative for his own team. McGee at minimum is ok but I don't want him to be the opening night starter so I'm waiting for another signing at the C position.

As for Rondo, I guess he was the best available, but not really thrilled with the fit at the price we got him for.

But all in all, they're 1 year rentals that we got so that we can still be players in 2019 free agency.

Lance is an ok deal, KCP is a solid deal since he actually produces, the rest of them are absolute wtf moves by us.

[Dr Aki]

It would be really nice if we could find another athletic 3 and D wing.

Hopefully Svi can fill that role, but it'd be nice to have a vet that can play a little more small ball 4

Could Deng be reactivated?

[Rosque]

It would be really nice if we could find another athletic 3 and D wing.

Hopefully Svi can fill that role, but it'd be nice to have a vet that can play a little more small ball 4

Could Deng be reactivated?

You have Bron and Kuz as smallball 4s.

[Dr Aki]

It would be really nice if we could find another athletic 3 and D wing.

Hopefully Svi can fill that role, but it'd be nice to have a vet that can play a little more small ball 4

Could Deng be reactivated?

You have Bron and Kuz as smallball 4s.

But the depth... There could be injuries as there always is

[Slava]

Its going to be hard to make workable line ups that don't suffer drastically from spacing issues.

I'd go with this:

Wagner - McGee - Zubac
LeBron - Kuzma - Deng
Ingram - Stephenson
KCP - Hart - Mykhailyuk
Lonzo - Rondo - Caruso

I hope we use the last two roster spots wisely.

[sonic the laker]

Well articulated post, dipstick! And, I agree with all your points.

Personal takeaways: Hated losing Randle, and hope that the Laker opt to pass on trying to trade for Kawhi, keep the rest of our young core, and just wait for the 2019 FA pool.

As presently constructed, with LBJ and Kuz at the 4 spot, we're apparently going to be running a version of the Warriors "death lineup" all season. Not sure how that's gonna play out, but we'll see. Definitely heightens offensive potential, but defensively......

And, not sure how I feel about McGee, or Zu, as our starting center. Not a huge concern, though. Just have to see how it plays out. This team will be competitive, with a mixture of youthful energy, and hardened vets. All while maintaining cap room flexibility. Losing Randle to the Pels was a punch in the gut, but I'm still excited for the start of the season.


ZOOM!!!!!!!!

[RamonSessions7]

Letting lebron come - A
Mcgee kcp lance rondo - bleh

[Dr Aki]

there is a lack of established shooters, but a lot of guys that have more balanced skill sets.

is magic and luke planning on implementing the triangle? stick lebron, rondo in the pinch post

so there's going to need to be a game plan to get good shots that isn't simply lebron and 4 out

[iQon]

We signed the best player in the game. Regardless of your opinion of him, A+ offseason.

KCP, McGee Stephenson, and Rondo were also great transactions. We maintain flexibility, and they fit the identity we were showcasing last year.

I'm sure I'll still be holding my breath a lot on offense and at the FT line, but hey, still a roster that I can get behind.

50+ wins, IMO

[No-Man]

allowing LeBron to come was a no-brainer, A+, that somehow he rewarded a FO that he didn't know, with no track record, and an owner with a bad one with a 3+1 contract was basically absurd luck, either that or he wanting to throw shades at Gilbert

the rest since then, McGee, KCP are fine, I'd have targeted other guy or spent KCP's $ in better values (he basically got 30m$ in 2 years which is imo, too much and nobody was paying that) but whatever, you get a B on that

passing on Randle when you could've squeezed him to take the QO offer is a D, obv you gotta consider agents and all that, but losing talent for free it's stupid, then, using that capspace to sign Rondo for a year and 9m$ it's absurd, a year and 3m$ would've been bad already because you have abysmal compliments and players around LeBron already, but 9m$ is a tremendous overpay considering the state of the market, that whole thing deserves a F-

Lance for the room is stupid again, Lance is a guy that should get the minimum at best, he was almost out of the league 1 year ago and he hasn't been good ever since, another F here

[Laker_Kid]

it doesn't appear that we aren't done making moves. we could still be looking to sign somebody in the next coming weeks, or these guys we just signed might get traded mid-season.

believe.

[Unbiased hater]

I wouldn't be surprised if we throw a hefty 1 yr deal at Montrezl Harrell. He has Richo Paul as his agent, is a restricted FA but he's the only solid big attainable besides Lopez.
Capela and Nurkic are most likely getting matched on every deal, rest of the bigs field is subpar. We do need another C, that's damn sure.

Stretch Deng, give him a one year 15 mil deal. Clippers won't match.

Portland is over the cap and if they give him 15 milions they are going to pay 40 milions luxury tax and for every milion after that they pay 5 milions more. Letting Davis go and leaking fake news by their GM about Cousins trade shows that they want to save money so Lakers could get him for money that they wanted to give to Randle .

[iamworthy]

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[TylersLakers]

We need Brook Lopez bad. I would also love Wayne Ellington.

PG: Lonzo/Rondo/
SG: KCP/Hart/Svi
SF: Ingram/Ellington/Stephenson
PF: LeBron/Kuzma/Wagner/Deng
C: Lopez/McGee/Zubac

2 way: Caruso & Newman