The Lakers Process
Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2019 5:11 am
I've been thinking a lot about the Lakers rebuild lately, and I think it would be helpful for us to establish a dialogue and potentially consensus on where we are in the lifecycle of our comeback. While Philadelphia likes to claim the process, every rebuild has a strategy and process. I'd argue most of them are centered around two key areas: young talent and cap space.
In full transparency, I'm going through this exercise because there's been an avalanche of criticism on Pelinka and Magic over the last month and I'm wondering if it's really warranted.
I think we first have to rewind the clock back to 2 years ago when Pelinka and Magic got the keys to the Lakers rebuild.
YEAR ONE.
They inherited three of the worst contracts in the history of the Lakers, all of whom seemed immovable: Mozgov, Deng and Clarkson.
They also had three underperforming prospects: Russell, Randle and Ingram.
In year 1 of the rebuild, they were able to trade Mozgov before the draft.
They selected Ball, Kuzma and Hart in the draft.
During the season, they were able to dump Clarkson's contract on the Cleveland Cavaliers and somehow secure a draft pick in that deal.
At that point, it had been established that the Lakers could reasonably sign two max contracts in the offseason.
Pelinka called cap space "sacred" and said they wouldn't just spend it on anybody. I think we all vehemently agreed after the last round of cap space with Mitch and Jim.
YEAR TWO.
They go into the offseason with their eyes set on Lebron and PG13. I think most people were assuming that PG13 was practically guaranteed and Lebron was the long shot.
We don't get a meeting with PG13 and he resigns with OKC.
But Lebron comes to the Lakers on a 4-year deal.
Pelinka and Magic are then left with a key decision: do they spend their other max cap slot on other non-superstar FAs who want longer contracts (Randle), trade for someone who wants to dump a salary (i.e. John Wall or Mike Conley) or do they look for players who would be willing to take 1-year deals even if they are less than ideal?
I think we all know what they chose (the meme team), but keep in mind that the decision was made to hold the cap slot for what will be one of the best FA classes of all time. Plus, we could assume that at that point they probably had ongoing conversations with Kawhi's team and AD's team.
The team also negotiated a buy out with Luol Deng to remove the last bad contract from the previous administration.
They attempted a trade for AD but Dell Demps never negotiated in good faith and was fired weeks later.
YEAR THREE.
So, here we are...
In fairness, I think it could be argued that the Lakers Process will be completed this offseason.
For one, they are going to replace Luke Walton - a coach they didn't hire. Presumably with someone who will give them a shot at a big name FA and can coach Lebron.
And of course... because this will represent the last bastion of cap space that they team strategically created for this moment over the last two years. Remember "sacred". They would rather have KCP at 1-year 12 Mill than Julius Randle at 2-years 18 mill... all to keep cap space.
IN CLOSING.
Sure, it could be argued that there were some missteps...
-signing Beasley instead of Lopez
-trading Zu for a black hole (although Zu was leaving this offseason)
-trading D'Angelo too soon (although its hard to argue when Mozgov's cap space went to Lebron and we got Kuz and Hart in that draft)
As far as this year... when we all had our hopes up... If we really want to place blame on this year, it's mostly that we were railroaded by injuries but then refused to use our remaining cap space to get more talent not named Anthony Davis. For instance, they probably could have traded expiring salaries and a player like Hart for Mike Conley but then they would be out of the FA market this offseason but probably would have made the playoffs this year.
I think it's pretty clear what Pelinka and Magic were strategically trying to do over the last couple of years. Mostly because they said exactly what they wanted to do: clear cap space and sign top FAs. Hard to say they didn't execute on that promise when they signed Lebron and have another slot open for this FA class.
If the team strikes out on an upper echelon Free Agent this offseason or isn't able to secure a player via trade, and then has to punt again on the cap space until next year... THEN I think we can start to judge Pelinka unfavorably, no matter what happens next season.
Until then, I think we need to give more credit to the horrific cap situation they inherited two years ago and their mostly impressive transformative process that has lead us to these current opportunities.
After all, it's better for all Laker fans if Pelinka is successful with his vision when he took over... and he sees it through at the level we all expect. I see no reason to doubt the man at this point. He's already executed on his promises thus far.
In full transparency, I'm going through this exercise because there's been an avalanche of criticism on Pelinka and Magic over the last month and I'm wondering if it's really warranted.
I think we first have to rewind the clock back to 2 years ago when Pelinka and Magic got the keys to the Lakers rebuild.
YEAR ONE.
They inherited three of the worst contracts in the history of the Lakers, all of whom seemed immovable: Mozgov, Deng and Clarkson.
They also had three underperforming prospects: Russell, Randle and Ingram.
In year 1 of the rebuild, they were able to trade Mozgov before the draft.
They selected Ball, Kuzma and Hart in the draft.
During the season, they were able to dump Clarkson's contract on the Cleveland Cavaliers and somehow secure a draft pick in that deal.
At that point, it had been established that the Lakers could reasonably sign two max contracts in the offseason.
Pelinka called cap space "sacred" and said they wouldn't just spend it on anybody. I think we all vehemently agreed after the last round of cap space with Mitch and Jim.
YEAR TWO.
They go into the offseason with their eyes set on Lebron and PG13. I think most people were assuming that PG13 was practically guaranteed and Lebron was the long shot.
We don't get a meeting with PG13 and he resigns with OKC.
But Lebron comes to the Lakers on a 4-year deal.
Pelinka and Magic are then left with a key decision: do they spend their other max cap slot on other non-superstar FAs who want longer contracts (Randle), trade for someone who wants to dump a salary (i.e. John Wall or Mike Conley) or do they look for players who would be willing to take 1-year deals even if they are less than ideal?
I think we all know what they chose (the meme team), but keep in mind that the decision was made to hold the cap slot for what will be one of the best FA classes of all time. Plus, we could assume that at that point they probably had ongoing conversations with Kawhi's team and AD's team.
The team also negotiated a buy out with Luol Deng to remove the last bad contract from the previous administration.
They attempted a trade for AD but Dell Demps never negotiated in good faith and was fired weeks later.
YEAR THREE.
So, here we are...
In fairness, I think it could be argued that the Lakers Process will be completed this offseason.
For one, they are going to replace Luke Walton - a coach they didn't hire. Presumably with someone who will give them a shot at a big name FA and can coach Lebron.
And of course... because this will represent the last bastion of cap space that they team strategically created for this moment over the last two years. Remember "sacred". They would rather have KCP at 1-year 12 Mill than Julius Randle at 2-years 18 mill... all to keep cap space.
IN CLOSING.
Sure, it could be argued that there were some missteps...
-signing Beasley instead of Lopez
-trading Zu for a black hole (although Zu was leaving this offseason)
-trading D'Angelo too soon (although its hard to argue when Mozgov's cap space went to Lebron and we got Kuz and Hart in that draft)
As far as this year... when we all had our hopes up... If we really want to place blame on this year, it's mostly that we were railroaded by injuries but then refused to use our remaining cap space to get more talent not named Anthony Davis. For instance, they probably could have traded expiring salaries and a player like Hart for Mike Conley but then they would be out of the FA market this offseason but probably would have made the playoffs this year.
I think it's pretty clear what Pelinka and Magic were strategically trying to do over the last couple of years. Mostly because they said exactly what they wanted to do: clear cap space and sign top FAs. Hard to say they didn't execute on that promise when they signed Lebron and have another slot open for this FA class.
If the team strikes out on an upper echelon Free Agent this offseason or isn't able to secure a player via trade, and then has to punt again on the cap space until next year... THEN I think we can start to judge Pelinka unfavorably, no matter what happens next season.
Until then, I think we need to give more credit to the horrific cap situation they inherited two years ago and their mostly impressive transformative process that has lead us to these current opportunities.
After all, it's better for all Laker fans if Pelinka is successful with his vision when he took over... and he sees it through at the level we all expect. I see no reason to doubt the man at this point. He's already executed on his promises thus far.