RealGM

For those of you who wants to get a little creative early.

Free Agents 2008
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=2008FreeAgents

The FO saw our problem at the SF spot, that's why we picked up on the Ariza trade. I love Ariza, and I'd start him over Luke anyday, but I still think that's the weakest spot on our starting line up and needs a huge upgrade. We have Luke, Ariza, and Vlad, so why should we need another SF? I want a decent all-around SF as a starter. If Lakers want to shift Kobe to SF, then we can also pick up a legit SG starter. Either way, Luke, Ariza, and Vlad are not good enough to be starters.

I can live with Odom at the 4 when we have Bynum in the line-up.

Either way, IMO we need a decent all-around player at SF as a starter or SG if Kobe does shift up to SF.

Surely everyone has their opinions, so go ahead be creative.

The sum is greater than its parts...

None of Luke, Ariza or Radman are great... but they each bring something different to the table... our SF rotation is fine imo

There's nothing to be creative about as we're in cap hell for quite a while. None of the guys we really need will sign for MLE, and no one is going to be interested in what we'll offer via trade (Kwame, Odom, Walton, Radman, etc.).

We're stuck with what we have, unless someone pulls a McHale and allows us to completely rip them off.

In the end, cap space is just a formula for a fixed set of variables which equates into a championship team. And we all know that we're one piece away.

trippy wrote:In the end, cap space is just a formula for a fixed set of variables which equates into a championship team. And we all know that we're one piece away.

Fully healthy we may be 0 pieces away... more like a couple strides

There are players who'd sign for the MLE. No to Kwame for the MLE even though others would want to.

trippy wrote:There are players who'd sign for the MLE. No to Kwame for the MLE even though others would want to.

Huh? I dont know what you mean but if we re-sign Kwame it wouldnt effect our MLE... also, I think we could get him back for about 4-5 mil a year

That Nicka wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



Fully healthy we may be 0 pieces away... more like a couple strides

Maybe, but all I know is that Boston is +2 on us.

trippy wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



Maybe, but all I know is that Boston is +2 on us.

plus two what? stars?... we were plus +2 on Detroit and lost 4-1

That Nicka wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



plus two what? stars?... we were plus +2 on Detroit and lost 4-1

Did we play them both times when they signed Rasheed?

TDL is next month around Feb 22ndish. If we keep Kwame, that means we let his contract expire. How can you re-sign someone if his contract has expired while we're over the cap. Only thing we have is the MLE again.

Bird Rights

trippy wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



Did we play them both times when they signed Rasheed?

TDL is next month around Feb 22ndish. If we keep Kwame, that means we let his contract expire. How can you re-sign someone if his contract has expired while we're over the cap. Only thing we have is the MLE again.

We have his bird rights... If you draft a player OR he plays for your team for 3+ years you have his bird rights... That means that you can sign him for however much you want... We will still have our MLE

For example, Dallas is waaayyy over the cap, and Devin Harris rookie contract is almost up... If they wanted to they could still sign him to a Max contract because they have his bird rights

Forgot about Bird rights.

I hope we know what this summer should be about and that is 1 thing. Gerald Green. We need to sign him for the full midlevel or trade for him right now. Critt and Radman.

Do we have bird rights for Ariza? I would like to keep him around, but still have the full MLE to spend.

Kalel24 wrote:I hope we know what this summer should be about and that is 1 thing. Gerald Green. We need to sign him for the full midlevel or trade for him right now. Critt and Radman.

What?

With a fully healthy team the Lakers are 1-2 moves away from being a serious contender. Why would they sign an unproven player who could be considered a bust, who is already demanding trades?

The Lakers don't desperately need Green, let alone trade Critt for him.

I to believe our biggest issue is a impact SF given the development of Bynum, Farmar and the great pickup of D Fish... Assuming we don't trade LO and only have our MLE to work with I would throw it at the following players in order:

1. Maggette: Pipe dream but he may want to win and $30 million over five years is not to far off what he will get plus he gets to stay in LA and piss off Dunleavey and Sterling.
2. Pietrus: He got humbled last offseason therefore his value is down around the NBA. He is a poor mans Gerald Wallace. Athletic and a good defender. He would fit in perfectly into our system.
3. Artest: He may take less to play in LA. I don't like his shot selection but he brings energy, passion and defense when hs is mentally in the game. PJ could handle him fine.
4. Green: If you recal the Lakers brass loved him during the draft (we took Bynum) and feel at 6'8" he would be a great wing. Need time but could develop with Farmar and Bynum over the years.

A distant fifth option is the short term fix of Bonzi but I wouldn't want to disrupt our chemisrty to get him.

people to take a look at IMO wheather to aquire by sign and trade or any means available.
I am not saying let's go get these guys. all I am saying is we should take a look at them.

Unrestricted
Kurt Thomas
Robert Horry (for lucky charm purpouses )
brent Barry
Ron Artest
Shawn Marion
Elton Brand
Dikembe Motombo
Desanga Diop
Devin Brown

I don't see the Lakers picking up anybody worth while. Jermaine Oneal is never going to get a big contract again so he's not opting out. No way Elton Brand opts out of his deal with the clippers coming off a major knee injury. With that being said, I don't think its gonna take much to put the Lakers over the top.