Lakers want Livingston

[ChickenPox]

EL SEGUNDO - Several teams remain intrigued with the prospect of having Shaun Livingston on its roster. That includes the Lakers, according to head coach Phil Jackson.

Twice in recent weeks, the 23-year old Livingston appeared on the verge of being picked up. First by the Minnesota Timberwolves and next by the Miami Heat.

The Golden State Warriors and the Portland Trail Blazers also expressed enough interest in Livingston to fly him in for workouts. Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy told reporters at media day Monday that Livingston was offered a two-year deal, with the first year guaranteed but that Livingston declined.

So, the former Clippers lottery pick remains unsigned, as all 30 NBA teams go through the early days of training camp. Livingston is back in Los Angeles, waiting to hear from his agent, Henry Thomas, regarding what prospects lie ahead.

At 6-foot-7, and possessing uncanny court vision, Livingston is the prototype guard that Jackson covets. There is no one on the Lakers’ roster that has the playmaking skills that Livinston possessed when the Clippers selected him fourth overall in the 2004 draft.

Livingston made the jump directly from high school to the NBA, turning down a scholarship offer from Duke, following his senior season at Peoria Central (Ill.), where he was a McDonald’s All-American.

“He’s Phil’s type of cat,” Lakers guard Derek Fisher said. “He’s versatile, with the ability to play a bigger guard defensively. We’re talented now but if Shaun somehow was able to join the mix, we’d be unbelievable.”

LINK

It says Shaun is back in LA so maybe the Lakers can get something done in the next few days.

[tkb]

I'd love to give him a shot. He had massive amounts of potential before he went down.

[lakerfan10770]

I can't imagine that the Lakers would offer much money to him (considering the Luxury Tax and all), but if it were me, I would take him over any of the scrubs that are likely to fill out the last 3 roster spots. Of course, it is not my money though.

Barring any trades you have to figure that 1-12 is locked in with Kobe, Pau, Lamar, Vlad, Derek, Sasha, Luke, Trevor, Andrew, Chris, Jordan, & Josh. That leaves the last three spots as a battle beteween: DJ Mbenga, Sun Yue, Koby Carl, Joe Crawford, Dwayne Mitchell, Brandon Heath & CJ Giles.

I think DJ Mbenga will make the team, as will Sun Yue as the project that is sent to the D-league. If they even decide to carry a 15th player, Koby Carl should have the inside edge, but I would certainly take a chance on Livingston instead.

[ChickenPox]

I think LA is gonna get rid of either Vlad or Odom this season.. it seems like the minutes won't be there and the Lakers don't need players whining about playing time..

[hermes]

lol "he's phil's type of cat"

i suppose its worth a shot, put a fire under farmar again, to get him playing

[lakerfan10770]

I think LA is gonna get rid of either Vlad or Odom this season.. it seems like the minutes won't be there and the Lakers don't need players whining about playing time..

I could see a trade of Odom for obvious reasons. Vlad on the other hand would be much more difficult to move, unless the Lakers took back an equally bad contract (ie. Jamaal Tinsley, Dan Gadzuric)

[ChickenPox]

It would be easier to move Vlad then Luke cause teams always need shooters on there team especially teams who rely on there athleticism like the Sixers or Hawks.

[Erik Eleven]

Do it, Mitch.

Even if his future health assessment is 50/50, I'd take the risk. I'd take on a longer contract than two years. He's a true baller, thus the upside of such a signing could be huge. If not this year, next year. It's a gamble I'd make, as long as the doctors are somewhat optimistic about a 100% recovery in the near future.

Although he's more of a playmaker, this is a guy that can save Kobe's longevity in that he can't be left unguarded. Kobe could sit down and we'd still be deadly from the perimeter and in the paint — not just either or.

[Verbal]

He'd be a good guy to have on this team - if healthy.

I heard he's a pretty solid defender, and I know he's got good length to disturb guards' shots.

I'm not sure about his shooting... but his playmaking skills should be able to make him worth the minimum.

His fragility is what I'm worried about if anything. (He missed about 101/246 games, give or take 3 games)

If he wants to sign for the minimum or anything under 2mil, it sounds decent to me.


Livingston reminds me of a weaker version of Ron Harper after Shaun's knee-injury... and he could probably fulfill that role as a lightweight-Ron Harper.

It's a bit of a toss up though, aint it?

Not like you got anything better on the horizon, right Mitch?

Look into it.

Better yet! Get your assistants to!

[Verbal]

It would be easier to move Vlad then Luke cause teams always need shooters on there team especially teams who rely on there athleticism like the Sixers or Hawks.

"Really?"

I'm going to take a look at it then.

[Verbal]

ACie Law.. Flip Murray... Thaddeus Young... Willie Green... Reggie Evans....


Are all players we could use... and lose Radman for.

I don't think they want Radman though.

But hey, if they do, lets make a deal!

[CITYOFANGELSX3]

I hope so, but if he was 100% healthy he would of been already picked up, seems like a future project.

[Danny Darko]

I think the deal is he's healthy enough to take a chance on, but he wants 3+ years and that is scaring teams. I'd do 2 with a team option without too much concern, but anything more does worry me.

[Erik Eleven]

For him to get a chance to join a team with Kobe, Gasol, Bynum, Odom, Fisher, Farmar, Ariza, Powell, Phil Jackson, Brian Shaw, Kurt Rambis you would think that he would want to make some sort of sacrifice — maybe agreeing to that third year ^, DD, with a team option. Let alone the fact that he wouldn't have to move anywhere.

Do it, Shaun!

[Kirk Moon]

i think the bigger issue will be the mental adjustment Shaun will have to make in order to return to the league.
Sometimes, when you suffer an injury, your brain inadvertently tries to protect the body by preventing the possible repeat of the injury in the given body part, especially when the injury was this massive.

[Erik Eleven]

If the doctors evaluate him at 50/50 chances of coming back 100%, I'd take the risk based on nothing but gut instinct. It's hard to say without seeing him move and observing his mentality on and off the court, but that's what the Lakers staff is doing, right?

We could have four all-stars next season: Livingston, Bryant, Gasol, Bynum.

[Danny Darko]

i think the bigger issue will be the mental adjustment Shaun will have to make in order to return to the league.
Sometimes, when you suffer an injury, your brain inadvertently tries to protect the body by preventing the possible repeat of the injury in the given body part, especially when the injury was this massive.

I guess everybody's different, but if he's a true competitor it shouldn't be a real problem.
I do hear that, but as a guy who has nearly the same injury but on my elbow, and worse at that, a competitor's instincts take over, even to the point of hurting yourself again. Now I didn't have to deal with national media and replays and all that stuff, and I don't run on my arm, though it is my shooting arm in basketball, but I didn't experience any mental issues once I was playing and feeling the competitive juices.

My time frame for the near amputation of my shattered and dislocated elbow was 12-14 months recovery. 8 months in I came back and finished a hockey game strong before being told I had screwed up my tendon by playing early. 6 months later I was back to my old form.

The point has nothing to do with me, only to do with competitive people:
a-if he's competitive he's mentally gonna be ok
b-if he's not... do we want him at all?

[Dr Aki]

I do hear that, but as a guy who has nearly the same injury but on my elbow, and worse at that, a competitor's instincts take over, even to the point of hurting yourself again. Now I didn't have to deal with national media and replays and all that stuff, and I don't run on my arm, though it is my shooting arm in basketball, but I didn't experience any mental issues once I was playing and feeling the competitive juices.

OOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCCCHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[kno]

If the doctors evaluate him at 50/50 chances of coming back 100%, I'd take the risk based on nothing but gut instinct. It's hard to say without seeing him move and observing his mentality on and off the court, but that's what the Lakers staff is doing, right?

We could have four all-stars next season: Livingston, Bryant, Gasol, Bynum.

Woah, 4 All Stars?

Lets not get too ahead of ourselves here.

Shaun went through what some might call the most gruesome injury basketball has ever seen. Years have passed, and he has yet to play 1 official minute. Lets wait and see how he handles himself mentally before calling him a potential All-Star quality player.

[ronnymac2]

I actually wouldn't mind giving livingston a shot. He wouldn't cause chemistry issues, plus he plays solid defense, is a mismatch we could use, and has excellent pg skills. Plus, before his injury, his potential was REALLY big. So if he turns into THAT player, it obviously would be worth it.

If we can get him, hell yea get him.