Damien Wilkins

[ALL HAIL]

He makes 3.3 mill next year before expiring. He plays D (with a capital D). He can guard 1s, 2s, and 3s. He has shown the ability to hit the three (he shot over 41 percent on 50-122 for the year a couple of years back). He's better than Luke Walton and costs pennies. He's buried at the end of the OKC bench waiting to be had. He's next to perfect as a cheap backup-utility three with versatility -- a poor man's Scott Burrell if you will, just what this team needs next year. GO LAKERS!

Here's a little scouting report:
Overview: A solid athlete who shows decent versatility, but isn’t efficient enough offensively to be a role-player at a very high level. Has good size and strength for his position. Shows pretty good speed running the floor and nice lateral quickness on the defensive end. Settles too much for jumpers on the offensive end. Has a very streaky jump shot, and needs to continue improving his consistency and range. Does a very good job on the defensive end. Was not all that special of a college player, but made the League regardless after impressing in the NBA pre-draft camp. Spent time at North Carolina State before transferring to Georgia. Proved himself early in his career in Seattle, and was offered a very nice contract by Minnesota as a restricted free agent, which was subsequently matched. Probably not a big part of Oklahoma City’s future plans. Son of former NBA player Gerald Wilkins and nephew of NBA legend Dominique Wilkins.

Offense: An inefficient offensive player who gets almost a quarter of his offense from each of fast breaks, spot ups, and isolations. Relies too much on his jumper and does not attempt to attack the rim. Displays a streaky shooting stroke with poor consistency from three point range. Not good enough with his feet set considering his role offensively. Does more of his damage off the dribble. Uses his quickness to get separation and pull up. Doesn’t have great touch. Struggles to create his own shot or change directions with his dribble, and finishes at a pretty mediocre clip around the rim. Free throw percentages have wavered dramatically throughout his career. Very good passer for a swingman, but not dynamic enough a ball-handler to be much of an offensive option.

Defense: A very good defender who has the explosiveness to make an impact on the perimeter. Possesses the lateral quickness to keep his man out of the lane. Displays good intensity and discipline. Won’t take many unnecessary risks. Displays good strength when he has to deal with contact. Solid rebounder. Not a play maker, but the type of defender that makes it tough for his man to score.

[larry14r]

He makes 3.3 mill next year before expiring. He plays D (with a capital D). He can guard 1s, 2s, and 3s. He has shown the ability to hit the three (he shot over 41 percent on 50-122 for the year a couple of years back). He's better than Luke Walton and costs pennies. He's buried at the end of the OKC bench waiting to be had. He's next to perfect as a cheap backup-utility three with versatility -- a poor man's Scott Burrell if you will, just what this team needs next year. GO LAKERS!

Here's a little scouting report:
Overview: A solid athlete who shows decent versatility, but isn’t efficient enough offensively to be a role-player at a very high level. Has good size and strength for his position. Shows pretty good speed running the floor and nice lateral quickness on the defensive end. Settles too much for jumpers on the offensive end. Has a very streaky jump shot, and needs to continue improving his consistency and range. Does a very good job on the defensive end. Was not all that special of a college player, but made the League regardless after impressing in the NBA pre-draft camp. Spent time at North Carolina State before transferring to Georgia. Proved himself early in his career in Seattle, and was offered a very nice contract by Minnesota as a restricted free agent, which was subsequently matched. Probably not a big part of Oklahoma City’s future plans. Son of former NBA player Gerald Wilkins and nephew of NBA legend Dominique Wilkins.

Offense: An inefficient offensive player who gets almost a quarter of his offense from each of fast breaks, spot ups, and isolations. Relies too much on his jumper and does not attempt to attack the rim. Displays a streaky shooting stroke with poor consistency from three point range. Not good enough with his feet set considering his role offensively. Does more of his damage off the dribble. Uses his quickness to get separation and pull up. Doesn’t have great touch. Struggles to create his own shot or change directions with his dribble, and finishes at a pretty mediocre clip around the rim. Free throw percentages have wavered dramatically throughout his career. Very good passer for a swingman, but not dynamic enough a ball-handler to be much of an offensive option.

Defense: A very good defender who has the explosiveness to make an impact on the perimeter. Possesses the lateral quickness to keep his man out of the lane. Displays good intensity and discipline. Won’t take many unnecessary risks. Displays good strength when he has to deal with contact. Solid rebounder. Not a play maker, but the type of defender that makes it tough for his man to score.

Expect that he will be buried on the bench here as well for two reasons Ariza, and Walton.

[ALL HAIL]

Expect that he will be buried on the bench here as well for two reasons Ariza, and Walton.

Ship Walton OUT ... pronto.

[hermes]

Expect that he will be buried on the bench here as well for two reasons Ariza, and Walton.

Ship Walton OUT ... pronto.

but who will facilitate the offense? and who will replace his hair?

[ALL HAIL]

but who will facilitate the offense? and who will replace his hair?

Noone. That's part of the problem, we're TOO damn pretty and not mean enough. We'll still win it all this year, but we'll need to have REAL toughness to win three or four like I think we can.

[larry14r]

but who will facilitate the offense? and who will replace his hair?

Noone. That's part of the problem, we're TOO damn pretty and not mean enough. We'll still win it all this year, but we'll need to have REAL toughness to win three or four like I think we can.

Expect no one wants his contract though.

[ALL HAIL]

Expect no one wants his(Luke's) contract though.

When you have BAD contracts you have to trade for other BAD contracts.

Morrison and Walton's bad contracts for Eddy Curry's bad contract.

Curry saves us alot of money in the long haul and frees up space at the three-spot for players like Damien Wilkins and Matt Barnes who can be infinitely more effective than Luke Walton at a third or a quarter of the price. This savings allows us to sign guys like Ariza, Odom, and hopefully J. Kidd.

NY spends more money in the long haul but less in the interim for 2010. Walton and Morrison would save NY about 5 mill for 2010.

Win, win for everyone and we finally have space at the SF to actually add some REAL players ala Damien Wilkins.

[larry14r]

Expect no one wants his(Luke's) contract though.

When you have BAD contracts you have to trade for other BAD contracts.

Morrison and Walton's bad contracts for Eddy Curry's bad contract.

Curry saves us alot of money in the long haul and frees up space at the three-spot for players like Damien Wilkins and Matt Barnes who can be infinitely more effective than Luke Walton at a third or a quarter of the price. This savings allows us to sign guys like Ariza, Odom, and hopefully J. Kidd.

NY spends more money in the long haul but less in the interim for 2010. Walton and Morrison would save NY about 5 mill for 2010.

Win, win for everyone and we finally have space at the SF to actually add some REAL players ala Damien Wilkins.

I might want to pass on Kidd because he's too old, can't defened anymore, and is bad for our system because the last time we signed an older player they turned to junk. So get me a younger PG.

[hermes]

you want to expose our promising young squad to eddy curry?

[ALL HAIL]

you want to expose our promising young squad to eddy curry?

Yep.

If it means ridding ourselves of Luke and his contract ... ALL DAY.

Curry would never even crack the rotation and would have about as much impact as did Chris Mihm, but he still saves us money and makes us better because losing Walton allows us the opportunity to improve the SF position.

I might want to pass on Kidd because he's too old, can't defend anymore, and is bad for our system because the last time we signed an older player they turned to junk. So get me a younger PG.

Kidd is old but can still play at a high level. He can guard most PGs but not the really quick ones like Tony Parker. Kidd, on the other hand CAN guard shooting guards. That leaves Ariza, Fisher, Damien Wilkins, and another guard acquired through the draft or free agency to guard the elite PGs of the world.

An acquisition of Kidd is an acquisition of a solid glue guy who can feed the ball to Kobe and make Bynum and Gasol's lives a lot easier. Kidd would become our new wave Ron Harper, but better. Kidd satisfies our need for a PG (albeit not defensively) and a SF (Kidd will guard 2s, while Kobe will guard 3s). He is definitely NOT Aaron McKie ... definitely.

[DEEP3CL]

Kidd is old but can still play at a high level. He can guard most PGs but not the really quick ones like Tony Parker. Kidd, on the other hand CAN guard shooting guards. That leaves Ariza, Fisher, Damien Wilkins, and another guard acquired through the draft or free agency to guard the elite PGs of the world.

An acquisition of Kidd is an acquisition of a solid glue guy who can feed the ball to Kobe and make Bynum and Gasol's lives a lot easier. Kidd would become our new wave Ron Harper, but better. Kidd satisfies our need for a PG (albeit not defensively) and a SF (Kidd will guard 2s, while Kobe will guard 3s). He is definitely NOT Aaron McKie ... definitely.

I don't ever want to see Kidd in a Laker uniform, he's not worthy enough to wear it. Kidd is a coach killer, always has been since his days at Cal. Kidd is used up, washed up and total trash..................he'll never wear our uniform..........ever.

[crazyeights]

^Well why don't you tell us how you really feel.

[Dr Aki]

why wilkins?

there are probably better FAs waiting to be bought out before we even get to wilkins

why are we even talking about wilkins when we've actually got someone that fits your scouting report in shannon brown?

[Sedale Threatt]

I didn't even know Damien Wilkins was still in the league. Shannon Brown, either, although rumor has it he's supposed to be playing for the Lakers.

[crazyeights]

The rumor you're referring to, ST, was started by a one, Phil Jackson. We all know he's a little out there.

[ALL HAIL]

why are we even talking about wilkins when we've actually got someone that fits your scouting report in shannon brown?

You're right ... if Shannon Brown was 6'6 I wouldn't be mentioning Wilkins. I like Brown. I only wish he could show the ability to at least be an average facilitator, because at his height he has to be a backup guard.

Wilkins is a backup swingman who can guard all the skill positions. I think they're equally good. Wilkins is a better fit because he is a clear cut 3/2, while Brown is a clear cut 2 (although I do hope he can eventually play a little 1).

[Dr Aki]

well then wilkins would need 6 months to acclimatize himself to the triangle

unless hes bought out in the summer (little chance since OKC might want his 3.3mil exp to use in deals), and that like shannon brown wont be ready to play for something like 6 months, whats the chance of him actually contributing anything more than trevor or shannon brown in this role?

[ALL HAIL]

If Walton is gone Damien Willkins can contribute as much as Walton currently does and more once he is acclimated.

OKC needs shooting in the backcourt. I don't think Wilkins will be bought out, I think he can be had for Vujacic (could be way wrong though--only time will tell).

Nevertheless, Damien WIlkins is a metaphor for the type of low salary player you can get to play a very servicable role in this offense.

Walton, Vujacic, Farmar, and Morrison must go and must be replaced by cheap players like Damien Wilkins at backup SF, Kyle Weaver or Mardy Collins at backup PG, Jason Kidd at starting PG, and Salim Stoudamire and Shaun Livingston as third string backup guards.

All of these guys including Damien Wilkins can be had for salaries at a fraction of what we'll be paying Walton, Vujacic, and Morrison.

[hermes]

take a look at the teams record, it's good

there isn't any reason to blow the 2nd unit up and bring in a whole new group of guys, it would throw everything off, and it's not like your bringing in anyone better

trust me once the season starts, there will be people complaing about how bad this new bench is

just stick with what we got because it seems to be working (not hindering success)

[ALL HAIL]

^Agreed. The only problem that Mitch Kupchak has is the problem of money management. The ideas I am expressing are with idea that the Lakers MUST shave salary in order to establish a dynasty.

Is it my money? Nope. But let us all hope that Buss is amenable to the idea of adding and resigning players with no regard to luxury tax money. I personally think this is wishful thinking.

The more realistic line of thinking is to assume that Buss will resign Odom and Ariza and Kobe and maybe even sign Jason Kidd, but not while Walton, Vujacic, and Morrison are being severely overpaid. These three guys could seriously inhibit our ability to improve by adding players that we really need to be DOMINANT.

Wallton and Morrison for Curry.
Vujacic for Wilkins.
Farmar for Mardy Collins.
Sign Kidd, Livingston, and S. Stoudamire.

PG - Kidd - Collins - Livingston
SG - Bryant - Fisher - Stoudamire
C - Bynum - Curry - Mbenga
PF - Gasol - Odom - Powell
SF - Ariza - Wilkins - Sun

NOTE: This squad saves us money, but we'll still win it all with our current squad. GO LAKERS!