Post-Mortem: 2021-22 Los Angeles Lakers

[seren]

Hypothetically speaking, if they waive and stretch Westbrook’s contract, will they have enough space under hard cap to use MLE plus biannual exception? Any cap gurus around here?

The lakers aren't stretching Westbrook, there is no chance of that happening imo (and no reason to, either)

How does this answer my question?

[sp6r=underrated]

2) AD should atleast be on the block...not saying actively go out and make offers but i think it would be malpractice not to at the very least listen to packages from teams .

I think you should listen but it is going to be hard.

1. His trade value is at an all-time low. He's coming off two bad seasons. Both years he missed a majority of games. Both years all statistical metrics pointed towards a substantial decline.

2. Small market and mid-market teams aren't going to offer anything good based on what went down in New Orleans. Davis made pretty clear unless things were going perfect he wanted to play in LA. He discouraged a trade to Boston by making clear he wouldn't sign there. If Boston wasn't good enough I can't see a city, using these as examples not potential trading partners, such as Portland, OKC feeling like Davis is a good acquisition.

Owners want to know they're acquiring a player whose going to be part of the franchise long-term if they're going to give up significant assets. This isn't pettiness on the owners part just as Davis isn't bad guy for wanting LA aggressively in 2018-19. Just self-interest.

3. That leaves the NY clubs. And maybe Chicago due to his roots in the City along with Riley. It will take real skill to either get a bidding war going or setting up a three team trade.

[Ballerhogger]

2) AD should atleast be on the block...not saying actively go out and make offers but i think it would be malpractice not to at the very least listen to packages from teams .

I think you should listen but it is going to be hard.

1. His trade value is at an all-time low. He's coming off two bad seasons. Both years he missed a majority of games. Both years all statistical metrics pointed towards a substantial decline.

2. Small market and mid-market teams aren't going to offer anything good based on what went down in New Orleans. Davis made pretty clear unless things were going perfect he wanted to play in LA. He discouraged a trade to Boston by making clear he wouldn't sign there. If Boston wasn't good enough I can't see a city, using these as examples not potential trading partners, such as Portland, OKC feeling like Davis is a good acquisition.

Owners want to know they're acquiring a player whose going to be part of the franchise long-term if they're going to give up significant assets. This isn't pettiness on the owners part just as Davis isn't bad guy for wanting LA aggressively in 2018-19. Just self-interest.

3. That leaves the NY clubs. And maybe Chicago due to his roots in the City along with Riley. It will take real skill to either get a bidding war going or setting up a three team trade.

the last few games scored over 20 + 2 doubes hes fine. Its him just staying healthy hes 23 10 guy with being hurt most of the year

[sp6r=underrated]

the last few games scored over 20 + 2 doubes hes fine. Its him just staying healthy hes 23 10 guy with being hurt most of the year

The advanced statistical portraits paint a picture of real decline. HE used to be HOF level plus/minus. The last two years he hasn't. The advanced box box score stats tell the same story. And I'm sure the far more sophisticated proprietary tools NBA teams have access to tell a similar story

If it was just injuries with 2018-20 level of play while on the court his value would be diminished but injuries and 2 years of good not great play is a much harder sell.

[madmaxmedia]

the last few games scored over 20 + 2 doubes hes fine. Its him just staying healthy hes 23 10 guy with being hurt most of the year

The advanced statistical portraits paint a picture of real decline. HE used to be HOF level plus/minus. The last two years he hasn't. The advanced box box score stats tell the same story. And I'm sure the far more sophisticated proprietary tools NBA teams have access to tell a similar story

If it was just injuries with 2018-20 level of play while on the court his value would be diminished but injuries and 2 years of good not great play is a much harder sell.

For sure they’d be getting less than what they gave up for him. The decline in play could be attributed mainly to his injuries, but it would have really helped his trade value if he was statistically the same player (just in just fewer games.)

[Wilfried]

the last few games scored over 20 + 2 doubes hes fine. Its him just staying healthy hes 23 10 guy with being hurt most of the year

The advanced statistical portraits paint a picture of real decline. HE used to be HOF level plus/minus. The last two years he hasn't. The advanced box box score stats tell the same story. And I'm sure the far more sophisticated proprietary tools NBA teams have access to tell a similar story

If it was just injuries with 2018-20 level of play while on the court his value would be diminished but injuries and 2 years of good not great play is a much harder sell.

Sixers got him for a player who doesn't play but gets paid 35 million, a vet minimum ending contract and a decent role player.
Don't act like they gave up there future for this player.

But indeed, his play isn't at the level anymore of what it used to be. Question is, if Harden will get there (and still wants to get there) after this summer. The fact he's playing for his next contract next season, helps me to think he has a lot of reasons to get himself into shape.

[Que Rico]

Run it back looks like the best move.......for the Pels!!! That 2023 pick swap is looking mighty tasty!! You know you are in shambles when David Griffin is fleecing you

[R-DAWG]

the last few games scored over 20 + 2 doubes hes fine. Its him just staying healthy hes 23 10 guy with being hurt most of the year

The advanced statistical portraits paint a picture of real decline. HE used to be HOF level plus/minus. The last two years he hasn't. The advanced box box score stats tell the same story. And I'm sure the far more sophisticated proprietary tools NBA teams have access to tell a similar story

If it was just injuries with 2018-20 level of play while on the court his value would be diminished but injuries and 2 years of good not great play is a much harder sell.

Davis looked like he put on too much muscle at the start of the season (although Bill Simmons can not confirm as he does not have a scale) and it effected his quickness and athleticism, which is what made him a great player. Also, he someone has Julius Randle beat as the guy who lost his jump shot the most. The challenge is, guys 6-10 and taller who are super athletic can never stay healthy.

AD is a power forward who can play center in small ball lineups. In some ways, Davis gaining muscle in an effort to stay healthy and play more C reminds me of Amare Stoudemire after his first season with the Knicks. He hurt his back in the playoffs against Boston, added 10-15 lbs of muscle in the offseason, but was never the same player again. Of course with Amare, in his 3rd season with the Knicks he had surgery on both knees and that was all she wrote. And while Davis has a history of always being hurt and missing time, he does not have a major injury on his resume.

If Davis can drop the weight, get back to his old, athletic self and regain his jump shot, even if he's a 50 game a season player, he's a very valuable piece, especially if he's healthy for the playoffs.

[madmaxmedia]

the last few games scored over 20 + 2 doubes hes fine. Its him just staying healthy hes 23 10 guy with being hurt most of the year

The advanced statistical portraits paint a picture of real decline. HE used to be HOF level plus/minus. The last two years he hasn't. The advanced box box score stats tell the same story. And I'm sure the far more sophisticated proprietary tools NBA teams have access to tell a similar story

If it was just injuries with 2018-20 level of play while on the court his value would be diminished but injuries and 2 years of good not great play is a much harder sell.

Davis looked like he put on too much muscle at the start of the season (although Bill Simmons can not confirm as he does not have a scale) and it effected his quickness and athleticism, which is what made him a great player. Also, he someone has Julius Randle beat as the guy who lost his jump shot the most. The challenge is, guys 6-10 and taller who are super athletic can never stay healthy.

AD is a power forward who can play center in small ball lineups. In some ways, Davis gaining muscle in an effort to stay healthy and play more C reminds me of Amare Stoudemire after his first season with the Knicks. He hurt his back in the playoffs against Boston, added 10-15 lbs of muscle in the offseason, but was never the same player again. Of course with Amare, in his 3rd season with the Knicks he had surgery on both knees and that was all she wrote. And while Davis has a history of always being hurt and missing time, he does not have a major injury on his resume.

If Davis can drop the weight, get back to his old, athletic self and regain his jump shot, even if he's a 50 game a season player, he's a very valuable piece, especially if he's healthy for the playoffs.

I get the rationale of gaining weight/strength, but to me AD was at least athletically the most special his first couple of years. He was no center, but was a rare combination of reach and quickness. He could switch on pick and rolls and not only defend a smaller ball handler but even occasionally get a steal.

He’s still at the very least a really, really good player, but just not the post-Lebron franchise cornerstone the Lakers thought they were trading for.

[MrGoat]

I still think Frank can be a good coach in the right situation, but it looks like he's lost the team so it may be time to move on. You can't fire Buss so if Pelinka has any blame for that roster he can go too. Obviously they disappointed and don't appear to have an avenue for near term improvement

[anotherhomer]

If Lakers can't make the moves to turn it around, the best move is to trade Lebron for:

1) Warriors - Wiggins, Wiseman
2) Cavaliers - Kevin Love, Sexton, one FRP

It will keep Lakers competitive

[lamscott]

There are a lot of glaring holes in AD's game.

The biggest one is his "want". He is in LA now, and living fat off the hog... unfortunatley. He dissapears in cruchtime, is a horrid shooter, and needs a superstar A to his B.