Jose Calderon free agent

[alfurd]

I agree that it's a situation they'll have to resolve because it makes no sense to put all that cash behind two players at the same position. The Raptors don't play them together much either, so they don't have a situation like the Spurs do with Ginobili where, they can make it work by giving him at least 30mpg. I've asked a couple Raptors fans I know here in the Toronto area and they haven't made up their mind on the problem either.

Important yes, but I don't think getting a point forward serves them better than bringing Calderon off the bench, not when it's Luke Walton . Their PG combo has been so central to their success because they're different point guards, but then there's almost no drop off when they sub in for one the other, allowing them to put who they want on the court based on the situation in the game. They also have to remain mindful of Ford's possible fragility, not only for his particular health issues but also because he tends to hit the floor often.

The Lakers have drafted well but players typically don't step in and make an impact right away, and for the most part that has been the case with this team. Counting on the draft also doesn't make sense because the Lakers have already lost first rounders for this year and 2010 in the Gasol trade, and would probably lose further picks in any transaction for Calderon. The team has second rounders and a few from other teams, but still. So there would be some dependence on catching a few breaks and picking up solid role players cheap. The MLE is an option of course but then we'd get into the issue about spending. I don't question the Buss's willingness to have the highest payroll in the league, but when a $2 million salary becomes $4 mill and $5 mill becomes $10 mill, Mitch and friends will have to be more selective. There's other things that bother me with the trade -- Calderon's weaknesses on defense could get exposed in the playoffs, and I also don't believe he'd have the impact on the Lakers that most would predict -- but if the deal is there (which it won't be) then sure, go for it.

[Slava]

Calderon could have great impact on our team as the primary ball handler and play maker especially since we are running a more fast break compatible triangle now-a-days. We could finally have a PG that can make the entry pass to Gasol/Bynum and help Kobe score on easier situations rather than having to create for himself each time.

His defense would surely be exposed sometime or else but he has scope for improvement, so does Farmar but that'd propel our offense to greater ranges of efficiency of it were really possible, the way we've been scoring of late.

[brightsith]

This just won't be happening; Calderon's value has never been higher. Instead, if the Lakers want to target another PG, the FO should look for someone whose current value is low compared to his ability, e.g. Kirk Hinrich (good three point shooter, defender, and big for a PG).