08 OFF-SEASON PLAN

[Dexmor]

I only care about Odom, Sasha, Ronny. Karl, Mihm, Menga, Mihm don't mean anything to me. Seriously would we even notice?
I think if we win or come really close we will get some vets trying to jump on the wagon and that is what we need. Expierenced vets who know how to close out.

[LakerFanSince84]

I only care about Odom, Sasha, Ronny. Karl, Mihm, Menga, Mihm don't mean anything to me. Seriously would we even notice?
I think if we win or come really close we will get some vets trying to jump on the wagon and that is what we need. Expierenced vets who know how to close out.

Y get rid of youth to get older overnight. Don't want to end up like the spurs!

[0HeadAche0]

not sure we need loads of these vets that like to go ring chasing. i like our rotation atm, maybe if we could get one in like an alonzo mourning or a brent barry but i would prefer if we didn't load up on these because they just take minutes away from young guys who play with no fear.

[SportsFan215]

Would the Lakers be interested in a Radmanovic for Jaric swap, since the Lakers will have way too much depth at the SF, especially if LO moves to SF? Also, Jaric would be the perfect triangle PG if Farmar continues to suck. He could also provide more depth at the 2 guard behind "The Machine."

[semi-sentient]

^^^ I'd rather trade Walton. We need our outside shooters.

Also, I think one of the bigger questions that has to be asked is what do we do with our rotation next season assuming everyone returns? With the latest on Bynum being surgery, I personally think we should keep the lineup we have in tact and let Bynum come in behind Pau. I know many here don't particularly like that idea, but I don't see how we can really improve on a 30-6 record (w/Gasol playing a full game) unless we add to our bench.

I would propose that we stand pat with what we have, which means resigning both Sasha ($3-4 mil) and Ronny ($2 mil), then have the following lineup for the 08-09 season:

PG: Fisher/Farmar
SG: Kobe/Sasha
C: Gasol/Bynum/Turiaf
PF: Odom/Gasol/Turiaf
SF: Ariza/Radman/Walton

Now even though Bynum is playing backup center, I'd still like for him to get at least 25 minutes at that spot, which means that Gasol will have to play some PF, most likely when Odom takes his rest. This gives us great balance and allows us to keep our bigs fresh throughout the season so that they can be at full strength come playoff time -- without sacrificing anything during the regular season like the Spurs. I know most think Bynum is the future of our franchise, and he may very well be, but I think it's best for the team if he plays the backup role at least for next season.

[Slava]

I'd be content if this year's roster returns next season, injury free.

The key would be Pau and Kobe returning from China without much damage.

Only if Farmar doesn't dust th cob webs in his head, I'd consider trading a package of him and Radman for a semi-good starter/soild back up PG.

[hermes]

1. yes keep sasha and ronny
2. if you can find a star player who will do that fine, but i'm skeptical on artest (we don't need another forward anyway), and i really don't see us spending the mle
3. hmmm, he would make considerably less money, i'd be ok with it, not sure if kwame would want to come back
4. yes, i'd keep him even if we didn't win it all
5. touch call, i really like luke and his passing, vlad can shoot but we have other people who can shoot, i think luke brings more to the table than vlad

[hermes]

Vlade has trade value Luke doesn't. I'd keep Vlade can't find 6 10 assasins that easily unless someone gives us value which is a possibility. You can look crosstown LAC would love to have him back.

so what are you planning to do with luke, trade him because you said he doesn't have any value

[CX44]

Ariza has an opt out this year. I doubt he will use it because of the injury but the Lakers will have to look at extending him possible this year on top of Ronny and Sasha.

[daddyfivestar]

Nobody's going anywhere this offseason.

Mihm/Ariza are not going to opt out - they've been injured and are risks on the open market.

Luke has a friendly 4mil contract and is much more valuable to the Lakers than any other team. Ask the players on this team about him and they will tell you - he is not going anywhere.

Farmar - how quickly they forget. He was a most-improved type player earlier, he just needs to get from games 65-95 without imploding. He's 21 people, another year behind Fish and he'll be ready to take over the reigns.
Mbenga - Guy made 90k this year or something tiny. I'm sure a reasonable Coby Karl (800k) sized offer will keep him in play as the 3rd C.

Sasha/Turiaf - Since they are restricted, it'll be interesting to see if a team tries to snatch them with longer terms. Sasha is 23, Turiaf 25... keep them.

Sun or 2nd rd pick - With the one pick available, a combo guard would be ideal. If not Sun, early favorites of mine include Jamont Gordon and Richard Roby.

The Buss theory is simple, If LA wins it all this year, Buss will pay. So win it and this will be moot.

08
Littles: Fisher/Farmar/Kobe/Sasha/2nd rd pick
Middles: LO/Ariza/Walton/Vlad
Bigs: Gasol/Bynum/Turiaf/Mihm/Mbenga

[DubaLakers]

-= original quote snipped =-

so what are you planning to do with luke, trade him because you said he doesn't have any value

Right meaning we are stuck with him and his 25 year contract.

[gmurray8]

Nobody's going anywhere this offseason.

Mihm/Ariza are not going to opt out - they've been injured and are risks on the open market.

Luke has a friendly 4mil contract and is much more valuable to the Lakers than any other team. Ask the players on this team about him and they will tell you - he is not going anywhere.

Farmar - how quickly they forget. He was a most-improved type player earlier, he just needs to get from games 65-95 without imploding. He's 21 people, another year behind Fish and he'll be ready to take over the reigns.
Mbenga - Guy made 90k this year or something tiny. I'm sure a reasonable Coby Karl (800k) sized offer will keep him in play as the 3rd C.

Sasha/Turiaf - Since they are restricted, it'll be interesting to see if a team tries to snatch them with longer terms. Sasha is 23, Turiaf 25... keep them.

Sun or 2nd rd pick - With the one pick available, a combo guard would be ideal. If not Sun, early favorites of mine include Jamont Gordon and Richard Roby.

The Buss theory is simple, If LA wins it all this year, Buss will pay. So win it and this will be moot.

08
Littles: Fisher/Farmar/Kobe/Sasha/2nd rd pick
Middles: LO/Ariza/Walton/Vlad
Bigs: Gasol/Bynum/Turiaf/Mihm/Mbenga

Luke has 5 years left on his contract at $5 million per.. no one would trade for him. Radman is more movable and I consider them both on par skill-wise with what they bring to the table (one passes, one shoots)

[TommyTheCat]

Odom's contract doesn't end until after next season, so there's no rush to sign him to an extension at least until all-star break, that way you can see if he fits with the team. He has too much talent to just let him walk away, so if things don't work out you can expect for him to be traded at all star break.

If anyone read the LA Times about almost two months ago, you would know that Kupchak has made signing Sasha and Ronny his top priorities for the off season. However, he wouldn't commit to resigning Odom! He knows with Bynum coming back, you will need to have sasha on the floor.

I'd love to see odom pan out with bynum in the lineup and get his extension but every scenario i can think of from the business sense of the lakers is NOT to extend odom this summer. if things go well with him in the lineup when bynum comes back, i think they'll work out an extension during the season.

the main reasons not to extend him this offseason are:

1. odom ends up blowing at the 3 with bynum back and the lakers are stuck with a lengthy contract, salary cap woes and too many 3s that can't function with starter quality production. even if he's to spell at the pf spot he wouldn't be worth the money for the limited production unless a big goes out with a serious injury..........then he gets lots of minutes at the 4.

2. if odom was extended, his trade value drops when he becomes a non-expiring contract and you'd have to find a trade partner willing to accept his new contract.

other than that i think the lakers will resign sasha and ronny and they'll have to live with luke and rads contract.