Lakers Pre-Draft Summit

[APerna]

Congratulations on the Lakers' recent title victory!

It's time for the annual Pre-Draft Summit, led by myself (Andrew Perna). The pieces will be turned into articles, and will be part of a three-pronged attack of draft coverage on RealGM.

Thanks in advance for the answers, and please remember to try keeping the answers as tight and concise as possible.


1. What do the Lakers need to do in order to defend the title next season?

2. Where were the team’s biggest strengths?

3. Who had a surprisingly effective season?

4. Who had a surprisingly ineffective season?

5. How confident are you in the front office heading into the offseason?

6. What are the team’s biggest needs in the draft?

7. Who would you like your team to select with the 29th pick?


Thanks for taking the time, and contributing answers. We appreciate that you all help make RealGM what it is today!

[salmahayek]

Thanks Andrew! Enjoy your work.

1. Re-sign our players, Ariza and Odom. Add a player in FA that is a penetrator and distributor - maybe Jason Kidd.

2. Kobe Bryant.

3. No one surprising per se, if I had to pick, Powell played well when called upon.

4. Thought Bynum would do more, even with injury issues taken into account.

5. I've been a big fan of Dr. Buss and Mitch all along and continue to be.

6. PG

7. Gerald Henderson - I don't think he'll be there, but very underrated in my book, I think he'll be great. Plus, the Hendersons owe us for 1984.

[TylersLakers]

1. What do the Lakers need to do in order to defend the title next season?

- Re-sign Odom, Ariza, Shannon Brown - all, if possible. Buss seems willing to put his money where his mouth is. It's all about Jerry Buss and how much he's willing to pay.

2. Where were the team’s biggest strengths?

- Versatility. We could play any kind of style. Our big man rotation was probably the best in the league with Bynum, Gasol and Odom. We were even better before 'Drew got hurt. Gasol improved defensively and was probably our best player all year. Haven't even mentioned the greatness of Kobe in situations.

3. Who had a surprisingly effective season?

- Shannon Brown. He came late in a trade, but because of his playoff impact, I'd rate him. He came in and worked on his jump shot, proving a lot of critics wrong. Josh Powell a close second. I've wanted him and actually made a thread for us to sign him. We did, and he was good whenever called upon. He was great in the locker room as well, which was one thing I worried about with Turiaf gone.

4. Who had a surprisingly ineffective season?

- Easily, Sasha Vujacic. He got a big contract and came back this season and just couldn't make a shot. It wasn't for lack of effort, you see him shooting all the time and you could see it drained on his confidence. I just kept on waiting for him to burst out of his slump, but it never happened.

5. How confident are you in the front office heading into the offseason?

- Confident. When you have a Championship team, it's easy to be confident. That's quite a far cry from a couple years ago where I wanted Mitch gone and Buss to sell the team if he wasn't going to get some players to put around Kobe. He kind of went into cheap mode for a while there, but he stepped up when the opportunity arrived with Gasol. Credit Mitch too. He was brilliant. A lot of under the radar moves with Trevor Ariza, Josh Powell, Shannon Brown, trading of Radmanovic, etc.

6. What are the team’s biggest needs in the draft?

- Quick PG. Someone to defend the Aaron Brooks' of the world, who almost single-handedly took us out in the playoffs. We've had trouble for a while with our PG defense, with Fish climbing in age. Someone who can defend on the perimeter is probably our biggest need.

- If Lamar leaves, we're definitely going to need a backup PF/C who can bang down low, bring some toughness. I think it would come with free agency or a sign and trade with Lamar (if someone made a ridiculous offer). The draft around our position doesn't really have a lot of bruisers.

7. Who would you like your team to select with the 29th pick?

- Marcus Thornton, LSU. I'm a Gators fan, so I've definitely heard about him down in the SEC. If Sasha Vujacic doesn't pick it up, he could definitely come in and give him a fight to take his spot in the rotation. The bench definitely needs someone who can create their own shot and score, and he could be a great pick-up.

- Dionte Christmas, Temple. Again, kind of like Thornton. He'd come in with the same idea. He can put the ball in the basket.

- Darren Collison, UCLA. Hometown kid, quick PG. Definitely a little small for Phil Jackson's standards, but that's the way the game is evolving and I think he understands that.

[Mindflayer]

1. What do the Lakers need to do in order to defend the title next season?

A healthy team (Bynum especially) and the Lakers may be able to get by without resigning both Odom and Ariza.

2. Where were the team’s biggest strengths?

Depth and Kobe’s leadership. We played the second half of the season with our 3rd most important player (Bynum) injured or not as effective because of injury. Kobe’s leadership carried this team to a championship.

3. Who had a surprisingly effective season?

Ariza. We really needed his perimeter defense but who thought he could shoot like this. Of course, he could turn into next year’s Sasha.

4. Who had a surprisingly ineffective season?

Sasha Vujacic. Looked like the first three Laker years’ Sasha by missing wide open shots all year. Derek Fisher was a close second with no defense and no shot all year until the final seconds of game 4 in Orlando.

5. How confident are you in the front office heading into the offseason?

Very. Three good trades that filled needs in the last two years. Even if we don’t resign Odom or Ariza I think Mitch could find an impact FA with the MLE

6. What are the team’s biggest needs in the draft?

Fast point guard who can at least stay in front of quick point guards.

7. Who would you like your team to select with the 29th pick?

Patrick Mills, PG, St. Mary’s.

[RJM]

1. What do the Lakers need to do in order to defend the title next season?

Get tougher and play some consistent basketball. I can't tell you how many times I was frustrated with our play out there. We allowed a team like the Rockets to take us to seven games. Unacceptable. Championship teams bring it every night and DO NOT take games off like we did often times. Numerous times I couldn't help but agree with the analysts that said we were playing like the Championship was promised to them.

2. Where were the team’s biggest strengths?

Hmm...when we go inside consistently, we're unstoppable. Pau and Lamar's play are HUGE for us, as well as Bynum's.

3. Who had a surprisingly effective season?

Lamar Odom really stepped it up for us especially after being made to come off the bench.

4. Who had a surprisingly ineffective season?

Sasha Vujacic. Dude's gotta go. Apparently he's settled into his contract.

5. How confident are you in the front office heading into the offseason?

We're doing alright. I feel good about them right now.

6. What are the team’s biggest needs in the draft?

I would have to say the Backup PG/SG position. We've gotta have some consistency there. Aside from that, I would have to order it like this...

1. PG - Fisher crapped out then but really exploded for us later in the Playoffs. Eventually he's going to have to pass the buck on to someone. The question is Who?

2. Sasha's done. He's settled into his contract and really bombed out when we needed him the most. Kobe needs an adequate backup.

3. C - Mbenga's cool, but I need a little more faith in that backup backup spot in case we get an injury again.

7. Who would you like your team to select with the 29th pick?

1. Kobe's protege.
2. Austin Daye, Arizona
3. Earl Clark, Louisville
4. Danny Green, North Carolina
5. Jack McClinton, UM

[aussie_laker]

1. Odom, Ariza + another PG (trade vujacic and farmar)

2. length, and versatility

3. I thought Lamar was great, as well as trevor picking it up

4. Sasha, expected him to have the same numbers as last years - he was awful this year

5. How confident are you in the front office heading into the offseason? if they have the money, then they will make the correct signings.

6. What are the team’s biggest needs in the draft? PG, back up big

7. Who would you like your team to select with the 29th pick? Patty Mills (only so i have an aussie to follow)

[ALL HAIL]

1. What do the Lakers need to do in order to defend the title next season?

---- Reshuffle their lineup. Move Kobe to SF. Move Gasol to McHale like sixth man so Bynum can get his Chief on. Bring back every free agent (including Sun). Replace Morrison's role as overpaid scrub with Eddy Curry (additional 33 mill in salary ... yikes -- it gets better). Replace Walton's role as facilitator, role playing stabilizer with Mardy Collins (saves us 44 mill in salary -- a total of 11 million in salary SAVED by ridding ourselves of Morrison / Walton and Curry make the same amount of money). Replace Farmar's role of point guard, creative distributor with Jason Kidd (an expensive move paved by the exodus of Morrison -- Kidd should play PG on offense but SG on defense).

2. Where were the team’s biggest strengths?

---- Rebounding. Our three big men could go down as three of the best to play together if they can win a few more rings. Other than that, the fact that we have count em THREE quality bigs is completely unfair to the rest of the league and straight gangsta and cocky as hell for us.

3. Who had a surprisingly effective season?

---- Trevor Ariza. A smart dude who knew how to seize his opportunity. He knew he would be OPEN a lot so he probably shot two thousand jumpers a day last summer. His work has TRULY paid off.

4. Who had a surprisingly ineffective season?

---- Farmar. I always thought he was a bad fit for this team ever since he was drafted, but he proved me WAAY wrong two seasons ago. This season, surprisingly, because he had a solid role as young "up and comer" behind the aging vet and is a hard worker, he went REALLY backwards. I think most on this board can now agree with me in the assessment that Farmar can be a really good PG in this league but probably not on our team. If he is still on our team next year, he will more than likely put up some decent numbers, but I think he will be the one to leave this team in free agency next off season not necessarily for more money, but for the opportunity to play 32 minutes a game every night. If we can get Kidd, I think the talented Farmar should be traded for a little less talented role player in Mardy Collins (a much similar chemistry trade was made in the Nick Van Exel trade to Denver that landed us Tony Battie and Tyronn Lue -- a move that had to be moved).

5. How confident are you in the front office heading into the offseason?

---- I think they'll resign our players, but will they spend money to IMPROVE the team (ie 4 -5 million for Kidd)? That, I'm not too sure about. Also, will they make bold cost cutting moves? This I do feel confident in based on the Radmanovic trade and the Mihm trade. In order to spend money to improve this team they're going to have to first rid themselves of Morrison's contract and/or Walton's contract (Vujacic has no value). Cross your fingers.

6. What are the team’s biggest needs in the draft?

---- in no particular order ... PG, SG, and SF

7. Who would you like your team to select with the 29th pick?

---- If Nick Calathes is on the board, I think you gotta take him. I know he is signed with a Greek team but I think that actually plays into the Lakers favor. I'd let Calathes play in Greece for two years then bring him over when he is 21 - 22 years old to play the role of game changing backup point guard.

One more question:
8. Who would you take with the 42nd pick?

---- The Lakers have been getting good value in the second round as of late ... I think they do the same this year by drafting a potential replacement to Fisher (as designated little man shooter) in Jack McClinton. I'd sign him for three years and let him watch Fish for next year and the following year (yeah, I'd resign Fish next off season for one more year at the veteran's minimum--Shannon Brwon and McClinton will need his influence for two more years).

[kobela32]

1. What do the Lakers need to do in order to defend the title next season?
Keep there confidence, desire and motivation, without underestimating opponents. They can't get lax or lazy or bored.
Re-sign Kobe (Hopefully) to a new, cheaper deal to make room for re-signings of Lakers hitting the open market. Re-Sign Odom, Ariza, and Brown. Keep Adam Morrison, he is the ****!!!
Work on deepening the team a little bit, the Lakers were streched thin at times this post season due to inconsistency.
Stay F'ing healthy Andrew Bynum. The Lakers nor Bynum can afford another serious injury. If it happens again, we may be wrapped up in disaster with him. He can't grow, mature and progress riding the pine in street clothes.
Get a new PG. I will always be grateful for DFISH and what he has done, but his time is coming soon, and despite flashes of future something out of Farmar, flashes must turn into consistency and after 3 years it has not.

2. Where were the team’s biggest strengths?
The hunger for a championship after the embarrasment of last season. They played, usually, as if it was theirs and no one else could have it.
Pau, and Lamar dismissed the "Soft" label and ended up being intricle parts of the championship run.
Adam Morrison!!!
The new found offensive game of Trevor Ariza. His excellent D helped as well.
Of course having the World's Greatest basketball player definately did not hurt.

3. Who had a surprisingly effective season?
Trevor Ariza. Many people expected a big season from him, but more so from a defensive standpoint and the intensity he could bring. No one really expected such an offensive improvement out of him.
Lamar Odom had the biggest postseason of his career. The Lakers needed him to, and he delivered despite being non-existent in last years playoffs.
Luke Walton. Fans had finally wrote him off after last season, but there were a few times were he actually contributed this season. He wasn't great, but he wasn't something bad, and for him and the Lakers that is a plus.

4. Who had a surprisingly ineffective season?
Sasha Vujajic. I still love this guy and his swagger and hope he actually stays despit playing like booty. He got the payday, and the Lakers got not one excellent game out of him all season. He needs to step it up.
Jordan Farmar. Three years over and nothing improved about his game. Not much too say about him, because everyone already knows. He needs to step up, or step out.

5. How confident are you in the front office heading into the offseason?
Confident but worried also. There are two very key parts to the success of this team and they are both free agents. They both want to come back, and I hope they both do. Unfortunately they are both going to command a good amount of money. It will be real tricky getting them both back. Maybe Kobe opts out and signs for less, he gets mucho dinero from his endorsements, and this would be a completely selfless act, and I hope he does it, for the team's sake. The Laker's would really have a hard time financially with 4 Giant contracts (Kobe, Pau, Andrew, Lamar) but they have deep enough wallets to break the bank for the luxury tax, and I really hope the do break the bank for the team.

6. What are the team’s biggest needs in the draft?
Another PG for reasons already explained.
Front-Court depth. I am not convinced on Josh Powell quite yet.
Possibly SF depth, if one or both of our big free agents leave.

7. Who would you like your team to select with the 29th pick?
Ty Lawson
Earl Clark (Pipe Dream)
Darren Collison
Toney Douglas
Paul Harris
Jack McClinton
Demarre Carroll
Chris Johnson

[Erik Eleven]

1. What do the Lakers need to do in order to defend the title next season?
Keep all current players on the roster.

2. Where were the team’s biggest strengths?
Depth and adaptability.

3. Who had a surprisingly effective season?
Shannon Brown.

4. Who had a surprisingly ineffective season?
Sasha Vujacic.

5. How confident are you in the front office heading into the offseason?
See trophy 15.

6. What are the team’s biggest needs in the draft?
Whatever the best talent is when we pick.

7. Who would you like your team to select with the 29th pick?
Don't know. Collison, maybe.

[NBAWestFan]

Same team

move Sasha.
drop Morrison, Sun Yue,

Replace Menbga w/upgrade

Definitely keep: Odom, Ariza, Brown, Fisher.
and maybe Farmar unless a play maker can be had
as mentioned Jkidd who might be too old already to take such a cut in pay.

Draft most likely won't help too much.

Main thing is what Boston, Cleveland, Detroit, Orlando, Spurs, Rocketts, & Denver do in
the offseason

[DubaLakers]

1. What do the Lakers need to do in order to defend the title next season?
Resign for sure: KBryant, TAriza. Resign if possible: L.Odom, S.Brown. If Lamar isn't resigned, resign J.Powell. Let Mbenga & Sun Yue go. Get a FA tough backup C.

2. Where were the team’s biggest strengths?
Versatility, Depth, Rebounding, #1 Closer, Big long highly skilled frontline, ZenX.

3. Who had a surprisingly effective season?
Lamar from the bench was a near perfect fit.

4. Who had a surprisingly ineffective season?
Sasha Vujacic degressed, it was beyond disappointing.

5. How confident are you in the front office heading into the offseason?
Very confident. I am one of the few that have agreed and supported Mitch's decisions from day 1. I guessed the same pick Mitch did for Crittenton and then Farmar the next year, it was bizarre.

6. What are the team’s biggest needs in the draft?
It's always a PG with the Lakers, but the smart pick is always best available that late in the draft.

7. Who would you like your team to select with the 29th pick?
Wayne Ellington, SG, UNC, Kobe needs some help behind him now that Sasha isn't in the plans.

[hermes]

1. What do the Lakers need to do in order to defend the title next season?
Stay hungry and focused, and healthy

2. Where were the team’s biggest strengths?
Versatility, having a lot of options
3. Who had a surprisingly effective season?
shannon brown
4. Who had a surprisingly ineffective season?
sasha vujacic
5. How confident are you in the front office heading into the offseason?
pretty confident, Mitch is a good guy
6. What are the team’s biggest needs in the draft?
get some depth
7. Who would you like your team to select with the 29th pick?
someone who can come in and excel in a supporting role
[/quote]

[Tekkenlaw]

1. What do the Lakers need to do in order to defend the title next season?
The main priority needs to be keeping Trevor Ariza and Lamar Odom. If Andrew Bynum can stay healthy he will be a force as well.

2. Where were the team’s biggest strengths?
Kobe and Pau just mesh very well together and with the rest of the team. They are both incredibly skilled, fundamental basketball players

3. Who had a surprisingly effective season?
Trevor Ariza is the obvious pick here but for good reason. All we needed him to do this season is provide energy, defense, and 3-point shooting. He provided all three and then some.

4. Who had a surprisingly ineffective season?
Sasha Vujacic. He was absolutely awful for us throughout the season, and even more so in the playoffs. His shots don't come within the rhythm of the offense at all.

5. How confident are you in the front office heading into the offseason?
Very confident. Mitch Kupchak has proven that he can build a winner with his trades and signings the past few years.

6. What are the team’s biggest needs in the draft?
The need to go BPA, the key is just finding someone that will at least make the rotation. But I would like if they got a PG.

7. Who would you like your team to select with the 29th pick?
I like Nick Calathes and Patty Mills with this pick. Ty Lawson or Eric Maynor also if they drop that far.

[DEEP3CL]

1. What do the Lakers need to do in order to defend the title next season? Having Andrew improve on his interior defense, keeping teams at 40% would be ideal.

2. Where were the team’s biggest strengths? Bench depth, and rebounding

3. Who had a surprisingly effective season? Trevor Ariza, weather starting our contributing from bench.

4. Who had a surprisingly ineffective season? Sasha Vujacic, has to control his shot speed. His shooting fundamentals are all screwed up.

5. How confident are you in the front office heading into the offseason? Very confident, but they must recognize that the point is still a flawed position.

6. What are the team’s biggest needs in the draft? Team needs a point with speed and big enough to defend. A brute 4 man would be a nice find too.

7. Who would you like your team to select with the 29th pick? Dionte Christmas, has makings of a 20+ scorer. Realistically Wayne Ellington could be in reach still at 29.

[TyCobb]

1. What do the Lakers need to do in order to defend the title next season?
Re-sign Ariza and Odom, pray Phil comes back for another year. Improved point guard play by Farmar.

2. Where were the team’s biggest strengths?
Kobe and the bigmen (Odom, Gasol, and a healthy Bynum).

3. Who had a surprisingly effective season?
Ariza. I knew he'd be good, but not this good. His 3 point shooting is damn good now.

4. Who had a surprisingly ineffective season?
Sasha. Just lost his game.

5. How confident are you in the front office heading into the offseason?
Pau Gasol, Shannon Brown, and Trevor Ariza...aka extremely confident in the front office.

6. What are the team’s biggest needs in the draft?
Bench role players.

7. Who would you like your team to select with the 29th pick?
Chase Budinger. Smart, great 3 shooter, athletic, unselfish. Please draft this guy Mitchell.

[daddyfivestar]

AP, since most of the above really reflects what I'd say I'll skip except to answer #1 and #7:

#1 - Be willing to go into the 90 mil range to keep everyone and potentially add an MLE player.

#7 - If they even keep 29, I think it's a wing backup to give Kobe a bit more rest - Ellington or Thornton? And at 42, I think Calathes as a euro-stash would be a nice coup, let him play in Greece to develop another few seasons.

[Anklebreaker702]

1. What do the Lakers need to do in order to defend the title next season?
Stay healthy & come back more hungry than last year

2. Where were the team’s biggest strengths?
Our size & ability to fight through adversity especially the injury's

3. Who had a surprisingly effective season?
DJ Mbenga. Very effective off the bench filling in for the bigs. Wish he could have gotten more playoff burn

4. Who had a surprisingly ineffective season?
Sasha. After getting his extension in the off season he said that he wanted to repay the Lakers for paying him so handsomely was to become the best shooter in the NBA. He fell very short of that goal.

5. How confident are you in the front office heading into the offseason?
Very confident. Mitch is showing he knows how & when to push the button. Quite often it's the right button(s). Keep up the good work Mitch!

6. What are the team’s biggest needs in the draft?
A play making guard. Kobe would be even more deadly off the ball.

7. Who would you like your team to select with the 29th pick?
Aaron Jackson 6'4' 23 yr old guard fron Duquesene. He's a big guard & maybe a little more mature & Phil likes big guards.

[dockingsched]

1. What do the Lakers need to do in order to defend the title next season?
odom, ariza, health.

2. Where were the team’s biggest strengths?
frontcourt versatility.

3. Who had a surprisingly effective season?
trevor ariza, without his 3pt shot improvement, i don't think the lakers win the title.

4. Who had a surprisingly ineffective season?
sasha vujacic. supposedly he worked incredibly hard in the offseason, may be he was burnt out, lol.

5. How confident are you in the front office heading into the offseason?
wouldn't have any other front office handling it.

6. What are the team’s biggest needs in the draft?
money.

7. Who would you like your team to select with the 29th pick?
cash considerations.

[0HeadAche0]

1. What do the Lakers need to do in order to defend the title next season?

avoid healthy celtics and the cavaliers in the finals, resign Ariza and Odom, try and make a trade for a better guard, either a better back up SG or a new starting PG.

2. Where were the team’s biggest strengths?

Bynum, Gasol and Odom being on the same team and combining together to be the most powerful front court in the league.

3. Who had a surprisingly effective season?

Ariza, improved his lange range shooting, being a tough defender and just doing all the intangibles that a title winning team needs, that we missed completely in the finals in 07-08, becoming what the Celtics had in James Posey last year

4. Who had a surprisingly ineffective season?

Everyone saying Sasha but hes always been a dud. Derek Fisher has struggled this year, cant stay in front of some of the quicker guards on the defensive end, little drop off in his PPG this year. He hasn't been terrible but out of our team hes been the one who has been only SLIGHTLY ineffective but still manages to sink two big clutch shots to win us the Championship

5. How confident are you in the front office heading into the offseason?

Very, always been confident in Mitch even during the Kidd saga, shown he can make great big trades and pick up good solid smaller pieces to help and contribute to our team throughout the years like Ariza, Shannon Brown, Evans, Turiaf etc.

6. What are the team’s biggest needs in the draft?

A good ball handler who can relieve some of the pressure off Kobe, can drive into the paint so Kobe doesn't have to but can also spread the floor with his shooting

7. Who would you like your team to select with the 29th pick?

Darren Collison