Kupchak's words @ news conference - salary cuts

KingLakers · Post #1 » by **KingLakers** » Sat Aug 1, 2009 2:26 am

It sounded to me from what Kupchak was saying at the conference about future moves it seems like the Lakers are going to try to dump a little more salary. Considering the Lakers seem to want to keep Morrison a little longer and Farmars contract isn't big enough maybe they're going to look to trade Sasha for Cash or 2nd round picks. I wouldn't mind the Lakers bringing in Gerald Green to replace Sasha if that happens. What do you guys think about what Kupchak said or the idea of bringing in Green?

slifersd · Post #2 » by **slifersd** » Sat Aug 1, 2009 3:02 am

I'd take anyone over Vujacic at this point, but who would actually be dumb enough to take his contract? I think we might be stuck with him for this season. As far as replacement goes, Gerald Green wouldn't be a terrible one, but I think we need more shooting from that spot, is Kareem Rush still available? Phil's always had a thing for him.

Kobe24MVP · Post #3 » by **Kobe24MVP** » Sat Aug 1, 2009 3:09 am

Ive always been a huge fan on Rush and still am. Ill never forget his 30 point night vs the kings when kobe got hurt. ...anyways from what i recall i dont think phil is too fond of rush because he was often late to practice and had an attitude. dont take my word on that but i believe i read that somewhere

Post #4 » by **dockingsched** » Sat Aug 1, 2009 3:13 am

changed title, guys gotta start being less vague with them titles

anywhoo, you don't need kupchak's words to know that the lakers are up against it financially. buss wasn't even sure he wanted to resign odom because of the tax. needless to say, cutting salary without hurting the team too much is probably what we can expect from the lakers here on out. sasha appears to be a likely victim, but no one is going to fully absorb his deal. this also makes an ammo trade highly unlikely, since lakers brass is probably heavily relying on cutting that salary off the books. the real victim, imo, will be jordan farmar who is up for a contract next season. lakers are probably going to look to move him or might just let him go for nothing.

Dexmor · Post #5 » by **Dexmor** » Sat Aug 1, 2009 3:55 am

Yeah Farmar can have a break out season and I still would be schocked if he got the midlevel. I am thinking were gonna fill the pg's with Shannon Brown type contract/players.
As for Green I think he would be a great backup at the 2.

is Rush still even in the league? Seriously.

Post #6 » by **Slava** » Sat Aug 1, 2009 3:58 am

I don't think Farmar will just be let go especially if Fisher decides to retire after this season.

Dexmor · Post #7 » by **Dexmor** » Sat Aug 1, 2009 4:25 am

What did Mitch say. Maybe Farmar would just be let go. They could keep him on because Fisher probably will retire I would think or at very least will know he should be the third pg. After next year he is done. I think maybe best case and probably if you pressed me on what the case would be I would say Farmar breaks out with all these great players around him and if he will take a 5 year 25 milliion dollar deal they keep him. If somebody offers more then he will walk and they probably will if he has a good year. That's the most.

More likely scenerio is we get somebody like Brown to be our starter which is cheap and in a way fits better. He is a better defender who can guard 2 positions which helps Kobe and they can get keep Sasha as a combo backup 1/2 and add a draft pick or like a Gabe Pruitt. Or maybe just a guy who can hit the 3 and guard pg's. They don't even need Jordan Farmar really. It would be nice if they keep him but having Brown with Fisher and a draft pick or a cheap pick will work. Sasha should back up all 3 positions.

Dexmor · Post #8 » by **Dexmor** » Sat Aug 1, 2009 4:37 am

So does this mean no Williams because I was thinking on our team Sheldon Williams that is would play nice.
We do have Fisher and Ammo coming off the books. Thats 10 million.

Magicontinues · Post #9 » by **Magicontinues** » Sat Aug 1, 2009 4:57 am

KingLakers wrote:It sounded to me from what Kupchak was saying at the conference about future moves it seems like the Lakers are going to try to dump a little more salary. Considering the Lakers seem to want to keep Morrison a little longer and Farmars contract isn't big enough maybe they're going to look to trade Sasha for Cash or 2nd round picks. I wouldn't mind the Lakers bringing in Gerald Green to replace Sasha if that happens. What do you guys think about what Kupchak said or the idea of bringing in Green?

He actually said they are looking to trade Sasha for cash?

I didn't hear that, nor him saying they wwere going to be cutting salary.

KingLakers · Post #10 » by **KingLakers** » Sat Aug 1, 2009 6:29 am

He didn't say they're gonna trade Sasha he kind of mentioned they may look to cut a little more payroll.

KingUvDaWest · Post #11 » by **KingUvDaWest** » Sat Aug 1, 2009 6:46 am

I miss Maurice Evans, i thought he was a solid back up for kobe.

what would jack bauer do? · Post #12 » by **what would jack bauer do?** » Sat Aug 1, 2009 7:15 am

what is the minimum roster size? We're at 12 right? It'll be interesting to see if he's going to try and cut big salary or just a little like Farmar's. Getting rid of farmar and signing a minimum salary guy would save us like what 2 and a half million in salary and lux tax? Maybe some team will take Ammo on to get Farmar

Mamba Venom · Post #13 » by **Mamba Venom** » Sat Aug 1, 2009 11:02 am

The Lakers have 5 great players that are the heart of the team

1. Kobe 2. Gasol 3. LO 4. Bynum 5. Artest

The Lakers need depth but Luke, AMMO and Sasha are NOT worth jeopardizing keeping the 5 guys listed above together for the next 4 years.

We ALMOST lost LO because we are paying Luke, Sasha and AMMO 5.6 mil per year

Artest is a deal at 5.6 mil per... LO is definitely worth 8.3 mil per year. The Lakers need to respect the pecking order and do what other great championship teams do for depth...

FIND RING CHASERS THAT CAN CONTRIBUTE

Dexmor · Post #14 » by **Dexmor** » Sat Aug 1, 2009 2:59 pm

enlightenment wrote:The Lakers have 5 great players that are the heart of the team

1. Kobe 2. Gasol 3. LO 4. Bynum 5. Artest

The Lakers need depth but Luke, AMMO and Sasha are NOT worth jeopardizing keeping the 5 guys listed above together for the next 4 years.

We ALMOST lost LO because we are paying Luke, Sasha and AMMO 5.6 mil per year

Artest is a deal at 5.6 mil per... LO is definitely worth 8.3 mil per year. The Lakers need to respect the pecking order and do what other great championship teams do for depth...

FIND RING CHASERS THAT CAN CONTRIBUTE

Exactly. Go with 8 2nd round pick rookies every year to backup the big 5 to keep costs down if you have to. The rest are not worth risking. Farmar breaks out and is worth 6 million next year then let em walk if it''s gonna jeopadize the big 5. We just need to sign guys to longer deals when we get em cheap like Brown. I have a feeling he might break out to and then he would have to go but that's o.k. good luck to him if that happens because it's all about the big 5.

laduane1 · Post #15 » by **laduane1** » Sat Aug 1, 2009 4:56 pm

Maybe Kobe should take a small pay step back. Does he really need 25 million a season or more. Would not 20 million for 5 years not be a out of this world contract. Greeat players need to be great leaders.

Magicontinues · Post #16 » by **Magicontinues** » Sat Aug 1, 2009 5:16 pm

laduane1 wrote:Maybe Kobe should take a small pay step back. Does he really need 25 million a season or more. Would not 20 million for 5 years not be a out of this world contract. Greeat players need to be great leaders.

It's not like the good ole days when a player could do this, the stupid Union prevents it nowadays.

Sofa King · Post #17 » by **Sofa King** » Sat Aug 1, 2009 5:41 pm

Dexmor wrote:Exactly. Go with 8 2nd round pick rookies every year to backup the big 5 to keep costs down if you have to. The rest are not worth risking. Farmar breaks out and is worth 6 million next year then let em walk if it''s gonna jeopadize the big 5. We just need to sign guys to longer deals when we get em cheap like Brown. I have a feeling he might break out to and then he would have to go but that's o.k. good luck to him if that happens because it's all about the big 5.

Imagine the abuse those 8 2nd round rookies will get. They'll all just be errand boys with spot duties on the court. :lol:

scoobs07 · Post #18 » by **scoobs07** » Sat Aug 1, 2009 6:08 pm

I could see the Lakers trading Farmar to a point guard needy team for a trade exception and some 2nd round picks. I dont recall which teams have an exception, but I think Philly and Milwaukee both do. The Lakers could then sign a free agent guard (that is a better fit) for less money. For example, if the Lakers go sign Mike Taylor (who was just released by the Clippers), I think they could sign him for like 750,000. Mike Taylor is a huge DEFENSIVE upgrade and would save the Lakers 2.5 million dollars. There are other sleeper (triangle guard) free agents still floating around out there like Luther Head, Fred Jones, Salim Stoudamire and Rashad McCants.

Dexmor · Post #19 » by **Dexmor** » Sat Aug 1, 2009 8:05 pm

I like the idea of signing A McCants or even a Carney to backup Kobe.

salmahayek · Post #20 » by **salmahayek** » Mon Aug 3, 2009 2:54 pm

I have long been a G. Green advocate and would love to see him come in and back up Kobe.
Right now, Kobe is the only true two on our roster. I think Green still has considerable upside and would really benefit playing on a veteran team and going up against Kobe everyday.

Trying to reduce payroll and maintain a roster that is the favorite to win the title and withstand an injury or two all at the same time is a very tricky business. Keep in mind, we already lost a potentially very good player when we sold our first round pick this year, as there were some really good guys to choose from should we have kept our pick.

Moving Sasha is attractive from a payroll stand point, but his streaky three - point shooting can be quite a weapon in a playoff game - if he's on.

Ammo still has upside, too, but if they do want to shave payroll, his stock is probably about as high as it's going to be after a strong summer league showing.