Lakers : Free Agency

[ALL HAIL]

Actually, what LA needs is a Wing who can play 22-24 mins per game, and a PG who can play 20-24 mins per game.

Raja Bell (@ 2mil) and Shaun Livingston (@ 1.5 mil) look perfect for those roles. Basically, doing this and resigning Fisher at 50% of his prior pay gets payroll at 89 mil.

They can save Vujacic's expiring for February when they might need to make a move if somebody gets injured.

I had Mike Miller as the guy we should get in free agency way back in November but eventually talked myself out of it because I figured he'd get signed somewhere for 4-5 million per season.

I think you might be talking yourself out of it as well.

I really think the Lakers can have him if they make him feel like he'll be an integral piece.

I think he'd come here for 3 million bucks (or less) ... and if he's willing to take 3 million, you gotta sign that dude.

Other than that, I agree that Livingston and Bell could really help us.

My priority of new guys to acquire (other than LBJ--still crossed) are:

1st - Mike Miller (gotta get him first if LBJ falls through, he may not be the long term answer as a starting PG/facilitator but he is super dangerous and can be an ideal backup facilitator and designated sniper ala Michael Cooper without the Pasadena defense.

2nd - Shaun Livingston (he'll eventually beat out Fisher and Mike Miller for starting PG duties and, with Miller as his backup PG on offense, he will make an already huge Laker team, ridiculously large. His and other's shooting will improve as he steadfastly distributes the ball to guys where they can do their thing.)

Raja Bell is an overall good fit too but if I got these two guys (Miller and Livingston) I'd have to take Shannon Brown over Raja Bell for fit purposes playing alongside two large playmakers.

[ALL HAIL]

Actually, what LA needs is a Wing who can play 22-24 mins per game, and a PG who can play 20-24 mins per game.

Raja Bell (@ 2mil) and Shaun Livingston (@ 1.5 mil) look perfect for those roles. Basically, doing this and resigning Fisher at 50% of his prior pay gets payroll at 89 mil.

They can save Vujacic's expiring for February when they might need to make a move if somebody gets injured.

I had Mike Miller as the guy we should get in free agency way back in November but eventually talked myself out of it because I figured he'd get signed somewhere for 4-5 million per season.

I think you might be talking yourself out of it as well.

After this Chicago deal with Hinrich, it looks like you were right all along ... Mike Miller is probably going to Chicago.

[The Skyhook]

Man the Lakers look so screw this offseason because of the financial situation. Mitch is really going to have his hands full and if might have to consider making trades. I know championship teams normally don't blow things up but with Farmar, DJ, Josh, Brown, and Ammo possibly all gone then the Lakers will need to fill 5 holes. If it comes down to it I think Lamar and/or Bynum might be the odd guys out. Which would suck because keeping the core is essential.

[TruSkool]

6 players- kobe, pau, artest, odom, bynum, fisher---these guys are going nowhere for the next 2 seasons.

thomas kelati will be signed

shannon brown will be signed

raja bell and one of the guards from the wizards will be signed

jordan farmar is on his way out



+ kelati, bell and another guard, -farmar and mbenga will be the team going into the 2011 seasont

[daddyfivestar]

How to get Hinrich? The $ still don't match 125%.

[semi-sentient]

I've been on him for a while. I know some people hate him, but he's a tough competitor and would be a good addition. He's getting up there in age, but he doesn't have a ton of mileage, especially coming off a season of rest like he just had. He's got a great work ethic, always in shape so I'm not worried about that. With this type of team, hungry vets are always going to be the best fit. I would be he would be way more consistent then Farmar, and with him and Sasha out on the floor together at times they would harass the crap out of people and spread the floor bigtime.

Vet - Steady and probably wont' complain about role/minutes
Consistent shooter
Good defender
Good skill to play Tri Point

More good points. He doesn't have a lot of mileage at all, and his 3-point shooting is pretty fantastic and much needed.

Here's a comparison of the last 5 regular seasons between Miller and Bell, at least statistically.

Code: Select all

             GP   MIN   PTS   TS%   3P%   REB   AST   STL   BLK   TOV
======================================================================
Mike Miller  70   39.1  18.5  .000  .406  5.4   4.3   0.8   0.3   2.6
             70   35.3  16.4  .000  .432  6.7   3.4   0.5   0.2   2.6
             73   32.3   9.9  .000  .378  6.6   4.5   0.4   0.2   2.0
             54   33.3  10.9  .000  .480  6.2   3.9   0.7   0.2   2.1

Raja Bell    78   37.4  14.7  .562  .413  3.2   2.5   0.6   0.3   1.1
             75   35.3  11.9  .561  .401  3.7   2.2   0.7   0.4   0.9
             67   34.6  11.9  .548  .421  3.6   2.1   0.7   0.1   1.3
             6    30.0  11.8  .570  .444  3.8   2.2   0.7   0.3   0.8

The biggest difference is that Miller is clearly a better rebounder and play-maker. Rebounding is a non-issue because we're already one of the best rebounding teams in the league. It comes down to whether we want a better play-maker in Miller or a better/tougher defender in Bell.

IMO, Bell will probably be the better play-maker and play his role better for us, but he won't be able to provide the type of relief that we might like behind Kobe because he's just that -- a role player. Miller is more of a guy that can carry us for short periods while Kobe rests up. On the other hand, Bell has displayed more consistency so we know exactly what we'll be getting, whereas Miller has fell off as a scorer the past couple of seasons.

Also... Raja has seemingly performed better in the post-season, although neither guy has been in the playoffs for several seasons (3 most recent seasons shown).

Code: Select all

             GP   MIN   PTS   TS%   3P%   REB   AST   STL   BLK   TOV
======================================================================
Mike Miller  4    24.5   7.5  .000  .385  3.0   0.8   1.2   0.0   1.2
             4    27.5  12.0  .000  .471  2.5   2.8   0.0   0.7   1.2
             4    26.8   8.5  .000  .125  3.8   1.8   0.5   0.5   2.0

Raja Bell    17   39.6  13.6  .634  .465  2.8   2.2   0.7   0.2   0.6
             11   39.8  10.2  .601  .444  3.0   1.8   0.9   0.2   1.4
             5    43.0  13.6  .772  .650  5.6   2.2   0.4   0.2   1.0

I think I just convinced myself that Raja is the better choice, particularly since he's likely going to take less money.

[daddyfivestar]

^ nice comp.

If Miller was avail at 3 mil or less then yes. But it seems he'll be getting 5 mil or more. Raja meanwhile, coming off season ending injury, is going to be avail for 2 mil ish.

- on Livingston: The Wiz board is convinced he is returning.

Hinrich idea somebody put on the trade board: Vujacic + 3 mil (to buyout Vujacic) + Brown S/T
(they'll probably want a pick - I say give them one of the '11 2nds). Don't think they are interested but it's worth a shot. Adds $$ to LA though which we all know they are trying desperately to avoid.

[Jajwanda]

Shannon Brown is irrelevant. They'd probably prefer a pick+Morrison in S and T+Vujajic. I have a good feeling this will go down. It makes sense for the Wizards in every respect. Two draft picks out of merely fulfilling their salary obligations.

[daddyfivestar]

Adam Morrison?

Of the 5 Laker options for S&T (Farmar, Brown, Powell, Mbenga, Ammo) Morrison would be 5th for an opponents choice to tie up a roster slot, everytime man. He'll be playing in the Ukraine or Israel or someplace next yr.

[Jajwanda]

Brown can't be convinced of a one year deal and the others don't have the salary necessary unless you get Josh Powell to do it and convince the Wizards he's worth perhaps the exact salary difference between Vujajic and Hinrich which is about 3.5m. Then again you could also do something like Powell+Mbenga on one year deals if they agree to it. The point is it has to be a player that is willing to accept a one year deal in a S and T and Morrison covers that. Brown is the last option and Farmar is unlikely as well. It has to be a crap player.

[daddyfivestar]

Vujacic + anyone for 1.65 mil makes it work. You don't think the Wiz would rather have a Big like DJ or Powell? You know Mbenga would take 1.65 when his vet min is only 1.07... or Powell, same vet min scenario and both would get more playing time in Wash. Other option is to convince Brown to exercise his deal and agree to be traded, but that's a toughy. Farmar wants to be 'the guy' and with JWall there it isn't happening. 3rd team for JFar perhaps?

BTW, nobody can accept a 1 yr deal this way. It'd have to be a 2 yr with a team opt for the 2nd.

[Jajwanda]

Powell would make tremendous sense. His market value isn't that high and he could actually have some use for the Wizards.

As far as financially it's a good deal for the Lakers. It puts Hinrich and perhaps Raja Bell as the three-point shooting PG/SG and SG/SF combination they need. Add in perhaps one more big man and they'd be done for the off-season. It could happen through the draft as well maybe with Harangody with the later pick.

3.5m to replace Shannon Brown and get a new PG, I think they'll take it.

[ALL HAIL]

I think they keep Hinrich and let Livingston walk. Hinrich is a better fit for them than Livingston.

We'll see fellas.

[Jajwanda]

Ridiculous amount of cash next year for a rebuilding team, I doubt it. It destroys minutes for Wall/Arenas and they'd like to Livingston.

[Danny Darko]

should we take bets on when the first of the big names signs?

[KingLakers]

I still don't think people understand something on this board if Shannon doesn't opt out there isn't going to be an attempt to sign another SG the Lakers will concentrate on getting a PG. If Shannon opts out he's more the likely gone unless he's looking to get the same contract with maybe 300,000 more a year for a couple more years.
Shannon opts out Raja, Mller, Mcgrady any one of them is in.
Shannon stays none of the above mentioned players comes to LA.
Its that simple.

[KingLakers]

Also going away from my previous post I can see a potential training camp, pre season competition for a roster spot brewing between Ebanks and Kelati if he comes back to LA.

[The Skyhook]

I wonder if the Raps would do a Sasha for Jarrett Jack trade straight up. Maybe throw in a second round pick in there too if you have too. Then you go out and get Raja Bell for cheap. This is off course if Brown opts out.

Jack/Fisher/Livingston
Kobe/Bell
Artest/Ebanks/Walton
Gasol/Odom
Bynum/Gasol/Kwame

Could very well be better than last season's roster. Basically that starting 5 is unbeatable if Bynum is healthy.

[KingLakers]

I think if the Raptors trade a PG it will be Calderon since he's got a ton of money left on his deal Jack is still on his rookie contract no need to trade him.

[ALL HAIL]

^Jack is on a decent 3-4 year 5 million per deal, not a rookie contract.