If there's an amnesty clause: Who gets cut?

[wiLQ]

IMHO it would be Walton. Artest and Blake aren't best value candidates but at least they are going to play and there's a small chance of improvement. Luke looks simply done.

BTW, when you create a topic on cutting long-term guaranteed contracts and you have multiple options to debate your team might have a problem with efficient spending ;-)

[Doormatt]

The lakers have never been a thrifty team and have always made some questionable signings, but it doesn't really matter. We have the success and income to back it up, which is all that matters at the end of the day.

[TruSkool]

luke for sure...

you're out of your mind if you think artest should be cut...teams would jump at him now with his changed outlook...
walton for sure

[Biased_Fan6425]

Kobe.....

[Kilroy]

I think there could be a big difference to the answer to this question now versus after a few months in Browns system...

I think the safe bet would be Walton. His contract isn't likely to look any better no matter what system is in place... He got his contract partially because of his understanding of the Triangle, and his relationship to Phil. With them gone, he's probably the logical choice.

Or maybe Blake... He looked done to me this season... He's a lot like Fish in that he's gotten by on will and determination for years but as some level, your body starts to let you down. I don't think he's worth what we have invested in him, and I'm not sure a new system is going to change that....

Artest on the other hand, might actually be reinvigorated by the change. So maybe they'd want to give him a chance to show what he can do in a Defense first system.

Kobe would make sense only if they didn't include a one year resigning restriction... And only IF you are sure he's not going to skip because of the new coach.

[Penberthy]

I have a feeling artest is going to flourish under brown. he will probably have his best year as a laker. If he loses say 20 pounds and becomes the focal point of browns D (with bynum behind him on the back line) he could even get back to DPOY form.

i also think it will be a huge weight off his shoulders/mind to not have to worry about screwing up the triangle every time down the floor and what mind games phil is going to play with him. he will finally get that "fun" back in his game, which i think will be huge for him.

[Kilroy]

I have a feeling artest is going to flourish under brown. he will probably have his best year as a laker. If he loses say 20 pounds and becomes the focal point of browns D (with bynum behind him on the back line) he could even get back to DPOY form.

i also think it will be a huge weight off his shoulders/mind to not have to worry about screwing up the triangle every time down the floor and what mind games phil is going to play with him. he will finally get that "fun" back in his game, which i think will be huge for him.

I have the same feeling... Though, I'm pretty sure Artest's DPOY years are long gone...

And no matter what system, Ron has a tendency to go off the reservation in the offense and start chucking clankers...

[wiLQ]

The lakers have never been a thrifty team and have always made some questionable signings, but it doesn't really matter. We have the success and income to back it up, which is all that matters at the end of the day.

Well, it's going to catch to them eventually, right? For example in the next year or two when their core will be too old to compete and they won't have any room under cap space to operate...

[Penberthy]

The lakers have never been a thrifty team and have always made some questionable signings, but it doesn't really matter. We have the success and income to back it up, which is all that matters at the end of the day.

Well, it's going to catch to them eventually, right? For example in the next year or two when their core will be too old to compete and they won't have any room under cap space to operate...

You are right, and when that time comes, the lakers will be "down" for about a year and a half while they reload. Then they will be back in the finals like they have been, on average, every other year that the nba has existed.

[DEEP3CL]

Luke was a system guy under Phil, now Phil is no longer here. This minimizes Luke's role here, if hiring Brown was an effort to become more defensively dependant we all know Luke isn't a fit here for that scheme. Common sense says it has to be him on two fronts, excessive salary for his minimal output and no longer fills a need here.

Now if we're looking for a reason to make space for a better player for a position of desperate need, logic says take out Blake.

But reality says it's Luke.

[desertlakerfan]

It's Walton, and it's not really close.

Blake will likely be our starting PG barring any trade, Artest gives us a great defensive presence and both could have offensive resurgences in a new offensive system. Luke gives us nothing, and still is going to be paid 12 million over the next 2 seasons.

[So Gutta]

Cut Walton, amnesty clause or not!

[kblo247]

I get the Luke mention, but I can honestly see Blake biting the bullet. Luke comes off the books quicker and can be packaged as an expiring the season after this. Don't get me wrong, he would have been the likely choice if it wasn't for the fact that other guards like Rip(Brown started Hughes at PG so it isn't a stretch), Baron, and Gilbert will all likely be amnesty victims themselves and be had for a cheaper luxury tax price since Blake's deal wouldn't count for the tax and those guys would still be being paid by their old team, as well as the fact that they are more likely to sign on when they see guaranteed minutes at the PG spot.

Honestly, amnesty might be the best thing that could happen for the Lakers and Celtics.

Hell who knows, LA might really luck out if Portland decides to use the clause on Roy and that contract.

[ShowtimeFan]

Very obvious answer:

Bill's son...