Reality

[LAKERLAW]

Although many laker fans want to see this team get younger and more athletic via trades this summer i think its safe to say there will not be any blockbuster trades. It does not appear Orlando or Now Orleans (Howard, Paul) are not going to actively shop their stars a year before they have to. These teams, i think, believe that they have a shot at either resigning the player, or will be able to trade or sign and trade their leaving star next season. With this being said I do not think we will acquire an allstar player via any trades, and being over the cap leaves us with the ability to sign a player with the MLE (or players not to exceed the MLE figure). My question is if we were to have one quality signing using our MLE what position would you want to see us upgrade? And which free agent would you want to sign at that position.

For me, there are no real great free agent point guards so I believe we need to upgrade our 3 (small forward) spot. I think Shane Battier would be a great fit. Defense first, great locker room guy, hits big shots, tough nose player.

[LA Forever]

Getting a high-profile player such as Chris Paul or Dwight Howard was always a pipe dream and the possibilities of it are very low. With that said, our core group is still championship-caliber, we just need to add some key role players.

Here's the thread of all transaction ideas.
viewtopic.php?f=19&t=1097663&start=900

[3-Pt_Shooter]

Being a huge Duke fan, I'd gladly take Shane... but with Barnes and (more than likely) Artest coming back, plus the development of Ebanks it doesn't seem like the Lakers have a great need at small forward.

The point guard position should be priority #1 for the Lakers. Fisher isn't getting any younger and Blake's future in LA is unsure at this point. They don't need a great PG... just a pretty good one, and preferably one that can guard the quicker point guards and hit the open 3-point shot.

Possible candidates might include... Jose Barea, or Ronnie Price.

[crazyeights]

If we're talking reality then PG is where we need an upgrade. It is imperative.

2010-2011 Net Production by Position (according to 82games.com)

Position FGA eFG% FTA iFG Reb Ast T/O Blk PF Pts PER*
PG -7.1 -.037 -2.1 -11% -1.1 -4.3 1.7 -0.1 -1.0 -9.7 -8.6
SG 6.4 +.047 3.2 -1% 1.7 1.1 -1.2 -0.2 0.9 10.9 +9.3
SF -2.5 -.014 0.2 4% 0.3 0.5 0.1 -0.1 0.1 -2.9 -0.0
PF 0.1 +.064 0.5 7% 0.1 1.4 -0.0 0.3 0.5 2.6 +4.9
C 1.6 +.048 2.5 0% 1.4 0.9 -0.0 0.8 1.3 5.2 +7.1


If that tells you anything, it's we need to upgrade at PG. I just can't see if MB is going to be taken seriously about defense how he can even consider playing Fish 58% of the minutes at PG like Phil did. It is BY FAR our weakest link and really an awful position to be weakest at, since there are so many talented lead-guards in this league.

Maybe Blake will have a resurgence if he becomes a starter. IIRC he was playing the lowest minutes he's had in years. Even so, we need youth primarily at those guard spots...and if the most recent mock drafts are any indication it looks like that's what we're looking to add.

Also at SF we have Artest (still a good defender, not sure why he's taking so much heat...even with as little as he's asked to do offensively, at SF he had an 11.9% per, giving up 13.9%.... Bear in mind that's guarding guys like LeBron, Durant, Pierce while being the sixth option in the triangle -- which he never learned.....)then we have Barnes, Ebanks, and Luke. I have a feeling Ebanks is going to see some time as a spark off the bench this year, with his size and athleticism and defensive potential. There's a logjam at the 3. No way are we adding a freea gent there.

It's gotta be point guard.

[dirtymike]

I have been screaming Shane for yrs now! He would play either the 2 or 3. Kobe, Shane, Artest, Barnes...YES!!!! Whatever we do/dont do, we gotta get this guy!

[H00PDREAMS]

Price really? Comon Lakers can do better than that! Reality not a nightmare scenario. Delonte and and or some drafted prospect gained via trade of brown or Blake. What do you say peoples? Thats still REALITY.

[H00PDREAMS]

I have been screaming Shane for yrs now! He would play either the 2 or 3. Kobe, Shane, Artest, Barnes...YES!!!! Whatever we do/dont do, we gotta get this guy!

PG first! I think RIP Hamilton might be floating about this summer? He could backup Kobe?

[The Skyhook]

If Mike Brown is asked for suggestions as to who the Lakers should target this offseason through trade I'm sure he will throw in some of the Cleveland guys. I'd like to see Daniel Gibson on the Lakers.

[3-Pt_Shooter]

Price really? Comon Lakers can do better than that! Reality not a nightmare scenario. Delonte and and or some drafted prospect gained via trade of brown or Blake. What do you say peoples? Thats still REALITY.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=941BXGKG55k&feature=related[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6m7urmhClVE&feature=related[/youtube]

Price? Damn right... he's a defensive minded, hard working player (and from all accounts he's a good locker room guy). All I'm saying is that he could fit in nicely with Coach Brown's defensive system. I agree he certainly isn't the only answer for the Lakers, but I do like his competitiveness and overall style of play an awful lot!

[Shamizy]

Price? Damn right... he's a defensive minded, hard working player (and from all accounts he's a good locker room guy). All I'm saying is that he could fit in nicely with Coach Brown's defensive system. I agree he certainly isn't the only answer for the Lakers, but I do like his competitiveness and overall style of play an awful lot!

The only problem is...

I hate the Lakers and I wanted to...it was more about that. It had nothing to do with trying to prove a point to Coach or anything like that. I just like getting my name called and like being on the court and having a chance to compete, especially against a team I can't stand

http://www.slcdunk.com/2010/2/10/130378 ... akers-jazz

[3-Pt_Shooter]

Price? Damn right... he's a defensive minded, hard working player (and from all accounts he's a good locker room guy). All I'm saying is that he could fit in nicely with Coach Brown's defensive system. I agree he certainly isn't the only answer for the Lakers, but I do like his competitiveness and overall style of play an awful lot!

The only problem is...

I hate the Lakers and I wanted to...it was more about that. It had nothing to do with trying to prove a point to Coach or anything like that. I just like getting my name called and like being on the court and having a chance to compete, especially against a team I can't stand

http://www.slcdunk.com/2010/2/10/130378 ... akers-jazz

Yeah, but that's really only because of the Laker's winning tradition and the fact that they bounced the Jazz out of the playoffs so many times. I think if you asked each Jazz player... they would say that they "hated" the Lakers too.

I'm sure if the Lakers came calling he might be willing to listen to them... An opportunity is an opportunity right? No matter how much other players hate the Lakers, players love to go play for them because chances are, they'll have a ring on their finger within a few years.

[tlifeset]

There is no question that this team's #1 need (now that we have a coach) is PG.

I'm tired of hearing that we need to get more athletic or younger. Look at Dallas, they're doing just fine with a bunch of geezers.

Getting a PG that is a real PG (read: not a Phil Jackson PG) would allow the offense to flow better ... Kobe doesn't need to pound it into the ground, the big men can use their great hands and passing acumen and make the offense go.

The other thing is that we need to start our 5 best guys ... I'm tired of this Lamar Odom 6th man game. It's stupid--and it throws off everyone's rhythm. I would like to see the Lakers start PG TBD, Kobe, Odom, Gasol and Bynum.

Not only would that be our 5 best players, but it allows the bench to create an identity for themselves. D-Fish and Artest can run the 2nd unit, which will probably feature Barnes, maybe Walton or Brown and some young guys like Ebanks and Caracter. I'm assuming Blake will be traded.

So who is this PG? I really like Aaron Brooks (restricted FA), I really like Calderon (toronto salary dump and country man of Pau) and i really like Brandon Jennings (I know, pipe dream)

[Shamizy]

Yeah, but that's really only because of the Laker's winning tradition and the fact that they bounced the Jazz out of the playoffs so many times. I think if you asked each Jazz player... they would say that they "hated" the Lakers too.

I'm sure if the Lakers came calling he might be willing to listen to them... An opportunity is an opportunity right? No matter how much other players hate the Lakers, players love to go play for them because chances are, they'll have a ring on their finger within a few years.

Nah, I think it goes a little beyond that. I remember reading somewhere that he has legitimately hated the Lakers since childhood.

[LApwnd]

depends on CBA, i.e. no more S&T, both Noh/Orl better trade those 2 now if they dont sign an extension.

[Mastroberadino]

Gasol and a future first for Paul and West

[Shamizy]

Gasol and a future first for Paul and West

New Orleans would laugh at us. Chris Paul by himself is worth MUCH more than Pau Gasol.

[TruSkool]

im all for aaron brooks and his contract. i truly think he will flourish with the lakers. and he tends to have some big games here and there. seems like a perfect compliment to the high quality players we have.

[Mastroberadino]

Aaron Brooks would work wonders here and have some carer nites

[Shamizy]

Aaron Brooks is a chucker who plays zero defense. He's only looked good against us because, well, have you seen our PG rotation the last few years? Do not want, extremely overrated.

[hermes]

forget that, i want the big deal

Derrick Rose or bust!