Tying up role players to cheap long term contracts

[Slava]

Looking at what the Rockets do with 2nd round picks, I think we should follow that path and lock guys like Henry, Bazemore, Sacre, Kelly, Farmar & Johnson to cheap contracts for 3-4 seasons.

If they regress, we can always cut them without much monetary loss or even move them by attaching them to 2nd round picks if we really need the cap space but these guys will likely stick well as a bench unit and provide a backbone to constructing a good starting line up if and when we find the pieces for that.

[ArC_man]

Agreed. We already locked up Sacre for dirt cheap and I think we will lock up Bazemore and Kelly on the cheap this summer.

[aaron_gray]

Look at the Gary Neal deal. 3.5 million for 2 years. He took a dump with the Bucks, but they could still move him for something because of his contract. Now he's balling.

[ROballer]

Bazemore,Farmar,Henry,Kelly,Johnson are keepers for cheap

Young,Hill might demand too much .....

[Slava]

I think they decided they would not be afford to give Hill the years and money he would demand, hence the DNPs.

[ROballer]

Or the opposite....they try to keep his value low enough,knowing D'Antoni's not gonna be back anyway,so Hill should be an important asset for us on the new team/new system

I'd do a 2 yr 10 mil deal for him all day long....esp if we can do that 2nd year a team option

Hill's not staying from the start,no matter the money we throw at him,if D'Antoni stays....if he's fired,it's another story

[ak7]

Ryan Kelly is a restricted FA this coming off-season. The Lakers better work something out with him rather quickly when the time permits as he's had his flashes that might make a team want to pay a bit to take a chance that he develops into a legit starting stretch 4.

[cashflo]

Agreed.. Do it Mitch!

[TonyMontana]

I agree with Bazemore, Kelly, Henry, Johnson, but we can't let Hill leave!

[myersia]

I don't think Bazemore is worth more than 3 year 3-4 mill. Anything higher than that no. I am down for Meeks, Henry Wesley Johnson, and Farmar. Kelly will be out of the league in a few years. I'd rather let Bazemore and Kelly go. Jordan Hill would be nice if we get a new coach. In conclusion keep Meeks, Henry, Johnson, and Farmar. Let everyone else go. If Swaggy opts out then let him go sign with the Sacramento, Orlando, or Boston.

[crazyeights]

Obviously it will depend on next year's coach, but Kelly has the potential to be a really savvy role player...obviously you don't pay him much, but he could be a nice piece to be a 5th guy on the floor who does the little things.

It also depends on who we draft. If we drat a young wing player that they're planning on grooming, you probably don't need a ton of other young wings as well. Having said that, Bazemore looks like a nice young player to develop, he doesn't seem to be afraid of the moment, plus his athleticism/defensive potential, and even his surprising playmaking ability (better than advertised), he could turn out to be a solid well-rounded player for the bench. He's the kind of player I'd love to see grow up under Kobe's wing.

Farmar and Johnson I think we should retain.

Then there's Henry. I love his will, I think he actually has a silent swagger that can really lead a bench.

[crazyeights]

Another thing: the Lakers need to get in the mode again of retaining players. The turnover the last few seasons has been nauseating, making building a team almost impossible, let alone rooting for them.

If you look at our 2008-2010 run, we kept a lot of the same guys for years before that point.

We need to get that consistency back. It cannot be understated.

[Kilroy]

Consistency will not come until we have a viable championship core in place... There's no reason to focus on retaining players until you know how they mesh with your core and if you don't have a core, you're viewing every non-essential player as an asset, not a fundamental member of your team.

Honestly, don't expect too many of these guys back.

That said, I agree.. I can't wait till we get back to the point where we're retaining player and can root for them over the summer and see their improvement next season.

[TonyMontana]

Another thing: the Lakers need to get in the mode again of retaining players. The turnover the last few seasons has been nauseating, making building a team almost impossible, let alone rooting for them.

If you look at our 2008-2010 run, we kept a lot of the same guys for years before that point.

We need to get that consistency back. It cannot be understated.

Consistency will not come until we have a viable championship core in place... There's no reason to focus on retaining players until you know how they mesh with your core and if you don't have a core, you're viewing every non-essential player as an asset, not a fundamental member of your team.

Honestly, don't expect too many of these guys back.

That said, I agree.. I can't wait till we get back to the point where we're retaining player and can root for them over the summer and see their improvement next season.

Yup I agree. History has us winning a title or two or three every decade. After the threepeat we went through a lot of changes and ups and downs all the way to 2008-10. So its 2014. I hope this coming draft brings us a good pick and we sign some good talent give or take a few years post Kobe I hope we can get back into contention by 2017-18 and win a couple of back to backs.
FTW Go Lakers.

[stunnar0b]

Obviously most players will be retained being how next season will likely be a throw away. I will say this though if our aspiration were to win a champion next year, only farmar I would take back (off the bench that is) and that's probably it maybe Johnson if he could hit an open 3 consistently.

[cashflo]

For what it's worth ,I am not a fan of retaining MDA.

just saying...

[Fresh360Waves]

I think they decided they would not be afford to give Hill the years and money he would demand, hence the DNPs.

And the fact D'Antoni doesn't appreciate big men that can do things other than shoot jumpers.

[Fresh360Waves]

Ryan Kelly is a restricted FA this coming off-season. The Lakers better work something out with him rather quickly when the time permits as he's had his flashes that might make a team want to pay a bit to take a chance that he develops into a legit starting stretch 4.

Yup, as well as Bazemore.

[Fresh360Waves]

I don't think Bazemore is worth more than 3 year 3-4 mill. Anything higher than that no. I am down for Meeks, Henry Wesley Johnson, and Farmar. Kelly will be out of the league in a few years. I'd rather let Bazemore and Kelly go. Jordan Hill would be nice if we get a new coach. In conclusion keep Meeks, Henry, Johnson, and Farmar. Let everyone else go. If Swaggy opts out then let him go sign with the Sacramento, Orlando, or Boston.

I want Meeks back as well but with the way he's been playing this year, some team will offer him more than what he's worth and the Lakers won't overpay.

[AdonisDeMarion]

Bazemore
Brooks
Meeks
Henry
Johnson
Farmar