Lakers officially choose not to stretch out Nash's salary

[leeprettyp]

http://touch.latimes.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-81240248/

The deadline for the Lakers to use the "stretch" provision on Steve Nash passed over the weekend.

Had the Lakers waived Nash prior to September, they would have been able to stretch his salary over the next three years at around $3.2 million annually.

The team considered increasing its spending power by stretching Nash's salary, but when its top free-agent targets (LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh) signed elsewhere, the Lakers chose instead to protect their cap space over the next two summers — sticking with the NBA's oldest player for a final season.

So they really considered stretching Nash if we'd signed one of the above 3 players. That's a sign that we we're going all out this off-season. Even if by some chance Nash is able to give us 15-20mpg, I'm still in favor of starting Jeremy Lin period. Steve at this point cant compete with these starting PG's on either end of the court. But he still can bring us veteran leadership off the bench, he's a great spot up shooter and passer.

[LApwnd]

. But he still can bring us veteran leadership off the bench, he's a great spot up shooter and passer.

you're talking as if he's gona be playing , he'll be on his back side most of the season as always.

[leeprettyp]

. But he still can bring us veteran leadership off the bench, he's a great spot up shooter and passer.

you're talking as if he's gona be playing , he'll be on his back side most of the season as always.

Trying to stay positive. But being realistic you're probably right

[Slava]

Smart move. We'll likely have max cap room for the next 2 summers.

[leeprettyp]

Smart move. We'll likely have max cap room for the next 2 summers.

But for who though Slava? I kinda was hoping we'd pair the 1st we got from the Lin deal and added Nash and maybe Clarkson (and I like him alot) and sent that to Phoenix and gambled on Bledsoe

Pay Bledsoe somewhere around 14mill a season. The TV deal will cause the salary cap to go up anyway in a couple of years and we need to acquire as much ascending talent as possible. I understand the concern with Bledsoe's knees though. But with this current CBA gambling on guys in this kind of situation maybe our only chance to get near elite level 2 way talent.

[crazyeights]

I think the Lakers are hoping Bledsoe signs his QO before resorting to trading away our some of our best assets (aside from Randle).

[KobeBryant24]

Good decision , lets get rid of it ASAP. No need to ruin the future even if itll be 3 mill

[leeprettyp]

I think the Lakers are hoping Bledsoe signs his QO before resorting to trading away our some of our best assets (aside from Randle).

Yeah I believe thats the hope as well. Just would be excited to see a

PG: Bledsoe
SG: Lin
SF: Kobe
PF: Randle
C: Hill

With our current bench rotation of Boozer, Davis, Swaggy, Wes and Xavier we'd be a really good team in my opinion.

[Slava]

Smart move. We'll likely have max cap room for the next 2 summers.

But for who though Slava? I kinda was hoping we'd pair the 1st we got from the Lin deal and added Nash and maybe Clarkson (and I like him alot) and sent that to Phoenix and gambled on Bledsoe

Pay Bledsoe somewhere around 14mill a season. The TV deal will cause the salary cap to go up anyway in a couple of years and we need to acquire as much ascending talent as possible. I understand the concern with Bledsoe's knees though. But with this current CBA gambling on guys in this kind of situation maybe our only chance to get near elite level 2 way talent.

It'd take a massive overpay for the Suns to help us, as seen from the Nash trade, we could play the lottery twice more and who knows we might be on the receiving end of a Harden like deal if we amass assets and collect draft picks for dumping salary while putting out a semi competitive team to support the Kobe show.

[what would jack bauer do?]

Players like Monroe and Bledsoe on max deals next summer are better than 2016 anyways right? The way they talk about the new tv deals in 2016 definitely hints they'd be making considerably more in 2016 vs 2015. I ain't mad at our cap space situation st all.

[leeprettyp]

Smart move. We'll likely have max cap room for the next 2 summers.

But for who though Slava? I kinda was hoping we'd pair the 1st we got from the Lin deal and added Nash and maybe Clarkson (and I like him alot) and sent that to Phoenix and gambled on Bledsoe

Pay Bledsoe somewhere around 14mill a season. The TV deal will cause the salary cap to go up anyway in a couple of years and we need to acquire as much ascending talent as possible. I understand the concern with Bledsoe's knees though. But with this current CBA gambling on guys in this kind of situation maybe our only chance to get near elite level 2 way talent.

It'd take a massive overpay for the Suns to help us, as seen from the Nash trade, we could play the lottery twice more and who knows we might be on the receiving end of a Harden like deal if we amass assets and collect draft picks for dumping salary while putting out a semi competitive team to support the Kobe show.

Idk if Bledsoe and his agent are will to really take that qualifying offer the Suns will basically be losing him for nothing right? If we're willing to give them a another 1st rounder and Nash expiring isnt that gonna get the negotating ball rolling. I'd much rather give a near max deal to a younger Bledsoe a year early (we're a gambling franchise right) than per say a 30 year old Rondo this offseason. Just my opinion but that 2015 free agency class doesnt really appeal to me. I still think Durant stays in OKC or bolts to Washington but wouldn't we at least look enticing to him with actual ascending probably allstar type players in Bledsoe and Randle instead of just having capspace?

[leeprettyp]

Players like Monroe and Bledsoe on max deals next summer are better than 2016 anyways right? The way they talk about the new tv deals in 2016 definitely hints they'd be making considerably more in 2016 vs 2015. I ain't mad at our cap space situation st all.

I assume we could get both in the 2015 fee agency but we'd still have to up near if not hit the max with both because they'll be so many other teams bidding on them

[Slava]

But for who though Slava? I kinda was hoping we'd pair the 1st we got from the Lin deal and added Nash and maybe Clarkson (and I like him alot) and sent that to Phoenix and gambled on Bledsoe

Pay Bledsoe somewhere around 14mill a season. The TV deal will cause the salary cap to go up anyway in a couple of years and we need to acquire as much ascending talent as possible. I understand the concern with Bledsoe's knees though. But with this current CBA gambling on guys in this kind of situation maybe our only chance to get near elite level 2 way talent.

It'd take a massive overpay for the Suns to help us, as seen from the Nash trade, we could play the lottery twice more and who knows we might be on the receiving end of a Harden like deal if we amass assets and collect draft picks for dumping salary while putting out a semi competitive team to support the Kobe show.

Idk if Bledsoe and his agent are will to really take that qualifying offer the Suns will basically be losing him for nothing right? If we're willing to give them a another 1st rounder and Nash expiring isnt that gonna get the negotating ball rolling. I'd much rather give a near max deal to a younger Bledsoe a year early (we're a gambling franchise right) than per say a 30 year old Rondo this offseason. Just my opinion but that 2015 free agency class doesnt really appeal to me. I still think Durant stays in OKC or bolts to Washington but wouldn't we at least look enticing to him with actual ascending probably allstar type players in Bledsoe and Randle instead of just having capspace?

Paying Bledsoe max money won't be an issue, the deal can't be longer than 4 seasons anyways and with the cap potentially rising to $80 mil like predicted, it could prove to be a bargain as well. I think the Suns drew a line in the sand for Bledsoe and his agent to either sign their offer or gamble on a QO, I think the first rounder alone wouldn't shake much for them to go back on their stance. Bledsoe will cost Randle and that's a price I wouldn't pay.

[Penberthy]

I think the Lakers are hoping Bledsoe signs his QO before resorting to trading away our some of our best assets (aside from Randle).

Yeah I believe thats the hope as well. Just would be excited to see a

PG: Bledsoe
SG: Lin
SF: Kobe
PF: Randle
C: Hill

With our current bench rotation of Boozer, Davis, Swaggy, Wes and Xavier we'd be a really good team in my opinion.

2016
Bledsoe
Shooter D
Durant
Randle
Hill

Clarkson swag and defensive vets on the bench

[SlimShady83]

We should just tell the Suns - - - Hey we took Nash off your hands, now give us Bledsoe < just don't trade Hill, Randle or Swaggy and I'm fine

[leeprettyp]

It'd take a massive overpay for the Suns to help us, as seen from the Nash trade, we could play the lottery twice more and who knows we might be on the receiving end of a Harden like deal if we amass assets and collect draft picks for dumping salary while putting out a semi competitive team to support the Kobe show.

Idk if Bledsoe and his agent are will to really take that qualifying offer the Suns will basically be losing him for nothing right? If we're willing to give them a another 1st rounder and Nash expiring isnt that gonna get the negotating ball rolling. I'd much rather give a near max deal to a younger Bledsoe a year early (we're a gambling franchise right) than per say a 30 year old Rondo this offseason. Just my opinion but that 2015 free agency class doesnt really appeal to me. I still think Durant stays in OKC or bolts to Washington but wouldn't we at least look enticing to him with actual ascending probably allstar type players in Bledsoe and Randle instead of just having capspace?

Paying Bledsoe max money won't be an issue, the deal can't be longer than 4 seasons anyways and with the cap potentially rising to $80 mil like predicted, it could prove to be a bargain as well. I think the Suns drew a line in the sand for Bledsoe and his agent to either sign their offer or gamble on a QO, I think the first rounder alone wouldn't shake much for them to go back on their stance. Bledsoe will cost Randle and that's a price I wouldn't pay.

Hmm I just dont see why they'd think Randle would be available in any deal that a disgruntled Bledsoe would be in. But I get your overall point though

[leeprettyp]

I think the Lakers are hoping Bledsoe signs his QO before resorting to trading away our some of our best assets (aside from Randle).

Yeah I believe thats the hope as well. Just would be excited to see a

PG: Bledsoe
SG: Lin
SF: Kobe
PF: Randle
C: Hill

With our current bench rotation of Boozer, Davis, Swaggy, Wes and Xavier we'd be a really good team in my opinion.

2016
Bledsoe
Shooter D
Durant
Randle
Hill

Clarkson swag and defensive vets on the bench

I really hope we dont put all our eggs in the Durant basket like we just did with Melo and Lebron

[LApwnd]

Yeah I believe thats the hope as well. Just would be excited to see a

PG: Bledsoe
SG: Lin
SF: Kobe
PF: Randle
C: Hill

With our current bench rotation of Boozer, Davis, Swaggy, Wes and Xavier we'd be a really good team in my opinion.

2016
Bledsoe
Shooter D
Durant
Randle
Hill

Clarkson swag and defensive vets on the bench

I really hope we dont put all our eggs in the Durant basket like we just did with Melo and Lebron

I think the appeal of big market for more marketing purposes is DEAD or isn't as what it use to be, just look at the Nike contract Durant just got.

[DEEP3CL]

Smart business....nothing all that unexpected. As for Bledsoe, in this CBA it's really not a gamble anymore to sign the QO. I predicted way before the media did that Greg Monroe would and should've signed the QO. He's gonna come out roses bank on that. And Bledsoe should've followed suit, but for some reason he's waiting for a damn miracle.

[dockingsched]

Yeah I believe thats the hope as well. Just would be excited to see a

PG: Bledsoe
SG: Lin
SF: Kobe
PF: Randle
C: Hill

With our current bench rotation of Boozer, Davis, Swaggy, Wes and Xavier we'd be a really good team in my opinion.

2016
Bledsoe
Shooter D
Durant
Randle
Hill

Clarkson swag and defensive vets on the bench

I really hope we dont put all our eggs in the Durant basket like we just did with Melo and Lebron

to the lakers credit i think what they did was anything but put all their eggs in the melo/lebron basket. they made their pitch and moved on before either had even made their decision.