The Roster: Rotations, Minutes, What Next?

[TylersLakers]

The Roster

D'Angelo Russell/
Jordan Clarkson/ Lou Williams/ Jabari Brown
Kobe Bryant/ Nick Young/ Larry Nance Jr/ Anthony Brown
Brandon Bass/ Julius Randle/ Ryan Kelly
Roy Hibbert/ Tarik Black/ Robert Sacre/ Robert Upshaw

That is our current 15 man group. How does everyone see this shaking out as far as minutes, rotations, etc? Are we a finished product? What additional moves should we make?

If the roster was left as is, I'm sure we could find a way to make the guard situation work. But we are thin there. Kobe, Lou, Clarkson, Russell all have the ability to handle the ball and be the playmaker but I'd be shocked if we didn't add another PG. We also have Dwight Buycks, who I'm sure we'll bring to training camp. But, you're only allowed 15 men on a roster.

Also, with Robert Upshaw, Larry Nance Jr, Anthony Brown, is there really a need for Ryan Kelly/Robert Sacre/Nick Young? Debatable. Every minute or opportunity that Robert Sacre gets should be going to Upshaw. We've established him as a project we would like to spend some time developing. He's going to be the last player on the roster anyways and spending lots of time in the D-League. We have to spend time developing our young players and playing Young, Sacre and Kelly over guys like Brown, Nance Jr and Upshaw makes absolutely no sense.

Bottom line, the roster is very congested and needs a lot more balance. We still have the room exception ($2.8M) available, and if we unloaded those 3 contracts and didn't back any salary in return, that would open up nearly $8M in salary -- another totally new avenue with RFA's like KJ McDaniels, Nick Calathes, and Norris Cole still on the market. All three of those would be a player we could really use on this team to balance out the roster.

If Nick Young stays, in my opinion and reading from interviews from Mitch and Byron, he's on a short leash. In my opinion, he'll have the start of the season to prove himself and if he doesn't and it's the same thing as last year Young, Anthony Brown/Nance Jr will be ready to swallow his minutes.

If our roster stays as is, this would be my minutes/rotations.

PG: D'Angelo Russell [30]/ Clarkson [14]/ Bryant [4]
SG: Jordan Clarkson [16]/ Lou Williams [26]/ Bryant [6]
SF: Kobe Bryant [20]/ Nick Young [22]/ Anthony Brown [6]
PF: Brandon Bass [15]/ Julius Randle [28]/ Larry Nance Jr [5]
C: Roy Hibbert [30]/ Tarik Black [12]/ Bass [6]

Jordan Clarkson, D'Angelo Russell, Kobe Bryant, Roy Hibbert: 30 Minutes
Julius Randle: 28 Minutes
Lou Williams: 26 Minutes
Nick Young: 22 Minutes
Brandon Bass: 21 Minutes
Tarik Black: 12 Minutes
Anthony Brown: 6 Minutes
Larry Nance Jr: 5 Minutes


DNP: Robert Sacre, Ryan Kelly
D-League: Jabari Brown, Robert Upshaw

How does everyone see this shaking out? If you were Byron Scott, what would your minutes distribution be?

[what would jack bauer do?]

I like the rotation you got projected up there. If D'angelo is going to play 30 mins he's going to have to put in some serious work in the next few months. His defense is well below average and his legs just don't look like they're ready for the NBA pace yet. He's just struggling to manage to fight through screens. And while he's a slick ballhandler, he's relying too heavily on his handles for my liking at the moment. The opposing guards and speed of the game are forcing him into some uncharacteristic turnovers.

But yeah I think patience will be key with D'angelo. If we play him 30mins a game right off the bat I feel like he'll get burnt out. He should focus on getting adequate nba explosiveness in the half court in the next few months. I'd rather we play him 26mins and teach him to battle every defensive possession; then by the end of the year he can start to work his way up with the minutes and finish strong.

I also feel like Jabari Brown is another guy you could put in the same group with kelly, young, and sacre. While the effort is there, he just doesn't have the effectiveness on defense I like to see with this roster. His lack of length is an issue to me. So if it comes down to having to give up an asset to unload any of kelly/young/sacre or just waiving Brown I'd much rather waive brown.

Also I'm extremely worried about Clarkson defending 2's and Kobe defending 3's. Clarkson gets a hand up in their face, but with his size most jumpshooters don't even feel that contest. I mean, Bledsoe does solid against shooting guards so maybe there's hope for Clarkson if he gets more physical with his defense.

Kobe is going to be 38 years old and we're looking at him as our most athletic defender with length and size.... that's just horrible. We can't expect to guard Carmelo, Durant, Lebron with Kobe, young, or clarkson. Anthony brown is a rookie so I don't know about him consistently guarding elite players his first year. Hell, I'm nervous to guard lower end small forwards like Tobias, Gay, Hayward, Wiggins, Jabari Parker, Kawhi. I think our biggest need is a move for a defensive swingman. I don't think having a veteran pg is a huge need if we bring in nash as a development coach at some capacity. Also what's the point in having a veteran pg that won't get any minutes, especially with kobe here as a veteran leader.

[Frank Dux]

Nick Young playing 22 minutes a game? I can't believe Mitch gave that clown a long term deal. He brings nothing more than ill advised contested jumpers. I'd rather give the rookies those minutes, they'll make mistakes but at least they'll try.

[kblo247]

Russell (24) / Clarkson (20)
Clarkson (12) / Lou (24) / Kobe (12)
Kobe (20) / Nick (24) / Nance (4)
Bass (18) / Randle (24) / Nance (6)
Hibbert (27) / Black (15) / Bass (6)

[kblo247]

Nick Young playing 22 minutes a game? I can't believe Mitch gave that clown a long term deal. He brings nothing more than ill advised contested jumpers. I'd rather give the rookies those minutes, they'll make mistakes but at least they'll try.

and being the best 3pt and ft shooter on the team, guy who draws the third most fouls, and only the 3rd highest career scoring average of the bunch; even is the only guy with swingman size sans kobe ...

[RebelWithACause]

C: Hibbert (28) , Bass (7) , Black (13)
PF: Randle (30) , Bass (18)
SF: Kobe (26) , Young (22)
SG: Clarkson (12) , Lou (28) , Kobe (8)
PG: D'Angelo (30) , Clarkson (18)

Backups with changing playing time:
Nance Jr, Brown, Kelly, Sacre, Upshaw.

Still really thin at C and SF, could still use someone like McGee, Okafor for C and another wing.

I want all of our young guys (Randle, Clarkson, D'Angelo) to come close to 30 mpg.
This will develop them greatly without running them into the ground, setting the bar for the following years.
Learning experience.

Kobe should be around 30-34 mpg.
More like 32.

Hibbert hopefully can provide close to 30 mpg anchoring the defense.

[TylersLakers]

Russell (24) / Clarkson (20)
Clarkson (12) / Lou (24) / Kobe (12)
Kobe (20) / Nick (24) / Nance (4)
Bass (18) / Randle (24) / Nance (6)
Hibbert (27) / Black (15) / Bass (6)

Like it.

[TylersLakers]

I like the rotation you got projected up there. If D'angelo is going to play 30 mins he's going to have to put in some serious work in the next few months. His defense is well below average and his legs just don't look like they're ready for the NBA pace yet. He's just struggling to manage to fight through screens. And while he's a slick ballhandler, he's relying too heavily on his handles for my liking at the moment. The opposing guards and speed of the game are forcing him into some uncharacteristic turnovers.

But yeah I think patience will be key with D'angelo. If we play him 30mins a game right off the bat I feel like he'll get burnt out. He should focus on getting adequate nba explosiveness in the half court in the next few months. I'd rather we play him 26mins and teach him to battle every defensive possession; then by the end of the year he can start to work his way up with the minutes and finish strong.

I also feel like Jabari Brown is another guy you could put in the same group with kelly, young, and sacre. While the effort is there, he just doesn't have the effectiveness on defense I like to see with this roster. His lack of length is an issue to me. So if it comes down to having to give up an asset to unload any of kelly/young/sacre or just waiving Brown I'd much rather waive brown.

Also I'm extremely worried about Clarkson defending 2's and Kobe defending 3's. Clarkson gets a hand up in their face, but with his size most jumpshooters don't even feel that contest. I mean, Bledsoe does solid against shooting guards so maybe there's hope for Clarkson if he gets more physical with his defense.

Kobe is going to be 38 years old and we're looking at him as our most athletic defender with length and size.... that's just horrible. We can't expect to guard Carmelo, Durant, Lebron with Kobe, young, or clarkson. Anthony brown is a rookie so I don't know about him consistently guarding elite players his first year. Hell, I'm nervous to guard lower end small forwards like Tobias, Gay, Hayward, Wiggins, Jabari Parker, Kawhi. I think our biggest need is a move for a defensive swingman. I don't think having a veteran pg is a huge need if we bring in nash as a development coach at some capacity. Also what's the point in having a veteran pg that won't get any minutes, especially with kobe here as a veteran leader.

Totally agree with you on D'Angelo Russell. I would like to get a veteran PG in here as a backup so we're not just relying on him and Clarkson in the back court.

Defensive swingman, absolutely. I would package up Kelly, Sacre, cash to a team to take them on. In a perfect world if I was GM, I'd be dishing off Young, Sacre, Kelly and cash to a team who has cap room like Philadelphia/Portland. Then, with that money available, sign Norris Cole to a 3 year deal starting at 6M a season. I believe Marc Stein mentioned that NOP is hard-capped, so I doubt they match that offer.

Then with the room exception go Mbah a Moute or Dorrell Wright.

I believe those moves would offer way more balance to the roster.

[Princeinrevolt]

PG: RUSSELL (30); CLARKSON (12); BRYANT (6)
SG: CLARSKON (18); WILLIAMS (26); J. BROWN (4)
SF: BRYANT (22); YOUNG (20); A. BROWN (6);
PF: RANDLE (26); BASS (20); NANCE JR. (2); KELLY (0)
C: HIBBERT (30); BLACK (12); UPSHAW (6); SACRE (0)

Kobe will have less than normal minutes due to age, and being injury prone (Please Coach Scott do not make the same mistakes as last year)

They will bryant at the point for some minutes so they can have clarkson and russell play more minutes together (because they are the future)

I think we should get a defensive SF instead of young but whatever

[myersia]

Agree with most people's depth charts and minutes. But Bass is an nba proven player. Randle is not yet. I'd bring Randle off the bench and maybe start him mid season.


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[dipstick]

Didnt realize we were at 15 already.

My thoughts:

1. Kobe should not play more than 30 minutes a game.
2. If it stays like this, we may see Lou Williams as the ball handler but Kobe or even Randle orchestrating the offense.
3. Its Nick Young's job to lose. But if A. Brown shows good defense with consistent shooting, then we might see that changing.
4. I wonder who the bubble player is if we want to add a pg.
5. I wonder if we are willing to waive the guaranteed contracts of Kelly and/or Sacre if we need a roster spot.

Am I correct in saying that the only unguaranteed contract we have is Upshaw and Jabari Brown?

[tugs]

Yes Upshaw's isn't. I like J. Brown's offense though the roster already has a lot of that.

I still think we lack depth at both wing and PG that are capable of defending. Young and A. Brown could fill those roles hopefully and Clarkson could be the only one at PG.

As for rotations I'd go:

PG - Russell (24), Clarkson (15), Bryant (9)
SG - Clarkson (15), Williams (30), Bryant (3)
SF - Bryant (18), Young (20), A. Brown (10)
PF - Bass (20), Randle (25), Nance (3)
C - Hibbert (30), Black (15), Upshaw (3)

DNP/reserve list (is his possible?): Kelly, Sacre
DLeague: Brown

I think I forgot someone. I'd like to squeeze some PT for Nance, Upshaw, and Brown for experience.

[TKainZero]

As of now with current roster.


Nope...
cannot even do it right now. we need a SF

need to move a couple players

Also, no one mentioned Williams playing some mins at PG... which will likely happen at some point. (maybe Lakers management thinks Williams IS the backup PG that we think the team needs Any three off Russell, Clarkson, and Williams can play the 1 or the 2 at anytime. All three are basically interchangeable (with different strengths)

And dare I say it... maybe some spot mins for Kobe at the 4? Not against Zach Randolph or anything, but teams that put out these smaller 4's these days, Kobe has a post game that could translate, and I think he will play a lot in the post as a SF(where most of his mins will be this season)


D'Angelo Russell/
Jordan Clarkson/ Lou Williams/
Kobe Bryant/ Nick Young/
Brandon Bass/ Julius Randle/ Ryan Kelly
Roy Hibbert/ Tarik Black/ Robert Sacre

Thats an 11 man rotation, with the rest of the guys going to the D-League and holding a spot for a wing Defender

Move Young and Sacre . Sacre is redundant with Black here, and Young needs to go. I think Kelly can be a good Stretch 4 He should barely play SF, and never against Melo, Lebron, Durrat and other elites

D-League
Jabari Brown / Larry Nance Jr / Anthony Brown / Robert Upshaw

Hopefully one of these guys turns into a NBA rotational player sooner than later

[dipstick]

We shouldn't be talking about PT for 11-15 guys because they will just get playing time if someone becomes unworthy of a rotation spot or someone gets injured. I see us sticking with a 10 man rotation of:

PG: Russell/Clarkson
SG: Clarkson/Williams
SF: Kobe/Young
PF: Randle/Bass
C: Hibbert/Black

Number 11 and 12 who will only play during garbage time or if one of the 1st 10 is ineffective will probably be A. Brown and Nance.

Our Inactive list will probaby be J. Brown, Kelly and Upshaw.

There's also a chance that we may see A. Brown and Nance be in the inactive list and play in the D-League for them to develop more rather than spending the whole game on the Bench.

If Young doesn't improve his play particularly on defense, I would expect A. Brown to take his place in the rotation. If A. Brown can really show that he is a 3&D guy, I'd love to give him more playing time. If Kobe retires, he could potentially be starting next year if he brings good D and converts the open 3.

As for Kelly and Sacre, logically speaking, the idea of waiving one or both of them isn't out of the question. Even if they have guaranteed contracts, if we think we need Jabari and Upshaw more than them, we can waive them for the roster space to add players that we do need.

[kblo247]

We shouldn't be talking about PT for 11-15 guys because they will just get playing time if someone becomes unworthy of a rotation spot or someone gets injured. I see us sticking with a 10 man rotation of:

PG: Russell/Clarkson
SG: Clarkson/Williams
SF: Kobe/Young
PF: Randle/Bass
C: Hibbert/Black

Number 11 and 12 who will only play during garbage time or if one of the 1st 10 is ineffective will probably be A. Brown and Nance.

Our Inactive list will probaby be J. Brown, Kelly and Upshaw.

There's also a chance that we may see A. Brown and Nance be in the inactive list and play in the D-League for them to develop more rather than spending the whole game on the Bench.

If Young doesn't improve his play particularly on defense, I would expect A. Brown to take his place in the rotation. If A. Brown can really show that he is a 3&D guy, I'd love to give him more playing time. If Kobe retires, he could potentially be starting next year if he brings good D and converts the open 3.

As for Kelly and Sacre, logically speaking, the idea of waiving one or both of them isn't out of the question. Even if they have guaranteed contracts, if we think we need Jabari and Upshaw more than them, we can waive them for the roster space to add players that we do need.

Bro you understand that's 9 people right? You have Jordan Clarkson twice

[kblo247]

I think the tenth guy is going to be nance and he's looking at 10minutes or so of energy

I still would be all for getting rid of Sacre and/or Kelly ... Then making Andre Miller a one year offer. He would be the best pg available who is cheap, older, durable enough to teach some tricks to both Russell and Clarkson. Heck I legit wouldn't mind kicking the tires on Nate Robinson to be a backup pg even though I know some people may kill themselves to see Nate, Lou, and Nick all on a court together

[TylersLakers]

We shouldn't be talking about PT for 11-15 guys because they will just get playing time if someone becomes unworthy of a rotation spot or someone gets injured. I see us sticking with a 10 man rotation of:

PG: Russell/Clarkson
SG: Clarkson/Williams
SF: Kobe/Young
PF: Randle/Bass
C: Hibbert/Black

Number 11 and 12 who will only play during garbage time or if one of the 1st 10 is ineffective will probably be A. Brown and Nance.

Our Inactive list will probaby be J. Brown, Kelly and Upshaw.

There's also a chance that we may see A. Brown and Nance be in the inactive list and play in the D-League for them to develop more rather than spending the whole game on the Bench.

If Young doesn't improve his play particularly on defense, I would expect A. Brown to take his place in the rotation. If A. Brown can really show that he is a 3&D guy, I'd love to give him more playing time. If Kobe retires, he could potentially be starting next year if he brings good D and converts the open 3.

As for Kelly and Sacre, logically speaking, the idea of waiving one or both of them isn't out of the question. Even if they have guaranteed contracts, if we think we need Jabari and Upshaw more than them, we can waive them for the roster space to add players that we do need.

While I agree with you on pretty much every point.. Those 12-14 roster spots (Kelly, Sacre) could be traded off to either..

A) Balance the roster with players who could fill positions of need (Wing depth, backup PG)
B) Be absolutely certain that guys like Kelly, Sacre aren't taking minutes/developmental time away from A. Brown, Nance Jr, and Upshaw

[Slava]

I'm hoping they try to find a SF or PG with the Sucky P/Bobby Sac/R Kelly package even if it means taking on salary beyond next season for the right player who can mentor Russell. The squad looks really unbalanced otherwise.

[dipstick]

Oops. Thanks for the correction.

I agree. Andre Miller would be great.

And yes, id also be one that would cringe with Nate joining Lou and Nick.

[TheFloyd72]

Can Williams play any point? If so, here is what I would like to see from a lineup standpoint:

Russell/Williams/Clarkston
Clarkston/Williams/J. Brown
Kobe/Young/A. Brown
Randle/Bass/Nance/Kelly
Hibbert/Black/Upshaw/Sacre

Trade Sacre and Kelly for pick or 2 if possible. 8 man rotation of the starting 5 + Williams/Young/Bass. I'm curious about A. Brown, J. Brown, Nance, and Upshaw, but they'll have to earn their time.