What to do if there is no max FA coming?

[Ball so hard]

Still would try to sign Malcolm Brogdan and Bojan Bogdanovic. Then do whagever it takes to get Davis but by keeping Lonzo. I love the starting lineup of Lonzo, Brogdan, Bojan, Bron, Davis.

You might as well trade Zo If you sign Brogdon. I'm not a fan of 2 low usage players in the same back court. I love Brogdon as player, just not playing next to Zo.

[tamaraw08]

Offering $25M to Vucevic is a direct ticket to mediocrity in the foreseeable future.

Vucevic is a really good player but I agree with you bec IMO, the impact of a center is considerably less than a PG or wing player. I would use the money to inject 3pt shooting and defense like Danny Green/Ross, Beverley or Collison, Seth Curry and use 3.5 to 4.5 mil on McGee.
I just don't understand the lack of respect of McGee here, some prefering Ed DAvis or a Dedmon over him. NOt saying he's so much more better but he's pretty good for an underpaid center IMO.

McGee was serviceable but he's not as good as Ed Davis or Dedmon.

McGee was 359th in RPM this season. Wagner was ranked similarly and he was a rookie (he will be better than McGee next season). Ed Davis makes sense because Lakers need a mobile big defender that can move on the perimeter.

RPM is a nice stat but it doesn't tell everything. Brandon Ingram is ranked 55th for just Small forwards and at least 15 players ahead of him there are names like Devin Robinson, Washburn, Kurucs, Vincent Edwards etc.
Javale ranked very low in RPM but so did Tristan Thompson, Okafor, Kanter, Koufus, Monroe are ranked worst. Its funny too cause Mcgree and Kanter has a much higher PER than most centers.
I am not going to argue who is better but he should be much cheaper than Davis who got paid 4.6 mil to Javale's 2.3 mil for comparable stats VORP, DPM, DBPM ETC.

[Sedale Threatt]

Offering $25M to Vucevic is a direct ticket to mediocrity in the foreseeable future.

It's definitely risky, he's had a great season but it was a contract year. He obviously has the ability but maybe not the motivation.

The surprising thing about Vuc was how good he was defensively. $25m is the max I'd give him, I'd be more comfortable with $22m and bake in some financial incentives for awards.

Yeah, that's the thing: If he had a demonstrated track record of playing like he did this year, that would be one thing. (And that would also make him much, much more desirable in the overall free agent pecking order, which means more suitors.) But man, that's a pretty damn big risk for a player who's been merely pretty good over the rest of his career. I have no answers -- who knows, maybe he really did turn a corner -- but this would definitely feel like a booby prize given some of the names that are out there. I'd almost rather just try to roll over some space again, if that's possible.

[tv24lakers]

I'm hoping Rob learned from this past seasons mishaps and is making all efforts to NOT place us again in a precarious position, where we scramble to make things happen losing out on any leverage we had.
& I would ask that we make financially responsible decisions w/ long term benefits in mind, while building out a well rounded team that compliments Lebron and our desire to win now.

[JohnVancouver]

Offering $25M to Vucevic is a direct ticket to mediocrity in the foreseeable future.

Vucevic is a really good player but I agree with you bec IMO, the impact of a center is considerably less than a PG or wing player. I would use the money to inject 3pt shooting and defense like Danny Green/Ross, Beverley or Collison, Seth Curry and use 3.5 to 4.5 mil on McGee.
I just don't understand the lack of respect of McGee here, some prefering Ed DAvis or a Dedmon over him. NOt saying he's so much more better but he's pretty good for an underpaid center IMO.

I love Jamal but he's not very durable - Davis is a battler and Dedmon is perfect for us, given his shooting. I like Jamal as a backup

[stan francisco]

While worrying that Pelinka might do something stupid, this scenario feels better and better to me by the second...

How about this radical scenario:

1) Keep Lonzo
2) Keep Ingram
3) Keep Kuzma
4) Keep Caruso
5) Re-sign Rondo
6) Re-sign JMG

7) Keep ... LeBron

8) Add FA: Vucevic

PG: Lonzo
SG: Ingram
SF: Kuzma
PF: James
C: Vucevic

Draft Hunter.

100000000% with that.

^ This.

11 man rotation, regular season, 55 wins:

PG: Lonzo, Caruso, Rondo
SG: Ingram, Hart, Caruso
SF: Kuzma, Ingram, Hart
PF: James, Hunter, Kuzma
C: Vucevic, JMG, Wagner

By trade deadline, trade Vucevic’s decent and fair 3 year contract (two remaining) plus fillers and picks for AD’s expiring; no matter where he is at the time.

[tv24lakers]

I'm interested in the two stretch 4/5s free agents from the Mavs, Dwight Powell and Maxi Kleber. I have not seen them play much, but according to Mavs fans they're both in high regard. Any thoughts on what would be an equitable salary?

[stan francisco]

How about this radical scenario:

1) Keep Lonzo
2) Keep Ingram
3) Keep Kuzma
4) Keep Caruso
5) Re-sign Rondo
6) Re-sign JMG

7) Keep ... LeBron

8) Add FA: Vucevic

PG: Lonzo
SG: Ingram
SF: Kuzma
PF: James
C: Vucevic

Draft Hunter.

100000000% with that.

[DanishLakerFan]

Plan Z: NO FA, NO AD. NO Beal. No nothing.

1. Draft Culver
2. Trade BI to Memphis for Mike Conley.
3. Use remaining cap (about 7M) on Derrick Favors.
4. Use roomMLE on Dewayne Dedmon
5. Trade #4 to Minny for Robert Covington.
6. Re-sign Caruso, Chandler
7. Sign Wayne Ellington veterans min.

Conley / Lonzo / Covington / Lebron / Favors
Caruso / Ellington / Hart / Kuz / Dedmon / Chandler