Official 2016 Free Agency Thread

So a Russian, a Sudanese and a Spaniard walk into a bar....

Yeah...that's the punchline.

Seriously though, our basketball ops finally did something decent in picking up an expiring deal that can be made into a tradeable asset. But I'm thinking it will be Lin 2.0 and he sticks around past the deadline. Still you got Big Cuz, Russ and PG all linked to the Lakers as trade targets. But pardon me if I don't hold my breath.

Back to the joke, at least we know all 3 won't be ID'ed at the bar.

 

Leonard would be a very nice pick-up, but might need to dish out too much cash for the spare minutes he'd be getting.

 

I really don't like how Lou fits into what we are doing here. Sure, instant offense off the bench but being undersized really hurts and that instant offense being iso ball hurts too. I would have liked to have dumped him somehow and gone after Courtney Lee but idk who's available now that can 3D, emphasis on D.

 

Non Laker related, but everyone should be apologizing to Year 3 of NBA2K franchise mode about now.

We've all been there, you're playing Orlando and they have Klay and LeBron, you scoff and say, "UGH! This is SOOOOOO unrealistic."

KD is a warrior, Dwight is a hawk, Horford is a C bag, Rose is a knick, Wade is a bull.....

Who's unrealistic now?

 

No. It was Ox who's been doubting our FO about not making calls around the league for moves like this. Just assuming things on baseless comments.

 

Shame on you guys for "liking" this post. The pr*** is mocking us. Bite all of us one one at a time ..... we're lining up now.

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Looking at that tentative depth chart ..... if Boron was still here (hideous thought) ..... How many times would we see Russ on the bench for some minor screw up and both Calderon and Huertas on the floor together?

 

We're at 12 roster spots; 13 if you include Huertas. We still have room for a max and some pieces we can move if we need to create more space. I'd look high and low for a wing that could defend, though. Clarkson, Lou, and Calerdon; boy, that's not entirely a good thing.

However, with Calerdon and Lou, you can put them against 2nd units and hopefully minimize the weaknesses defensively. What's cool about Calerdon/Lou offensively is a very formidable duo, IMO. Calderon is at the end of his career but still a very good shooter who can orchestrate the offense; Lou can work off ball and do what he does best: SCORE. Calderon will help.

 

I actually like all this shake up for once instead of just everyone going back to their original teams. It makes the league more interesting. But KD to the Warriors is a little too much.

 

Once again Mitch shows his doubters wrong. I mean this in good humor so hopefully no one gets offended but we continually see panic and despair and with one wave of his wand Mitch calms Laker Nation once again. I was going to say one wang of his wand but somehow it just didn't sound right..lol Three areas of great need filled with not only good players but even better people. If we are going to have a year with a player declining that we have to pay I had much rather it be a good quality person than some cancerous ----head.

I see our team as having the perfect blend of two potential superstars, some potential all-stars, good young role players and some high quality vets to help move them along smoothly. All we have to do as fans is show some kind of patience. We could win close to 40 games this year give or take, but even if we don't I believe we will see much player growth and a culture change that sets the tone for a very good run. It is not often we see an off season that so drastically changes our team make-up and culture.

It may be I'm the only one here with this opinion but I do not want Westbrook anywhere near our team. We have what appears to be a great young core that will in all likelihood be playing good team ball with good chemistry. There is no doubting his talent and he is very entertaining to watch. I don't like his ranting on the sidelines, I still believe that KD leaving was in no small part due to his tiring of dealing with Westbrook. He doesn't appear to me to be very coachable. I want Luke to have level headed players to work with that are good team guys. Whether by luck, skill or some combination of both the Lakers find themselves gifted with a talented group of young players the likes of which you rarely see. I had rather see them develop at a good pace with good role model vets and gifted coaches. What I don't want to see is their development stifled by an over bearing strong personality that can't seem to play in a team concept for more than a couple games at a time. Westbrook is awfully tempting. I love watching him play, exciting take no prisoner approach. For now anyway I had rather watch him play on another team.

 

Wah? What did I say?

 

Lakers need two max contracts for the 2017 AND 2018 off seasons. The only way the Lakers can start competing for the title is if they not only get Westbrook but George the following year. Oh, and of course current roster has to develop well.

 

That expiring $7.7 million for Calderon is so nice. Mitch is a boss.

 

I'd pass on Crabbe. I do like Jabari. I hope the Lakers stretch Nick but it would be more advantageous (for the Lakers)if Nick and the Lakers discuss a buyout. Either way, I like Randle in that starting lineup, but I wouldn't be surprised if that jumper is struggling to see Nance and Deng take those minutes.

Edit - Unless the goal might be putting 4 floor spacers out there and giving Randle time at the 5 and let him attack off-ball, off screens, moving and cutting, etc.