Jordan Clarkson Discussion: Sky's the limit!

Between Rondo and Dragic...I'd take the latter. Can shoot, create his own shot, capable set-up and won't be a pain. On the subject of Clarkson, he is not a pure "1" per se but has good basketball instincts and is not prone to bone-head decisions out there judging with his low turnover stats. IF we had the Tri, Clarkson would be tailor made for it. Comparison wise, it just flashed on me that he reminds me of Ron Harper.

 

Alright here's the question though because I agree re: Rondo vs. Dragic-

If you could have Dragic @ 20 million or Rondo @ 10 million who would you take?

 

1. Of course there's sense in being semi-competitive. A semi-competitive team in a large market is infinitely more attractive than a crap team.

2. Why do you have an association with the Lakers not getting better players this summer equaling them getting a Championship eventually? That makes no sense.

 

If that is the case, then I'd choose Rondo. That $10 mil will be useful in picking up another capable player regardless of position. Just common sense from a management standpoint. Maybe Rondo would work here given his competitive kinship with Bryant and the less heavy handed Scott could probably relate to him. If healthy his playmaking, defending and rebounding would be an upgrade.

All things even...? I would still prefer Dragic.

 

Actually you need to spend for the sake of getting better. I completely disagree with your assessments of Dragic and Rondo, but let's say you're right: are Dragic and Rondo and Clarkson better than whoever we have NOW at backup PG?

How long are we going to save our money and suck? We did that already this last summer and it's been hell. Next season our pick is Top 1-3 protected, you want to be bad enough we keep it? If not, then what do we have to gain by not trying to get better this summer?

How long can the Lakers be out of the playoffs before FAs don't want to come here? How long does it take to rebuild this way? The Thunder missed the playoffs long enough to get really really lucky, you want to do that?

The Cap is set to blow up in 2016-2017 so even if we gave out a max contract this summer worth 20 million, we'd have over 40 million to spend in 2016-2017. So what reason do we have to save money? Who the hell said spending for the sake of spending? I'm talking about spending to get a better team so we can at least TRY to get into the playoffs for the first time since Dwight f***ing Howard was a Laker.

If the Lakers sit on their cash again this summer both Mitch and Jim Buss will get fired.

 

First of all we can only offer 4 year deals. Second of all I hate your plan. Your plan is continuing what we're doing now and saving our money for... something? I don't know. I'd much rather overspend and get an asset this summer than continue waiting for some other thing to amble into our laps while the young guys keep winning us 20-30 games a year.

I'll agree to disagree, I can't possibly continue this conversation.

 

I know it's frustrating, but there's overspending, and there's making a terrible move. Dragic is overspending. If we end up with him, I will make my peace with it. I know I say I cringe, but if it happens, I will root for him and accept him. Rondo on the other hand is a terrible move. Rondo is not a good player anymore. He is simply a recognizable name at this point. He is a malcontent. Inserting him in our starting lineup and playing him starter minutes might very well make us a worse team next season than rolling with Clarkson. Clarkson has been playing better than Rondo in the last 2 months and his trajectory is upwards. Rondo's on a definite decline. Cuban rolled the dice on him thinking a change of scenery and a winning organization would reinvigorate him to be the Rondo of old. It has failed. Rondo would be even less happy here on a far worse team and a coach that would likely get in a physical altercation with him.

Dragic is an asset, albiet an undoubtedly overpriced one. His game will age MUCH better than Rondo's. Rondo is and will be an albatross. Dallas will be feeling the effects of Rondo for years because of the draft picks they gave up. I don't think they try to resign him. There are options that make us significantly better than signing Rondo and don't handcuff us. I'd rather roll with Mo Williams at 6 million a year for a couple years with Clarkson starting.

Clarkson/Mo Williams at 2yrs@12mil

is far more appealing than

Rondo at 4yrs@32 mil/Clarkson

I think the main thing is there are ways to improve our team next season that do no include signing Rondo. I honestly believe putting him on this team right now, and changing nothing else, makes us worse.

And while the cap is going up, it's not the cure all. I'm sure you know this, but max contracts are based on a percentage of the cap number based on the years played. So while we will have 40 million, that is still going to only be enough for one max deal since max deals will cost more.

 

I like the Mo Williams mention. He's been an asset to every team he's been in. Also he is not a divisive locker room presence and a calming one at that. The financial aspect of it is definitely appealing. Clarkson needs the minutes to develop. I say that he will eventually take all of Swaggy No D's minutes real soon.

 

Exactly. I understand what Real is saying as it pertains to getting someone, and while I disagree that Dragic is worth it, at least he's not a headcase and he is a player who will hopefully age gracefully. I just don't like the mention of the word Rondo. He is not good. Why sign him when we can sign guys like Mo Williams, Jeremy Lin or even Jameer Nelson for 3-7 million a season on shorter contracts and similar production based off the last 3 seasons? Rondo will start at 10 million a year for 4 years because some owner will pay for his name recognition. My guess is he will end up getting 12.

We might be able to score Monroe and keep Ed Davis for roughly the same amount Dragic would cost. We could likely sign Draymond Green and Mo Williams for the same price as Rondo.

 

So when he says it, it's an upward direction but when I say it I want to lose long-term??