2015 Nba Draft Discussion: Russell, Nance Jr., Brown

Discussion in 'Lakers Discussion' started by LaVarBallsDad, Oct 14, 2014.

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  1. LaVarBallsDad

    LaVarBallsDad - Lakers Legend -

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    Let's simplify this; I think he would ideally be 'suited' at the 3. That's what he would play on our team.
     
    LaVarBallsDad, Apr 21, 2015
    #2181
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  2. ElginTheGreat

    ElginTheGreat - Lakers MVP -

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    He would play the 3 folks.
     
    ElginTheGreat, Apr 21, 2015
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  3. LaVarBallsDad

    LaVarBallsDad - Lakers Legend -

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    Really, I hate to get caught up on this idea of playing 'positions' and we just move for best 'fit' and what works at a higher efficiency. I could see him playing specific roles depending on the team's makeup; we don't know what that is going to be right now. I have certain guys I want and certain FA's I want to pursue if certain guys are drafted.

    Either way, I'd keep and play him at the 3 the majority of minutes he's on the floor. Mind you, this is having watched him primarily all year up and including the PO's; I think the chances of getting him are low as it stands...
     
    LaVarBallsDad, Apr 21, 2015
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  4. LaVarBallsDad

    LaVarBallsDad - Lakers Legend -

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    Speaking of that Elgin, I want Russell. What 5 Free Agents would you pursue if we drafted Russell?

    Here are my five: Deandre Jordan, Khris Middleton, Tyson Chandler, Roy Hibber, Robin Lopez. By the way, Jeff Green will be a FA; he'll opt our of his Player Option deal and hit the market. He's another decent option.
     
    LaVarBallsDad, Apr 21, 2015
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  5. LaVarBallsDad

    LaVarBallsDad - Lakers Legend -

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    ^Jeff might decide to opt into his Player Option and wait this year out with the impending spike increase in the salary cap in 2016...
     
    LaVarBallsDad, Apr 21, 2015
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  6. ElginTheGreat

    ElginTheGreat - Lakers MVP -

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    I like that list. For me, its hard to pass on the chance to sign an Aldridge or Love. I would probably give Danny Green a long look even though he has struggled a bit as of late.

    I really think a core of Russell, Clarkson, and Randle would be pretty potent. Russell would get those guys some great looks. I could see a ton of lobs if we were to bring in Deandre Jordan or Tyson Chandler along with instantly improved defense.
     
    ElginTheGreat, Apr 22, 2015
    #2186
  7. LaVarBallsDad

    LaVarBallsDad - Lakers Legend -

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    Oh, we'll definitely pursue the 'name' over anything else. I don't mind that approach. You give me Love or Aldridge paired with a Clarkson, Russell, Randle core, and I'm all for it. Aside from those two leaving, though, these are other names, I'd like to pursue. Rim protecting bigs, a quality wing, would instantly be an upgrade. Right on the lobs, too.
     
    LaVarBallsDad, Apr 22, 2015
    #2187
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  8. ElginTheGreat

    ElginTheGreat - Lakers MVP -

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    I think that's a good approach as all could instantly help us. I also think a guy like Russell is nice because he would fit in no matter what we did in free agency.
     
    ElginTheGreat, Apr 22, 2015
    #2188
  9. TIME

    TIME Administrator Staff Member

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    Yours is a good list with the exception of 32 year old Tyson Chandler.

    Jeff Green would be a nice player to pair with Randle at the forward spots. Talk about your Odom type do everything guy.
     
    TIME, Apr 22, 2015
    #2189
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  10. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    If you draft Russell, you're still going to need a SF AND a Center... Tough to justify that. Not to mention you're likely bringing him off the bench, which is fine with me, but again we're still shallow at other positions of desperate need. I'd be extremely hesitant to sign Russell when the reality is Clarkson is more of a PG/SG than a pure PG already. Still we can play that out:

    Draft Russell @ 5
    Draft Anderson @ 27
    Draft D. Johnson @ 34

    All contracts (excluding Sacre) = 44.55 million. That leaves 22.85 to spend. Throw something like 4/50 million at DeMarre Carroll and hope that it's enough to scare off the Hawks. That's 12.5 million dollars per year which is definitely above market value, but will definitely be the only way to get a guy like him out of Atlanta.

    With the remaining 10.85 million, I make a run at Asik and see how much he costs. Asik is likely going near this much. If you can get him at 4/46.42 million (the rest of our cap) then you do it. He's only 28 years old and is one of the league's best defenders/rim protectors. Yes his offense is absolute garbage, but you drafted Russell so our offense is going to be perimeter based anyway.

    Then with the remaining cash you go get Ellington and a few vet min guys to fill out the roster.

    Clarkson/Russell/Price
    Bryant/Ellington/Brown
    Carroll/Young/Anderson
    Randle/Kelly
    Asik/Black/D.Johnson

    We're suddenly a little behind inside, but it is what it is. That team is the best we're going to do by drafting Russell or Mudiay. It's not terrible. If you can convince Davis to take one more year without getting paid, then you've got a really good bench. Otherwise we're a little shallow and a little offensively challenged. Once Kobe retires, you probably slide Russell into the starting lineup at SG.
     
    therealdeal, Apr 22, 2015
    #2190
  11. lakerjones

    lakerjones Moderator Staff Member

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    Yeah, I'm not sold on Russell. I'd rather go for a C or a starting level SF.
     
    lakerjones, Apr 22, 2015
    #2191
  12. Punk-101

    Punk-101 - Lakers Starter -

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    I start Russell and Clarkson together as one hell of a versatile and potent backcourt.

    Russell/Clarkson/Price
    Clarkson/Kobe/Ellington or Brown
    Kobe/Young/RHJ
    Randle/Davis/Kelly
    Asik/Black/Upshaw

    The only negative is Kobe's defense at the 3. But, he's not going to play much defense at sg anyway, he's only here for one more year, and we're not winning anything next year. IMO, you don't pass up on a talent like Russell because you have a bigger need at SF, especially when we're going after Durant the following summer (if he's healthy). Ideally, you package Young and a pick for nothing to have money to sign one of the FA sfs this summer. And if not, you hope RHJ can develop a Bruce Bowen standstill jumper...that's all. Play elite D and go stand in the corner on offense. I think he can do it.
     
    Punk-101, Apr 22, 2015
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  13. Savory Griddles

    Savory Griddles Moderator Staff Member

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    This is kind of why I want us to go after WCS if the other two bigs are off the board when we draft. Middleton is our free agent acquisition since he can and does play shooting guard for the Bucks. With Durant an obvious target, Middleton can replace the departing Kobe and Durant slides into Middleton's spot.

    Our 2016-2017 Los Angeles Lakers.

    Clarkson/Mo Williams/George Lucas
    Middleton/J. Brown
    Durant/Young
    Randle/Black/Kelly
    WCS/Ed Davis/Upshaw
     
    Savory Griddles, Apr 22, 2015
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  14. trodgers

    trodgers Administrator Staff Member

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    Happy a bunch of people are on the Upshaw bandwagon. Now we just need to make it happen - and then get someone to work with him. I'm torn about what to do with our first pick.
     
    trodgers, Apr 22, 2015
    #2194
  15. ElginTheGreat

    ElginTheGreat - Lakers MVP -

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    Bingo. My thoughts exactly.

    First, I think we should draft the best guy available, period. If that's Russell or Mudiay then we should take them and not look back. We are rarely in a position to draft a top talent. We have to take advantage of that.

    There are several solid guys who could be available at 27 from Hollis-Jefferson to Anderson. The only wing I would think about grabbing over Russell is Winslow at this point. Even then I still lean toward Russell right now due to his passing and shooting ability. I think him and Clarkson will be a nightmare matchup for teams for years to come.

    I like Cauley-Stein but everything from his illness to questions about his overall mindset would keep me from grabbing him in the top five.
     
    Last edited: Apr 22, 2015
    ElginTheGreat, Apr 22, 2015
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  16. ElginTheGreat

    ElginTheGreat - Lakers MVP -

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    I keep going back and forth on Upshaw, but I do feel like if he is there in the second round we should nab him especially if our first two picks are a guard and a wing.
     
    ElginTheGreat, Apr 22, 2015
    #2196
  17. Savory Griddles

    Savory Griddles Moderator Staff Member

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    I think he should be our 27th pick. I don't think he lasts until 34. Because 2nd round picks aren't guaranteed, I think one of the 3 teams in front of us in the second round takes a chance on him. If we want him, we will likely have to risk a bit more. It really isn't that big of a risk though. the 27th pick rarely provides more than the 2nd to 3rd man off the bench, and those contracts are only guaranteed for two years now, at 1 million per year. If we don't get Towns, Okafor or WCS, it's well worth the gamble, IMO. Imagine if he turns out to be a defensive stud? We could nail down 5 of our 8 rotation players in the last two drafts with Randle, Clarkson, our lottery pick, Upshaw and Black
     
    Savory Griddles, Apr 22, 2015
    #2197
  18. ElginTheGreat

    ElginTheGreat - Lakers MVP -

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    Plenty of grit to be found in 2015's small forward crop - David Aldridge
    http://www.nba.com/news/features/da...idge-big-board-small-forwards-2015-nba-draft/

    I pulled a few quotes from the article

     
    ElginTheGreat, Apr 22, 2015
    #2198
  19. ElginTheGreat

    ElginTheGreat - Lakers MVP -

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    No doubt. I would love it if Upshaw got his act together. I think he is very talented.
     
    ElginTheGreat, Apr 22, 2015
    #2199
  20. trodgers

    trodgers Administrator Staff Member

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    Upshaw's per 40 minute stats at Washington: 17.6 points (59% FGs), 13.1 rebounds, 7.2 blocks.
     
    trodgers, Apr 22, 2015
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