Lin can take a hike. He's way too soft, physically and mentally to wear the Purple and Gold. I really don't like the idea of Rondo either but he does have the toughness this team lacked this past season. He won't last long though if he starts up with Byron Scott. Maybe take a flyer on him now that his value has been downgraded to mid level exception territory on the 2 yr deal proposed in this vid. Rondo now has much to prove, especially on his character issues. Possibly having Kobe with Scott keeping him in check he could prosper. My big concern with him is health. Ever since his knee injury he has become a liability defensively. To do this they need to dump salary because this can not be their only FA signing. Find a taker for Young, opt out on Hill should do the trick.
As far as immediate need, today Jordan would make sense.The draft will dictate where their needs will be. Out of the 4 I like the addition of Love the most IF they draft a Center. He's younger than Aldridge and more versatile offensively. Aldridge is better defensively but will never be thought of as a good defender. Both are 4's, some say they can both play some 5 with Randle in the mix. In short stretches it could work, but it may be better using Randle at the 3, again in short stretches. Bottom line is Randle will have to come off the bench, but should still see 20+ min, and begin building the makings of a dynamic bench.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...add-rajon-rondo-but-will-proceed-with-caution Great article on Rondo and the Lakers position by Kevin Ding...
Cavs GM: Kevin Love 'highly unlikely' to return during playoffs http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-b...ely--to-return-during-playoffs-172346441.html
I'm not big on bringing back on Lin either. Just don't think there is much he can do for us long term. I've also completely soured on Rondo, but I still think there is good chance we sign him.
I would welcome any of the big men at this point, but Aldridge is probably my number one choice followed by Love, Jordan, and Monroe in that order. The shoulder injury to Love is worrisome enough for me to give Aldridge the edge at this point, but I would be pretty content if we signed either one of them.
Aldridge is a better player than Love, IMO. I've seen both, and I prefer Aldridge's game to Love's. That said, Love is younger but more injury prone; add in Aldridge's age and he has about 3-4 years top playing at a relatively high level. In that timeframe, Randle will be 22-23 and you could slowly develop him into a starting role. Love would be closer to 30 at that point and you might have to make a decision even earlier than that on who to keep...
Just going to say I don't think we're going to get LMA. I think he either stays where he is for max money or goes to a contender. I don't see any reason for him to come to LA when we can't offer as much and don't have as good a team as Portland. In addition, from our perspective we already have a young PF who we should be developing in Randle. Even though I've long been a fan of LMA's game, and I've never been sold on Kevin Love, I think of the two Love would be a better fit here. I see Love as more of a natural stretch 5 than LMA. Love gets more boards than LMA, too. Neither one is much of a defender.
Aldridge is a better defender than Love; although, I know that isn't saying much, but he's capable of playing decent defense.
The reality is the only sure bet to leave is Monroe. The Pistons are going with Drummond , and the two together is not a good fit. I'll believe it when I see it for Love to opt out. The benefit to that to him is minimal to sign a LTD next season, upping his salary from 16 to 18 when he could just opt in, then the following year when the max contract explodes upward he can reap the benefits.But if he is that unhappy, living, playing in God awful Cleveland he may sign a 2 yr deal with a player option on the 2nd year with the understanding he will be resigned for the new max. I don't think the Clippers let Jordan walk and he likes it there. These playoffs will truly tell how it plays out for him. Aldridge may leave , but the word is , being from Texas, low tax state, he would leave if an opportunity opened up for him in Dallas or San Antonio
Good points. And I actually prefer the two that are more likely to leave; Love and Monroe. Their age and game fit our team needs IMO.
Its going to be difficult for the lakers to add pieces without putting randle and clarkson on the bench. Im not a fan of that, but the team will instantly become deep.
Okay so now we're looking at some pretty unique stuff here... Regarding Rondo: - His value is basically as low as it can get. Ineffective at times, bothersome with every coach he's ever had, and diminished on court ability. - He's the perfect signing for this team ONLY if he comes cheap, only if he comes willing to do whatever it takes to win (namely coming off the bench) - He can honestly be had probably for 2/12 million or something like that with a player option on the 2nd season so he can go get paid if he bounces back. - I'm for it. I know he's not great anymore, I know everyone hates him, but you're unlikely to find better talent at a better price point IF he's willing to work with us. Regarding Love: - Reports are in that he tore his labrum off the bone. That's pretty bad. Dirty or not, Olynyk caused some serious damage here. That brings up two things: 1. his current value is dropping below max level and 2. his long-term value is dropping even more with his injury history. - Regardless of everything, his value is still relatively high. Everyone seems to want to give him the benefit of the doubt (including me to an extent), but his injury history cannot be underestimated. - Love's max is supposed to start somewhere near 18 million which would leave some cash left over for another piece or two, but I think his real value is less than that. Unless Love signs a 2/40-ish million dollar deal with an opt out in the 2nd season, then I'm not sure I want him for the max. I'd prefer to sign him for a little below the max to better accommodate another piece or two along with the rebuild. Something like 4/68.5 million would be mutually beneficial I would think. You get Love at a little below perceived value, but he still gets a long and lucrative contract despite his injury history (and current issues). Since it's starting to look like those two are leaning their way here, I have a loose plan for their arrival. Let's say we end up with the most likely pick: #5 in the draft. Here's my plan: 1. Draft Willie Cauley-Stein at #5. I'm not all that confident he'll be a rock star as a rookie, but it's all part of the plan. He's a defensive guy at the rim which is exactly what we need. He'll need immediate coaching offensively where he is not a good player, but that's typical of today's Centers. I'd prefer a wing, but we've got options there (and future considerations of course). 2. Draft George Lucas at #27. I know a lot of you guys want Upshaw, but he's moving up boards already. He's unlikely to be available at #27 for us. Lucas has great measureables, he's young, he's talented, and yes he's a project. He's exactly the kind of kid though that I'd like to gamble on late in the first round. If we're going to give out a guaranteed deal to what amounts to 2nd round talent, give me a young kid with great upside. 3. Draft Dakari Johnson at #34. This kid was highly recruited out of high school. He's got limitations certainly, but he's a nice big body that can fill in spot minutes in the NBA right now. He's not quite strong enough yet, but he's got a good feel for the Center position. He's a high-motor kind of kid that would be a great, cheap replacement for Sacre. I like Sacre, but if we can replace him for cheaper why wouldn't we? That'd leave us with roughly: 4. Sign Love to a 4/68.5 million dollar deal. 5. Sign Rondo to a 2/12 million dollar deal w/player option on the 2nd year. 6. Sign Ellington to a 3/8 million dollar deal (roughly what's remaining of the cap). Clarkson/Rondo/Lucas Bryant/Ellington/Brown Randle/Young Love/Kelly/(Randle) Cauley-Stein/Dakari Johnson Preferably you find a bargain bin Center who will sign for the minimum. Ryan Hollins, Nazr Muhommed, Greg Steimsma, Jeff Withey... that kind of guy. Love will have to play spot minutes at Center probably. You could also go after a vet at SF for depth like Salmons or Outlaw. It's not my ideal team, but I think they've got a legit shot at the playoffs.
Solid plan, but I think there is a better chance of landing LMA than Rondo being ok coming off the bench. He will never do that. IMO
Then he can get the hell out and you can replace his name with Mo Williams. We're the ONLY buyers left for Rondo who will give him an opportunity to do his thing whether that's off the bench or as a starter. If he can go find a job starting somewhere, good for him and good luck. We ain't buying that. Clarkson is our guy and he's proven himself capable. If Rondo isn't good with that, we don't need him. edit- in fact if Rondo puts up any fight at all we've got 7.8 million to spend after Love. Give 4/20 million to Davis and 3/10.36 million to Mo Williams. Maybe even offer him an optioned 4th season if he is still hesitant to bite. Give Ellington the BAE. Clarkson/Williams/Lucas Bryant/Ellington/Brown Randle/Young Love/Black/Kelly Davis/Cauley-Stein/Johnson That team has even better balance anyway.
Essentially, that's the plan. Nailed it. The following year if strike out on Durant, we'll pursue DeMar DeRozan.
Now, that I think about it based upon your layout, and the increase in cap space, why can we do this in 2016? Clarkson/Williams/Lucas or Tyus Jones DeRozan/Ellington/Brow Durant/Randle (dump young) Love/Randle/Kelly Cauley-Stein/Black/Johnson
