The only problem there: age. I'd like to have at least one Center on our team closer to 30 than that. Biyombo is still under 25, Okafor will turn 20 I think his rookie year, and Upshaw (aside from the apparent health concerns that have popped up) would also be under 25.
Nah I haven't heard anything, but that's not always a good indicator. The Lakers love flying under the radar. They love making the splashy move.
We need a couple veterans on the team, preferably a PG and a C. A solid starting caliber wing and then fill out the roster with a couple cheaper but quality guys and we're back in business.
Agreed. Top priority should be a sf that plays D followed by a veteran PG & C to back up clarkson and towns/okafor Our team has to look enticing to FA if we want to contend going forward
I'd rather not overpay for a big when we likely have our franchise bigs already on the squad. So if we're not getting a legit franchise big, I'd not pay second tier $. PG: Clarkson/Aaron Brooks (Vet Min ~2M) SG: Kobe/Monta Ellis (~8M) SF: Danny Green (~9M)/Nick Young/Luwawu PF: Randle/Black/Kelly C: Okafor/Biyombo(~4.5m)/Upshaw I'm looking at second rounders. Timothe Luwawu is really interesting as a 3 and D guy; something tells me the Spurs will find a way to grab him otherwise and make him into a Kawhi-lite. He reminds me a bit of a longer Leandro Barbosa. If you still want a veteran big, you could add one of the bargain-priced guys - like Dalembert. I think that team is loaded with talent and if I'm a star, I'm interested in what they're doing for the next few years.
I really like this team. I've not heard of Luwawu, but if you see a 3 and d guy that sounds good to me. The only place I'd make a change is swapping Brooks with a vet min backup that is more of a true facilitating pg. If Rondo would accept that role and that $, he'd be perfect. Other options are Andre Miller and our old pal Kendall Marshall.
Marshall had a season ending injury. ACL? Achilles? His D would be awful, but he's a facilitator. Rondo loves the $, but he'd be a great fit. If I didn't go Brooks I'd look for a defensive PG.
So you guys have absolutely no issue with how young the team would be with 3 rookies and 3 sophomores making up half the team?
A defensive PG? If we're looking for a backup who's a decent defensive PG; I like Chalmers. He has one more year left on his deal for $4,300,000. He is a career 36% three point shooter, good defender, and I think would be a solid veteran addition that wouldn't break the bank. A straight Young/Chalmers swap would work or quite possibly work it out a few other ways.
On my phone. Don't know enough about Wright to say. Don't mind the youth. Nice way for Kobe to transition out. Great for a new leader to join. Chalmers isn't bad, but I don't want to lose Young without getting more help.
The help comes in free agency. However, if you could work it out without including Young; do it. Miami is in a bind. They have to pay Dragic and Wade. Wade is already at a contract impasse with the team. Their going to need to shed some salary somewhere or pay deep into the luxury tax...
Works in the ESPN trade machine. Nevertheless, if you could do the deal without including Young, go for it. I just mentioned Young, but the deal doesn't have to include him. I've always liked Chalmers. Plus, I think he has the kind of game that Scott would like...
I'm not discounting the idea at all. I hate Chalmers, but I think he'd make a smart acquisition. Technically we could trade #27/Sacre/Brown/Kelly for Chalmers. The only issue then is how much it would bite into our cap space. edit- also I'd expect them to include a pick back to us for that trade.
I don't know. Potential Salary Cap Money to Spend: - 22.5 million dollars or so, right? Chalmbers Salary: $4,300,000.
Because if you didn't notice we live in a culture of overhyping everything. Love is not a winner. He plays ZERO defense and is injury prone. You don't win rings that way. Rondo is damaged goods with a cancerous attitude pretty much every analyst on tv agrees so im not sure why you would use that as an example.
Some thoughts on the "young team" I'm advocating on behalf of... Lakers 2014/15 > 2015/16 > 2016/17 .Johnson 27 > M. Ellis 30 > Clarkson 24 (~110 starts) .Lin 26 > Clarkson 23 > Ellis 31 (~680 starts) .Hill 27 > D. Green 28 > Green 29 (~330 starts) .Davis 25 > Randle 21 > Randle 22 (~65 starts) .Boozer 33 > Biyombo 23 > Okafor 20 (~10 starts) .Ellington 27 > Brooks 31 > Biyombo 24 (~200 starts) 29.2 > 26.0 > 25.0 The team gets younger, but it's not utterly inexperienced. I presume the star coming here will have hundreds of starts. Ellis and Green are established vets. By the end of next season, Biyombo would be there, and Clarkson wouldn't be far behind. I think Brooks, Ellis, Green, and (if you'd like) Dalembert gives the age, the experience, and allows us to transition to this younger group without sacrificing.
Monta - 7-8M Gerald Green or Afflalo - 5-7M Biyombo - 5-6M Still leaves room for another 4-6M FA, I probably gamble on Wes Matthews getting healthy or sign both G. Green and Afflalo. K.J. McDaniels - 2M(BAE or RE)
