Official 2016 Free Agency Thread

Those are decent names. Good enough for some defense, rebounding, etc...that's all I want. Getting more athletic and mobile 5 doesn't hurt as well...

 

Comptonn native DeMar DeRozan has frequently been discussed as a possilbe free agency target for the Los Angeles Lakers this summer, with the thought being that with the Lakers are unlikely to be able to recruit the biggest fish in the 2016 free agent class, they could use some of their league-leading $65.8 million in cap space to offer DeRozan a max deal.

While Toronto could still offer DeRozan an extra fifth year and higher annual raises on his next contract, his NBA contract might not be the only factor in play. DeRozan will also be choosing his next shoe endorsement this summer, and according to NBA shoe deal expert Nick DePaula of the Vertical, that endorsement could be worth significantly more in Los Angeles.

"If he were to go to his hometown Lakers per se, then his shoe deal could possibly triple," said DePaula during an appearance on "the Vertical Podcast with Woj. "If he were to be on the Lakers, and leading perhaps the next wave of the Kobe line for Nike or something like that, then his value would skyrocket I think."

This skyrocketing value wouldn't apply to all shoe deals across the board, however. According to DePaula, DeRozan would see the most additional money if he endorsed a foreign shoe instead of a domestic one.

"[The extra value would] be almost negligible if he stays with a U.S. brand. If he looks to a Chinese brand... then it could become a big difference in cash," said DePaula. "And the key factor being there is that the Lakers are that historical franchise in the minds of the Chinese fanbase and Chinese companies"

Come home, DeMar!

 

For any salary cap gurus, I am toying with the idea of a DD/Durant pairing. I wanted to know how that would work from a salary cap perspective. The Max money we have to pay both and the remaining amount of money we would have left to spend.

I'd make some assumptions: we stretch and waive Nick, no qualifying offer made to Black, Huertas or Kelly. Re-sign Clarkson, trade Lou.

 

Figure $25 mil for DD and $30 for KD. Russell and Randle are 8.5. Clarkson needs to be resigned probably around 7. Nance is 1.5, Tarick could be brought back cheap. Maybe Bass would resign in that case so 3 more.

Nick and Lou would have to be dealt with. Hibbert gone. Lots of vet mins added.

I don't know with cap holds etc where we would be but it's doable.

 

Thanks for the responses. Just toying with it. DD/Durant make for a very interesting combination. Couple that with Russell at the 1 and it's a near perfect fit, IMO .

 

Lol. Nobody is coming here. Not with Byron Scott as our coach that's for damn sure.

 

I always laugh when I think of the time Byron said something along the lines of, "I have players lining up telling me they want to come to LA", and then FA happened.

You delusional prick.

 

we might as well lock this thread until boron is fired... same crap different year

 

Derozan is a strong possibility I think but KD ain't leaving Westbrook for this team and coach lol let's be real. Westbrook is at his peak and playing like an all-time great. KD is gonna leave him for Russell, Randel maybe Clarkson and probably Byron? Right now I don't see how DAR would look like a perfect fit to a star looking to join a contender. His assist numbers are weak and he doesn't play NBA level defense. Don't get me wrong I love his potential and Byron's holding him back aside, I don't see him yet as the kind of mature player a championship squad needs, and I'm sure KD doesn't. Love to be totally wrong here. But no, I'm afraid that unless KD has a behind-the-scenes plan going with like 2 other players to get here we don't stand a chance at him this year.

 

yep. the only kd hope is that the lakers keep their pick this year, trade it for an allstar, and then probably trade two of the three young guys for another one. then maybe he jumps to la after next year, assuming he signs a 1+1. slim chances all around.

none of the media wish pieces about Durant moving anywhere give westbrook any credit, btw. where does he get to go where he has a better running mate? if they can't get it done, that's on them, and unless he does the weak thing and goes to gs, there's not another place that makes sense. Houston claims they're going to sign him and horford. but even if they did, Durant/harden/horford/9 d-leaguers and ring chasers isn't better than what okc has right now.

derozan is the best player the lakers have a shot at, and that's not a strong possibility, either. this is why when FA comes, I'm going to be looking at which players are likely to be moved in salary dumps and which third-tier guys might have a chance of blossoming.

 

the problem is that they already have. and the plan is to just keep burning and pissing.

i suppose one could argue that kobe's big deal was sort of counterproductive to the total teardown, but make no mistake: this has been torn down for a couple years now.