Official 2016 Free Agency Thread

To the guys who know about the CBA, how long term does it look like this huge raises in the salary cap will last? I'm just worried that during the next lockout, some owners get pissed off that the market dictated they had to pay mediocre players $20+ million, and then they negotiate for the salary cap to go back down. Meaning DeMar at $25 million isn't too bad of a contract for the next 2 years, but becomes crippling by year 4. (Again, just wondering hypothetically here because I don't know too much about the dynamics of the CBA)

 

Oh cmon I love Jordan, but yes DeRozan is a huge upgrade over Clarkson. Dude is an All Star and is the best player on a team one win away from the East Finals. Yeah I know the East sucks, but still he's a terrific player. Again people look at his numbers, but don't look at the system he's in. Of course it's gonna be difficult to win when you have an isolation system in the playoffs against quality defenses. Clarkson may never be more than a sixth man. We know for a fact DeRozan is an All Star and instantly improves the team. What is else is there to talk about? His contact isn't gonna handicap us. He's right in his prime and probably will still be by the time his time is up? As for next year yes the class is better, but only because of Steph and Westbrook. We realistically have a shot at one of those guys. Steph ain't going anywhere. After that's it's pretty similar to this season. A lot of good players. A lot of restricted free agents we won't get. This idea that DeRozan hampers our young players I don't get. First off he's a 34 percent three point shooter so he's not horrible. Second having a guy who is a bonfide big time scorer in this league is gonna take aton of pressure off D'Angelo, Julius, and JC because they are NOT ready to handle that kind of load. They're still puppies.

 

I'd totally be fine with that too, I think could be the safest route in terms of the system fit. There will be plenty of opportunities for core growth.

 

To me acquiring talent is what matters than striking out on free agency. Getting DD even though isn't the right exact fit, we do need talent. I would love to have an all star on our team and plus Kobe can teach him a thing or two, also he's still young and can improve under the right coach and system.

 

I'd only go after DD if we get the #1 pick and secure the right to pick Brandon Ingram. Otherwise, I'd rather have Barnes.

 

I should have typed "overpaying" (in quotation marks) repeatedly.

true, but this team isn't a couple of basses away from being competitive. plus, those kinds of deals tend to happen after the market has largely dried up. thus, it's sort of part of plan "punt".

the kobe situation was entirely unique, imo. and I think a better coach would use lou more appropriately.

I don't think having derozan on the floor would really resemble having last year's kobe.

 

DeRozan is an All Star that's a difference. Whatever opportunities he takes away from the young core he's gonna be a lot more efficient and effective than Lou and Kobe are. He's a top 25-top 30 player in this league. Getting him along with Luke being our coach at minimum makes a 30-35 win team and with another addition like Whiteside/Horford makes us a seventh or eight seed.

 

Yeah, I'm in the camp that Demar isn't my first choice (I'd rather give Barnes the max and make GS match it), but he's not Bogdan Bogdanovic here.

The only issue I have is in today's NBA giving the max and a starting spot to a guy who is a 28% career 3pt% shooter. But in his defense, at least DD knows it and isn't jacking up 200 3's a year.

I wouldn't be heartbroken about DD coming here, or even giving him the max. I would be a little miffed if it's done before better system fits like Barnes and Horford are called.

 

Well s***!! I like the sound of that.



I feel like a ping pong ball in a match between "fer" DeMar and "agin" Demar from all the great arguments here at LB on both sides. Of most late am now putting one "cheek" up on the back of the "fer" bandwagon. What's swaying me is his likely even better performance in the assuredly better offensive system. Luke is a game changer. DeMar will be.... umm ....errr.... aroused in the FA talks across the table from him.

 

One thing I do like about DD, is that he DOES want to be here. I know we haven't been a viable destination among free agents as of late. Picking up DD could possibly be the first step back into making LA that place to be at again.

 

DeRozan is a terrific player. The dude has been a 20, 5, and 5 player on a playoff team three years and this year the best player on a team about to get to the Conference Finals. If that's not a terrific player and terrific production I don't know what is. This is not a guy who just puts up stats on a bad team. He has made a big impact in three straight seasons now. Him being an All Star has nothing to do with the East. It has everything to do with the fact that he plays like one. The Lakers need a player like that. They need someone who can get you 25-30 points on a given night. Someone who can create off the dribble and help the young guys. Someone who can be a closer for us. I don't see how he's inefficient either since he basically shoots what Kobe has for his career.

As for Biyumbo he's playing like a starting center. He's doing a good job protecting the rim, in help defense, and finishing in pick and rolls. He's had a huge impact since being inserted in the starting lineup. Would I be thrilled giving him 18 million? No I'd prefer Whiteside or Horford, but he'd be a good third option for us. At the end of the day we need players and lots of them. At best next season were a 25-30 win team with no major additions. If you're cool with that then well good for you, but I'm not. We need to start being competitive again and at least contending for a playoff spot. That's how we're gonna attract a legit superstar down the road.

 

I'm absolutely fine with DD given the league wide cap situation. He would be just the 2nd domino of many in our return to prominence (Luke was 1st).

 

my thoughts haven't changed much. DeRozan is a good signing if he truly wants to come here. He's a more realistic target than the other guys being mentioned heavily and I actually think Luke could get someone on staff that could help him (and others on the team) improve his shot.

I am concerned about giving too many guys max contracts though. I don't want to just keep hoarding cap space but I'm not sold on giving max money to some of the players being discussed. I can also see us being stuck with a lot of big contracts on an average team in a few years.

 

FTFY