I agree that we need a small ball 5, but we also need a legitimate starting 5 too. McGee has not played more than 11 minutes a game since like 2013. I think you bring back Brook in a similar role (~20 minutes a game) as a starter, McGee gets about 10 minutes as a backup when matchups allow it, and then the rest goes to Wagner and a small ball 5 (ideally we can bring in someone else, but if not you can throw Kuzma or Bron in that spot in certain situations).
Guys, Lakers dont want Brook. Hes too slow for what they want to do. Which is why I think Zubac won't last. Not quick enough for what Mag and the Lakers want to eventually have.
I don't disagree on the premise, but with the roster we're assembling, it looks like we might be taking a different approach than what we all thought. This team will not be built like last year's team. I'm super curious how they are going to do these lineups, and if the kids are taking a back seat or not. Luke has some fun ahead.
Lopez was fine with us last year and indeed very big for us after the break. He'll be fine. And when we really need the 5 to be on top of transition D we have McGee. Otherwise we'll be fine with just the other 4 getting down in transition. We have options, when the other team goes really small we could even run with LBJ at the 5 for a spell. We need to rap him up, he's sat back and watched us give Rondo 9 and KCP 12. If he'll take 5.6 then DO IT ROB! If he ends up elsewhere I'm gonna be unhappy.
I actually think the Lakers are letting Brook see if he can get more than what the Lakers can give him out of pure respect. And then if he cant, either finish off what's left on the cap or take less.
Just saw a vid with Larry Coon...we need the cap space to get under the cap in the event of a trade for Kawhi. For instance if, BI and one of Kuz, Hart or Zu were to go out we would need that cap space to make Kawhi's deal fit in (and would need to waive Deng). We'd only make by about 400k. Lopez would have to take a vet min in that case.
I want Brook back. He wasn’t that bad, the cost was just high. For a lesser price he would be fine here.
The showtime lakers had kareem and still played with pace. I realize the game is even faster now, but I think brook would help this team win games.
I have a feeling he will be back. I agree that the FO & Luke want to play fast, but they won't devalue his shooting either. He would look really good in a lineup with LeBron IMO
Rondo KCP Ingram Lebron Lopez 2nd five Ball Hart Stephenson Kuzma McGee Should make for a pretty decent team
Lopez at the very least is better than Zubac. But it could be that he doesn't want to play just 15-20 minutes. Also his biggest strength which is scoring will not be featured and then he would be worthless because he is allergic to rebounds and hustle. Guys that sign one year deals want to get some prime time to "sell" themselves on the next contract. Maybe he doesn't want to be here with the changes. At the end of the day it's about their money.
The reason that Brook is not out there selling himself and teams are not listing him as a target is probably a couple of things. One is he's probably got an agreement with the Lakers already. 2 he's not in massive huge demand anyways though some teams could definitely use him. The silence around him tells me he waiting for something else to happen per our off-season i.e. "Let's see what you guys can do before I take a vet min or your remaining cap (if any)". Brook is that kind of guy. He loves being here. It is a little offensive to see the room exception go to Lance Stephenson before him though. Ok more than a little. His perimeter scoring ability is a huge + for us and will insure he gets at least as many minutes as last season (23.4) especially if he plays like he did with us post-break and there is no reason to suspect he won't with all the distributors on this team.
He's made a lot of bank in his career already, I believe his comment last season about ring chasing. Theres a few more dominoes waiting to fall and I think it all starts with Capela right now. Hopefully it gets done soon. Brook brings us more veteran stability and familiarity from last season. We don't need him to be a big rebounder, just box out your man. We can still play fast, he can be the trailing shooter. He can space the floor for whoever wants to play the post. We can dump it into him when we need a basket. Playing time might be the biggest hit he takes though.
