What's not not to like in that article(?), with the skill we have on this team and size and physicality and athleticism? Of course experience. But our young guys are not "typical" young guys. All three are potential or eventual alpha dogs, even if at some level of course far below Kobe. Most alpha dogs in the league's history had great careers, not as great as Kobe's of course. He was an almost carbon copy skills wise, dominance and mentally of Michael freaking Jordan, the best ever. Kobe's still here if healthy, to do what he, like Russell, "figures out" with how to beat you, and these other alpha dogs if true, at any level are welcome. 3 of them, PLUS Kobe out there. Shock the world baby. Just squeak us in at 8th. I don't think that is so unlikely or guaranteed not to happen at all. I think most of the max 36 wins opinions are figuring, with good likelihood, that like last 3 years we don't catch the perfect luck with minimal injuries to key players type of season. Kobe especially is being thought of as 90% or whatever likelihood of breaking again and missing a third of the season, or just that's it, end of his career.
Serious question: If we move guys down to d-league, does that open up roster spots for us to sign others? Let's say we move Nance/Brown down. Do we then retain their roster spots for other players? Because without any of our random signs, we are at 13 players (I'm counting Black as guaranteed). Which means we can only sign 2 guys. That means only 2 out of Huertas, Upshaw, and Jabari Brown, Holmes and Frazier. D'angelo Russell Jordan Clarkson Kobe Bryant Brandon Bass Roy Hibbert Julius Randle Lou Williams Nick Young Tarik Black (not guaranteed) Anthony Brown Larry Nance Jr. Ryan Kelly Robert Sacre Scary that we only have 5 veterans on this squad, 2 of which are Nick Young and Lou Will. And the other 3 aren't on next year's roster.
No, if the Lakers send Nance and Brown to the D-League they still count as taking up a roster spot because they have contracts with the Lakers. If a player is solely signed with the D-Fenders then they don't. However, we can designate up to 4 players cut from training camp as "affiliate players", which means they don't go into the D-League draft and can only sign with the D-Fenders. This is likely what will happen with Holmes and Frazier, and potentially Upshaw as well. The nice part about this is that teams who make training camp cuts "affiliate players" can keep them in house so to speak, as the D-League teams tend to run similar sets as their parent team. Teams usually negotiate deals like this ahead of training camp, and agreeing to be affiliate players and not go overseas is likely why Holmes and Frazier got 100k and 50k guaranteed on their deals. So training camp cuts won't take up a roster spot and could end up on the D-Fenders to get more experience, but the downside is that players on D-League deals are eligible to sign with any NBA team, which means that should Frazier, Holmes, Upshaw, or whoever blow up in the D-League it's possible that another team could steal them away from the Lakers.
While true, I think we've bought first rights and have a verbal agreement that they won't bolt without giving us a chance to sign them -- hence the guaranteed money all these guys are getting. Don't think Mitch would hand that out without some sort of understanding with these guys.
It's my understanding that we'd still hold their rights even if we "revert" them to the D-League. So Holmes, Frazier, and Upshaw are all probably going to be in the D-League along with Anthony Brown and Larry Nance Jr. The difference is the latter two have guaranteed deals and are counted as roster spots. The others are on non-guaranteed deals and don't count as roster spots... That was my understanding, but I could be totally and completely wrong.
Phew! ... thank you. That would seem common sense but with me personally wanting an Upshaw who is healthy and ready to go, on the roster, I was getting nervous again with what Trevor was saying. Upshaw's the last piece, then boot Sacre. Metta next to last piece if in tip top shape, then boot Kelly. :Yes:
I wouldn't say Upshaw is ready to go just yet. He still has to make some big strides in his conditioning and committing to his word in staying mentally healthy as well.
Not what I said at all. I said I really really really want "an Upshaw who is healthy and ready to go". And I don't want to worry about some other team snatching him if he is looking good to very good in D League.
Yes exactly, that's what part of the $ is likely for. However, if another team comes calling and the Lakers don't have a spot they could leave. But common courtesy is Lakers have right of first refusal.
I'm not sure it's just courtesy, I think it's a rule almost like RFA where the Lakers get first dibs on the player as long as they make room on the official roster. If Dallas wanted him, they'd have to ask first is basically the way I see it.
I could be wrong, my understanding was that players signed to D-League teams are free to sign with any NBA team without restriction, but I'll have to look into it.
Did a little research Trevor, I think we're both kind of right: After Training Camp the teams waive players that won't make their official roster. Those waived players becoming NBA Free Agents and can be claimed/signed by any NBA team. IF they clear waivers, they can be placed onto the team's D-League roster where the Lakers get the first shot to call them up.
yeah, lakers have first dibs on d-league, but that means very little, as the player can be snatched up by anyone if he's not under contract with the big boy club.
He may be a Euro but that is one nice resume and body of work to now have on our roster. Telling you .... he and Russell are going to feed off each other in the assists and passing skills areas. Especially if Nash is in the mix. And like his size 6'3" .... another big guard. Do it Guards!!
A little surprising he'd leave Europe for that. I think there's more to it than what's on the contract. Unless he just bombs in training camp and pre season, I think he's here for all 82.
