Espn - Kupchak: 21-win Lakers "can Get Better Quickly"

Discussion in 'Lakers Discussion' started by ElginTheGreat, Apr 17, 2015.

  1. Savory Griddles

    Savory Griddles Moderator Staff Member

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    What about both? Hear me out. Kobe has a year left, and then we will have a gap at sg, which Middleton can (and does) play. Kobe will also likely miss 30 games next season and will also be on a minutes restriction. If we can get get some luck and draft Towns or Okafor, draft Upshaw at 27, and sign Middleton to 13 million, we have the below:

    Okafor/Upshaw/Black
    Randle/Black/Kelly
    ?/Middleton/Young
    Kobe/Middleton/Brown
    Clarkson/Room Exception/G. Lucas

    Ideally you unload Young in some sort of trade. Maybe Swaggy and our two second rounders for a trade exception. But even with him, that team above equals about 57 million. That is probably enough room to grab Carroll to slide in at the starting sf role. That way we have both our wing positions very secure for the future and in the case of the inevitable Kobe injury, we're good. I think talking Middleton into playing sixth man extraordinaire where he will start in year two would be an easy sell. That team is very young. Has a little veteran leadership and deep.
     
  2. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    Alright here's the issues:

    1. While I'd like Middleton, I find him unlikely. I was and in some ways still am hopeful that a deal can be made where the Bucks won't match, but I'm not sold.
    2. Upshaw won't be available at #27. Drafts have him moving up already to the top/mid 20s range. With the #27 pick you're probably going to reach on someone like Luwawu or Lucas. Guys who are likely projects, but have NBA bodies.
    3. We only have 1 second rounder now. The Clippers won (lost?) enough games to keep us from getting the late 2nd rounder. Now we have the Top 5, #27, and #34.
    4. If we get Okafor and then sign Carroll, I'm probably going to sign a solid back-up PG (hello Mo Williams or more likely Rondo...). Probably bring back Davis, then save any remaining cash for next season to throw at Durant and whomever else.

    Clarkson/Williams/Price
    Bryant/Ellington/Brown
    Carroll/Young/Luwawu
    Randle/Black/Kelly
    Okafor/Davis/Dakari Johnson

    Full deck, I know, but you can cut or move whomever you'd like to make it work. Carroll won't cost more than 12 million. If you're willing to go long-term on Mo Williams he won't cost more than 5 million. Davis for 4/20 million. There's not a ton left, but give it to Ellington. Move forward with this team. They've got veterans, youth, size, and athleticism. They may not make the playoffs next season, but they'll have a puncher's chance at it. They'll grow.

    Then the next summer you go all in on Durant, slide Carroll around wherever. Maybe look for more size if you need to, grab some more depth on the wing.
     
  3. Savory Griddles

    Savory Griddles Moderator Staff Member

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    I have not seen any mock drafts projecting Upshaw in the mid to early 20's. Most have him at 30 or in the second round.

    Still, even with that being said, it all fits even with Young on the roster. I also find Middleton unlikely. I'm just saying we CAN go after both.

    As for backup pg, I know we would all like Mo Williams, but I honestly believe he may be about as unlikely as Middleton. He's never won a ring before. We wouldn't likely offer him anything more than 5 million a season (we absolutely shouldn't either), which is about the MLE. This means that almost anyone in the league can sign the guy. We can't really "outbid" anyone. So if you're Mo Williams, why spend your last couple productive years backing up Clarkson on a team that will likely miss the playoffs next season and MAY make it the season after? With the front office cooling on Rondo, I definitely see a scenario where our pg rotation is Clarkson/Price/Lucas with Kobe giving us some spot duty there.
     
  4. therealdeal

    therealdeal Moderator Staff Member

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    Here's the link that shows him going higher and I agree with it. Then again NBAdraft.net has him going 50 to the Hawks?... I tend to trust DE more.

    I think they key to getting Mo would be offering more years. How many teams are going to offer a 32 year old journeyman a four year deal (or a 3 year deal with a player option on the 4th)? I can't think of many who would. Now sure he'd be taking the money over the chance to win, but it'd take a leap of faith on his part. He's already taken the money in some spots, he's settled for playing on bad teams before. Personally I don't see anyone offering him a long-term contract even after the solid year he's had. IF we nail down other pieces, I think we could come to him and say "be the guy that runs our 2nd unit and keeps our clock ticking there's plenty of minutes for you and we have a plan to be competitive very soon"... It's a good pitch. Solid and guaranteed minutes on a rising team, the chance to play in LA, and long-term cash? It's a good pitch.

    That being said, you're probably right. If we don't end up with Rondo, I could see us having to settle for Price... I like Price, but we'll never be competitive with him leading our bench unit.

    Keep in mind though Mo's contract this season is only 3.965 million dollars. Who's going to give him a raise and long-term money? I think there's a shot there... I don't know if Mitch takes it, but there's a shot there. Otherwise you're looking at Rodney Stuckey, Aaron Brooks, Jose Barea, CJ Watson, Gary Neal (more of an undersized SG), and Shane Larkin... Not much inspiration there.
     

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