Alex Kennedy interviews Larry Sanders. He's got Lakers season tickets... Just sayin'. http://www.basketballinsiders.com/qa-larry-sanders-explains-break-from-nba/
He had a career average of 6.5 points/ 5.8 rebounds/ and 1.8 blocks in 20 minutes of playing time, but he was an up and coming guy. His best season he averaged just under 10 points, just under 10 rebounds, and just under 3 blocks per game in 27.3 minutes (it's actually 9.8/9.5/2.8). He spent most of that season coming off the bench too. Then he had a couple injury issues I can't remember, then he failed two marijuana tests, then he left basketball taking a huge buy out.
Great read. I have faith in the "flake". Sounds like a very mature human being. Let's not shame the guy for taking care of his mental health and acknowledging that he has other legitimate interests outside of basketball. I wouldn't give him a huge contract, but I could honestly see him being a better signing than Whiteside.
I think Whiteside will be better than him, but I think Sanders could find a role as a backup somewhere and if someone strikes early he can be a cheap backup too.
He talks about the "right situation" for him. I don't know if I want him, but we kind of feel like the right situation. A young team that needs a center. Los Angeles has a lot of art and culture. The problem is he probably is worthless at this point on the court. I thought the contract he signed was insane before any of these off court things happened. Taking two years off or whatever it is...he will be rusty and likely a tiny upgrade over Sacre.
From what I've heard he's still got some game left in him. Remember he's still pretty young. I'd say he probably needs time to get back in shape, but with the right team he could make a good impact. And yeah I agree LA seems like a natural fit for him. There's plenty of art culture here for him, he lives here, he's from here, he's got the season tickets... Good fit. I'd say he's worth a small 1+1 contract with a team option on the second one. Maybe even a 2+1 contract if he shows well in workouts. The Lakers would probably offer the 1+1 player option though which is how they get guys like Bass to sign here.
He could be a good fit as that 3rd free agent after our two max slots. I could also see us giving him a Jordan Hill type deal (a lot up front, but it's team option on the second year) in the event we strike out everywhere in free agency because we will need to get to the cap floor. Sanders is obviously a smart guy, and he knows teams will need to sign people just to get to that floor. He can probably get 10 million next offseason if he's patient.
It all depends on what he looks like in workouts. There's some NBA guys that vouch for him, but he'll have to prove it.
Yeah, I didn't even think of the obvious rust he must have from a basketball perspective. But I had him on a fantasy team a few years ago and he was a beast, so IF he can demonstrate that he's near that level and really wants to play basketball again (and it seems like he does), he COULD end up emerging the same way Whiteside did. Whiteside didn't really step away from basketball, but at a point he seemed like a bust destined to be an over seas player, and then things just lined up and he was in a perfect situation. Personally, I still have concerns about Whiteside. I mean I know I shouldn't be judging the guy, especially because I honestly haven't even had the chance to pay attention to the Lakers as much as I would like this year yet alone a random team like the Heat, but my gut tells me he might be a contract year kind of player.
