In summer league, Frazier did not have his best showing, shooting only 26.3% from the field while missing all of his three point field goal attempts (0-11). His lack of elite size for a shooting guard and his struggles from the field in Vegas likely contributed to a team not yet inking him to a contract, but considering the small sample and his body of work at UF, the Lakers are likely betting that his potential as a shooter and ability to develop his playmaking skills further warrants a better look. Considering the Lakers’ lack of shooting and the need to always mine and hoard that skillset in the pros, this is a gamble worth taking if you’re the Lakers. If he doesn’t pan out, all the team is out is a small sum of guaranteed cash. If he can challenge Jabari Brown, though, and show enough as a floor spacing shooter who looks like he’s able to be another combo-type of guard who can handle the ball some while also playing off other playmakers who create good looks for him, this small investment could pay off. Time will tell if Frazier ends up being camp fodder or something bigger. But the Lakers continue to add to their roster, looking for more pieces they can potentially develop. http://www.forumblueandgold.com/201...-to-contract-with-udfa-guard-michael-frazier/
Why not a freaking pure point guard at least if they are looking smaller than Upshaw? Doesn't Lou Williams and Jabari's minutes in the D league AND in the NBA kind of alleviate the need for another gawddamed 2 guard? A short "undrafted" 2 guard at that. At worst scenario they have these guys, Bryant and Young, on the team that can probably fill in some minutes reasonably well in a pinch if needed. OK, I have composed myself. But this "seems" more "bigger" money committed than needed (from my armchair GM seat)...... for "camp fodder".
I have no interest in signing Upshaw to a contract if he can't stay clean for 10 days. Are you guys serious? A kid with admitted addiction issues who couldn't keep it together even for a moment? He said it was his dream and after the wake up call of not getting drafted be still screwed it up somehow. That's not a 2nd chance that's two schools and 30 NBA "no thank you"s later. I don't want him if he's not mature enough to earn it. As for Frazier, seems like mostly camp fodder. Sounds like a Jabari-esque player. We have a Jabari already. Should help build up the farm though.
By signing all these guys to non-guaranteed deals, when they get cut before the season, we hold their rights and can send them to the d-fenders and they get paid in the 100k range instead of the 10k range.
I'd take Upshaw over all the other camp fodder we've signed, and I'd take the Upshaw of the Summer League over Jabari, over Kelly, and over Sacre.
No. However, we know he had a deal in place in Summer League, the Lakers had finished Summer League, and the deal although reported has done was and has never been inked? So, what transpired to give the Lakers pause on their end to outright sign Upshaw? I have no idea. Pincus said something did happen, though, on the day off the Lakers had in Vegas. We're just going to have to see how this goes. On another note, the Lakers have signed Holmes, Frazier, and potentially Upshaw. Those are 3 guys that maybe developed down the line and could turn into rotation players. They've done a fantastic job picking up talent that went undrafted, IMO.
I'm not sure any of the listed are NBA players on a real team. I am curious what you saw in Upshaw that has you this interested. I didn't see anything special at all. He's had some limited success in college but his position is the least translatable to the Pros. He has some long arms and can block some shots but the rest of his game (highlights and the summer league) was not really all that impressive and the competition is absolutely nothing compared to the regular season.
Upshaw when in shape is a beast, he was considered one of the top centers statistically and per 40mins better than towns defensively. He just needs to get in shape
Upshaw ran the floor well, played good man-to-man defense against two elite prospects, and showed some semblance of a post game. Coupled with his shot altering and screen-setting, he's good enough to be in the NBA. For what it's worth, I've watched every clip I could find of him online, from college through to training. I've seen more of his offensive game than he has shown in a game setting. His scouting profile is a Jekyll and Hyde. No one scouting him has ever denied his potential - or even his talent. NBA Draft.net puts his player comparison at Tree Rollins/Patrick O'Bryant. One of them put in a decade of quality starting basketball, averaging 7/7 with 3 blocks, leading the league in block% three times, in defensive rating once, and showing enough that his closest player comparison is Elden Campbell (on BBRef). He was a two-time All-D member. The other (O'Byrant) didn't really have an NBA career. That's pretty common in terms of a scouting report on the guy. That's not what people are saying about a lot of players - all-D or fizzle out.
I think we're all we established on the Upshaw front that he's super talented and also super disappointing off-the-court. Let's get back on this Michael Frazier kid in this thread!
I think Frazier will spend almost all of his time in the D-League this year, but I like the flexibility of having him under contract for the next two years on a team friendly contract. If he catches our attention and performs well in D-League action, call him up. I don't think he beats out J. Brown in this training camp. I do think if he works hard he has a place in this league. Maybe even possibly replacing Young if he gets moved or waived next year .
