Mitch's 30-70 Ratio...It's Time

Earlier this month Mitch Kupchak talked about ratios. He said that the job of The General Manager is to be "realistic". That he and The Lakers start out the season 80% focused on the current season. But at the same time 20% on the future. He goes on to say that if they have a chance to win a Championship in the current season, they can sacrifice the next year to a certain extent. And that the ratio changes as the season progresses. From 60-40 in December. To 50-50 in January. To 30-70 in February looking to the future. He said that it's "his job to have the future of the organization on his mind".

Well guess what Mitch? February is here! And it's time to follow your own advice. This season is over! PERIOD! We are officially at your "30-70" part of the season that you spoke about earlier this month. So now it's time to "do your job" as you said in that Q&A.

The Lakers would have to win 29 of their next 36 games to make the playoffs. And that's if 45 wins is enough to make that final playoff spot.

...Nuh, Uh! Not happening. The odds of that happening are slim to none. And as Chick use to say "And slim just left the building"!

The Lakers need to throw in the towel and have a fire sale. There is no way the team is going to be able to afford to keep Pau Gasol, Steve Blake, Jordan Hill, and Chris Kaman next season �" not if the Lakers want to sign a max contract free agent this summer or next, when Kevin Love could become an unrestricted free agent. Mitch said earlier there was a point in the season where the focus needs to shift from the present to the future. Fortunately or unfortunately, depending upon your point of view, that time has now definitely arrived.

With the trading deadline three weeks away and the return of the several of the Lakers injured players looming, the Lakers front office needs to act decisively now to guarantee that the team does not blow this once in a generation opportunity to get a top three pick in what may be the best draft in decades, including center Joel Embiid, point guard Dante Exum, and small forward Andrew Wiggins.

Making sure a suddenly healthy Lakers squad does not squander this opportunity for a top three pick should be Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchak’s primary goal. To do that, they need to trade their veteran players for young talent, draft picks, or financial relief. With the trade deadline approaching, the Lakers should be able to find eager buyers for Pau Gasol, Chris Kaman, Jordan Hill, and Steve Blake.

What the Lakers receive in return really doesn’t matter because there is no way they can re-sign any of these players for next year anyways. The true return for trading them will come in the form of Joel Embiid, Andrew Wiggins, Dante Exum, Jabari Parker etc..

This draft IS a once in a generation opportunity for the Lakers to set us up for the next great Laker team. I think Embiid is the top player followed by Jabari Parker, then Wiggins and Exum. That is why this draft is so special, these could be 4 HOF caliber players and Julius Randle, Marcus Smart, and Vonleh are also great prospects. I’ve watched more NCAA ball then I ever have this year like a scout with my mind and heart always on the Lakers………. I just can’t endure to watch the Lakers because my heart cheers for the win when my mind cheers for them to lose.

Sad to admit... but I agree. Mitch pick up the phone and start making moves. Statistically speaking, this season is over.

Wouldn't hurt to trade Nash, Blake, Kaman, Young, Pau or Henry if it could get us something for the future.

TRADE GASOL NASH, KAMAN and BLAKE... then WAIVE NASH...

IF NOT ... Don't Re-sign Kaman and Blake and GASOL

The best thing that can happen is TWC can cancel its deal and the Buss family officially votes on Jimmy's leadership.

If the family can issue a vote of no confidence in the management, they might just offer Jimmy's job to the best candidate.

And I think it's our job as fans, being the real stake-holders in this team need to reach out to them via social media or a petition to do exactly.

We all know Phil Jackson has been itching at the idea of running basketball operations for a while and I think he should get a fair chance.

We also need to give Jerry West a large enough contract to be General Manager and pry him away from the Warriors.

We need a real class act like Jerry West to lure the big name FA's coming up in the next few offseasons (LBJ, Melo, Kevin Love, Westbrook, Durant).

Boot D'antoni out of LA. Hire a guy known for developing young talent and team chemistry like Larry Brown or Lionel Hollins or George Karl.

They're itching for work and have the resumes to back their ideas up.

We need a revolution folks. It's becoming increasingly clear that this management can not wake up.

I'm pretty sure the process has started already. We all know kobe by now and if he really had to play RIGHT NOW he would... He's now out for another three weeks which would

take him put for most of February and by then well... We all know where well be. I feel good about our chances at a bottom 5 finish, possibly 4.

I don't understand the hate for Jordan Hill. Maybe you guys got off Gasol and he is next in line but he has the second highest rebound rate for a pf. Has a PER of 19.16 where 15 is average in the NBA.

For 20mins per game which is what he averages there is NOT a better PF coming off the bench in the NBA. Add into that, his deal is very cap friendly what else do you guys want?

If there's hate for Jordan Hill then surely it's misguided. He's a keeper.

I have noticed that myself. Maybe some fans feel he will probably run for the hills (no pun intended) once this season is over and figure let's just trade him.

Hill should be resigned and given a nice raise for his hardwork and dealing with a coach who does not know how to utilize him. I take that statement back, D'Antoni does know how to utilize him, but if he used him more that might cause the team to be in a position to win more and we know Admiral Antoni has to keep the tank movin'.

I really would love Hill to stay, everyone keeps throwing other names, but this kid brings toughness and rebounds and with all that glitz and glamour fans want, a lunch pale kind of player like Hill is just as important going forward, as any other player.

This team will never be healthy enough to "ruin" chances at a top tier lotto pick. I won't be mad if Gasol plays out the year and then LAL renounces his contract. This years ratio was always 0 on this season and 100 on the future. Auditioning current 1 year deals has nothing to do with success of the 13-14 season. No fire sale needed because this team stinks on its own. No need for tanking when you already stink right? Unless we are trading for trade exceptions or picks there is really no point in moving bad players from a team that everyone wants to remain bad.

So we trade Nash but then yet after the trade waive Nash?

I too like the way Hill has played. High intensity, high effort. He needs to get consistent on offense. When someone like Serge Ibaka can develop offensive consistency in under two years, you wonder why someone like Hill is progressing at a slower rate. I think it is mostly to do with Kobe's selfish court presence, but this year that excuse can't be made.

So I'd keep Hill. I just marginalize his upside. I don't think he will ever be a 20-10 guy. He's more of a 8-10 guy.

birna, Yeah. I hear you. This has been the toughest season in a very long time to be a Laker fan. I find myself having an internal battle each game. My heart still can't root against the team that I love. But my mind sees the benefits of losing. I keep reminding myself that having a top pick in this draft could land us a future Hall of Famer. But I'm not use to this. We are doing our best Cleveland Cavalier impression this year. And it feels awkward. JJCali, The writing is on the wall so to speak. Mitch said that he would "do his job" if The Lakers were out of the playoff race in February. Well the time is now. Time for Mitch to focus on next year (the future) like he said that he would. And like you said if that is the focus, he should try to trade some of these 7 veteran players for draft picks, young talent and/or quality free agents. klauztrophobic, The Lakers are in big trouble if they lose the Time Warner deal. Jimmy would get ousted quickly by his sister and other brothers. But I don't think that's a good idea. Who that affects the most are us fans. And I'm still hoping that Jimmy and Mitch right the ship. They are on a 2 year very short leash. LakerBloodNoDoubt, Yes your right, Mitch said it earlier this month, they are going by ratios. And we are at 30-70 per Mitch as we speak. I too hope that Phil Jackson gets a chance to show what he can do in the Front Office. Jerr West too. But I think his best case scenario would be in a consultant position like he is with The Warriors. Whatever happens Jimmy needs to be more like his father....

West is getting pretty old for this young man's game. But as long as we are dreaming, Pat Riley could do just as well as West, if he could be pried away from Miami (which I seriously doubt).