Lakers 2021 Off-season Ideas & Discussion (P. 2)

So last summer we lost DH3 and McGee. They both went on short deals to their teams but are probably FA's again this summer? Shall we just get the band back together?

Top possible FA's this summer I'd like to see us try for are Marcus Smart, or Kemba, depending which they let go. Bound to be one of them. That shooter from Detroit someone was talking about. I seriously doubt either Beal or Dame are realistic targets.

After that I've no idea. But we can look at DH3, Cousins, McGee. To replace Turtle. And hope AD gets a new trainer who encourages some stretching. Drummond didn't far well against larger 5's. And his much vaunted rebounding. basically his best skill, was all but gone here. I'd imagine he finds a new home.

Since it does seem very unlikely we get Dame and Beal, unless either says trade me to Lakers or I will not show and play for any other team, probably not gonna happen.

How do people feel about this trade though?

Kuzma, KCP, Montrezl for Westbrook.

I would never want Westbrook to be our main guy, but I think he would be an amazing 3rd star for us.

I would be okay with this deal.

I would do that in a heartbeat.

I wouldn't say that about Dame just yet... I know, optimism from the Debbie Downer. He has been nothing buy loyal to the Trail Blazers. If he want's to play in LA, he may be able to convince him that that is where he wants to go. We put together a descent package with what we have and make the deal happen. I think a lot of it has to do with where he wants to play. In all honestly, I think he stays put and tests free agency when he becomes one. TB's may be smart to make a deal happen or they will end up losing him for nothing. Just my thoughts on it.

But my understanding is to sign up our free agents first so that our cap will go up, then if the Lakers want to trade them, they can and at the same time with the cap going up the Lakers can make a better offer to a super star.

I am concerned on how much they are paying LeBron. Man this guy is already in the twilight of his career and can only play limited minutes, and as he gets older, the playing time will also decline. Maybe the Lakers should start looking for that third super star. But the only way to get that other super star is to raise the cap first.

Westbrook is 32 years old, so you know what that means. He will want a maximum contract and probably five years. Not a very good time to sign a aging super star. I agree he is still playing at a high level, but can he perform at that level up ahead?

I think what the Lakers should do is look for a players around 25 like a Cameron Payne age 26 who will be a 2021 / UFA. And his contract was something like 2 mil.

When I think about trading for Westbrook, I am not thinking about resigning him he has 2 years on his contract, 2nd year is player option but he would be stupid to turn down 47million. So I just see it as a 3rd star to help us win a title in the next couple of years. Nobody will give him a max contract 2 years from now, I think he will be closer to getting a MLE from teams on his contract.

Also we can't pay any UFA this summer really anything at least not compared to other teams. We have no cap space, we have 4 guys and Deng making 107mil of the 112mil cap space. Signing anyone this summer is not going to happen, other then someone maybe taking some kind of exception, but that player isn't going to win a a championship.

If AD and Lebron convince Beal to tell Wizards he would like to be traded to the Lakers, then I think we could get Beal easy. But that hinges on Beal basically doing what AD and klutch did, will he do that, maybe we don't know, but if he does we will get him. Kuz / KCP / THT / AC and some pics for Beal.

No team at least to my memory has every signed 3 UFA all star players, that just not how the math works. Allstar type players usually make at least 30% of the cap, have 3 of them that's 90% of cap. Lakers is will not out right sign another UFA all-star player until Lebron is gone. Any time you see 3 all star players on a team at least 1 of them was the team own draft pick or a trade.

I thought Deng had accepted a buy out from the Lakers. I did not know the Lakers were still paying him. If so that was a heist of the century against the Lakers. Lesson to be learned by the General Managers I guess.

Our team never seems to learn that lesson, about bad contracts. We make them all the time. Ie: 5 years for AD, instead of 2/3. You know he'll never get a 5 year again. Lakers are so 'desperate' for star power, they give these guys big bucks when they shouldn't. Like that $25mill they gave Kobe that hamstrung the team at the time. Dumb. Even now with a new GM, they did the same. It's a team culture thing? Which means it comes from on top. Thank you Jeannie. Imo a female should never run a team. Emotional decisions. And btw Kurt is a disaster. I hold him equally responsible. Whoever the fk thinks Kurt Rambis is a good executive are probably the same pple who thought he was a good coach. Again, it was an 'emotional' decision by Jeannie to hire him and his wife, who she's friends with. Same when she hired Magic. She's still trying to run it like a 'family' business. Against teams with serious business pple in charge who don't do that. And have been outfoxing us as a result for years.

It doesn't work financially, but hellz yah! I am a big Westy fan. And he's an LA boy. But I get the feeling he's happy in DC. Why would he leave? Would they burn the team and trade him AND Beal? You sure he'd want to share the rock with LBJ? LBJ would have to convince him he's ready to give up the ball and running the offense. If he does that, and WB wants to come, yes sir. However, remember LA is where good shooters come to die, so he might suck here lol. Just sayin'. If history repeats itself, it could get ugly.

Shepherd: It was Jim Buss and Kupchak that signed Deng with a four year contract without notifying Jennie what they were up to. Later she realized it was a big mistake by her brother and Mitch to have signed Deng and Mozgov and fired both men.

She then turned over the reins over to Magic thinking he would have brought the Lakers back from a disastrous hole, only to find out Magic could not take the pressure of the job and ended up quitting. LOL!

But I do not hold anything on Jennie for doing what has to be done, female women can do anything a man can. I have seen it being in management myself for many years, I saw women step right up to the challenge, and I am seeing it with my daughter being in high management positions with a company. So it is not Jennies fault, it was her brother and Cupcake that almost destroyed the organization.

Yeah and we can see how Mitch is doing a bang up job in Charlotte lol. But neither of them gave an injury prone AD a 5 year max. Nor did they give Kobe his last contract. Nor did they screw up bringing back players from last summer. I blame Kupcake and Dumbo for plenty, but not that.

I'm not saying females can't do a great job in business. But this is sports, not a more typical or office job. And so far Jeannie has demonstrated a penchant for bad decisions. Like bringing in family friends etc. All of which have resulted in catastrophe's. Like Rambis and his wife. Ughhhh. Like bad scouting (all relatives). Like a terrible coach of the G League team (Koby Karl, Mark Madsen??).

Our G League team is a joke btw. Last full season finished near the bottom of the pile. We have the worst shooting % in the G League. Ahem...remind us of anything?

Just sayin' looking deep into this organization, it's pretty flawed. And one woman is in charge.

Jenny is doing great. Why the fuzz about her? Why the deafening silence about her when the Lakers got the championship last season. So unfair to blame Lakers loss this season on her on circumstances beyond her control like the injuries of both her superstars AD and LBJ going into the last phase of the tournament. Lets just admit that this season is just not for the Lakers to be the champion and move on.

https://fadeawayworld.net/nba-trade-rumors/nba-rumors-los-angeles-lakers-can-land-russell-westbrook-for-3-players-and-2-draft-picks

We sure could have used Jordan Clarkson.

Lakers very flawed last season and outside the bubble wouldn't have won imo. I'm not ragging on Jeannie this season only, I've been ragging on her for years.

Let's not forget Russ is 32 and owed $92mill. So we'd be on the hook for $44 and $47mill over 2 years? I fail to see how those 3 players and a cple 2nd rounders financially make that possible. The 3 players earn $24 mill. Almost half of what Russ gets. But if it is, and he wants in, I'm all over it. What I think would probably happen tho, is he'd go to the Nets like everyone else, to finish his business with KD.

We could have used a lot of guys lol.

This is exactly the reason why the Lakers have to resign our own players. We can resign our own guys regardless of cap space, since we are not currently hard capped. For example let’s say we resigned our own players, our team salary could reach $160mil next year.

That Is legal as long as we are not hard capped like we were last year. Hard capped teams can only spend 136mil approx.

And if we resign all of our guys now we have 6 or 7 guys with contracts for more then 10mil that can be included in trades.

However there is one hitch in getting Westbrook’s this off-season though. We would need contracts right now to match his salary because when we resign our own players you can’t trade them a for a few months.

And currently we only have Kuz-13mil and KCP-13mil, which is not enough. We would need Montrezl to pick up his 10mil player option. To trade for Westbrook before the season. With out Montrezl contract we just can’t make the number work on his 41mil.

Exactly my point. That would be a tough get. But your point is well taken. We don't have the money to get a UFA big money guy, or even middle money guy(s) without resigning our players to trade. That will take time and perhaps not be easy. For example they may not agree. Esp knowing why. So it's a long road ahead, and I'm afraid by the time it gets worked out, it will be too late, and we'll be left with the same team or scraps off the heap. Again.

Well I am not so sure about that Shepherd. If LeBron and AD had not gotten hurt, I think the team would have gone deep into the playoffs. Reason is because when the season started, the Lakers were winning almost every game, then the Corona covid 19 hit and everything was protocol and one disruption after another, but the two critical points on the Lakers not winning anymore games as they were was that our two super stars had gone down and it disrupted the chemistry too much this past season. Vogel was changing lineups constantly. But I really think those disruptions on different lineups and who was starting as point guard is the reason why this team just could not get it together. Now saying all that and some hardcore fans are very disappointed with how the season ended for the Lakers we got to look at the big picture. And I believe that maybe some adjustments have to be made, but do not blowup the team. That would be the dumbest thing the Lakers could do. It takes a long time and luck finding the right combination of players to mesh together. It would be nice to get a good third option to replace an aging LeBron when he is in the bench resting, but don't try to pull a Magic Johnson idea like last season where he wanted to trade the whole team. I am hoping Pelinka and I think highly of him because before him Mitch and Jim were a disaster waiting to happen every move they would make. Pelinka is smart and lets give him a chance and see what moves he makes. I got to admit that getting Drummond I was expecting more out of him....

Yeah that’s a fair assessment about Jenny on the block. Lmao. But why the hell do you have Mrs Rambis in the inner circle of bb related decisions? That lady looks more like the senior producer for the Kardashians. Lol.

Problem is the team didn't mesh this season. And no one can shoot. Even our ft % is abysmal. Our 3pt shooting was one of the worst in the league. Kuzma never did much. By now he should be more consistent and useful, but no. Other role players didn't do much either, even given the chance when the stars went down. Most regressed, no one progressed. And dno't forget, regarding blowing up the team, hardly anyone is signed for next year. So no matter what half the team will get replaced. Or should. You want to roll with AC and Kuz and KCP again? Watch them disappear night after night? Or a moody Shroooder. Not me...

ROTFLMFAO!!!!! Good one Shep...another guy with my name hahahaha...

Imo the Rambis' involvement is a big part of the reason this team and FO have so many issues ongoing. Unfortunately "Jenny" doesn't see it. Yes I do know we won it all last year. AIso know they broke up the band last off season for silly reasons. Over mistakes. I also know this new team in 2021 didn't mesh, I also know several players on this team under performed. When you win the chip you can't rest on your laurels. If you do, guess what happens? Yes, 2021 happens.

So here is some possible good news for us and what moves we can make this summer. We as in the Lakers do not want to be Hard capped as team next year. We have 4 guys and Deng taking up 107mil, and hard capped last year was 136mil. So that’s 29mil to spend on 10 players, because hard cap you can’t go over for any reason at all.

Hard cap is trigged with using BAE, Full MLE or sign and trade. So I’ve been under the impression that we couldn’t do a sign and trade with Schroeder since it seem like he may not be back. I figured we had to let him walk for nothing or sign him and look to try and trade him before trade deadline.

But I was wrong, when it comes to sign and trade trigger a hard cap, that’s only for the team that is receiving a player that just sign their new deal. So for example is we did a sign and trade with Celtics. Where Schroeder for Kemba, Celtics would be hard capped, we would not since Kemba is already on his deal.

So basically if Schroeder is going we really need to attempt to do a sign and trade with him to get a player that is already on their current deal.

Kevin Love... Hmmmm. That is interesting.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/nba-rumors-4-best-buyout-candidates-for-the-los-angeles-lakers-this-summer/ar-AAKY5Jx?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531

Well Kevin Love is 32 years old and he used to be a pretty good shooter, but he never wanted to come to the Lakers. WHY? not sure, but now I guess the Lakers are interested on him and the Lakers are also very interested on Steven Adams to play the five spot.

I was looking at the list of UFA for the coming season, and man there are many players. A lot of players over thirty I notice.

To KLove...hell no! Another injury prone guy with a bad attitude. I like Ray's idea of S+T Shroooder. If we can find someone interested. I suggested Smart or Walker before, and I would be interested in those guys. I wished we'd gotten Kemba before from CHAR. However, chances of Boston dealing with us is hard to say. Now that Kevin is out, maybe? Gonna have to convince Kemba or Smart they won't be 3rd fiddle tho.

I would definitely consider him....if we are planning on recommissioning the tank next year. Lol.

He’s proven to be a worthy tank commander with the cavs post LBJ.

Kemba is very real option for us to get. He has made it very clear he wants out of Boston and Celtics are already over the cap next season with guaranteed contracts. So it’s not like they can just trade Kemba and sign a 3rd max player. They must convince a team to take a huge contract in Kemba who was injured on and off all year. How good of return are they going to get for an over paid injured Kemba?

Main thing is Schroeder would have to agree to the sign and trade to Celtics. So we will see.

Yes Kemba has an injury history, esp recently. His trade value is down atm. But, is he a better option for us than Smart or Shrooder? In CHAR he was a great payer. I so wanted him to come to the Lakers before he went to Boston. and I think we could have had him, except for the Glitch and Dumbo show. Is it too late now? Is he damaged goods?

Shroooder is reputed to be the fastest player in the NBA. But dayum he doesn't move well laterally, that's another thing that always has to be considered, in a straight line is one thing, basketball moves side to side most of the time. And even in a straight line he got torched by the Suns guards. So I'm not sure if that's real or hype.

What's with you and 'the tank'? Why would we go from winning the chip to tanking in 2 years? With AD and LBJ onboard? You think they'd tolerate that? KLove was a UCLA guy so everyone thought he'd want to play here, but never did for whatever reason. Maybe he knows the LA media too well. Maybe he doesn't like the spotlight. A lot of guys would rather be a big fish in a small pond.

No tank. No tank. No tank.

LMAO!!!!

Looks like there is some mutual interest between the lakers and lonzo ball. LBJ has been connecting with him/ sending feelers. It sure appears that Schroeder is a goner. It would definitely give us another floor general and relieve some of the burden from LBJ. Schroeder came up short in that role, as he was invariably looking to “get his.”

Defensively, Zo would be an upgrade over Schroeder. I’m down for this, if at all this gains some steam down the line.

I’d wish he was more assertive with the ball in his hands. For someone with all the tools and potential, he plays incredibly passive. I think having Zo back would be fine but Dennis at least provided another scoring option. Do we trust Zo to have Rookie Herro levels of confidence with the ball? It’d be a great story and would be really fun to follow with my pessimism for the following seasons in mind.

Lonzo isn’t really an option for us, at least not this off season. We don’t have money to just sign him out right and Lakers would be stupid to sign and trade for him and get hard capped next season. We have to much money tied up in 4 guys to be hard capped.

I don’t think Lonzo is realistic for us.

Kemba or Smart is the most doable. I'm sure there's other names, but those 2 seem like a god fit and are out the door in Boston. Have to watch who else comes up. Ray, in such a case do the Lakers sign now and trade later? Or does a S+T have to be done simultaineously

Just the messenger. Thought it was an interesting read. To be the devils advocate, I did like Kevin Love in his prime. If we could get that dude, I would be interested. Someone mentioned that he never wanted to be a Laker and it made me think of something. There are a lot of players that have no interest in ever wearing purple and gold. That is, until they reach the age of 62 and are looking for a place to cash a check. It is super annoying.

LMAO!!! So true! The Lakers as a retirement village hahahaha.

Footnote...holy crap, I just noticed I joined this site 12 years ago! I really gotta get a life hahahaa..

Why would the Lakers want Ball, the man was here already and could not even make a shot that went in. He has the worst mechanics I have ever seen on a professional NBA player. Schoeder is superior over Ball as a point guard. The problem on a couple of games with Schoeder was that he was unhappy with the organization and would not give him what he wanted as far as a contract number. But as far as skill, he is a very good point guard.

The main problem with the Lakers is LeBron James wanting to be the point guard and any other spot that puts him in the lime light. He wants to be the MAN all the time and that just does not work once you are an old athlete. The brain says YES, but the body does not react anymore. LeBron should let Schoeder be the point guard and he should be the forward and things would work much better. Not so many turn overs. Bradley had the same problem with LeBron and I really believe that is why he did not want to play with the Lakers in the Bubble. He made up other excuses, but he knew LeBron wanted to be the main man.

Kemba is a good player, but he is another AD. Do we want another glass man?

What the Lakers really need to do is to work on getting the cap up. We are something like forty million dollar difference to some teams. I wish the Lakers had gone after Reggie Jackson and many other players that were available, but the cap restricted the Lakers and most of the budget is tide up with LeBron and AD.

I just wonder why all of a sudden K Love wants to come and play with the Lakers. Is it time for a big contract and then retire like Nash, Deng and others have done to the Lakers???? Just a thought!

2010 for me. I don't know how you guys get some many votes and posts. I can see how Pete can. He makes a post on every play during the game. Not meant to be an insult.

Early years pple used to vote a lot. But nobody does anymore. But LSD could probably add some insight into that one. I was personally way more active back then than now as well. There used to be mods and what not. Now not that I know of.

We should have also signed D Rose for cheap, as many here including me suggested. Sometimes I really think we'd all run this team better than they do.

As for KLove coming to LA? I don't know where that came from, but I'm a solid no on that front. He's too slow and too injury prone, and takes too many nights off. We need good atittude guys who want to exert their will and win. Not more whiners. The Mamba mentality has not rubbed off on this team. Pity that...

Dude I got 20 votes which is nothing. I never joined this site for the votes period. As I said previously on another thread, game day thread IMO was to actually respond as if you're actually at the game which is what I do. There are plenty of threads you can have personal discussions on like this one. As you stated, not meant to be an insult.

But, there's no more games, so...

Exactly so now you guys can go back and forth about what Lakers should and should not do....Have fun.

i still would want to retain Morris because of his veteran presence still perfect 10th-11th guy off the bench plus he has shown his commitment to this team after the exit. THT- probably because of his upside & potential. Mclemore- cheap & great shooter. Wes- tough defender & he has shown laker heart. everybody can go except Bron & AD. Caruso- can stay if he can come Vet min but i doubt it.

for the frontcourt i'm intrigued with Myles Turner to pair up AD. he can stretch the floor plus he is really great Rim protector. Kuzma rumors to Detroit is picking up in swap with Jerami Grant a solid 2 way player plus 1st pick & 2nd rd swap. now, we just need a floor general or a solid point guard. Does westbrook really fit with Bron & AD? its intriguing but that will be a really huge lineup: . Derozan is also a great option for Sign & Trade.

Turner

AD

Grant

Lebron

Westbrook/Derozan

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I would take Westbrook over Derozan. Westbrook is a very aggressive player. But at $41,358,814 contract for next season, then 44 plus for 21/22 and 47 plus for 22/23? I think the Lakers should keep Schroeder, I think he wants to take the 84 mil now.

I agree that the Lakers should retain Morris as a back up power forward.

Seems like the Sun are going to eliminate the Nuggets tonight. They are playing some good ball. Crowder, Booker and Ayton are a force. And I never thought Chris Paul had it anymore, but man was I wrong. If only David Stern had kept his nose out of the trade the Lakers had made for CP-3. Lakers probably would have won another championship.