181 replies to this topic

[DanishLakerFan]

Love may not make it back until early or mid-April, and he's a bad defensive player.

Lopez is a bad defender.

Both of those guys would be nice if we didn't need a defensive anchor, but that's not how things are for us.

Al Horford is an option, no doubt about it. Tyson Chandler could be.

I still think we risk it, though, because he's a superstar. Horford and Chandler are all-stars, at best, and we're going to need someone to build around soon...and I just don't think Howard passes up on an extra $30 million to sign with another team.

Horford and Chandler are not guys we build around, but rather guys that would help maximize the final years of the Kobe-era.
Also, Lopez is an improved defender and Love is actually good when playing the 5 (at least according to 82games) and he is a guy who we can build around.
I think losing Dwight for nothing is unacceptable. But obviously, if Mitch and Jimbo get the feeling when talking to Dwight that he will resign, then go for it. I just dont think he wants to be the second option, which he will be going forward. Kobe isn't retiring after next season, regardless of what he's been saying and as long as Kobe is in LA, he will be the man.
Also, Dallas is a really good fit for Dwight with shooters like Mayo, Collison and Dirk.

BTW, if we did get Lopez or Love we could flip Gasol for a defender like Anderson Varejao.
Imagine a Varejao-Love frontcourt with Hill of the bench. Who would ever get a rebound against us?

Edited by DanishLakerFan, January 31, 2013 - 11:05 PM.

[LakerGeezer]

I may live to eat my words but I think there is zero chance of a trade of Howard. The Lakers didnt trade for him to flip him to another team after a few months. They knew the back injury would take time to heal so the diminished production should not be a surprise.

If they trade him, what was the point in acquiring him in the first place?

[Japago]

It's a long shot, but the Lakers should go after Deron Williams. The Nets are willing to trade a lot for Dwight because he would be guaranteed to re-sign there, Deron has been kind of disappointing since he's been there, and the Nets are locked into a good but not great team financially right now.

Edited by Japago, February 01, 2013 - 07:10 PM.

[CueTheRain]

It's a long shot, but the Lakers should go after Deron Williams. The Nets are willing to trade a lot for Dwight because he would be guaranteed to re-sign there, Deron has been kind of disappointing since he's been there, and the Nets are locked into a good but not great team financially right now.

Deron signed for a 5 year maximum deal, and he is clearly already on the decline. We will be absolutely screwed a-la Joe Johnson style if we acquire him, even more so if Dwight never heals.

[Japago]

Deron signed for a 5 year maximum deal, and he is clearly already on the decline. We will be absolutely screwed a-la Joe Johnson style if we acquire him, even more so if Dwight never heals.

I think it's more him not fitting in than him physically declining. He pretty much struggled as soon as he was traded to the Nets. He was still good earlier that season when he was with the Jazz. He's also still young enough that I think he'll bounce back.

[DanishLakerFan]

I may live to eat my words but I think there is zero chance of a trade of Howard. The Lakers didnt trade for him to flip him to another team after a few months. They knew the back injury would take time to heal so the diminished production should not be a surprise.

If they trade him, what was the point in acquiring him in the first place?

Lakers front office knew that this would be an issue - Dwight being able to leave. I didn't think they expected that we could make a strong championship run this year and then hoped that Dwight would walk away from Los Angeles, extra money and a championship team. However, with the struggles we've seen this year, the situation is different. We may not get to the playoffs, and if we do we might get swept by OKC. Dwight doesn't like out coach and everything that can go wrong have gone wrong.

I think that there is a chance he walks, and i think if we keep declining that chance becomes too great. In addition to the risk, there is also some people who think Dwight will struggle with injuries going forward which also should be taken into consideration.

IMO the only thing that is unacceptable is losing Dwight for nothing. If Mitch and Jimbo think they can get him to stay. Fine. But if they have doubts, then they should see if they could land K-Love.

[lakerfan0307]

I think it's more him not fitting in than him physically declining. He pretty much struggled as soon as he was traded to the Nets. He was still good earlier that season when he was with the Jazz. He's also still young enough that I think he'll bounce back.

DWill is a better first option point guard than a team player point guard. When he was with Utah he was practically their first option (along with Boozer). DWill has been struggling to find his rhythm with quality teammates.

[Majesty]

DWill is a better first option point guard than a team player point guard. When he was with Utah he was practically their first option (along with Boozer). DWill has been struggling to find his rhythm with quality teammates.

He struggles outside of Sloan's system too.

Also he seems a little burnt out the way he's been playing lately he's gonna hit the wall.

[Japago]

Deron does have his problems, but he's a proven superstar in the league. That's really the only kind of player the Lakers should trade Dwight for.

A middling player under a big contract is the last thing the Lakers need. That's how teams get stuck in mediocrity.

[Majesty]

Deron does have his problems, but he's a proven superstar in the league. That's really the only kind of player the Lakers should trade Dwight for.

A middling player under a big contract is the last thing the Lakers need. That's how teams get stuck in mediocrity.

True. I don't think the Lakers put all their eggs in one bassket in single years on huge risk, or "to pull a Mark Cuban".

If the Lakers didn't make it work for a melo or someone like that they'd probably go after people like a david west and smaller pieces around the way.

Lakers might make a go at Paul he is a free agent too this off-season. But if the Clippers go far this year he may stay. But if they go out in the first or second round again after their best year he could be gone.

I wouldn't doubt Mitch to try it.

The only reason that LeBron would come here would be if we beat him in the finals these next two years in a row and in 5 games in the 2nd year.

Carmelo is Kobe's 'brother', if he fails the next 2 years with the Knicks he would be an easy sell.

Especially for a Championship

[dukecityspecialist]

Trading dwight? Next season? This ain't over yet smh, we still gotta pulse fellas

[Majesty]

We were in the 10th spot before our win yesterday

[LakerGeezer]

True. I don't think the Lakers put all their eggs in one bassket in single years on huge risk, or "to pull a Mark Cuban".

If the Lakers didn't make it work for a melo or someone like that they'd probably go after people like a david west and smaller pieces around the way.

Lakers might make a go at Paul he is a free agent too this off-season. But if the Clippers go far this year he may stay. But if they go out in the first or second round again after their best year he could be gone.

I wouldn't doubt Mitch to try it.

The only reason that LeBron would come here would be if we beat him in the finals these next two years in a row and in 5 games in the 2nd year.

Carmelo is Kobe's 'brother', if he fails the next 2 years with the Knicks he would be an easy sell.

Especially for a Championship

Oh dear, where to start ...

There is a perception/ delusion amongst Laker fans that everyone wants to play here.

Lets start with Lebron. Beyond the "we're the Lakers" chant, what would attract Lebron here that get doesnt already have in Miami? Better weather? Saner owner? Teammates with more skill? Better shot at a title? Better tax rates?

Ok, how about Chris Paul. From what I can tell he is basically running the Clippers these days. Why would he give that up for less money, older/ slower teammates and dare I say it ... a worse owner? His title window is the next 3-5 years, where does he have a better shot at multiple titles?

Ok, lets move onto a quality 2nd tier FA like West. The Lakers are much more attractive to him assuming he can get paid his market value. But he has options too, and lousy tax rate with an old/ slow team with an increasingly cranky superstar and a superstar #2 with a bad back may not be tops on my list.

Guys, this is not the Lakers of the 90's where FAs wanted to play alongside Magic and Kareem. Or even the Shaq/ Kobe Lakers of the early 2000's when quality FAs like Horry saw the opportunity to pick up rings. This is a deeply flawed team that needs to be rebuilt before the quality FAs will even think about putting us on their short list.

[Japago]

In 2 years, we're just talking about Dwight as a teammate. If he can prove that he's still one of the 5 best players in the league, many players would want to play with him.

It's all about planning for 2014 at this point. That's why I think it's only worth it to trade Dwight for a superstar. Trade anything else along with Dwight if that's what it takes. It's a longshot, but that's the only instance I would trade him.

Edited by Japago, February 02, 2013 - 02:40 PM.

[Calisupra2nr]

We just need to get Dwight healthy. If he can return to form, almost every player in the league wants to play with Dwight. Lebron has said it, Chris Paul has said it, Deron Williams has said it. No one wants to turn down playing with a premier center, especially one who is as fun as Dwight. So as long as we get him healthy, I am not at all worried about attracting FAs. Oh and did I mention it is LA...and the freaking Lakers??

[Japago]

I've said a lot of things about how the Lakers should play things. It's complicated.

- Right now, the only trade offers for Dwight the Lakers should entertain are for superstars. If other pieces can be added alongside Dwight to get one, do it. Longshot, but they should still try.

- If the Lakers are looking to trade other pieces to try to win now(Pau), none should have contracts that last beyond next season.

- If Dwight stays, I think you're more open to trading for contracts that last beyond 2014. But, the Lakers should keep enough space for at least one max.

- If Dwight leaves, you don't get contracts that last beyond 2014.

I think that's basically the best way for the Lakers to try to win now and plan for 2 futures: building around a superstar or a complete rebuild.

[Majesty]

Oh dear, where to start ...

There is a perception/ delusion amongst Laker fans that everyone wants to play here.

Lets start with Lebron. Beyond the "we're the Lakers" chant, what would attract Lebron here that get doesnt already have in Miami? Better weather? Saner owner? Teammates with more skill? Better shot at a title? Better tax rates?

Ok, how about Chris Paul. From what I can tell he is basically running the Clippers these days. Why would he give that up for less money, older/ slower teammates and dare I say it ... a worse owner? His title window is the next 3-5 years, where does he have a better shot at multiple titles?

Ok, lets move onto a quality 2nd tier FA like West. The Lakers are much more attractive to him assuming he can get paid his market value. But he has options too, and lousy tax rate with an old/ slow team with an increasingly cranky superstar and a superstar #2 with a bad back may not be tops on my list.

Guys, this is not the Lakers of the 90's where FAs wanted to play alongside Magic and Kareem. Or even the Shaq/ Kobe Lakers of the early 2000's when quality FAs like Horry saw the opportunity to pick up rings. This is a deeply flawed team that needs to be rebuilt before the quality FAs will even think about putting us on their short list.

Stopped when you first ignored the "only chance" i said that Lebron would ever join.

And then realized you have no clue when you said the Clippers have a better owner than the Lakers. Idiocy at it's best.

[last stand 2.0]

The big thing about Howard leaving is who is really out there. Dallas and Atlanta. What do those teams offer. Dallas is worse off than we are. Harder to get players easier to get coach. We have the players, just the wrong coach, while Dallas has the right coach but no players.

Atlanta lol. Howard goes to Atlanta to play with horford and smith. Logjam? And it's the hawks

At the end of the day the lakers have better players, better management, better history, in a better city

Not too worried

[BasketballIQ]

Dwight will stay. He's not Sessions, the pressure is not enough to push him away.

I think his injuries help us keep him

[Japago]

I think Dwight will most likely stay too. Atlanta and Houston have young talent on their rosters, but I don't think that's enough of a supporting cast for Dwight to win a championship with. And, they've never been mentioned as places Dwight has been interested in.

I've always been shocked that Dallas was one of the places he requested. They really only have Dirk. Mayo is a good player, but I don't think he's somebody that would attract a superstar.