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LakerFan4Life
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Post subject: Lakers: Just Kidding Around
 Posted: Jan 21, 2007 - 06:21 AM PST
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Laker GM
Joined: Oct 04, 2006 Age: 27
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Location: Covina, CA
  
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After beating the San Antonio Spurs for the second time this season, the Los Angeles Lakers flew into Dallas with a three-game win streak. Facing the team with the best record in the league on the second night of a back-to-back was a daunting task, especially short-handed. A win would have given the Lakers some serious street cred. Instead, the Mavericks beat the Lakers to the pulp on the boards, coasting to a 114-95 victory.
Dallas improved to 33-8 while the Lakers dropped to 26-14. In the meantime the Phoenix Suns won their 12th straight, pacing the Mavs with a 31-8 record. Though the San Antonio Spurs (28-13) are the only other team in the league with a better record than the Lakers, the Utah Jazz are also 26-14.
Prior to the two-game trip to Texas, Laker GM Mitch Kupchak told local radio (570 KLAC) that he would evaluate the team after seeing how well the Lakers stack up against the Spurs and Mavs. He opened the door that a trade was possible should the team need to improve.
Considering the team played so well against the Spurs without two major pieces (Lamar Odom and Kwame Brown) and lost to an excellent Mavericks team (looking to avenge a recent loss to the Lakers), LA may not have a pressing need to deal.
Based on record, it's pretty clear the Lakers are in the second rung of teams even if they finish with a 50+ win season. With the right match ups, proper execution and a lot of luck, LA may even be a contender this year.
Kupchak would not be doing his job if he wasn't open to making a deal. Every team can afford improve; taking phone calls is part of that duty. Historically the Lakers have been very quiet each year at the deadline. They've had some deals nearly go through, but the last major in-season acquisition was the Eddie Jones for Glen Rice trade when Jerry West ran the show.
Kupchak's comments should be taken in context ... not interpreted to mean the team is actively looking to make a change.
After the Maverick loss, Coach Phil Jackson gave his evaluation to the Los Angeles Daily News:
"Well, granted that we have a couple guys that are injured that can really contribute to our team this year," Jackson said. "We're still, I think, a player away from considering ourselves at the top of the league."
Coupled with Kupchak's comments, perhaps the Lakers do intend to shore up the roster this season. The complexity of learning the triangle complicates new acquisitions, but the team was open to signing Chris Webber. Though disappointed he chose the Detroit Pistons, the Lakers were not especially aggressive in chasing him . . . refusing to give any significant promises (starting position, minutes, etc).
The question at hand, would the Lakers be looking for a complimentary player who could give the team a slight bump . . . or did Jackson mean a high-impact player that pushes LA over the top?
The Mavericks and Suns barely ever lose, night in and night out. While the Lakers have beaten both along with the Spurs, Utah Jazz and Houston Rockets . . . LA has dropped a number of games to teams like the Charlotte Bobcats, Portland Trail Blazers and Seattle SuperSonics.
If a player like Eddie Jones was waived by the Memphis Grizzlies (also a team that recently destroyed the Lakers), would he be considered a simple move that would make LA a favorite?
Probably not.
Certainly the return of Odom and Brown will make a difference, but Jackson himself admits the team is still short a piece.
Jackson also told ESPN that the "he hasn't ruled out a move in the near future." He also acknowledged that LA had given Penny Hardaway "a couple observation opportunities."
Would a healthy Hardaway push the Lakers over the edge?
Doubtfully.
With front court help on the way, it's difficult to see where the Lakers would be able to find time for a minor pickup. The front court is well stocked when healthy. A guard would have to come in with significant qualifications to displace Smush Parker, Jordan Farmar, Mo Evans and Sasha Vujacic . . . not to mention Kobe Bryant.
In general the team is very happy with the Lakers' progress. The team executes the offense exceptionally well on most nights. The young players have developed; some ahead of schedule. There are very few players the Lakers would even considering moving.
They have three last year contracts that are available: Chris Mihm, Aaron McKie and Shammond Williams who are all out of the rotation. Mihm is still recovering from multiple ankle surgeries and is out for the season.
It's generally safe to say LA is not willing to give up on their bright young players like Andrew Bynum, Ronny Turiaf and Farmar. Luke Walton, in the last year of his contract, is a solid part of the Lakers core.
The only player who has not come close to the team's expectations is Vladimir Radmanovic. Were they to give up on him, the market for a gunner with a five-year deal needing off-season surgery on his shooting hand is probably pretty bare.
But what if the Lakers were looking for a more serious acquisition, what would be their options? Who would they have to add to a trade package to make a deal?
Along with the trio of last years, there is one player who could give the Lakers enough outgoing salary to take on a big salaried player . . . Kwame Brown.
There has been no buzz that he is available, but in theory his contract is a viable trade piece with just one remaining year after this season at $9.075 million. If the Lakers packaged Brown with Mihm, McKie and Williams the team's outgoing salary would equal $16.75 million which would enable the Lakers to take in up to $21.0 million.
Though Brown was a disappointment in Washington, he's developed into a solid contributor as a Laker. Phil Jackson lamented his absence when the team recently took on the Orlando Magic.
When asked how the Lakers held the explosive Dwight Howard to just 12 points when LA visited the Magic, Jackson replied, "I put Kwame Brown on him."
Brown's has proven to be an elite post defender having success against players like Tim Duncan, Yao Ming and Shaquille O'Neal. Unfortunately he's not a complete defender, lacking consistent rebounding and shot-blocking skills.
Offensively he is not well suited for the forward position in the triangle, leading to a conflict down the road when the Lakers expect Bynum to play 30-40 mpg. He's been much better at center, but has had his share of struggles catching and controlling the ball.
Off the court a recent incident in which he grabbed a random stranger's chocolate cake and threw it at Ronny Turiaf (hitting instead the man whose birthday it was) raises maturity questions.
With Brown out with an ankle injury, the tandem of Bynum and Turiaf has done admirably well. The team doesn't rebound well, but the return of Odom (knee) should give the Lakers a boost.
LA is 10-6 without Brown this season (62.5%). They're only slightly better with him in the lineup at 16-8 (66.7%).
With Bynum clearly the next Laker center and Brown unlikely ever to fit in at power forward, would the Lakers consider making a pitch to New Jersey for Jason Kidd?
It's been widely acknowledged that the Nets have shopped Kidd around the league.
A recent report in The Star Ledger indicated that they were only able to find "two or three teams in the league that could put together an adequate package."
The story continues "they have also reached the conclusion that there is no logical deal for Kidd that doesn't lead to a rebuilding/bust-it-up scenario."
Finally, the Ledger acknowledges that "The Nets never say never, and there could be a development -- currently unforeseen -- before the deadline."
Considering New Jersey has surged recently, it's obvious why they don't want to blow up the team. There is still a lot of opportunity to climb in the Eastern Conference. The team is about to head out on a five-game road trip and will begin February with six of their first eight on the road. If the team drops significantly in the standings, perhaps Kidd returns to the trade block.
Could the Lakers be one of the three teams in the running?
With Kidd's age and large, multi-year contract, it's hard to imagine the Nets getting many offers. Not only would a team have to have the movable contracts to match Kidd's $18 million, they would have to find it a wise investment that would help a team contend immediately. At nearly 34, Kidd is simply too expensive to bring into a team that will round into a contender by the time his deal expires in 2009.
The Laker package could give the Nets significant salary relief and size they desperately need in Brown. LA has draft picks to offer, though they are very unlikely to be lottery picks. They also have a pair of Charlotte Bobcat second-round picks (2007 and 2009).
All signs point to Kidd not being moved, but if they Nets trigger a deal similar to the one the Philadelphia 76ers pulled to send out Allen Iverson . . . a Laker package may not be far off the mark.
The Dallas Mavericks have the tools to make an even better offer with the last year contracts of Austin Croshere and Jerry Stackhouse. The Miami Heat could also have a reasonable offer with James Posey, Jason Williams and Dorell Wright (or Wayne Simien). If the Orlando Magic were willing to part with Grant Hill, perhaps they'd have a shot as well. Certainly another team or two could get into the mix ... Sacramento with Mike Bibby perhaps?
If the Nets hold out for talent, draft picks and cap relief, the Lakers may not be able to compete.
Considering the Lakers' current level of success, would they want to upgrade their point guard position for an additional $17 million? Would Kidd be able to play in the triangle? Would he mesh with Bryant and Odom?
Coach Jackson has admitted in the past to pursuing Kidd.
Envision him perhaps as a more versatile version of the Chicago Bulls' Ron Harper. Kidd may not have the pure outside stroke, but neither did Harper and he was an integral part of the Bulls' second three-peat.
The Bottom Line
Perhaps the comments made by Kupchak and Jackson reflect the team's desire to add a player in the off-season. Maybe they look at a free agent veteran before season's end to shore up the back court. With LA getting both Odom and Brown back shortly, the front court should automatically improve without a move.
Will the kids develop quickly enough through the next couple of years to take advantage of Bryant's prime? The hope was to have a contending team by the last year of Phil Jackson's contract.
Can the Lakers make that happen before the February 22nd deadline?
Right now the Nets aren't ready to blow up the team ... the Lakers don't appear willing to alter their working chemistry.
It's hard to see how a smaller move like Penny Hardaway would help the current team, but if the Lakers suddenly had three open roster spots...
KEY NEWSLINES
The Star Ledger: The calls about Jason Kidd's availability have dwindled in recent days, once word spread around the league that the Nets aren't interested in moving him.
LA Daily News: Jackson stressed when he returned to the Lakers that he didn't expect to win a championship during his three years as coach. He was asked if he felt any closer to that ultimate goal. "Well, granted that we have a couple guys that are injured that can really contribute to our team this year," Jackson said. "We're still, I think, a player away from considering ourselves at the top of the league."
http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_20480.shtml
Haha another rumor for us Lakers fans to get excited over. Question...Shammond Williams was only signed for one year? I could have sworn he was signed for two with the BLE. |
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