Official POST-LOCKOUT Player Movement Thread (Trades, FAs, etc)

[Drewski]

Re: Official POST-LOCKOUT Player Movement Thread (Trades, FAs, etc)

Do you guys think harden will finally start this year?

I think he should. I believe he will.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: Official POST-LOCKOUT Player Movement Thread (Trades, FAs, etc)

Harden is gonna start no doubt, and IMO he will have an All-Star caliber season.

OKC could definitely use someone who can stretch the defense and has size. Not saying Shane is the answer, but outside of KD they really only have Harden and Cook [free agent and small] to do that.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: Official POST-LOCKOUT Player Movement Thread (Trades, FAs, etc)

Here you go Ex:

he whole point of the "competitive balance" aspect of the lockout was to try and limit some of the patterns wherein teams like the Lakers would have inherent advantages in the free agency and trade market. Regardless of whether you believe those measures were legitimate or not, that's the alleged point and a big reason why half of the games missed are absent from the schedule. But one potential ramification of the new rules is that the Lakers could wind up improving their already stacked roster, which surprised everyone by not making the playoffs last season.

The Lakers could be aiming to bring in Baron Davis or Rashard Lewis, according to a report from the LA Times:

The Lakers are curious to see if veteran point guard Baron Davis gets cut by Cleveland. He has two years and $28.7 million left on his contract, though he can be signed for substantially less than that. The Lakers also want a shooter and are monitoring whether forward Rashard Lewis (two years, $43.8 million remaining) gets waived by Washington.

Because the Lakers are so far over the salary cap with a current payroll of about $90 million, their only real spending tool in free agency is the mid-level exception, which will shrink dramatically from last year's five-year, $29-million maximum for such a player.

via Lakers basketball: Lakers have new coaches, many questions for 2010-11 season - latimes.com.

The Lakers are widely expected to exercise the amnesty clause on Luke Walton, freeing up some salary space, though they'll still be in luxury tax category. With most of the tax restrictions not expected to take effect until 2013, the Lakers should be in position to use the MLE on either player. Davis is a much better fit for need considering the Laker's strength at both power forward with Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom, and small forward with Metta World Peace, Odom, Matt Barnes, and occassionally Kobe Bryant able to play the spot. On the flip side, a replacement has been needed for Derek Fisher for quite some time, and Davis would be an ideal candidate with his range.

Davis also is heavily involved in Hollywood through his film production company. This kind of move would represent the exact kind of move the lockout was designed to stop. Instead, the Lakers, who have won two of the past three championships, could be geared to add a former All-Star who fits perfectly with their roster.

The more things change, the more things could potentially stay the same.

[Drewski]

Re: Official POST-LOCKOUT Player Movement Thread (Trades, FAs, etc)

Walton will likely get amnesty-ed, but I heard grumblings not long ago (very recent actually) that he had been talking about retiring altogether because his back injury is a serious problem. Have to wait and see...

Also heard Lakers were interested in B-Dizzle and Shard. I can tip my hat to Baron, but I struggle to believe Rashard Lewis brings anything the Lakers need to be successful.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: Official POST-LOCKOUT Player Movement Thread (Trades, FAs, etc)

Yeah I saw that earlier today, and I'm very indifferent on them both.

The glaring needs for Los Angeles is for Pau to grow his sack back, and to get a point guard who doesn't play like he's 60.

Baron Davis is too inconsistent to be a starter on a title contending team. But I would probably take the risk anyway and sign him just because Fisher looks that unstable and old. The free agent point guard class looks awful. I'd probably take Baron as the lesser of all evils.

I mean replacing Luke Walton essentially with Davis can't be considered a bad thing. Although Luke may retire anyway..

Steve Blake and Ron hopefully benefit from not being in the triangle anymore.

[Weeks]

Re: Official POST-LOCKOUT Player Movement Thread (Trades, FAs, etc)

My order of possible Bulls SG options. I know many of these are unlikely to happen, but that's why it's possible options.

1. OJ Mayo
2. Marcus Thornton
3. Aaron Afflalo
4. Jamal Crawford
5. Jason Richardson
6. Courtney Lee
7. Richard Hamilton
8. Tracy McGrady
9. Vince Carter

[Drewski]

Re: Official POST-LOCKOUT Player Movement Thread (Trades, FAs, etc)

Yeah I saw that earlier today, and I'm very indifferent on them both.

The glaring needs for Los Angeles is for Pau to grow his sack back, and to get a point guard who doesn't play like he's 60.

Baron Davis is too inconsistent to be a starter on a title contending team. But I would probably take the risk anyway and sign him just because Fisher looks that unstable and old. The free agent point guard class looks awful. I'd probably take Baron as the lesser of all evils.

I mean replacing Luke Walton essentially with Davis can't be considered a bad thing. Although Luke may retire anyway..

Steve Blake and Ron hopefully benefit from not being in the triangle anymore.

I agree Pau is the key if the Lakers don't shake things up much.

I also agree Baron isn't "the answer" but if you look at the way the Lakers are built, no free agent or non-traded-for player will be "the answer". I think Baron would give us a BIG boost at the point position, Derek Fisher is tapped out (especially after what I imagine has been a mentally exhausting summer), and Steve Blake played awful last year (maybe chalked up to the triangle and chickenpox ). Baron starting at the point looks more appetizing than Fisher, I can say that much.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: Official POST-LOCKOUT Player Movement Thread (Trades, FAs, etc)

Definitely agree with you Drew. It's a shame there aren't more appetizing point guard names out there in free agency...

I can't believe how bad Blake turned out.. he seemed tailor made for this club.

I wonder how hard Baron's been working during the lock out...

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: Official POST-LOCKOUT Player Movement Thread (Trades, FAs, etc)

Ya'll can have Jordan back if you want lol

[Weeks]

Re: Official POST-LOCKOUT Player Movement Thread (Trades, FAs, etc)

I don't think the lakers really need a pg. (maybe bc they were playing in the triangle)

certainly if they can do a Walton/Davis swap they shoud

But the offense runs through Kobe and the 2 bigs.

I think there best offseason acquisition would be realizing that they are no longer able to just go into cruise mode until they reach the finals, but instead play with more intensity before the playoffs begin. And of course, pau has to get his sh*t together.

All the talent is already there...lakers fans better hope Kobe and co. buys into mike browns system

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: Official POST-LOCKOUT Player Movement Thread (Trades, FAs, etc)

I don't think the lakers really need a pg. (maybe bc they were playing in the triangle)

certainly if they can do a Walton/Davis swap they shoud

But the offense runs through Kobe and the 2 bigs.

I think there best offseason acquisition would be realizing that they are no longer able to just go into cruise mode until they reach the finals, but instead play with more intensity before the playoffs begin. And of course, pau has to get his sh*t together.

All the talent is already there...lakers fans better hope Kobe and co. buys into mike browns system

I was of that opinion for a while Weeks, but this isn't the same Fisher/Steve Blake of the past five years.

They're simply too inconsistent and too unproductive to be depended upon. They definitely need to add a point guard, and badly.

Especially considering when Ron is on the floor, it's like 3 on 5 on the offensive side of the ball. With Kobe/Bynum/Pau as the only players who can score.

It was embarrassing the way Fisher/Blake/Brown performed at point guard to end the season. It's not so much they need someone exceptionally talented at the position they just need the guy not to be a consistent liability.

[Weeks]

Re: Official POST-LOCKOUT Player Movement Thread (Trades, FAs, etc)

I was of that opinion for a while Weeks, but this isn't the same Fisher/Steve Blake of the past five years.

They're simply too inconsistent and too unproductive to be depended upon. They definitely need to add a point guard, and badly.

Especially considering when Ron is on the floor, it's like 3 on 5 on the offensive side of the ball. With Kobe/Bynum/Pau as the only players who can score.

It was embarrassing the way Fisher/Blake/Brown performed at point guard to end the season. It's not so much they need someone exceptionally talented at the position they just need the guy not to be a consistent liability.

I didn't really watch much of the lakers last season, and you definitely know what your talking about when it comes to the lakers. So I agree with that.

I didn't realize how bad they all were, it's funny because before last season I would've thought Steve blake would be a great signing for them--guess not.

The fa PG's are really horrible...the only person I would give any trust to run the lakers is boykins, but he isn't an upgrade over any of the PGs they already have.

If B-Diddy is there they should definitely take him.

On a side note: even though i wouldn't want the lakers benefitting from this, I kinda wish the suns would trade Steve Nash to the lakers so he gets a shot at a ring before he has to lace em up.

[rockchisler]

Re: Official POST-LOCKOUT Player Movement Thread (Trades, FAs, etc)

Any chance the Bulls would cut Boozer with the amnesty clause?

And give up their only true post presence???? NOPE

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: Official POST-LOCKOUT Player Movement Thread (Trades, FAs, etc)

Interesting twist in the Amnesty rule, about the "teams operating below or above the salary cap" provision. Hmmmm, I'm guessing most of the appealing Amnesty players aren't going to go unbidded on... meaning teams over the cap probably have no shot at guys like Davis, Lewis etc. etc.

Interesting.

[Kobalt]

Re: Official POST-LOCKOUT Player Movement Thread (Trades, FAs, etc)

Alright nuggets, here's your perfect chance to get rid of Al Harrington. Do it.