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LakerTom wrote a new post
Read MoreThere’s a case to be made the smartest thing Jeanie Buss could do right now is bring back Magic Johnson as President of Basketball Operations and the bold visionary the Lakers need to navigate the risks of the next few years.
While that may seem like a totally crazy idea considering how his last stint running the Lakers front office unceremoniously ended, Magic Johnson could be the visionary leader the team desperately needs going forward. Pelinka would remain as VP of Basketball Operations and handle the daily general manager and salary cap duties and responsibilities while Johnson would oversee the Lakers’ front office roster building and decision making.
The championship attribute the Lakers’ organization is missing right now is a visionary leader with a clear idea of the kind of team the Lakers should build around LeBron and AD and strong interpersonal skills to execute his vision. The greatest concern for Lakers fans right now is the franchise will face several major franchise defining decisions right at a time when ownership, the front office, and coaching staff appear to be on different pages.
That’s where Magic Johnson comes in. If there’s anybody in the Lakers family of former coaches and players who is best qualified to provide the vision, it’s Magic Johnson, who recruited LeBron James to kick start the Lakers revival. Think about the big moves the Lakers made during the last three years. Signing LeBron James and trading for Anthony Davis were both moves that were part of Magic Johnson’s vision for the Lakers, not Rob Pelinka’s.
In a way, the Lakers have not had a visionary since Dr. Buss died. Neither Jim Buss or his sister Jeanie were visionaries and the only thing Rob Pelinka accomplished in his three years was finishing the AD trade Magic started. While Rob deserves credit for the bubble championship, he’s spent the last two years essentially discarding a proven championship formula for failed attempts to upgrade the Lakers that wasted two years of LeBron’s career.
Bringing back Magic is the only move Jeanie is capable of making at this point. She’s not going to fire Rob, although he very well could resign due to the Lakers bringing back Magic Johnson to be his direct boss once again. Frankly, Rob resigning wouldn’t be the end of the world although the Lakers would need to replace him with a hands-on general manager who could handle the day-to-day duties and salary cap responsibilities of the job.
Unlike last time, the Lakers and Magic would have an understanding that his position as President of Basketball Operations is to be the franchise’s visionary, their idea man, their guide for strategizing and building a team. Magic will be paid for his ideas and leadership, not for the hours or days he spends working at Lakers’ facilities or on Lakers’ projects. His value is the vision he can provide the franchise as it transitions from LeBron James.
Magic Johnson may not be the smartest one to represent the team on social media or handle the daily general manager workload or critical front office salary cap calculations but he’s exactly what the Lakers’ front office needs.
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17 Comments-
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Well, when you’ve got LeKlutch dictating dumbass moves like not trading Talentless Tucker for Lowry, or giving up anything for Westbrick, anyone will end up looking stupid. Do we really think Buck’s any more ready for this gig than he was last time around?
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Everybody acts like knowing the ins and outs of the salary cap is what’s important for a general manager or PBO or VPBO. That’s stupid because you have lawyers and cap experts to advise you on that.
What Magic gets is how you win championships. I certainly trust him to decide strategies like do we go two big or play small or do both? Do we go for a third star or use the money for a better starting lineup and roster.
And judging which players are better and who fits and who doesn’t fit with LeBron James and Anthony Davis? For sure, I trust Magic more than Rob or Jeanie or Kurt or Linda.
Hiring Magic is probably the only way to get rid of Pelinka. It’s the perfect part-time, board level type gig for Magic, who loves the Lakers and would love a chance to make up for how things ended last time.
And If anybody can convince Jeanie Rob has to go, Earvin is the man. He’s the Magic Man.
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Rob has to do whatever LeKlutch dictates in your dream scenario. Didn’t work out so hot when he had to give Talentless a nice contract to make LeKlutch happy as opposed to going for Lowry. He also had to agree to the Westbrook debacle because he had a nice sitdown with the LeKlutch brainstrust. There’s no scenario where the can get out of this mess and put enough around a quickly dwindling Lebron and his oft-injured running mate. There’s no reason to believe Magic will be any better at making basketball decisions than he has in previous iterations. Brilliant with the ball in his hands. Making personnel decisions? Notsomuch.
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I have zero confidence in Magic. Everything he did after landing LeBron was a disaster. He traded DLo at the height of his trade value as a salary dump. At least he admitted that was a mistake. He allowed Randle to walk for nothing. He allowed Lopez to walk when he would have stayed for 5 mil. He drafted Lonzo over Tatum even though the NBA and his own scouting department had Tatum as the best of his class. He said he did it because Lonzo would be a great Hollywood story. And then there is the endless tweets that makes one wonder if he can even evaluate talent or understand the modern game. I’ll pass on Magic.
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I don’t think Magic is perfect when it comes to evaluating players but I have a lot more confidence in him than in Rob. And I do credit Magic for getting LeBron to sign and setting up the AD trade with Rich Paul.
Would I rather we had an extensive search and decided upon a proven elite front office professional like Masai Ujiri? For sure but we all know that’s not going to happen.
Lakers are a nepotistic exteneded family. Only realistic solutions have to come from within Jeanie’s network. Right now, the best option is Magic Johnson as we head to critica crossroads. Trust Magic way more than Rob.
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The video you you posted Tom also demonstrates That I understand the nba and salary cap better than he does. Derozen wasn’t going to play for the MLE. We would have had to trade Kuzma who Pop likes for him. Pop would not have helped the Lakers for nothing. So of course we would have been unable to trade for Buddy. He’s right we would have still had KCP and could have kept Alex. But there is no way we could have had both Derozen and Buddy. I would love for Jeanie to hand over the basketball decisions to Jesse and let him choose a new GM and coach. Unfortunately I don’t see it happening.
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I 100% agree with anyone who says Pop liked Kuzma. Yes the Lakers could have done 2 deals with those players for separate packages. Yes they could have done 1 deal and kept some folks. They messed up and what’s done is done. What Magic said today that wasn’t perhaps dollar for dollar right doesn’t matter. Magic has many balls in the air in his life. He comes in ESPN to make TV. If he is the Lakers President with a GM and those young Buss boys, he will definitely be on time and on target about what he DOES more than what he says. I feel like he executed on that last time as well.
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Spurs fans have two priorities, the Spurs and hating the Lakers. They’ve even forgiven Kawhi because he screwed the Lakers few summers ago.
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I’m right with ya in wanting Masai Ujuri. I really like how he builds a roster even when he may not win the Title right now
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The knock on Magic was that he couldn’t really commit to the job full time along with all his other business interests. He took the heat in his last stint but Rob was running the day-to-day and he came off relatively unscathed. Now we’re seeing what he’s all about and it ain’t great. I think Earv might be best served as a consultant/advisor similar to what Jerry West has become. Not sure who’s available out there to run the operation full time and would be considered a ‘visionary”. Those dudes are hard to find and even harder to pry away from their current job. Especially when we’ll have an empty cupboard and no draft picks in the near future.
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Timing of availability is always the wild card in trying to matchup the Lakers with an elite head coach or transcendent general manager. Lakers always seem to have a limited list of acceptable candidates whenever they have an opening.
I think hiring Magic as a consultant to head this summer’s coaching search and roster rebuilding process would work. Everybody knows the Lakers don’t have a typical corporate structure so sectioning off final say in head coach and roster changes as special consultant to Jeanie Buss. Rob or his replacement takes care of the daily stuff and detail of running the front office.
Don’t see any other way we can get Rob out of making the big decisions. I would trust Magic over him.
Magic works when we need him too, which would certainly be part-time and project oriented.
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Per Magic the visionary
“I think they have to bring it back. That’s No. 1,” Johnson said (1:57). “Because you can’t attach a first-round pick to Westbrook to try to get him out. He actually played a lot better the last three weeks.”-
LOL. I saw that. Did make me think twice about supporting Magic over Rob. Not sure that is the best solution but it definitely is an option that should be explored. He would be an easy trade at the trade deadline. And we do need a point guard.
One other factor in favor of Magic returning is there is nobody who can do a better job of selling the Lakers as a free agent destination than Magic. LeBron may have wanted to come to LA, but it was Magic who got him to sign.
So yeah, I would support Magic even if he wanted to keep Russ this summer to avoid wasting a pick to move him.
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Now we talking LT. Playing Chess and that’s exactly what Magic is talking too. Chess behind the scenes while he talks in front of curtain.
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At this rate we’re going to start trading our own players to ourselves but give a draft pick to OKC cause awwww hell, why not? From trash GM to savior? This kind of thinking is what created the shit show that is this season. We don’t need a sloganeering personality we need someone who is willing to work, to butt heads with Jeannie, to have an actual vision beyond “Hey, we’re the Lakers and we are super destined to be super great you guys!!!” I’d rather hire Coach K as GM or something outside the box like a mechanical monkey clapping its hands over Magic. We need to go forward not back…again…for the umpteenth time…again. Like sending WW2 vets into a modern battle zone.
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LakerTom wrote a new post
Read MoreThe bad news is the Lakers’ tradeable players have played so poorly their only value this summer will be as salary filler. The good new is Russ’ expiring deal will have value and the Lakers will have two draft picks to trade this summer.
This summer, the Lakers will need to combine Russell Westbrooks $47 million expiring contract with their unprotected 2027 and 2029 post-LeBron first round picks to create the best possible trade package to upgrade their roster. The Lakers saw at the trade deadline how Westbrook, Horton-Tucker, and Nunn had lost trade value but also how even their 2027 first round pick had greater value than expected. It was key to every failed deal at the deadline.
Packaging Westbrook’s expiring contract with their two first round picks dramatically expands what the Lakers should be able to get in a trade as salaries become easier to match when the total dollars involved is higher. Considering the trades that were available to the Lakers at the deadline for one first round draft pick, imagine what Pelinka might be able to negotiate if he offered two post-LeBron unprotected first round picks with Westbrook.
NBA teams make trades for different reasons, often to clear cap space for the future or avoid luxury taxes. Here are three trades of Russell Westbrook and their 2027 and 2029 first round picks the Lakers should target this summer.
1. Trade with Indian Pacers for Turner, Brogdon, and Hield
The Lakers have always been interested in Myles Turner and now that the Pacers are in the middle of a major rebuild, the timing could be right for them to trade Russ’ expiring contract and their two first round picks for Myles.
Per HoopsHype, the Pacers are still looking to trade Malcolm Brogdon and Buddy Hield this summer and would consider including center Myles Turner for “two first-round picks or a promising young player and a first-round pick.” The Lakers should offer Westbrook, Horton-Tucker, Kendrick Nunn, and their 2027 and 2029 first round draft picks for Myles Turner, Malcolm Brogdon, and Buddy Hield, each of whom would immediately start for the Lakers.
Indiana should be at the top of the list of possible trading partners for Russell Westbrook since they’re looking to move multiple long-term contracts to clear up cap space down the road and acquire first round picks and young talent. While the Pacers will have to pay Westbrook, Horton-Tucker, and Nunn $62 million for next season, they will save over $125 million over the next three years by getting out of Turner’s, Brogdon’s, and Hield’s player contracts.
The Pacers’ Myles Turner, Malcolm Brogdon, and Buddy Hield should be the Lakers top trade target this summer. It would add championship quality starters to complement James and Davis without increasing annual salaries.
2. Trade with Houston Rockets for Wood, Gordon, and Wall
If the Lakers can’t pull off a trade with the Indiana Pacers for Myles Turner, they should turn their attention to trading with the Houston Rockets for Christian Wood, a stretch five center who can block shots and shoot threes.
Per Brian Windhorst, the Lakers turned down a potential mega deal with the Houston Rockets at the trade deadline “involving Russell Westbrook, Talen Horton-Tucker, and 2027 first round pick for John Wall and Christian Wood.” The Lakers should offer Westbrook, Horton-Tucker, Kendrick Nunn, Stanley Johnson, and their 2027 and 2029 first round draft picks for Christian Wood, Eric Gordon, and John Wall, each of whom would be a starter for the Lakers.
The Lakers also know they could have traded Russell Westbrook and their 2027 first round draft pick to the Rockets at the trade deadline for John Wall so the proposed trade with two draft picks could be attractive to Houston. Word from Houston is the motivation to trade Wall for Westbrook is the Rockets believe Westbrook will be more willing than Wall to buy his way out of the last year of his contract, which could save the Rockets some money.
Targeting a trade for Wood, Gordon, and Wall should be the Lakers second priority this summer. While it would dramatically increase the $3 million in luxury taxes the Lakers will play this year, it would be a championship team.
3. Trade with New York Knicks for Rose, Randle, and Reddish
If the Lakers can’t make a trade for Myles Turner or Christian Wood, then they should focus their attention on Julius Randle of the New York Knicks, who is rumored to have asked the Knicks to trade him to another team this summer.
According to sources, Julius Randle and the Knicks are headed for a divorce because he “feels the FO hasn’t supported him through tough times this year and promises about how the offense would go through him has stopped.” The Lakers should offer Russell Westbrook’s $47 million expiring contract and their 2027 and 2029 first round draft picks for Julius Randle, Derrick Rose, and Cam Reddish, each of whom is an excellent fit next to LeBron and AD.
While the Knicks supposedly have no interest in trading for Russell Westbrook at the trade deadline, the lure of his $47 million expiring contract and two post-LeBron first round draft picks could change their mind and direction. Russ would be great playing in Madison Square Garden and knows the East well after his time with the Washington Wizards. The trade would allow the Knicks to move on from the Randle mistake while getting two great picks.
Trading Westbrook for Randle, Rose, and Redding not only gives the Lakers three starting quality players for Russ but also breaks Russ’ $47 million into three smaller more easily tradeable contracts of $14, $26, and $6 million.
6 Comments-
Like #3 but NY already said they don’t want Russ so not sure why it’s even being theorized. They know what his contract situation is, ain’t no secret so if they’ve already put it out there that they have zero interest why bother wasting time saying “but how about now?”. They can get something of value for Randle beyond expiring salary and some picks years out, something the Lakers seemingly were unable to do.
#1 but I still don’t see Indy making that move. Basically means they’re really doing a rebuild which they seem philosophically opposed to. Maybe the Nunn/THT trade but not Russ.
#2: Just say ‘No’ to players who rely on speed with Achilles injuries. Better to run it back.
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Several article detailing that Turner is on the trading block. Pacers have rebuilt backcourt. Brogdon on the block. Now looking to do same w/front court. Turner on the block. Want two first round picks.
Knicks will rethink Russ because it’s a way to get out of Julius $67 million extension plus other long-term contracts. Knicks made a mistake and paid Julius for an outlier year. Russ lets them get out of Julius.
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I think Indy will try to trade Turner, honestly wouldn’t surprise me if Indy and NY did a Randle for Turner/what have you deal, but I just have a hard time seeing Rob able to make good deal happen. Too many blown opportunities to be ignored. You pin a lot of hope on Russ’ expiring deal. If the best offer is Russ and our picks for Wall I would prefer to ride it out. That’s not a deal any sane person should advocate for since we haven’t seen John Wall play in over a year. You at the very least get chemistry overlap with Russ, Wall is like starting over with a broken wheel. Russ and his deal might be here until the trade deadline next season.
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Personnel decisions are always a crap shoot. I mean Jerry West loved Kobe but hated Magic.
While Rob hasn’t done well the last couple of years, I think it’s been partly because of other factors like unwillingness to pay luxury taxes or take back long-term commitments that did not allow Rob the freedom to make the right moves. In general, I like the players he has recently targeted like Turner or Wood. Hopefully, he has worked with Jeanie and Rich and has everybody on the same page for what they’re going to do this summer. I think Russ’ expiring contract and two draft picks will be a package several teams will have interest in.
That’s also the other reason besides pride that I think it’s important for the Lakers to make the Play-In Tourney and the playoffs. It will give Russ, THT, and maybe even Nunn a chance to improve their trade value by playing well in the playoffs. And obviously, getting playoff experience for Monk, Reaves, Johnson, and Gabriel woud be a big plus.”
Los of reasons not to throw in the towell or wave the white flag.
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#2, the Houston guys to me, aren’t winners. I like Wood size but that deal doesn’t feel like winners. #3, the Indy deal has some inteiguing guys and the guys NY could add to Randle are intriguing. HOWEVER, I feel like the deal with Indy or NY could be captured for a cheaper price at the Trade deadline, especially with NY. The Indy GM is onery and he can wait because of that pitiful market. NY cant wait and they would move Randle for Russ at Trade deadline if relations and winning isnt happening. it would NOT cost 2 and maybe not even 1 first round pick. I repeat, NO COST. Thats what patience Buys.
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LakerTom wrote a new post
Read MoreIt’s only taken a year and a half for the Los Angeles Lakers to go from champs to chumps, from winning a championship in the bubble to losing in the first round last year and possibly missing playoffs completely this year.
The Lakers lost their way by forgetting who they were and throwing away what won their championship. Rob cracked and traded for Russ, ownership suddenly got cheap, and Vogel got a roster that exposed his flaws. Everyone in the Lakers’ organization shares the blame for where the Lakers are right now, will have to be held accountable, and will need to participate in any solution to get the organization in sync and everybody on the same page.
The front office executive who will get the opportunity to fix the Lakers’ roster problem this summer will be the same Rob Pelinka who was responsible for the problems in the first place by agreeing to trade for Russ. You can blame LeBron and AD but it’s Rob who is paid big bucks to make those tough decisions like should we trade for Russell Westbrook, should we re-sign Alex Caruso, should we promise Andre Drummond a starting role?
Bottom line, here are the six steps Rob must take as head of basketball operations to get everybody in the Lakers’ organization in sync and on the same page and fix the roster problems caused by the Westbrook trade.
1. Accept Responsibility for the Lakers’ Current Mess
The first thing Rob needs to do is accept responsibility for the Westbrook trade. That LeBron and AD wanted Russ and pushed for the trade doesn’t matter. The final decision was Rob’s and it was clearly a poor decision.
Accepting responsibility for the Westbrook trade would clear the decks for everybody to stop assessing blame and instead allow ownership, front office, and coaching to work together to create game plan for this summer. Most importantly, it would show that Rob is the man in charge and will be the one making the final decision when it comes to terminating the Westbrook experiment and upgrading the roster to championship level.
The Lakers are at a major crossroads. They still have two superstars and could rebuild and come back as a legitimate contender next season…or they could continue making wrong moves and fumble LeBron James transition. Rob Pelinka needs to create a overall vision for how to get the best out of LeBron James and Anthony Davis and next year’s Lakers just like Jerry Buss did for the Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Showtime Lakers.
Rob has an opportunity to redeem himself as the Lakers general manager and fix the problems caused by the Westbrook trade. The first step is him accepting responsibility for the Lakers’ current roster mess.
2. Convince Jeanie Buss to Open Lakers’ Purse Strings
Once Rob has accepted responsibility for the Lakers’ current mess, he needs to sit down with Jeanie and convince her paying luxury taxes has become just the basic price of admission to compete for NBA championships.
With a market value of $5.5 billion, the Lakers will likely end up paying just $3 million in luxury taxes, 11th lowest amount among tax payers and considerably less than the $60 million due from top taxpayer Warriors. Jeanie’s unwillingness to pay luxury taxes ended up costing the Lakers one of their best defensive players when they refused to match an offer Alex Caruso received from the Chicago Bulls because of potential luxury taxes.
What Rob Pelinka needs to do is convince Jeanie and her brothers and sister that winning championships is what’s made the franchise worth $5.5 billion today and that the Lakers need to spend money to make money. The Lakers need to be willing to pay the same level of luxury taxes as their competitors: the Golden State Warriors, Brooklyn Nets, and Los Angeles Clippers. You can’t lose quality players like Caruso due to tax concerns.
The ability to compete financially is a basic requirement if the Lakers are to be able to compete on the hardwood. Pelinka needs to convince Jeanie Buss that paying luxury taxes is just an investment on future championships.
3. Recruit Quin Snyder as the Lakers Next Head Coach
The biggest challenge Rob will have this summer will be replace Frank Vogel as head coach. Before he can do that, he needs to decide what kind of coach the Lakers need to best optimize LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
The head coach candidate Rob Pelinka should pursue this summer is Quin Snyder, current head coach of the Jazz, who have new ownership and word is the new ownership may want a new head coach after eight years. Snyder is a former Lakers assistant coach who possesses the same defensive DNA as Frank Vogel but has fully embraced the 3-point revolution that’s taken over the NBA, which is what the Lakers need to complement LeBron and AD
Defensively, Snyder favors a two-bigs defense anchored by an elite shot blocker like Gobert, which is style similar to Frank Vogel’s defense. Quin’s Jazz defense was 3rd in the league last season but just 13th this season. Offensively, Quin Snyder has the Jazz taking and making the second most 3-point shots in the league this season, after leading the league in both last season. Quin is Mike D’Antoni on offense and Frank Vogel on defense.
Pelinka and the Lakers should go all-in to sign Quin Snyder as their next head coach. He has the championship experience both as a player and coach and the X’s and O’s chops superstars James and Davis will respect.
4. Rebuild the Partnership with Rich Paul and Klutch Sports
Once Pelinka has signed Snyder to replace Vogel as the Lakers next head coach, he needs to turn his attention to repairing and rebuilding his alliance with Klutch Sports and getting LeBron James to sign a two-year extension.
While James won’t be eligible to sign an extension until August 4th, Pelinka needs his verbal approval once the season ends so he can move forward to surround LeBron and AD with a championship roster when summer starts. Were James unwilling to sign an extension, the Lakers might then be forced to consider trading him in order not to lose him to free agency this summer without getting anything in return. James signing an extension is critical.
The extension James will likely approve would be for two years with player options for the second year, which would then line up LeBron and AD so their last guaranteed seasons would be 23–24 with player options for 24–25. That would then set the Lakers up with maximum cap space and no players under contract for the 2024–25 season, giving them the flexibility to re-sign superstars James and Davis or look for a superstar to replace LeBron James.
Strengthening the Klutch Sports alliance should be apriority for Pelinka. It not only solidifies the Lakers’ relationship with LeBron and AD but also opens the door for the Lakers to acquire another Klutch Sports superstar.
5. Trade Russell Westbrook to Rockets for John Wall
Once Rob has accepted responsibility for the Lakers’ mess, convinced Jeanie to loosen the purse strings, hired Quin Snyder as the next head coach, and rebuilt the alliance with Klutch Sports, he’s now ready to wheel and deal.
Finding a new home for Russell Westbrook will be Rob Pelinka’s first roster priority and undoubtedly the greatest challenge he will face this summer. The Lakers refused to give up a first round pick to move Russ at deadline. While the Lakers will be hoping to find a trading partner willing to take on Russ’ $47 million expiring contract, their best option could very well be to trade Westbrook and a first round draft pick to the Rockets for John Wall.
The Lakers are not interested in waiving and stretching Russell Westbrook. While Rob will try to find a team willing to trade the valuable players with multiple year contracts in return for Russ, the Lakers may still strike out. There’s no question that replacing Westbrook with Wall will be ‘addition by subtraction’ since Wall can at least be counted on to play under control and not create the chaotic rollercoaster ride Russ inevitably turns games into.
The first roster move Rob has to make this summer is trading Westbrook. Rob should be willing to give up one of the Lakers’ two first round picks to get a team to take Russell Westbrook’s $47 million expiring contract.
6. Trade THT, Nunn, and Pick for Stretch Five Center
The Lakers are at a critical crossroads where the decisions they make this summer will not only impact next season but could also the transition of the team once LeBron James retires and the success of post-LeBron future.
The last three years, the Lakers alternated between two-big lineups with traditional centers like JaVale McGee or Dwight Howard and small-ball-on-steroids lineups with Anthony Davis or LeBron James as stretch fives. Considering how the Lakers’ small lineups have been getting killed in the paint and on the boards and the persistent injuries to James and Davis, the Lakers should seriously consider returning to the two-bigs formula.
Rather than bringing in another traditional center, the Lakers should look to for a center with the size to protect the rim, the bulk to handle power centers like Embiid and Jokic, and the shooting stroke to stretch defenses. Adding a modern center like Christian Wood or Myles Turner would enable the Lakers to be able to play big or small. It would also give them the ability to have an elite shot blocker on the court for all 48 minutes of the game.
Considering injuries that have derailed this and last season’s teams, the Lakers should rethink their front court and look to trade for a modern stretch five center who can both protect the rim and stretch defenses.
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Six steps Pelinka must take this summer:
1. Accept Blame for Current Mess
2. Convince Jeanie to Open Purse Strings
3. Hire Quin Snyder as Head Coach
4. Rebuild Klutch Sports Alliance
5. Trade Russ for Wall
6. Trade for Stretch Centerhttps://t.co/RD5SahCLVL— LakerTom (@LakerTom) March 30, 2022
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Aloha Tom, my thoughts on your post. While I would love Rob to take responsibility for the mess he created. Some how though I think we will get the same old song and dance about injuries etc.
As for Jeanie, a big yes on spending what it takes. Although because of the construction of the current roster, we can’t really add a lot of salary. Last year the only way we could have added more salary was if we kept Alex. Considering we replaced him with a minimum player we only would have made it about a 7 mil increase which makes it even more painful for me. This year we can take back a little more back then we send out in a trade. And if Nunn opts in we can increase salary another 6.2 mil with the MLE. So we aren’t going to be able to spend our way out of this mess.
I’m on board with Quinn. The chatter is that the Lakers will be interested if he is available. He would be an excellent choice.
As for Klutch, I really don’t have enough insight into what is actually going on behind the scene to have an opinion.
I would rather keep Russ then give up a first for Wall. I’m not in favor of trading for another ball dominate, non shooting, poor defending PG. Wall may not make as many boneheaded plays as Russ, but probably can’t do as many of the positives as Russ brings. I’m hoping after Dennis and Russ, that Rob learns that he needs someone who can play off the ball and shoot. A little defensive ability wouldn’t hurt either.
As far as Turner. We won’t get him. Period. First I doubt the Pacers trade him. This is a team that had very little quality size before they traded Sabonis. They are not going to trade him for another guard, which they have plenty. They already turned down your proposal once. Turner is young and fits with their other younger players. If for some reason they put Turner on the block. The Hornets will snap him up. Or perhaps the Warriors will revisit Turner because their small ball is hurting them. Both have better assets to offer then us.
As for Wood, you mentioned we needed a center with the bulk to handle big centers. Wood is 6’ 10” and weighs a whopping 214 pounds. I’m 6’ 4” and weigh 215. And that’s mid range for my height. AD out weighs by Wood by 40 pounds. Wood might be a shot blocker but he also gets shoved around. LeBron bullied him without mercy. Besides they will be able to get more then your offer for wood. He will make a good PF for someone. Hey if he could defend the wing, I would like him better. I really don’t want LeBron chasing athletic wings at 38 and 39. I’m mean he can’t defend them now. It would be worse the older he gets. One other thing to remember. Nunn has a player option. He took less money to come to the Lakers. Would he opt in to go to the Rockets? Even though he didn’t play he could probably find the same 5 mil elsewhere.
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Aloha, Michael. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Rob may not come out and accept responsibility for the Lakers’ current mess but internally, he has to be disappointed and eager to make amends and come out as the hero. I hope he realizes that the key is listening to all of his stakeholders but keeping the right to make the final decision solidly in his hands. Last time, I think he let it slip and agreed to something I don’t think he thought was best. Hopefully, he’s learned from that and will be more assertive. He knows this is on his head to fix.
I do think Rob will get Jeanie to loosen the purse strings. Both know this is a critical summer that will setup LeBron’s final years and set the stage for the post-LeBron years. Can’t handicap the team with financial constraints against its main competitors. One thing they need to consider is there are lots of opportunities to make moves to reduce taxes later in the year. Highest tax turned out to be dubs with $60M. Earlier projections had them at $200M. Same with Nets and Clippers around $40M vs. $100M projected. Lakers panicked on Caruso and made a major mistake. He would have only cost $10M in taxes not $30M like originally projected.
Quin Snyder would be perfect. Lakers roots, defensive background but totally embraced the 3-point shot. Perfect fit for this team. Probably too good to be true but Lakers should go all-in to get him. His modern approach offensively would be great. Next to Dubs, Jazz run great offensive sets. Think LeBron and AD would be aboard too. Let’s hope they make an effort to get him.
I obviously think Klutch is important, not only because they can be an exclusive source of talent but also for their input and judgment on players. Frankly, I trust them maybe more than the Lakers when it comes making decision and I like that the alliance gives LeBron and AD a bigger say in what we do. Now, that didn’t work out well with Russ but in general, they have to be in the loop. That they were should make them secure in their value and relationship. Will be easier for Rob to get true consensus and support this summer.
I’ve come to the conclusion we need to package both picks with Russ’ expiring contract to get the best return in trade. Rob needs a deal the Pacers, who reportedly are willing to trade Turner for two firsts or a first and a promising young player, or the Knicks, who might want to trade Randle, or the Rockets, who were willing to trade Wall and Wood for Russ, THT, and the 2027 first round pick. There were lots of deals if we were willing to give up the pick. Funny how the pick had great value while Russ, THT, and Nunn turned into trade filler.
I still think we can get a deal for Turner, Brogdon, and Hield or Wood, Gordon, and Wall or Randle, Rose, and Redding for Westbrook, two unprotected post-LeBron first round picks, and filler. Need to package Russ’ expiring with our two first rounders to get best return while dumping Russ.
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Do you really want to pay Lebron near 100 mil for a two year extension for seasons 21 & 22?
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1. There’s plenty of blame to go around. It does no good to dwell on it.
2. She probably won’t and with the nucleus they have, it wouldn’t matter.
3. The greatest coaches of all time couldn’t have resolved this mess of a roster.
4. No, no, and HELL NO. Lebron is fading fast and there’s absolutely no reason to believe this is going to change. Only if he extends for like 2yrs/40mil total, not the near 100mil he’d want for his year 21 and 22 seasons. ABSO-F’ING-LUTELY NO. Not to mention is Mr. Glass sidekick. Him playing just long enough just to get hurt again isn’t the outlier, it’s who AD is. Trade him while he still has some value. Another beat up season, and he’ll also be untradeable, damaged goods. Which brings us to your next ridiculous notion . . .
5. WTF for? So head LeKlutch weasel little Richie can milk more money out of yet another franchise for one of his sorry clients? Maybe when James could carry a weak team on his own, but now? Naw, the juice ain’t worth the squeeze. Possibly if they’d include Gordon AND Wood, but not straight up, and definitely not with one of the only assets they have left in that draft pick a million years away.
6. Your Turner obsession would be funny at this point if it weren’t so misguided. No way they want THT after the season he’s had, and Nunn is opting out of this mess, no doubt. Plus throwing away the last draft pick they have for near a decade to suffer even longer is just bad team management.This version of Lebron is not a championship centerpiece. AD is not to be counted on. He’s that guy who gets his ring and his money, and stops caring. You’ve been around this game long enough to have seen that countless times, so I’m not sure how you’re missing it now. Making all these moves just puts you in deep, prolonged NBA purgatory AT BEST. Bron and AD have another injury-riddled season and they’re right back where they started from.
Best to tear it down and start over. Anything else is just a fool’s errand.
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A lot depends on what Nunn does, actually. Seems odd he would opt out (to me) since there’s not a ton of FA money this summer and we just happily allowed him to rehab all season long. Either as a trade piece or just his cap space if Nunn walks that will be yet another player we spent money on who walked while we got nothing back in return. If he doesn’t opt in we don’t really get back what we invested last season so add that to another Rob Blunder.
I think we can all see how poorly Rob has done, will Jeannie? I kind of doubt it and I don’t see anyone saying it was all on them. Frank and injuries will be excuse enough to cover their azzes (in their minds) so I kind of expect at least another season essentially like this one. Rob has mismanaged most of his tools away and in the process left Frank with a nigh uncoachable team.
In terms of specific trades I don’t really see any of these working out either in getting made (except the terrible one for John Wall which is just a lateral move that costs us future assets, at best) by the opposing teams. Indy would have to really value THT who pans out as mediocre right now. Plus his deal is expiring with no added ability or the team to keep him so Indy would basically just be looking at him walking away after the season just to move Turner. Don’t see how it benefits them, even if you add in Nunn. Now, if one of the 1st rounders comes their way in that deal that might be a different story.
But I don’t think we need to focus specifically on a stretch five. Would it be nice? Sure but the defensive issues we have should be addressed as a priority and so we need to bring back the best defensive center we can, however that gets done. If they can shoot, wonderful. If not, they can probably dunk the ball which is enough for me.
All in all, I don’t really see us having enough assets to get back to what we had in the banner season. There aren’t the players available in free agency, we don’t have much to ship out (cue the slew of “Laker fans vastly under value their assets!” articles) and I don’t think Jeannie will suddenly embrace spending. So I see us basically treading water this summer and making a band aid move or two, cycling in different old guys, and hoping for health.
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Thanks for reading and commenting, Jamie,
I think we may need to make both of our picks totally unprotected. If you remember at the trade deadline, nobody was complaining about the Lakers first round pick being not until 2027. Everybody realized it was a post-LeBron first round pick which considering how the Lakers were doing could end up being solid platinum.
We turned down several deals that would have helped, including one for Christian Wood, that having two first round picks should give us additional trading power this summer. I also think people are underestimating how valuable a $47M expiring contract is. That can fuel a complete rebuild for most NBA teams.
Anyway, I remain optimistic that Rob will get everybody on the same page and we will make a mega deal to trade Russ for three starters to kick us back into championship contention.
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The fact that we didn’t run a banner winning squad back is borderline criminal. To not run it back because of some perceived offensive issue are indefensible since, as has now been pointed out to me numerous times, we have to out score the opposition to win which we actually did to the tune of an NBA banner. Then, to not maximize all available tools to improve a roster that led the league in Def. Efficiency while subsequently shipping out literally every defensive player except AD is beyond mind-boggling. Time to face the reality that Rob has no clue how to assemble a winning basketball team and is going to make us all suffer for hoping he can. We over-corrected ourselves into quite the cap situation. No good path forward from where I’m sitting, either. Already buckling up for a dismal next season or until whenever Jeannie actually does something, anything about this dysfunctional mess.
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LakerTom wrote a new post
Read MoreThe Los Angeles Lakers are on the precipice of finishing outside of the top-ten teams in the West and missing the play-in tournament and playoffs or being the most dangerous #8 playoff seed this side of the Brooklyn Nets.
Whether it’s the wacky nature of this polarizing Lakers team or the rising parity and changing of the guard in the NBA, the line between a season becoming a stunning disaster or shocking success has never been thinner. Heading into today’s marquee matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans, the Los Angeles Lakers are 1.5 games away from being the #11 seed in the West, which would mean missing the Play-In Tournament and playoffs.
With just 9 games remaining, the Lakers are in a brutal 3-way battle with the Pelicans and Spurs for the #9 and #10 seeds in the West. The Lakers lead the Pelicans by just a half game and the Spurs by just one and a half games. Adding to the chaos of the situation is the reality many of the remaining games for the Lakers, Pelicans, and Spurs will be against teams for whom those games won’t matter, making it hard to predict who will prevail.
Here are the nine remaining games on the Lakers’ regular season schedule:
What jumps out right away about the Lakers schedule are the two games ]against the Pelicans, today March 27th in New Orleans, and on April 1st in Los Angeles. Win those two games and Lakers championship quest is alive. Lose both games and the Lakers will likely finish an embarrassing 11th in the West and miss ]the Play-In Tournament and playoffs. That could lead to major changes in both the Lakers’ front office and coaching staff.
The Los Angeles Lakers have played their best basketball of the year the last four games. Their game today against the Pelicans is the most important game of the season. In many ways, the Lakers’ season is on the line today. Winning this game will transform the Lakers from a season-long embarrassment to a dangerous team no other team wants to meet in the playoffs. Lakers are the last team the Suns want to face in the first round.
This is hopefully the third and final Covid colored NBA season. The Lakers have an opportunity to win their second championship in the last three years. Today, we’ll get a glimpse of just how possible that dream could be.
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Reality time meets dream weaver, only room for one. Lose this one and the way forward just keeps getting harder and harder.
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I think the Lakers season is on the line tonight.
This is as close as you can get to a must win game. -
Gary Wright sings; “I believe we can make it through the night.” Dream Weaver
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I look at tonight’s game as a must-win. Even Russ said it the other day. My worry is are the Lakers going to be affected by the 3-day layoff? They don’t seem to respond well to a long playoff all season long. Hope they recognize the importance of this game and come out and play with purpose and a sense of urgency. The season is on the line. Go Lakers!
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LakerTom wrote a new post
Read MoreWhile it’s only three games, there are signs the ageless LeBron James, the recently redeemed Russell Westbrook, and the young Los Angeles Lakers’ resurgent roster may have finally figured out how to win playing together.
The Lakers may have found a rhythm and strategy on offense and defense that’s not only working now but could be even better once Davis and Nunn return and replace Howard and Bradley in the starting lineup and rotation. Basically, the Lakers have surrounded superstars LeBron James and Russell Westbrook with bigger young wings like Stanley Johnson and Wenyen Gabriel and Swiss Army knife guards Austin Reaves and Malik Monk.
The combination of more size, youth, and energy has led to the Lakers playing the best basketball of the season over the last three games. Whether there is still time for the Lakers to turn around their season is the question. There are still doubts Anthony Davis and Kendrick Nunn will be able to recover from their respective injuries in time to become available for the remainder of the regular season, the play-in tournament, or the playoffs.
While it may be a case of too little too late, there are definitely signs LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, and the Los Angeles Lakers have finally started to figure out how to actually win playing together. Let’s look at those signs.
The Never-Ending Greatness of LeBron James
There’s a reason why no NBA team wants to meet the Lakers in the playoffs and that fear starts with the never-ending greatness of LeBron James, who would be having his fifth MVP season if the Lakers had a winning record.
Now playing in his 19th NBA season, the 37-year old James is finally showing occasional hits from Father Time as his explosiveness sometimes wans and injuries appear to be happening more often and taking longer to heal. Averaging a league best 30.0 points with 8.2 rebounds and 6.3 assists in 37.1 minutes per game while shooting 52.3%/35.4%/75.8%, LeBron is playing like the best player on the planet with two 50-point games last week.
While it’s been a frustrating and injury plagued season, James has remained motivated due to achieving career benchmarks in playmaking and scoring and remains completely confident the Lakers can pull off a playoff run. Assuming LeBron’s knee injury doesn’t get worse, the Los Angeles Lakers know to a man they’re never out of the championship conversation as long as LeBron James and Anthony Davis remain healthy, rested, and engaged.
As long as the Los Angeles Lakers have a healthy LeBron James, they will always have a puncher’s chance to win any series. If the Lakers can load manage LeBron so he’s healthy and rested, they can still win another ring.
The Miraculous Redemption of Russell Westbrook
After a disappointing year where the Lakers and Westbrook agreed to part ways at the end of the season, Russ pulled off a miraculous steal and game-tying three that led to a Lakers’ overtime upset of the Toronto Raptors.
As unlikely as it might be, Westbrook ‘plucking’ that game out of the loss column and ‘putting’ it into the win column was the kind of miracle that could turn a team’s entire season around. It was redemption for Westbrook. Russ has struggled playing with LeBron and AD as opponents mercilessly pack the paint to prevent Lakers’ superstars from attacking the rim. The lack of spacing has been a problem up until the Lakers’ last three games.
Averaging 21.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 9.7 assists in 37.7 minutes per game while shooting 53.2%/50.0%/66.7% the last three games, Russ finally figured out how to post and take advantage of defenders who sag off him. Russ posting up is the perfect counter fore paint packing by other teams and usually leads to Russ scoring or forcing the opponent to double, which opens up space for shooters to spot up and lanes for cutters to cut.
While the Lakers will still likely move on from Russ, his redemption and the new offensive strategy of posting him up to force teams to double and open up shots for cutters and shooters has given new life to Russ’ game.
The Unlimited Potential of Anthony Davis
Less than a year and a half after helping LeBron win their 17th NBA championship, Anthony Davis has become the forgotten Laker superstar, nicknamed “Street Clothes” because of his propensity to get injured.
Integrating Anthony Davis should go a long way towards solving the Lakers size problems as well as defensive woes. Having their elite shot blocker who can guard all five positions back should quickly cure the Lakers’ defense. That’s why the progress the James and Westbrook have made is the silver lining in Anthony Davis getting injured. Not only did it give James and Westbrook time to jell but also Davis time to rest and get healthy,
Despite the frustration of this year’s injuries, the way Anthony Davis was playing before suffering the knee injury is incredibly encouraging for the Lakers as he was hitting shots from everywhere and playing great defense. The key for Davis when the Lakers won their championship in the bubble was the months off he head to rest and get healthy before the playoffs. Don’t look now but the Lakers may once again have a healthy, rested AD.
Anthony Davis had just 8 games to get ready for the playoffs in the bubble. If LeBron and Russ can figure out how to win without AD, then adding Davis for the playoffs will make the Lakers the team nobody wants to play.
The Surprise Upside of the Young Lakers
The wild card as the Lakers finish this agonizing regular season is how the older proven veteran players who were expected to dominate the rotations lost their place to better, more energetic and versatile younger players.
Offensively, the Lakers have doubled down on small ball, gambling the elite playmaking of superstars LeBron James and Russell Westbrook surrounded by talented young players who constantly move their bodies and the ball. The result is an offensive chemistry and cohesiveness we have not seen before with this team that’s posted the second best offensive rating and second highest assists in the league in winning two of the last three games.
What the Lakers have discovered is a smart way to use ball and player movement to create scoring opportunities when opposing teams are able to successfully pack the paint against James, Davis, and Westbrook. Surrounding LeBron and Russ with young energetic players who can attack the rim on cuts or splash wide open threes when left alone has been a lethal counter to teams packing the paint to force Lakers to shoot jumpers.
The energy, effort, movement, and chemistry from young Lakers like Austin Reaves, Malik Monk, Stanley Johnson, and Wenyen Gabriel has given the team’s superstars the perfect cast of savvy, talented, energetic role players.
The Lakers Amazing 18th NBA Championship?
How good could the Los Angeles Lakers be if LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook really figure out how to win playing together? Good enough to win their second NBA championship in the last four years.
Still missing superstar Davis and top summer recruit Nunn, the Los Angeles Lakers, led by the the ageless LeBron James and the rejuvenated Russell Westbrook, have finally started to figure out how to win games together. Russ is playing like a redeemed man who just woke up from a nightmare where his shot, handle, and brand had been badly damaged and sees an opportunity to launch a total redemption and revenge tour for the Lakers.
The resulting mix of elite veteran playmaking and energetic young talent and the resulting chemistry and cohesion has the Lakers finally looking like the team many thought they could be when the Westbrook trade happened. The players are starting to play on a string at both ends of the court, cobbling together 30-assist games, winning the rebounding and points in the paint battles, and playing their championship small-ball-on-steroids.
The Lakers will have to win two games in the Play-In to win the right to face the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the playoffs but there’s no question the Lakers will be the team nobody wants to meet in the NBA playoffs.
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Let me be clear, I loved how the Lakers continued to pay the same style on offense and defense despite missing both LeBron James and Anthony Davis. It was the fourth game in a row where the team played hard, smart, and better than all season long. A few less turnovers by Russ and 3-point makes and we would have had a great upset. Lakers showing why nobody wants to meet them in the play-in or the playoffs.
This could all turn to dust with another untimely injury but, after a season of disastrous events, the Lakers suddenly seem to be getting their act together. Is it probably too little too late? Could be but there’s also the reality that this team could be big trouble with LeBron playing like the best player on earth, AD playing like Bubble AD, and Russ finally figuring out how to undermine the paint packing by posting up his man.
If the Lakers can pull this off, it would be the greatest championship run in NBA history. I predict the Lakers will at least make the Western Conference Finals this season, maybe even saving Frank Vogel’s job as head coach.
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Great article, Tom! Even though the Lakers lost to the Sixers yesterday, they came very close to a W without Bron, which is great!
One thing your article didn’t adddress is the effectiveness of DJAugustin and DHoward. I’m super impressed with the way DJ is able to play off the ball, so we can have him play at the same time as Russ, and they seem to have good chemistry. His shooting is terrific, and Bron should be happy to have him too. Finall, Dwight is still excellent when he’s able to play; his game against the potential MVP Embiid was phenomenal, and Mark Jackson commented on him too. Dwight will be very helpful against teams using big centers. He’s not as quick as Jokic, but he’s good against almost any other 5. We’ll need AD to defend against Jokic, if the chance arises! The biggest problem I’ve had with Vogel was his stupidity in playing Deandre Jordan over him, suggestive of a brain aneurism!-
Great to see you joining the blog, Dean. I’ve loved communicating with you on Twitter and it’s going to be fun having your input and takes on Lakerholics.Com.
You’re absolutely correct that a fourth element should have been the contributions of DJ, Dwight, and Melo. Those guys are going to be instrumental in any run we get in the playoffs.
To me, the turning point for this season was Russ literally stealing a game that had already been recorded as a loss and putting it the win column. That game changed everything for Russ and Lakers.
I love the late comments by the announcers that if the Lakers players play like this when LeBron and AD come back, nobody is going to want to play LAL in the playoffs.
Winning #1 seed in the East and West is a dicey affair this year as the Nets and the Lakers look as their respective first round opponents. Believe it or not, the Lakers have a path to a title.
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Dwight coming up big was really important to Lakers’ chances in the playoffs against the teams from the East. I was worried after his previous game that Dwight was washed. It was great to see him do well, especially on offense finishing at the rim and hitting his free throws. He’s going to be indispensable in the playoffs.
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I hope this year will be a reminder of the bubble championship, where Frank made some shaky game 1 decisions but then made the right calls to roll to the championship.
It’s almost criminal how much time it takes him to stop trusting a veteran player who is playing poorly. Jordan, Drummond, Bradley. Ironically, most of the scenarios where the Lakers make a deep playoff run or even win a championship, are also scenarios where Russell Westbrook and Frank Vogel both might save their jobs.
That clearly makes this the wackiest NBA season ever. I could even see the Lakers winning their 18th NBA championship in this wacky season. Winning the #18 while coming from the #10 seed in the West.
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Tom, I think the team is finally finding some cohesion and chemistry that could be the turning point of the season. It all began when Russ sent the game to overtime against the Raptors and help pull victory from the jaws of defeat.
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Welcome to the blog Dean!!! Happy to have new voices and opinions. Sorry it had to be during such a slog of a season but it is what it is.
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Welcome to the blog, Dean. Love your take on DJ Augustin and Dwight. Great points.
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The only thing this affects is will it be enough to nix a potential trade of Russ this summer. For the “trade Russ” advocates you kind of don’t want them to figure it out at this point. That opens the “well we now have a bunch of excuses NOT to trade Russ!” door. Even I, who had high hopes early on, don’t think this is a union that should last past this season but as we now know the talent evaluation ability of the front office is…shall we say flawed.
I don’t think we can hope for anything other than a brave showing in the playin, maybe a lengthy battle before 1st round exit at best. I’d certainly love to be proven wrong on that score but it’s just hard for me to believe in this team given the quality of their play from preseason to now. Worst case scenario at this point is obviously getting knocked out of the 10th spot by the Spurs.
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Now you’re scaring me, Jamie. Although I was kidding earlier that a Western Conference Finals finish could save both Frank’s and Russ’ jobs, I didn’t really consider the impact of that happening. Please, God, no.
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It’s anyone’s guess what Rob will do. Other than slowly dismantling a championship nucleus season-by-season since they won it’s hard to pin down how he wants the team to look.
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One of the things I dislike about Rob is he doesn’t seem to have a preference for style of play. There’s no consistent vision of the kind of team we’re trying to build. It changes every season with the players.
I prefer a GM who has strong belief in playing modern basketball. I don’t like GM’s who claim they can build teams to play any style and don’t have a preference. Same with coaches. Philosophy is important. It matters for GM’s and coaches. Rob has no philosophy while Frank has an outdated and unbalanced basketball philosophy.
Anybody who’s watched and studied the game has to have some understanding of how to play the game the right way. Fundamentals. Share the ball. Play smart. Shoot the three. Defend all three levels.
You build teams that fit the vision. What’s Rob’s vision? Frankly, nobody knows. It’s like having a handyman designing your dream home rather than an architect.
Take ‘Winning Time!’ Jerry Buss had a vision and turned it into Showtime. Phil Jackson had a vision and turned it into 5 titles. What this team lacks is an owner of PBO and coach who have a modern vision for the Lakers. It sure isn’t Jeanie and Rob. They’re just tinkers not tailors.
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There’s no doubt the Lakers need direction and frankly I trust Magic Johnson to make better big time decisions regarding coaches and players more than Rob Pelinka, Kurt Rambis, or anybody else in the Lakers front office.
Nobody’s perfect, especially when it comes to evaluating players, but I think Magic has as sound a basketball mind as anybody the Laker could get when it comes to style of play and players.
You just have someone like Rob running the front office day to day and keeping Magic posted. Magic is the Lakers paid Idea Man. I don’t think the Laker can come up with a better solution to fix their front office than bringing back Magic as President of Basketball Operations.