Aloha,
I have been checking in on the Lakers this off season more then usual this time of year, because of the additions, but Primarily because everything is settled by now. The Gasol question is still the largest remaining one. Publicity Marc has said he intends to return. He has not made any statements about retirement. Yet we are supposed to be after DJ. It would make little sense carrying 3 traditional centers when our greatest remaining need is a wing defender with size. The interesting thing is DJ has cleared waivers but he is still unsigned and Marc is still on the roster. This is a crazy business and you never know what’s going to happen but it has always seemed unlikely that the Lakers would cut him for DK when they have Dwight. Marc offers a different skill set while DJ is pretty much Dwight lite. So are they waiting on Marc? Is there a trade in the works? Who knows but after such a great off season, I think it would be a huge error carrying 3 traditional centers. Beside if AD were to go down, LeBron is about the only guy on the roster that you could plug in at the small ball 5, which I’m not sure I like.
A lot has been made about Westbrook’s awkward fit but I’m not worried. This team is loaded with high IQ players so they will figure it out. I suspect both Russ and LeBron will both play more off the ball then they are use to but they will adapt.
I’m the most curious about the younger guys. We invested in THT and think that was a good thing. He showed a lot of on ball defensive ability last year, he just needs to clean up his rotations, which is typical of 20 year olds. Hopefully he can raise his 3 point shooting % as well. His stroke looked good hopefully it’s a confidence issue and that’s resolved. I don’t expect him to sky rocket to a 40%er in one off season but he can lift it to 35% this year that would be great.
Nunn is the guy that is really on my mind. Many pundits feel he may have been the steal of the free agency period. He is thought of as an under rated defender but because of his size he will probably be defending the point most of the time. I see him getting most of his minutes with LeBron playing the Avery Bradley role. Defending the point but a much better scorer. Unless he really under performs, I don’t think we will see much of Rondo. All the pundits from Picus, to the Spectrum Lakers crew to others I read believe Rondo won’t see many minutes. At least in the regular season. I agree with Jamie here, if Rondo plays a lot, something is terribly wrong. Either injuries or under performance.
Not gonna lie, THT has been my most forgotten player this offseason. I hope he takes a step forward.
Couldn’t agree more on the perplexing rumors regarding DAJ, whom I consider far inferior to Gasol in just about every category except for time spent on his hair. The dude is more often injured than not, does not have the lift like he did even a couple season ago, and seems disinterested in growing his game in any meaningful way. If he ends up on the team in lieu of Marc I think it will be a rather large mistake.
Also agree in regards to Rajon. If he’s seeing a lot of minutes in the regular season something has gone very wrong somewhere else.
Aloha, Michael,
I think the reason why the Lakers want Jordan as their backup center rather than Gasol is rim protection. Gasol obviously is not a shot blocking threat and his high BBIQ can’t compensate for his slowness afoot or inability to jump.
As for Russ, like you, I am not worried about Russ at all. He’s such an improvement over Dennis in so many major ways that it’s silly all the negativity and shade being thrown at him. He is a legitimate third superstar. Be a little conservative on midrange and 3-point jumpers when you’re not hot and he’ll be fine. His energy and drive alone will be a game changer.
The young players – Nunn, Monk, and THT – should get lots of minutes in the regular season. They all need time on the court to become better defenders. Hopefully, by the time the playoffs arrive, Kendrick and Malik will have become better defenders and THT a better outside shooter.
My question Tom is more what’s going on at center. You seem to think that the Lakers prefer DJ yet Marc is on the team and DJ is not. It would make so little sense to carry all 3. That leads me to believe the Lakers are either exploring trades or they are waiting on Marc. If it was simply they prefer DJ they would signed him as soon as he cleared waivers. Something is up. Im not sure what, but DJ seems to think he’s coming but there have only been rumors about the Lakers interest. Last year Howard announced he was resigning then he didn’t. Could history be repeating with DJ? It’s just a puzzle to me.
This entire season is going to revolve around what the Lakers do with the center position. Is AD going to play the 5 like he talked about with LeBron and Russ before free agency? Or is Frank going to try and replicate his JaVale McGee plan with Dwight or DeAndre?
Frankly, with Russ at the point, the Lakers must start AD at center if they want to improve their 3-point shooting differential when they play teams like the Jazz, Clippers, or Nets, who are much better outside shooting teams.
I think the Lakers are probably looking to see if they can trade Gasol or if Marc will retire. That is probably the holdup right now. Maybe Marc is willing to play for certain other teams. And the Lakers are probably not going to sign DeAndre until they resolve the Gasol situation. That would be foolish.
No bigger decision for the Lakers coaching staff than whether AD starts and closes games at the five. It will make or break this season imo.
I think numerous reports from Marc Stein, Jovan Buha, and Jake Fischer have pretty much sealed that the Lakers are going to replace Gasol with Jordan.
I don’t think it’s that simple Tom. And reporters like us fans also get it wrong a lot. At this point it appears that DJ maybe the Lakers fall back plan, not their target. If they simply wanted DJ they could just sign him, wait for a trade or for Marc to retire. If neither happens they could just cut him. By not signing DJ they risk DJ signing elsewhere. Considering they would still have an open roster spot to add someone else, it doesn’t make sense not to just sign DJ now and then cut Marc later if necessary. And perhaps they will sign DJ soon. But every day that goes by without signing DJ leads me to believe that they would prefer Marc coming back.
I think it’s just taking care of the details and fully expect Jordan to replace Gasol on the roster.
https://twitter.com/SportsMatt12/status/1435389545286184962
Thanks for bringing this up, Michael. I have been asking myself the same question for at least a week now. Are we going into the season with three centers? This is what is leaving me thoroughly perplexed. But we will find out soon.
The BIG question I have been asking myself is what is the Lakers plan for the center position? Here are what appear to be the three possible options.
1. AD starts or plays half the time at the five like the title season?
2. Frank actually starts Dwight or DeAndre in a screwball version of JaVale McGee to start each half?
3. They keep three centers besides AD and Marc Gasol starts as this year’s JaVale McGee.
No way any option but #1 makes good sense with Russ at the point. This is the BIG cunnundrum facing the Lakers.