Like the photo above, every championship is a snapshot of a moment to be savored and cherished when everything went right and a team won the ultimate prize but not a promise that can be repeated or three-peated.
Life goes on and winning has its costs and rewards. For superstars like LeBron James and Anthony Davis, championship windows open. For other Lakers, major career decisions loom and financial opportunities beckon. Rajon Rondo, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Avery Bradley, and JaVale McGee have big player option decisions to consider while Dwight Howard and Markieff Morris have serious free agent financial opportunities to ponder.
Rob Pelinka will face a big challenge trying to keep players like Rondo, KCP, Howard, and Morris who will have strong value based on how well they played in the playoffs and will have to use the team’s MLE to keep them. That means the only way the Lakers can upgrade their roster will be via a trade, with Kyle Kuzma as the primary trading chip, Danny Green and JaVale McGee as filler, and their first round pick as the deal sweetener.
So here’s my final grade for each player on the Lakers’ roster and my prediction whether they will leave or stay with the team going forward:
1. LeBron James – Grade: (A+), Prediction: Stays
What more can you say. Unanimous Finals MVP, still the best player on the planet, and showing zero signs of slowing down. The engine powering the Lakers all season long and the heart and soul of their championship effort.
2. Anthony Davis – Grade: (A), Prediction: Stays
The perfect complement to LeBron James and still not close to his prime. AD’s the second best player on the planet and future face of the franchise. He’ll exercise his player option and re-sign 1+1 max contract with Lakers.
3. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – Grade: (A-), Prediction: Stays
KCP gets my vote as the third best player on the Lakers both for his outstanding regular season and clutch performance in the playoffs. He’ll exercise his player option and re-sign with Lakers for $12 million.
4. Rajon Rondo – Grade: (A-), Prediction: Stays
Rajon Rondo elevated his game and proved the Playoff Rondo moniker was real and he was still capable of being an elite player. He’ll exercise his player option but re-sign to play with LeBron and AD with a raise to $6 million.
5. Alex Caruso – Grade: (B+), Prediction: Stays
AC Fresh showed he deserved to play big minutes on the biggest stage and will continue to be a key component in the Lakers’ rotation. He should be untouchable when it comes to being traded and a key perimeter defender.
6. Markieff Morris – Grade: (B+), Prediction: Stays
Markieff Morris was the key to unleashing Anthony Davis at the five and will one of the Lakers’ top priorities in free agency this offseason for that reason. Markieff will re-sign with the Lakers and get a raise to $6 million.
7. Dwight Howard – Grade: (B), Prediction: Stays
Dwight Howard’s gamble on taking a non-guaranteed contract with the Lakers will payoff big and he will be a coveted free agent this offseason. He will ultimately re-sign at a discount with the Lakers for $4 million.
8. Kyle Kuzma – Grade: (B-), Prediction: Leaves
While Kuz made great progress this season as a defender, playmaker, and team player, he still plays the same starting position as LeBron and AD. Kyle deserves a starting role and salary. Lakers will trade him this offseason.
9. Danny Green – Grade: (B-), Prediction: Leaves
Danny Green played better than his personal stats indicated, posting top three net and plus/minus ratings showing his value goes beyond stats. Unfortunately, his $15 million expiring salary will be needed in a trade.
10. JaVale McGee – Grade: (C+), Prediction: Leaves
While JaVale played well early in the season, his play the second half of the season and playoffs declined considerably. He will decline his player option for the money but will be included in a trade with Kuzma and Green.
11. Avery Bradley – Grade: (C+), Prediction: Stays
Avery was an integral part of the Lakers’ regular season success but his decision to skip the playoffs for family reasons diminishes his final grade. He will decline his player option and stay part of the Lakers’ rotation.
12. Talen Horton-Tucker – Grade: (C+), Prediction: Stays
THT showed he has a future with the Lakers by his excellent playoff play. Depending on what happens with the roster, he could work his way into the rotation for next season. Or he could end up being trade sweetener.
12. Jared Dudley – Grade: (C), Prediction: Leaves
Jared Dudley filled his role as a veteran mentor and role model with the Lakers to perfection and was rewarded with a championship ring. Dudley will likely retire after this season and join some team’s coaching staff.
13. Quinn Cook – Grade: (C), Prediction: Leaves
Quinn Cook had moments during the regular season as a championship experienced mentor and the Lakers designated break-glass-in-case-of-emergency shooter. His contract is may be guaranteed if needed for a trade.
14. Dion Waiters – Grade: (C-), Prediction: Leaves
Dion Waiters had some promising moments during the seeding games but his performance ultimately couldn’t earn Vogel’s trust as a defender. Dion earned his championship ring but his time with the Lakers is done.
15. J.R. Smith – Grade: (C-), Prediction: Leaves
Despite being a last minute replacement for Avery Bradley, J.R. Smith got a few opportunities to shoot his way into the rotation during the playoffs but couldn’t take advantage of them. He gets a ring but will be moving on.
Call me an easy grader but I didn’t think any player on this team deserves a grade lower than a C- because they all contributed in practice and in building the great chemistry and culture that was integral to the Lakers winning the championship.
Let me know what you think of my grades and predictions and add your own in the comments below. I believe the Lakers will spend their MLE on keeping the core 7 players who excelled in the playoffs together plus Avery Bradley. That means the only way to improve the team will be to trade Kuzma, Green, and McGee.
The big question there is what is their greatest need and whom should they pursue to fill that need, which will be the subject of my next article. Thanks for reading. Interested to see what everybody thinks.
You are a very gracious grader LakerTom. I think THT, DeMarcus Cousins, Kostas Antetokounmpo, Devontae Cacok, should get Incompletes. They didn’t get (Or in the case of Cousins, not at all) enough time on the court to evaluate a true grade for what they did during the season or playoffs. Waiters and JR were just additions that we hoped would do something but ultimately didn’t end up needing (lower grades if anything). By the way, McGee has an option for 4.2 million that he will not be declining his player option because he will not be getting a higher offer than that from any other NBA team. Now he could be traded once he picks up that option, and I am sure you’re working hard on some trade offers for that.
I would say pretty fair grades in general, one could quibble but I think the main thing is there’s no way you win a title with major contributors who played at C level or lower. I also think it fair not to include the contract value/production equation. The team was the team.
The team-wide commitment to defense, the obvious camarderie and the scars they’ve shared are my biggest reasons fior running it back. Having said that, the league by nature of the Warriors getting healthy in the westa and K-squared getting healthy in the Easy. Those teams didn’t fret for extra rehab I can tell you that.
The bottom line is it’s naieve to think the same team wil take the court together come the start of next season. The odds are against it. I’m honestly waiting to see what cap rules/adjustments/additions they introduce to encourage player movement, alieviating hard to bear deals and escrow allowances for 2020-21. Hard to think out moves if you can amnesty the deal, for insatnce (an extreme outcome, I admit, but a potentislity).
At anyvrate, I do epxect the names Kuzma, Green, Bradleya dn Caruso to pop. Of the 4 Caruso is boderline untouchable. Would have to be a tremendous talent and don’t even see a aplyer that helps James be James like Alex save for Anthony Davis. A vey positive LeBron enabler.
LeBron A++
AD A++
KCP B+
Caruso B
Dwight B+
Green B-
Kuzma B
Rondo B (Playoff Rondo A+)
Quin Cook B-
Jared Dudley B
Avery Bradley B
THT C
Kostas C
Javale Mcgee B
Keef B
Both of you graded fairly, but am more in agreement with Sean. Great job guys.