2) I’m not even sure how big Luke’s contract is. Obviously they shouldn’t have given him a huge contract. Nevertheless, he is a very valuable player. His passing and understanding of the game is top notch. What Luke needs to do, DESPERATELY, i might add, is borrow Ariza’s shooting bible, which Ariza borrowed from Kobe. Luke needs to add a shot, whether it is the open mid range or long range shot, and hopefully both.

3) I am very disappointed with Bynum. It’s not the kids fault because he simply does not have the athletic movement he used to have before the injuries. The big question with Bynum is: will he regain his athletic ability? I suspect he will to a certain respect. His decision making also needs to improve –it was far better in the regular season when he was rebounding/defending like none other and would not shoot crazy shots. In the playoffs, and especially in game 5 against Orlando, he took a shot every time he touched the ball. This is unacceptable.

4) Sasha is an open shooter kind of guy and that’s it. He needs to play with Pau and Kobe on the floor and cannot muster up the performance on the second unit. He reminds me of a Steve Kerr or John Paxton type of player. Obviously not worth the money he is getting paid, but can still be valuable if used correctly.

He is a utility player one in which his numbers will not display why he is even on the team. Let’s face it, if Luke were on any other team in the league he would be out of the league by now (see Casey Jacobsen).

My problem with Sasha is that he is contributing nothing consistently, and after three-four years in this league and on the same team he should have an idea of what he is doing out there on the floor.

And as far as Trevor is concerned as a 3pt shooter, that highlights the flaws in Sasha’s game all the more, Trevor earned a reputation as a slasher, yet he has improved his 3pt shooting. Sasha entered this league as a shooter and can only shoot consistently during warm-up drills. Sasha has had ample time to prove his worth, and he has failed, time to give someone new three years to give us one good one.
Still, Trevor did not earn a moniker as a shooter as Sasha “The Machine” did for his ability to shoot.

I completely agree that Ariza brings much more to the table than Sasha. I am just saying that if the Lakers want to trade Sasha as quickly as possible next year, they need to give him minutes with Kobe and Pau, so his numbers look better and he becomes more tradable. If he continues to play with the second unit, he will get the same horrible numbers. There is no question Sasha is not worth the money he got. He is worth 1-2 million per year at the most.
The other point is that we keep talking about Sasha not being worth the money he was given. At least Sasha’s contract was for 3 years. I just can’t get over the Lakers giving Luke Walton a 6-year contract, after playing one year of mediocre basketball! The priority should be moving Luke not Sasha, because Luke has 4 more years left as opposed to Sasha’s 2!!! The only slim chance is to package him with Farmar or number one draft pick and cash (lots of it!).
Can you guys believe that last year, Michael Petrius could have been had for essentially the same money ? How about Kelenna Azubuike for almost half the money? Matt Barnes for the minimum Salary? The list goes on and on. Yet the Lakers went with Sasha, depite his horrible play in the finals againts Boston last year and now they find themselves handicapped with 2 really bad untradable contracts which may eventually cause them to lose either Lamar or Ariza.
I never thought they could ever get rid of Radmonovich’s horrible contract but somehow they did it. I hope MK can pull out one more miracle trade out of his hat and move either Luke or Sasha or Morrison, hopefully as early as Thursday, the draft day.

Since then choose the 42 would be very nice, remember that Marc Gasol was elected in second round this year and has played very well in the Grizzlies.

Beaubois is a freak guy. He has the physical tools but still don’t know how to use them. Speed and athletic, with a superb wingspan, something like 6’10 or close (correct me if I’m wrong) measuring 6’2. Lacks of true PG skills and though being a good athlete doesn’t move his feet well on D. He plays in France, which isn’t one of the premiere leagues in Europe, so I haven’t seen him play against proven european players. Could be a project ala Sun Yue. Not worth of a 1st round pick if you want him to contribute but if he can wait in Europe a couple years.

The guy the lakers should aim with its 42nd pick is Victor Claver. I was right with Marc Gasol, believe in me with this one. If Claver didn’t hurt this season, he probably would have been drafted in the early 20s.
He’s not a star, but he really has the tools to be a good role player. At 6’10” is a PF able to move in both forward positions. Can finish at the rim at will and knows how to shoot the 3 (arround 40% before injury) but lacks of shoot creation, most of his 3s come from spot up shooting. Slow defending at the wing but not rocky enough down the paint.
He’s pretty smart, doesn’t turn the ball over, mainly because he know what he cannot do and adjust to his role.

Right now, after the injury I would not give up a 1st round pick on him, but that might be a blessing. Euros being projected in late 1st round prefere to be selected in the 2nd round because it doesn’t have the same salaries restrictions. They can stay in Europe and sign a better contract than a first round pick. Look at the contract Marc Gasol (former laker 2nd round pick) have in comparison to Farmar (1st round pick). So if Claver lived up to his espectations playing a year or two more in Spain, the lakers wouldn’t be in the same situation Spurs are with Thiago Splitter, who’s not comming to the NBA because he’s a 1st round so his salary is determined, and he gets much much more money playing for Tau Vitoria.

The problem is we need Vujacic to be Bryant’s backup. I don’t care how good he is playing with Kobe. We need him to play good without Kobe.

Ariza gives us much more than 3p shooting. Vujacic is a spot shooter. So compating their 3p% doesn’t tell the whole story.

That said Vujacic played this season similar minutes like alst year – and produced very similar Win Shares number. He shot at lower percentage, but has less turnovers, more assists and steals. He would be a very usefull role player – at minimum salary. At full MLE – he’s a waste. Sadly.