Because of the Lakers’ heavy schedule early in the week, we haven’t had the opportunity to discuss the Sasha-for-Joe Smith trade. The three-team deal happened on Tuesday which essentially boiled down to a Sasha Vujacic for Joe Smith trade with New Jersey, but the Lakers also acquire: a 2011 2nd round draft pick from Golden State, a 2012 2nd round draft pick from Chicago, draft rights to Sergei Lishouk from Houston and a trade exception worth approximately $5.5 million (according to Larry Coon). With the trade, the Lakers should shed off about $8.687 million off of their payroll. Saving money is always great considering the Lakers huge payroll; however, this trade can have some on court implications as well.
Joe Smith is in his 16th NBA season and the Lakers will be the 12th team the journeyman has played for. The signing came on the heels of Lakers’ center Andrew Bynum announcing his return to the team, adding the much needed depth up front that has been one of the main sources of the Lakers struggles. Smith, a 6’10’’ power forward himself, will, along with Bynum add another big to the currently thin Lakers frontcourt.
So far this season, Joe Smith had seen the floor only four times for the New Jersey Nets, with only just over six minutes per game in those contests, but his lack of playing time is no testament to his ability to fit into the Lakers system. Smith played with Atlanta last season, only averaging eight minutes per game, but while on the floor he showed flashes of his younger years. Atlanta runs variations of the Princeton offense, with bigs catching the ball at the pinch post, so throwing Smith into the offense and putting him in similar situations should be a smooth transition for such an intelligent player. Going back and looking at some of the things he was able to do last season through Synergy, I noticed a few things that would suggest that he can find some minutes with the Lakers:
-While he was on the floor, he had great chemistry with both Al Horford and Zaza Pachulia. Because of his limited minutes, he didn’t record many assists, but a good percentage of his assists in the half court was a direct result of him passing to another big or receiving the ball from one of them and swinging the ball to an open shooter. Considering how well we’ve seen Gasol-Odom-Bynum pass, the offense shouldn’t slow down having Smith on the floor with any of those guys.
-Joe Smith is a great outlet passer. It’s clear that he isn’t going to spend much time with the starting unit, so his ability to grab defensive rebounds and immediately get the ball out to Blake-Barnes-Brown on the break can be an extremely useful asset. In the past two games, we’ve seen Odom get more run with the second unit with Bynum back, if Phil is able to throw out a line up of Blaker-Barnes-Brown-Odom-Smith, he’ll have five guys on the floor who can grab a defensive rebound and get the break going.
-Lastly, Smith is a great help defender. Like Theo Ratliff, he’s been a very alert defender his whole career who takes pride and sliding over to help side when a perimeter defender gets beat off the dribble to throw a shot into the stands. One thing that has been missing from the Lakers for most of the season is using their defense to create offense. Things have been picking up a bit lately, and if Joe Smith can find his way onto the court, he can help add on to this element of the game.
With all of the things he can do, it’s hard to imagine Smith contributing a lot of minutes — especially as the season progresses and Andrew Bynum’s health improves. Phil Jackson was largely three deep up front last season with DJ Mbenga and Josh Powell getting the scraps of minutes that Gasol-Odom-Bynum left behind. I imagine the same thing happening for the remainder of this season with the scraps being shared between Smith-Ratliff (when healthy)-Caracter. The best part of this trade is knowing that there will be two capable veteran big men at Jackson’s disposal as we approach the All-Star break and the latter half of the season.
Pat B says
I ran a YouTube search for Sergei Lishouk.
No results.
Yusuf says
Joe Smith’s jump shooting can be a great asset if given minutes
81 Witness says
I look at this trade on several levels:
1) Mitch/PJ felt Sasha didn’t play a big enough role to keep him around.
2) Now that Sasha has left, Mitch/PJ probably had a closed door talk about Shannon being the future at back-up point and that will probably mean the next MLE when Shannon’s agent advises him to opt out.
3) The Lakers picked up Smith to play a role similar to the vet big men.
4) The Lakers probably have little intention of signing either 2nd round pick as these guys do not come with any salary. Unless they turn into Caracter/Ebanks.
Great job Mitch!
DY says
Mitch K. is a downright genius. Many of us were clamoring for a big to be signed as a free agent. He waited and waited while Pau wilted. Now we get one, the Lakers save a great deal of money, plus we get a trade exception and some good 2nd round picks. Oh, and we get a serviceable vet in Joe Smith who will probably be ready to go when asked to play. Bouncing around teams means he probably developed a knack for learning playbooks very quickly. Plus, he’ll be nice to use when KG goes on his crazy rants (Smith and KG were buddies in Minnesota).
In all, a good move and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the occasional good mid-range shooting game from Smith to space the floor with Gasol and Bynum down low.
Cdog says
I mean, don’t overreact guys. He couldn’t get on the floor for a terrible New Jersey team (with a coach who preaches defense first.) And its not like NJ is loaded with good bigs outside of Lopez.
Smith will probably be used very sparsely (and in garbage time minutes) and I would be surprised to see him get more floor time than even Caracter. Doesn’t mean we didnt need the body to give Pau/Bynum a little extra rest, but if either of those guys go down (or are having an off night), its not like Joe Smith will be our savior.
This trade was largely a salary dump – Sasha wasn’t playing pretty much at all – and the Lakers (despite their payroll), have made a number of shrewd moves over the last few years in that regard. It would be much more exciting if the Lakers used the $5 million trade exception to acquire a little bit of a younger (and more promising), but that gets into trade speculation, and I’m not even sure whos out their to get.
The Dude Abides says
Yes, it’s primarily a salary dump, but it doesn’t mean that Smith won’t be useful. The reason Jersey didn’t play him much is because they’re rebuilding. They’re not playing Troy Murphy, either. They want the PF minutes to go to Humphries and Favors. Smith will fit right in on a veteran Laker team, and this combined with Luke’s improved health will enable Caracter and Ebanks to get some valuable minutes in the D-League.
Snoopy2006 says
Lishouk is 28 years old, so he’s not a secret project that’s going to blossom by any means. The few scouting reports I could find say he’s a solid perimeter shooter, but in all likelihood is too slow/unathletic for the NBA. I wouldn’t put money on him ever coming over.
Where’s our expert on Euro players, Xavier? I’m sure he knows more than the scarce reports I could find online.
What was the motive for adding him in the deal? He’s not coming over, and it’s just draft rights so it couldn’t have affected the salary picture, could it?
Edit: one report I found said he’s a perimeter scorer, the other said he’s more of a solid defender. I say he’s an all-around scrub.
Taylor says
Off-topic, but speaking of Troy Murphy and how we lost to the Pacers on that tip in a few years ago, he was a pretty remarkable rebounder and a decent player, how has his name not been circulating on the trade block? I understand Avery wanting to get the young guns some minutes, but Murphy is very capable and could start on a number of teams, now he’s not getting minutes.
MannyP says
Yao out with stress fracture. Ouch. Poor guy can’t get a break… um.. I mean… well, you know what I mean.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=5926989
Reign on Parades says
I look at Ratliff/Joe Smith strictly being veteran upgrades to DJ and JP, god bless their souls.
I kind of wish that Caracter and Ebanks moved up in the rotation over having spot minutes go to Luke and likely Joe Smith. But Phil has never been particularly one to play rooks and he should especially not care this year as he has no stake in the Lakers’ future if he’s actually retiring
The Dude Abides says
@8. Murphy’s expiring contract is the linchpin for any NJ-DEN deal for Carmelo. That team doesn’t see him as the future, preferring to give their PF minutes to Favors and Humphries. With Murphy getting a lot of minutes, NJ could be a 30-35 win team. With the younger players, their total wins will probably be somewhere in the 20s, so there’s no real point in playing him. To me, it’s dumb that they’re not at least playing him at backup center.
Arhithia says
It looks like Yao Ming’s latest stress fracture might mean that the Lakers will have (based on the released numbers for voting) 3 starters in the All-Star game (Kobe, Pau, Bynum).
With that said, hearing the latest setback in Yao’s progress is really a bummer. True centers add another skill/component to this great game and having the likes of a healthy Bynum, Yao, and even Oden (at the same time) is something I hope happens.
Busboys4me says
@Snoopy
Mitch said yesterday that the guy was to make the money work. Somehow, someway he was thrown in to make it all legal. He won’t ever play for the Lakers. He is not Marc Gasol, he is a slower Slava Medvedenko. Garbage. Still Houston might regret not keeping him now that Yao has another ouch.
I know saving money is important but I still would have loved to see Mitch work his magic and get Varejao. 25 minutes of him and Lamar (2nd unit) and Pau and Drew (starting) would have been worth the price of admission. Just sick to think about.
DJ-F.L.A.S.H. says
Phil, I really appreciate the optimism, but I’m just glad we saved 9 mil. Smith, along with Theo, are 2 of the most washed up players in the league and every Lakers fan knows it, the greatest asset they bring are professionalism and locker room leadership, as well as tips for Andrew Bynum, which to me honestly, is enough
Snoopy2006 says
13 – That makes more sense. How do draft rights make the money work though? Do they sort of count as though they already signed a contract? I figured unsigned players didn’t affect the money but I guess I was wrong.
Also, there is no way Cleveland gives up Varejao without getting high draft picks or a quality young player in return. They’re rebuilding and Varejao is their best trade piece. They wouldn’t trade Jamario Moon for Sasha. And I don’t even know if he still plays for the Cavs.
Darius Soriano says
I never heard Mitch mention that Lishouk was included to make the money work. In fact, I’m not even sure how that’s possible considering he doesn’t have a contract and is really only considered a 2nd round pick. In essence, there’s no money to trade as he doesn’t have a contract. On a side note, I’m working on trying to get some intel on him, but it may take a bit of time.
As for other prospects outside of Smith, there simply isn’t any money for that. One of the major goals of this trade was to save money, so why go and talk about acquiring a player that makes nearly double what Sasha does? Let’s be somewhat realistic, shall we?
Busboys4me says
Darius
He said it on the Loose Cannons yesterday.
Snoopy
The rookies, Sasha’s expiring contract, and however many draft picks we had at our disposal. I said it would have to be a magic trick.
Busboys4me says
Sorry Mason and Ireland not the Loose Cannons.
Darius Soriano says
#17. Thanks. Still wondering what he meant though. Because based off everything I’ve read, he wouldn’t have a contract and wouldn’t have any “money” associated with his rights. A first round pick like Rubio – a player that has a guaranteed contract associated with his rights – would have a $ value in any trade. But a former 2nd round pick’s draft rights? I don’t think it’d work that way.
T. Rogers says
13 – I have to second Snoopy’s comments. No way in Hades the Cavs give up Andy without some good compensation. He is a high energy, hustling big man. Just about every team in the league would love to get their hands on him. And the Cavs know it.
Busboys4me says
Darius
Calm down, you’re missing the point that this is a pipe dream. It wasn’t about saving money, it was about building a Super Team (which we already have to a certain extent). A team that could conceivably compete with an aged Kobe tagging along. That team would be so dominant in the paint that no one could stop them. Plus, only one of which would be over 31 next year. That means they could compete for a championship for another 5 years at least.
Who would you rather at any point in their careers? Caracter or Varejao? BiScott is only playing Varejao 28 minutes a game. He would get 25 here. Pipe dream, that’s it.
Igor Avidon says
Wow.. I’m amazed at anyone calling for Caracter to play over Smith. The kid’s been getting killed on D and his offense shows up once every five games. Joe is being under-rated by my fellow LA fans, hopefully he’ll be a very nice surprise even in garbage time.
Busboys4me says
Darius, Snoopy, T. Rogers
Most people scoffed at my rant that the Lakers should go after Pau instead of KG or Jermaine O’Neal prior to THE TRADE, but now everyone agrees he was the best choice. Opinons may differ, but that doesn’t necessarily make anyone wrong.
grail says
“if Phil is able to throw out a line up of Blaker-Barnes-Brown-Odom-Smith, he’ll have five guys on the floor who can grab a defensive rebound and get the break going.”
Hahaha it got pointed out over at Silverscreenandroll. Blakers gonna blake!
Aaron says
Darius,
We haven’t seen much of character playing at his natural spot on the floor… PF. He is a small PF to begin with and we have had him playing Center. I find it doubtfull that Smith can give us more than Character. This move wasn’t about getting a washed up PF.
Aaron says
whoops… I wished this post was titled… “Talking Sasha” because Sasha has meant more to the Lakers than Smith will. How quickly we forget Sasha was part of the closing 5 more times than not during the 08 run to the Finals where we lost to the Celtics. It was the only year he receieved consistant minutes and he made them count with hard nosed defense and clutch outside shooting. Anyone who has the respect of Kobe has my respect. And yes he closed games because the Lakers didn’t have a SF (Luke/Vlade) that year so they moved Kobe to the 3 in the 4th… but Sasha was the reason Luke and Vlade didn’t spend many 4th quarters on the floor. And oh yea… he made a couple huge FTs didn’t he? So here is to Sasha… the man who didn’t desserve the ripping he got. And for one last time, Joel Myers nicknamed him the machine!!!!!!
harold says
Sasha was useful, is useful, but his strong points were more or less rendered useless when Barnes came (feisty defense) and Brown grew (better shooting). And with Blake being serviceable we were a bit deep in the guard positions, so spending 5 mil there was too much of a luxury.
So despite him being worth keeping (more so than Caracter or Ebanks) he wasn’t really worth the bill, so we needed to dump him for something, and that something happened to be both a vet and a big man, assets valuable to any contender.
Smith, even if he doesn’t play, has got to appreciate the opportunity to play for a ring, and that supplement of hunger will serve us better than Sasha’s hunger for minutes and personal payout next season.
Also, in addition to Sasha salary dump, we also dumped the salary of a future 1st round pick, which won’t be a trifle with the luxury tax kicking in. The fact that we get 2nd round picks in return is pure gravy.
Lastly, Smith will be good enough against scrubs against whom he’s most likely to be on the floor against, which may mean an increase in his stats, and that prospect will probably have him work harder as he can try for one more contract after this one.
Darius Soriano says
#21. I’m perfectly calm. I also don’t concern myself with pipe dreams. I mean, I’d also like a time machine that brought back an in his prime Kareem to play with this current Laker group. That’d be fun too, no?
#25. Aaron, I’ve wanted to see more minutes from Caracter and think he’s best paired with Gasol as Pau’s a player that can allow him to play PF defensively while also having him play offense in the post. You see, the issue with Caracter isn’t that he’s not good enough to play (although on defense he’s still got some learning to do), it’s that he’s best in the post on offense (he still gets lost when having to play on the wing the way a PF does in the Triangle) but can’t really defend other teams’ good post players on the other end. In this regard, Smith *is* a better option in that he can more comfortably play in more spots on offense while defending other teams’ bigs.
In the big picture though, neither player should see many minutes. I like Phillip’s post in that it speaks to Smith’s strengths and he actually went to the video evidence (via Synergy) to see what Smith excelled at last year and in his few games this year. But, again, the Lakers big man rotation is now back and even a limited Bynum is worlds better than what any other big man not named Odom or Gasol can give the Lakers right now. And if everything goes well, neither Smith, Ratliff, or Caracter will need to play any significant minutes this year and will only be insurance players or guys that get burn during blowouts.
Ed says
DC is not a small PF(his natural position) 6`8,good length,270. He just needs more PT to develop. When Theo comes back, Phil will have to decide which vet gets the possible 5 to 10 min per game.
VoR says
Let me get this straight – Bynum might make the allstar team?!?! *shakes head and closes computer*
sT says
Can a player make the All-Star team with what he might contribute? Hey, do not get me wrong, I am Bynum’s biggest supporter, but VOR@30 has a point, if I got what he is saying, correctly. Actually, I hope he is doing 20 and 10, with 2 blocks and a few assists a game by then.
james says
the nba made a major mistake not putting Gasol or Duncan as a centre in the west now it will be very embarrasing if bynum is selected
Snoopy2006 says
Marc Gasol is a viable option, with Yao out I say he actually jumps to the front.
Somewhere David Kahn is starting letdarkostart.com.
Darius Soriano says
Just goes to show how weak Center is in the West and really, the entire NBA. I mean Yao and Bynum are big enough names, but the fact is that neither belong anywhere near the all-star game based off their play. I’d go with the younger Gasol or Nene in the West if I had to choose an actual Center. If I could go with a big man that plays enough Center but also plays PF, I’d go with Timmy or Pau and call it a day. That way I could get guys like Millsap, Blake Griffin or even LO on the team and still have the requisite big man on the team. Plus, Forward is so deep in the West that one or more of those guys likely won’t make it even though all three could be seriously argued for.
Cdog says
So far this year, Pau has been our primary center, and Time Duncan has been the primary center for the Spurs for the past 7 years. Those guys just dont want to be affiliated with the word center (which by all accounts is why Tim insists he is a PF at 7’0) because then they are measured against the Shaqs and Dwight Howards of the world. Just remember, Kendrick Perkins primarily guarded Gasol in last years playoffs, and Duncan almost always guarded Shaq in crunchtime in all of those Laker-Spur playoffs.
Bynum shouldn’t be qualified to play for the All Star game, and neither should Yao. If not Duncan (who is having a down year), then its has to be the only center left in the West, Nene. Camby from Portland could qualify as well, but he is no all star.
The east is even worse though. After Dwight, who do you pick at center? Shaq? Hibbert, Bogut? All are quality players right now, but none of them are playing at an all star level this season.
Snoopy2006 says
Everyone knows Duncan is a center now. I respect Duncan’s attitude, but it seems he’s very concerned with his legacy (not necessarily a bad thing). He knows if he’s compared to other PFs, he’ll go down as the greatest of all-time. Put him in the center discussion, and he’s 4th or 5th at best.
Darius Soriano says
To be fair to Duncan, he came into the league as a PF and he’d still be one if quality Centers existed that could play next to him as compliments on both sides of the ball. Instead, he does everything a Center does because the team can’t find a guy to do those things while actually playing next to Duncan. I think the Spurs were hoping Splitter would be that guy but it hasn’t happened *yet*.
Taylor says
Guys (and girls), I think we can all agree the our NBA All-Start selection is a bit flawed. I mean, I wouldn’t be too surprised if Allen Iverson gets enough write-in votes and comes back to play. Heck, TMac may make a run at it though he’s not on the ballot this year.
Who was it that proposed the top two vote-getters select their team? How fun would that be, like playground ball. (Hockey is trying this, correct?)
VoR says
Yeah, don’t get me wrong. I am all for Bynum blowing up this year and being an all star for years to come. It just stuns me that people vote for him or Yao, given that they haven’t been playing. I think those votes should be thrown out. Give the guys that have been banging night in and night out a shot.
I am not sure there is a good way to select all star teams. There are always snubs and people who get in on their reputation a few years ago, but this is kind of absurd.
Of course, I feel that way about most of these awards, so I’ll get off my soap box now.
How about that Joe Smith, huh? Lakers could have used him for the last three minutes last night….
sT says
Kind of OT, but did you see Duncan’s stats tonight: 28pts, 16reb, 4ast, 1stl, 4blk and 0to’s, and guess what he was on my BN (just got him in a trade), who said he is having a bad year, I guess he is allowed one great game when I decide not to play him, Reed is happy about now I imagine. I also want to see what Joe Smith will give us in a game or so, BTW.
grail says
You guys forget that Kobe started for the ASG even when he wasn’t a starter on his own team.
kaveh says
36.Snoopy2006 wrote on December 16, 2010 at 7:46 pm
Everyone knows Duncan is a center now. I respect Duncan’s attitude, but it seems he’s very concerned with his legacy (not necessarily a bad thing). He knows if he’s compared to other PFs, he’ll go down as the greatest of all-time. Put him in the center discussion, and he’s 4th or 5th at best.
—————–
Definitely true. I wonder how the media would scream blood selfish murder if Kobe claimed himself a 3 so he could be the best 3 of all time so he wouldn’t have to compete with his Airness? Selfish Duncan? Is that even in the media’s vocabulary?
Busboys4me says
Darius
Nice cynical retort but again what were you saying when I suggested Pau instead of KG or JO? Sometimes you need to smoke what’s in the pipe.
harold says
kaveh, that’s interesting.
If we consider Kobe a 3, where does he rank all-time?
Bill Bridges says
Good salary dump Mitch.
But not necessarily the best trade.
This trade could have been done in the summer but timing suggests that front court depth concerns played a part.
But Bynum is now back and if Ratliff returns soon, there is no room for a 5th big. And Caracter has to go the D league?
Smith is done. And even at his best, he’s no banger. He is kinda a Horace Grant – lite. Let’s hope he can still hit the 17 footer, when he gets PT, which he will not get.
My problem with the trade is that the only asset the Lakers have to work with plus draft picks was Sasha’s expiring contract. Surely this could be parlayed into a player with upside AND reduce payroll.
For instance, I would much rather have gotten Terrance Williams. He would instantly have become the only other player on the team that can create off the dribble. He is the type of player with athleticism but no defined position that could have excelled under Phil in the triangle. Instead Williams now goes to back up Martin, Lee, and Budinger?
With Bynum and Ratliff, I say front court depth is fine. Where we are short is in the back court. If Brown gets hurt who backs up Kobe – Barnes? It would have been nice to have Williams on the bench learning the system just in case.
If you want a big, why not a young big with upside rather than a geriatric journeyman. What about Mareese Speights? Couldn’t Mitch get a young big with upside from a team out of the playoffs seeking to reduce long term contracts?
Or do nothing. With Bynum returning, the urgency for a big is reduced. Then why not wait for a firesale by a losing team as the dead line approaches?
Yeah saving money is great – for Buss. But a player would upside would be nicer.
DY says
45. Remember the $5.4 trade exception. If the Lakers are interested buyers come the trade deadline, that can easily be packaged with a 2nd rounder to a losing team that wants to shed payroll. The best part about the trade exception is that Buss doesn’t have to pay salary on it nor is he going to have a luxury tax bill for it; with Sasha, we were paying both.
I doubt that the Nets would have given us TWill because they received a much higher 1st round pick in return for him, although it is lottery-protected for 2011, it will have less protection over the years. Compared with the Lakers offering a high 20s pick, it was a no brainer. The FO had to shore up its frontline and I presume that Phil likes veteran journeymen as opposed to young guns like Speights because vets tend to acclimate better with new teams chemistry/playbook wise.
So, in summary, we marginally shore up our big men rotation, have a $5.4mm trade exception which we can use, saved almost $9mm, and we got two 2nd rounders. A win in my book.
kc says
As two previous comments suggested, I also agree that end result is a win situation for the lakers FO. As comment 45 suggested, it could have been much better had we gotten the younger players but who knows, if we got the other players, then the trade dynamics may have changed as well.
Overall, a good/great trade, just not Pau trade.
Darius Soriano says
#43. I understand what you’re saying. I too want the strongest team possible and it’s fun to look at how that could come to fruition. But, I think we can agree that the circumstances are much different today than what they were when the Lakers were actively looking for that next piece to become contenders again. At that time, I was saying that I’d be happy with any big man upgrade over Kwame – including Gasol. But, I also remember that there were many more options at that time to upgrade the team based off the assets that the Lakers had and the willingness to spend the money in order to build a contender. My point about the speculation now is that what’s the driver? The Lakers do have a super team. They don’t need a $10 million player as the 4th big man. This team is now built in a way that the money is being used on quality guys at every position that combine to build a contender.
All snark aside, if the Lakers were in a different place, I’d be more than happy to entertain a variety of hypotheticals to get the team to where they need to go. But, the fact is that the team is where we fans should want them to be. They’re perenial contenders with a roster flush with talent. My desires for more are nearly nil with this group.
Walter says
I have seen quite a few posts where people wish Mitch would have gotten a younger player with more upside. I don’t necessarily see why we would really want or need that.
I think there are 3 big reasons why we couldn’t get a better young player with more potential.
1) Money- I am sure it would have cost the Lakers more to get a younger player with upside as teams value that potential. There is no way we would have gotten him for what we will be paying Smith
2) Playing time – We have virtually no room on the roster to give any new player playing time. Fisher and Barnes take the full time at PG, Kobe and Brown at SG, Artest and Barnes at SF, Gasol and Odom at PF, and Bynum and Gasol at C. With our healthy line-up we are two deep at every position. The only way a young player with upside would have gotten any minutes to develop would be if he moved ahead of one of those players I just listed and I don’t see anyone available right now that is better than any of those guys. Basically the Lakers are simply shuffling their “insurance policy” players to make sure we have bigs in the case one of our three bigs gets injured.
3) Future salary commitments – The Lakers are significantly over the cap with no relief coming (other than Sasha’s contract that was going to expire). It is quite clear that Brown is a keeper and thus the Lakers need to cut unneccessary salary to be able to resign him (and probably Barnes as well). The Lakers are now in a much better position where the only player who really is not worth their salary is Walton.
I think the Lakers are in a great position now in terms of talent, depth, and financials. We are paying each of our main contributors (our 9 man rotation) a fair salary (no one is really over-paid)… and our 4 insurance policies (Smith, Ratliff, Character, and Ebanks are making roughly $3.5 Million COMBINED!!!)
I couldn’t be happier with the deal.
Darius Soriano says
#45. Bill Bridges,
I agree with you, but only to a point. I think what this trade taught us is that Sasha’s value as an expiring deal was fairly low. If you look around the league, there are a lot of expiring deals out there and surely ones attached to better players than the Machine. So, Mitch had to try and find a willing partner that would take on Sasha while still getting what the team actually wanted: salary relief.
Remember too that if the Lakers were really going to get that relief they had to make a trade with a team that was under the cap. There aren’t too many of those teams around – the Nets were one, the Raptors are another, but there aren’t too many more than that. So, a proposed deal with Philly for Speights wouldn’t have worked because he doesn’t make enough money to make the contracts match and Philly is over the cap and couldn’t absorb the excess dollars on Sasha’s contract to make it a legal trade. So to get Speights (or any other young player on the outs with his current team that makes less money than Sasha but is on a team that’s at or over the cap), the Lakers would have had to take on an additional contract to make the money match and that complicates any deal from the Lakers standpoint.
In the end, this is why Mitch probably made the best deal he could. He made a deal for future assets (at least potential ones) by getting those 2nd round picks and they accomplished the goal of saving money this year AND next year by dealing for a player that makes less money than Sasha that also has an expiring contract and getting him from a team that was under the cap (meaning they could absorb Sasha’s contract without having to send out matching money).
I’m not saying there wasn’t a better deal out there, but finding it AND making it work may have meant not being able to get this deal done. And this deal, for all the above reasons, accomplished too many of the Lakers goals to put on hold while another deal is sought out.
Anonymous says
It looks like the deal dumping Sash was a very good one, considering what the Lakers FO had to work with.
It saves the team money now and gives them flexibility to add useful players now and/or later.
I don’t think the Lakers need more horses at present; they are already loaded and in positon to win it all this season, without totally mortgaging their future.
It seems like a really nice position to be in!
VoR says
I don’t know doodlysquat about next year, but it seems possible to me that some owners/GM expect a lockout and then a reconfigured collective bargaining agreement. If that is the case, an expiring contract probably doesn’t carry the weight it would have a year or two ago.
Zephid says
Forget T-Will, we shoulda gotten Carmelo for Sasha!!!!!
JB says
If we consider Kobe a 3, where does he rank all-time?
He’s not, let’s get that out of the way. But the best 3s in history (off the top of my head, I’ll probably forget one) are Bird, Baylor and Dr. J.
And LeBron is probably a 3, given his size–he’s really Monta Ellis’ skillset (with better passing) in Karl Malone’s body, so he’s half 2 and half 4, thusly a 3.
Setting LeBron aside momentarily, I’d put Kobe ahead of Bird (naturally–it’s worth noting that in my personal overall rankings Bird is just outside of the top 10 ever–Duncan, Shaq and Kobe are all ahead of him), Erving, and just ahead of Baylor, mostly due to the Ring Factor.
I’m struggling to think of another HoF 3 that’s in the all-time greats conversation. But he’s not, so this is idle. I just like taking shots at Bird.
VoR says
I thought this was a brilliant line from Ding today about why the victory over the Pacers had some added meaning to it.
“The Lakers are rarely the team that wants it more than the other in any given regular-season game. But if they do want it more, they should win – and look great winning.”
MannyP says
If Bynum is voted an all-star, should he do the right thing and decline to attend?
Aaron says
If an All Star starter is unable to play the league picks the substitute and the coach picks the starter. The player with the 2nd most votes does not make the team.
chris h says
I also heard there was an undisclosed amount of cash, (up to $3 million) to the takers of Sasha, which says again how difficult is was to get a team to take his contract on.
robinred says
With the pick and the TE/cap help, I like the Smith/Vuajcic deal.
The problem for the team going forward is how long the contracts are. Here is how old the guys will be when their deals (including player options) expire.
Bryant 36
Gasol 34
Odom 33
Artest 35
Fisher 39
Blake 34
Walton I think has two years left as well, although I am not sure.
Barnes’ contract is excellent, and so is Brown’s. Bynum’s is fine, injuries and all.
I am hopeful that Ebanks/Carcater and/or a couple of the 2nd rounders Kupchak has accrued can be rotation players over the next 2-3 years.
Darius Soriano says
The game preview for tonight is up.
http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2010/12/17/preview-and-chat-the-philadelphia-76ers-4/
dave m says
Wouldn’t it be funny if Sasha somehow wound up with the Nuggets as part of a Melo trade? There’s a 60 day moratorium I think, if he’s part of a package. Still, he could be a useful expiring chip for both NJ and Denver, no?