The Lakers haven’t been idle in free agency, but the results have still made them out to be spectators. When free agency opened on Tuesday night, they met with LaMarcus Aldridge in Los Angeles, on Wednesday morning they flew to the east coast to meet with Greg Monroe, then returned back to Los Angeles to meet with DeAndre Jordan. If you’re scoring at home, though, Aldridge will reportedly not sign with the Lakers, Monroe has chosen the Bucks, and DeAndre Jordan will choose between the Mavericks and the Clippers.
Looks like the team did all that zigzagging across the country for nothing. I guess John Wooden was right, do not mistake activity for achievement.
Where does this leave the Lakers? With fewer options, for sure. If looking strictly at the players I mentioned when discussing targets and positional priorities, only Robin Lopez and Tobias Harris are still available on the market. Both would still be good fits, especially Lopez whose interior defense, rebounding, and high motor would be welcomed. Harris too, though, also brings his own strengths, including versatility, offensive punch, and a combination of youth and physical tools which would fit well with the current makeup of the team.
As for others still on the market, I would be very happy to see Ed Davis return to the team. We have not discussed him much, but he showed last year he is a very capable player who can soak up 20-25 minutes a night and do with good efficiency marks while maintaining high effort. He is smart, plays well within his role, rarely forces the action, and does a lot of little things well which add up over the course of a game.
He is not without flaws, of course. His slight build makes him less than ideal as a full time center defensively, but his lack of range offensively means he’s not really a viable option as a power forward in a league becoming more and more stretchy at that spot. His free throw shooting has regressed every season he’s been in the league. These are the traits that have probably contributed to him not yet being signed, but in the larger scheme of things the sum of his strengths outweigh those deficiencies.
After Davis, Jordan Hill remains an option and the team could always try to wade into the restricted free agency waters with a bid on Enes Kanter — though, like Monroe his defensive deficiencies would give me some pause, especially since he can only play center. Kosta Koufos is another option, especially after the Grizzlies signed Brandan Wright as a back up big. Koufos (26) is a year younger than Lopez, plays good interior defense (though is not dynamic) and is a capable offensive player. He’s been mostly a back up his entire career, but like Davis could play 20-25 good minutes a night. A flyer option would be former Bobcat/Hornet lottery pick Bismack Biyombo, a player who possesses polar opposite ability on defense (good) as he does on offense (not good).
If those options sound slim, it’s because they are. And if you do not like hearing that, you certainly won’t like discussing available options on the wing. The dearth of perimeter free agents was snatched up quickly as many teams looked to lock up the exact types of players who the Warriors used to win their championship just a month ago. Versatility on the wing with any sort of defensive ability was one of the quickest selling commodities on the market and now the shelves are pretty much empty. In other words, get used to the idea of seeing Nick Young and Kobe play a lot of small forward while Clarkson and Russell (and Jabari Brown) man the guard spots.
If all of this sounds a little disappointing to you, I don’t blame you. Part of the team’s struggles this free agency period was a disconnect between expectations and what was realistically possible, between the brand recognition and cache to get meetings and the need for more in the cupboards besides being the Lakers to get people to come on board. Free agency is a period where it is easy to get excited about the possibility of something big, but the reality is proving the Lakers were not ready for that yet. A more prudent approach of chasing mid-tiered players who could help strengthen the talent base could have turned some of the current feelings into more positive ones.
Fact is, though, the Lakers still have a roster to fill out and should be trying every avenue they have at their disposal to do so. One option we have not yet discussed would be using their cap space to try and absorb unwanted contracts (Roy Hibbert?) and fill needs that way. It is difficult to say what is or is not possible in this way, but the only way to find out is to get creative and make inquiries (which I’m guessing the front office is doing) and go from there. Hopefully, we do see some results soon.
Calvin says
Looks like it’s a good idea to do another stealth tank with gimmicks. It will be difficult to nail a bottom 3 spot, but think of next season’s talent. Ben Simmons, Thon Maker, Skal Labisierre. For this upcoming season, sign Bhullar for minimum and play him 15 minutes a game to tap into sponsors from India. Resign Jeremy and get more advertisements. Employ a 2001 Sixers type of game where Kobe is allowed to shoot 30 shots per game while everyone else plays defense or hustles. Give Randle, Russell and Clarkson 30 minutes per game to develop. This will ensure a profitable tank.
Martin says
ABSOLUTE FAILURE!
Keilin says
I’m so disappointed with the free agency period, but I think same as you as to acquire Roy hibbert, it would be a great upgrade at center, and do it while he is still available, other teams have him on mind too. I would have Russell, kobe, Anthony Brown, Randle, hibbert… I think Brown can turn into a very good Player in time with his shooting and defense (wich can only improve under byron Scott).
smokedaddy says
Truthfully, it doesn’t hurt so much that we have missed on LMA, or DJ, or Monroe. What is concerning are A) the fact we have not talked with the so-called B list guys that could really help the team. Namely Chandler and Lopez. Did we even contact Chandler. Tyson came into his own in Orleans with Byron giving him the encouragement he never got in 5 years in Chicago. Lopez is another native SoCal guy with the skills we need. Sure, meet with the big guys, but don’t wait on the guys we can realistically expect and would be great fits. Right now that means Lopez and/or Davis. As for Harris, we should be meeting with him too and be prepared to offer him the 25% max come the 9th. So, because of the timing issue on the 3 day offer, the team has got a little bit of an excuse. Now, realistically, it’ll be really hard to fit in both Davis & Lopez in with Harris. Maybe impossible. What is Hibbert making no. If the Pacers miss on Ellis, might they go for Swaggy? Hibbert, Davis, Harris would be interesting.
beyondblue says
Lopez and Koufas would be solid additions, guys who can be legit pieces when the young Lakers develop, but I would be pretty happy to see them use that cap space to absorb some bad contracts if they can get picks out of the deal.
Tobias Harris seems pretty polarizing, but now that Atlanta is keeping Millsap, Orlando does not have much reason to let him walk.
At least we don’t have to worry about them signing Rondo, right?
Shaun says
I say we only take on contracts in the way that philly did …. with added assets
We are going to again be the worst team in the west unless portland and dallas completely capsize, which are both possible
In the east – only the knicks may he worse and with more interconference play i see orlando and philly as getting more wins than us as their teams are a few years ahead of us in terms of development
Best outcome to next year is the #1 pick
Hope for Next years FA class will actually be interested in us
Whos free next year
– al horford – top big man
– evan turner
– joe johnson
– nik batim
– al jefferson – 2nd big
– joakim noah
– mozgov
– galinari
-wilson chandler
– brandon jennings
– david lee
– roy hibbert
– dwight howard
– mike conley
– jeff green
– luol demg
– hassant whiteside – 3rd big
– oj mayo
– ryan amderson
– eric gordon
– kevin durant …. only transformational guy
– demar derozen
I guess we keep our young core and tell KD he has his pick of teammates
Matt R. says
Hibbert is under contract – you’d have to trade for him. Not sure what we’d give up for him.
Take your shot at Lopez.
Calvin says
Lakers need to see if they can poach the assistants of Sam Hinkie or Daryl Morey to beef up their analytics team. Jeanie should stop joining the free agent presentations. From what I’ve heard of her interviews, she doesn’t seem to understand the competitive or strategic side of basketball. I wonder if her presence in pitches is a negative.
Zed says
If only Kobe were more like Duncan. I used to hate the Spurs so much. No I admire them. They have managed to make Duncan feel valued and respected while not overpaying him. Which has given them the flexibility to surround him with multiple good players. Of course this ain’t just about the organization — it’s about the man. duncan has proven to be a helluva teammate — putting his own personal glory and paycheck aside for good of the team. When we are in a world of 15 mil vs 25 mil — it’s already a crazy conversation. The Bryant family is already set for multiple generations — why he didn’t have the foresight to see the results of his chosen path is beyond me.
KC says
This just proves that we are now in the process of rebuilding through draft. Need to protect our picks in the near future as well as collect additional picks from the others. At present, it is clear that no marquee FA would want to join the Lakers and our only other options are finding talent via draft, find undrafted talents with upside, and/or other FA’s with a chip on a shoulder. Plus it probably doesn’t help that West is stacked making it a much more difficult conference to succeed in.
I remember post Magic days, it did take some time to get back into the groove of things and perhaps we are at that stage again. At least Kobe should know that the team did try to get him a roster that could get him to the Playoffs/Finals.
Dencio says
Sign Lopez ASAP then make that offer to Harris. Gotta get these deals done or back to the abyss.
Vic Vegas says
There is an underrated aspect of this failure. We were told to be patient because 2015 was supposed to be the year a bunch of big time players would become free agents.
Next year’s crop is not nearly as impressive.
And to make this so much worse than it seems, when the cap expands next year and the year after, it will give a bunch of teams more leverage and level the playing field for acquiring talent.
i don’t like the sound of that window closing.
George says
Check out the video in the upper right corner. ‘Windhorst: Lakers are at the kiddie table’. Essentially says the Lakers are out of touch and lagging in key areas. What is important is that the accusers are not un-named sources or the ‘media’ but actual elite players.
He closes by saying the Lakers can learn from this and be better prepared in the future or continue our slide into irreverence.
__
Jim has been an epic failure as these are Basketball Operations’ issues. This issue has now been raised in a very public and embarrassing manner. It on Jeanie now to act.
Prob says
The lakers have not been creative. They lack the ability to connect with young veterans, and building a solid team from a analytic stand point. This is why there suffering, they really need change in management for the sake of the laker legacy. Mitch Kupchack is all time great general manager but like Kobe sometime you have to learn to call it quits for the better of your companies sake and most I’mportantly your own legacy. We will always appreciate what Mitch did for the organization in the PAST, just like we appreciated Jerry west for he did for the laker organization, but trying to adapt to new climate when always been successful in the old way of doing things will not benefit in the end. Jerry Buss (God bless his soul) left behind children who watched what their father did in the past and are now trying emulate him. Not realizing that the times have changed and the game has changed almost dramatically. You need to take a chance on young, aspiring GM that has studied the game from an analytic stand point and possibly worked as an intern for one of the other teams that have been successful in today’s NBA and give them a job. It’s time for new thoughts in the front office while still maintaining the same brand and culture they have always had
macster says
@KC
Double click to editI agree 100% with what you said. It’s time to do this the right way or we’ll be "Dwight" back here again.
M~
Baylor Fan says
I am not disappointed at the inability of the Lakers to sign the high profile free agents. They are not what they need right now. Koufos is even more available since he definitely will not resign with Memphis and has good defensive chops from playing there. The other player that would really help is Patrick Beverly. He is solid defensively and a good spot up shooter. He is a bad PG but who cares with Russel and Clarkson. Finally, the Lakers would have someone who can slow down opposing PGs.
ragsdale says
zed: as hard as this is to do as a fan (and i am frustrated as well), one must look at the nba as a business. and by recognizing this, you must understand/study the history of labor in america; and when you do this, you realize that so much of what we have that is ‘good’ in america is due to the struggles and achievements of labor over ownership/management. i’m certain your salary and the salary of most americans is what it is because of our traditionally strong support of the ‘worker’. and yes, as crazy as their salaries are, the players are the ‘workers’ and in no quarter of the world, would a worker be expected to have a ‘ceiling’/cap and then after having this artificial ceiling put in place, also have social and professional pressures to take even less than the already artificial lowering of their value (and yes, kobe even now is worth $50 million a year–i live back and forth b/n l.a. and china/taiwan and trust me, kobe still is a serious earner for the nba and the lakers). kobe made this point very clearly to the other stars that their altruism in taking salary cuts is actually hurting the union in the long run. remember, there really is no ‘cap’; the owners can go through the cap, but then they would have to pay money out of their pockets and would rather it come from the players. they control the narrative, the journalists are hellbent on creating heros and villains and drama (as any good writer should) and we fanatics (me, too) paint kobe as the selfish villain and timmy as the altruistic hero b/c kobe stands on one of the guiding principles of this and every other capitalistic country–the right to be paid your worth according to the marketplace; not according the the whims of social media narratives. and sheesh, its not like he’s carmelo anthony or charles barkely without any rings…if i were to complain about kobe and free agency, it would be more about his ridiculous batman/robin pitch to these competitive/bordering on narcissistic young men who don’t see themselves as a sidekick to an aging ego-maniac…
Kevin says
My thoughts:
There is something wrong with our message and its reflective of our organizational short comings. These are warning flags that popped up a few years ago and obviously have not been addressed:
1) Who is in charge. There was no question when Jerry West was here or when Dr. Buss was alive. There is now. Jim’s assumed the leadership role when Dr. Buss passed. The fact that this is still an open issue is a very bad sign.
2) Leading up to the draft Mitch was very much front and center. My many Lakers fans and I were confident that a good draft decision would be made. We come to free agency and find that Jim and Jeanie are involved. Suddenly the Lakers come across as clueless out of date morons. I think there might be a high correlation there if you know what I mean.
3) If Jim is not up to the task then Jeanie needs to act. Two years ago the Lakers were put on notice that Analytics mattered. They matter more now and we’ve made no progress.
4) Organizational uncertainty is blood in the water. Free agents and their agents know the score. Jeanie is great talking about her dad. Jim is an empty baseball cap. Mitch reports to Jeanie and Jim – need I say more? Mitch has no protégé in place to take over. The infrastructure is (analytics, scouting, medical/training) are far behind the competition. Byron is a stop gap coach.
These are the realities that free agents look at and the Lakers are a mess. I think Jeanie can’t sit back and assume her brother knows what to do. He clearly doesn’t. She needs to act.
anyonemouse says
Go after Thomas Robinson for the PF spot. Make do with Ed Davis, Jordan Hill for the center and the young-uns develop under Kobe for a year.
(edited for trade speculation)
R says
Wait a minute … Dwight Coward is available as a FA next year?
Coward = Rings!!
Nick says
Robin Lopez is the epitomy of NBA filler no matter how you slice it. Comical to see everyone on this blog calling for him like he is the answer. Would rather give the reps to Upshaw since we won’t seriously contend for anything next year, and maybe he surprises to the upside. No point in overpaying for an average center that might take us from a 25 win team to a 30 win team.
Max offer Tobias and pray Prlando doesn’t match
Nick says
Zed I agree with you, I hate to say it because Kobe has been such an idol of mine growing up. But he has really turned into such a self absorbed pig. Look at Paul Pierce too, aging gracefully, shining in the big moments, becoming a role player, and he just signed a three year deal where he will definitely make an impact in the West.
George Best says
One of the reasons the Lakers drafted Russell over Okafor is star power potential. Russell has it and Okafor does not. They need Randle and Russell to play well and bring excitement next year so they can potentially get some free agents next summer. The Lakers were very lucky to get both of these guys and now have to use them as building blocks for the future. No top level free agent is going to come here until the team shows it can win potentially win.
The FO gets too much criticism. I mean what meaningful FA was going to land here? Blame Kobe? If he had three allstars on the team and the FA was the last missing piece I bet the FA would sign. LaMarcus Aldridge saying the analytics of the Lakers wasnt impressive. What is the team supposed to say. They have the players they have. Is the Spurs presentation genius because they have better players? Of course.
Just get these two young players out there to play, hope Clarkson comes around and shows even more, look for some midseason trades, and add talent where you can. The Lakers tried to get Nash and Howard to make another run with Kobe and it didnt work. The job done to fix it so far via the draft has been pretty good.
Lets just keep moving forward.
T. Rogers says
Ed Davis is off to Portland according to Woj.
And apparently the number is such a good deal Portland could still resign Lopez and Aldridge if they wanted.
smokedaddy says
Okay, that Windorst piece was depressing. At some point Jeanie/Jim will need to fire themselves and everyone else as well. Mitch, Byron, the trainer, their relatives. I’ve been avoiding this for a while. I like Mitch. I like Byron. I like the Busses even. But yes, the fact that Aldridge and his people would feel so free to bag on this organization cannot be dismissed. Even if untrue, the fact that they have no fear of these comments appearing in the media is an indication of the disrespect we’re now held in. So, the question is… will this happen sooner (within the year) or later? When it does happen it can’t just be firing the coach, or even the GM, but everyone. And leave Phil out. Jeanie will somehow need to consult with the right people and have the stomach to do this and maybe fire herself as well.
Now, I do think its a little rich how some of our media stands. Remember when Paul Di Podesta began shaking up the Dodgers with modern thinking & analytics. Our local reporters ran him out of town. So the truth is things will be chaotic for a while regardless. The only question is whether we get on the right path.
Justin says
@Kevin
1) Jeanie is in charge and sits in the governor meetings. Jim is in charge of basketball on court decisions and Mitch tells him what to do. So you are wrong on this count.
2) This depends on what your opinion is of Jeanie, Jim and Mitch.
3) Jim has a deadline. But agree that analytics need to match other teams if not exceed. No excuse not to.
4) Ryan West is second in command and will take over for Mitch in the future. Ryan is Jerry West son. There are a few article you can read about him if you google him.
Aaron says
Lakers wouldn’t match the Blazers offer for Ed Davis. So good news lakers fans. We at least somewhat know what we are doing. We are going to keep the cap space open and tank for another year. Let’s pretend I’m wrong on Russell. And Russel, Clarkson, Randle are all good players working for free and we get another top three pick? The future is bright my friends. We will soon have be pick of the litter when it comes to free agents.
Tuddy says
Time To Pursue Dirty Work Players
Time to patiently grow our young talent.
Neither Aldridge or Love is a championship #1 in my opinion. I’m kind of happy they didn’t sign.
Let’s put the ball in Kobe, Randle, Russell and Clarkson’s hands and add players that do all of the other things without the ball. Let’s add:
Robin Lopez – Defense and Rebounds.
Aaron Affalo – 3 and D.
Marco Belinelli – Shooting.
Anonymous says
It really looks like the Lakers are planning to tank again next year. What is our FO doing?
Shaun says
So here is how we can salvage FA
Sign a big … any big … who’s left:
– Jordan Hill
– Josh Smith
– Kosta Koufous
– Javale McGee
– Derrick williams
– darrell arthur
I think DJ is going to Dal or clipps – read a tax report where he actually make 4M more in Dallas because of taxes … see how the clips like losing their dwight because of that .. next CBA needs to fix that
R Lopez will go to NY, Amare to a contender
If anything overbidding on josh will mess up any plans that houston might have, I’d also targert corey brewer as well as the wing stopper we could use
We could also pick up a guy some of us have asked about for years … michael beasley … played a limited role in Miami but was still their best player off the bench
and gerald green
lets sign javlee, beasley, and green …. just run and mess up on plays – all athletic team that can cause injuries to other teams by running so much we play spoiler in some teams fate
Anonymous says
With the first pick in the 2016 nba draft, the Los Angeles Lakers select Ben Simmons….
bluehill says
That Windhorst piece is depressing. To be fair, some growing pains are to be expected with Jim and Jeanie. Even though they have been groomed, they took over when the team was in decline and the NBA nixed the Paul and Howard signing, which was plan A to extend the championship run. The key is do/will they adapt to what the FA market is telling them over the past two years.
Anonymous says
Did the FO really go into the free agent season with a Aldridge or bust approach? it feels like the Love/Monroe/Jordan pitches were more for show. I can’t believe how poorly we have come across.
A normal response to being publicly embarrassed, as we have been, is to look in the mirror and decide to make some changes. It will be interesting if these Buss kids do that.
barty says
@ragsdale: love your comment on the nba salary structure and the false narrative created by the owners and perpetuated by the media. Thank you!
smokedaddy says
OK, losing Davis may be the last straw. Here’s the one guy for us, other than Clarkson, who performed well for us, who more than fits our needs and who had indicated he was interested in resigning for what now seems to be a very reasonable price ($7-9mln). Somehow, Portland gets him for less than $7mln/yr (3/20). You’re killing me Mitch. There’s no guarantee we get Lopez or any other big as good or better than Davis. Even if we do, Davis would be great for 20-25 min/gm and could fit under the cap. This kills me more than not signing the marquee guys. Either Davis was not even offered $7/yr, or he actually is willing to take a discount to play in PORTLAND?!
Tej says
Calvin: Thon Maker coming out of Kentucky would have a brand and everyone at the draft already knows him. A year under Cal would do wonders. He needs college.
steeven says
What a Joke that Jim, Mitch , Scott etc. are so unprepared.
Keep Kobe out of the meetings, he’s only going to hurt trying to woo someone here.
Warren Wee Lim says
Lots of these commenters are out of control.
Anonymous says
Seriously, Monroe dissing the Lakers. No FA will come to the Lakers to be a 2nd or 3rd option behind Kobe. The Lakers brand in itself will not attract top FA into Los Angeles. Unless Kobe retires, Lakers will not be able to rebuild and allure FA into Los Angeles.
Gian says
Lopez off to the Knicks. That leaves us with Harris who the Lakers have “expressed interest” in the last few days. He will probably sign with another team. They’re all gone now. The last couple of years have been tough for us fans. Really tough. Im just hoping our young guys will live up to the expectations.
B Harris says
I think we should try to get Kenneth Faried out of Denver, given his big contract and poor season last year Denver might be shopping…plus they were shopping Wilson Chandler last season as well, both of them fill holes we need to fill
Lawrence says
My issue isn’t with who we got (or didn’t get), but with the apparent ineptitude of the Busses. For too long, we’ve given Jeanie a pass because we liked her. But if you’re going to look at Jim Buss, and give him three years, without an iota of evidence that he has the skills to run a pickup tourney at Darby Park, well you’re being judged too. She said that he had three years, and this was Year One? So she really thinks we’re going to the Western Conference finals next? And then, even if we get two max players in 2016, they’re gonna gel and voila, we’re competing for championship? That only happens with Lebron, and if Jeanie already knows that Jim is incompetent, then why wait? Yeah sure, it’ll make for uncomfortable Thanksgivings, but if she’s truly without blame here, she’ll use her guts to make a bold move. If not, she’s as much part of the problem as everyone else.
BIG James says
If we don’t sign Harris and Koufas I think Buss and Mitch should resign ASAP and take Kobe with them
Michael says
I hear they are looking to trade for David Lee. Is this true? It doesn’t make any sense. He can’t play defense and his contract expires after next season. Why waste good, young talent on Lee? The Lakers could be missing out on a potential find in one of their rookies or second year players.