It is rare that the signing of a journeyman, end-of-his-career player makes any sort of waves with an organization or their fanbase. When that player is on a non-guaranteed contract inked the week before training camp starts, this is even more the case. It’s also rare, however, that the player inked to this type of deal played a key role in helping the team win a championship in a previous stint with the organization. When that player earned somewhat of a cult following, it complicates matters more.
This is what the Lakers are dealing with after signing Metta World Peace. At Lakers.com, Mike Trudell touched on this dichotomy well when discussing the deal:
Metta is essentially being brought in as a veteran leader and locker room guy, looking to nab one of the final few roster spots that typically go either to young guys on a flier or to veterans who can play a few minutes, but are in some ways closer to assistant coaches on the floor. L.A. have plenty of young guys, so it does make some sense to add a veteran presence they think can be impactful for those young players.
Towards that end, a Yahoo! article detailed how impressed L.A.’s brass has been with MWP’s work with Julius Randle at the team’s facility. The No. 7 overall pick raved about MWP, and how much he’s already helped his development with his attention to detail, his work ethic, his knowledge of the game, his fitness…
The flip side to this is that by putting a veteran – Metta is 35 – that’s on the absolute tail end of his career on the end of the roster, it can take time away from a young, developing player. It’s a balance that every GM deals with, one of which Kupchak is very much aware.
“We have to be careful not to use a roster spot too early, because we have a lot of young kids that we’re going to bring to camp and we don’t want to put ourselves in a bind by (taking up roster spots) from talented (young players),” Kupchak explained. “He can still be very effective on the court, but these are scrimmages that last 15-20 minutes and not a full-court, NBA game. As a person, I’ve gotten to know him very well and I think he’d be great in the locker room with young players.”
Considering his history with the team, I have difficulty seeing MWP being cut. Similar to the inking of Marcelo Huertas, I just don’t think you add a player of this type, with the current roster construction, under the premise that he would easily be cut to make way for an additional younger, less experienced player where upside is the key consideration. That could happen, but the veteran would need to look completely washed up for it to be the case (which is certainly possible).
The more interesting thing to me, then, isn’t whether MWP is on the final roster, it is the ripple effect the signing could have on the final roster come opening night. As Trudell notes, Metta’s mostly being touted a guiding force for the young players who has an immense amount of knowledge to dispense — especially on the defensive side of the ball. Taking a look up and down the roster, then, one has to wonder if adding him specifically makes other decisions on who to cut easier.
We already know the back end of the roster is crowded and that competition will be tight for these final spots. But with Metta in the mix, I wonder if certain, specific players will be more likely to be cut than others. Metta, though likely more suited to being a small ball PF, will likely be listed as a SF on the depth chart. Being a “wing” even if in name only, might mean Jabari Brown or Michael Frazier are more at risk to get cut since it would allow Kobe, Nick Young, or Anthony Brown to play SG in lineups next to Metta. This type of slotting makes sense, since positional balance will always be a key variable in roster construction.
But there’s also the type of slotting that could come from his role as a mentor. For example, if choosing between Jonathan Holmes and Ryan Kelly, might Holmes’ game projecting more to a 3 and D hybrid forward (which is exactly what Metta is now) give him a leg up over the more pure stretch PF Kelly? When looking at Robert Upshaw, might Metta’s background as someone who has overcome personal adversity play a factor in keeping the talented big man who has had some issues in his past? The type of relatablility between the two could be a valuable resource that, were MWP not present, might not be a factor in the decision making process at all.
These are just hypotheticals, of course. But considering Mitch Kupchak noted in his Friday press conference that his goal is the most talented roster and that he would cut a guaranteed contract to make room for a non-guaranteed guy if the performance in camp merited it, there is an argument to be made that Metta’s presence could help give some of these young players a foothold they may not have had if here weren’t around.
allen Danner says
why not put mwp on the coaching staff, as the mentor, not taking a roster spot at all?
Mid-Wilshire says
Allen,
Darius addressed this issue several days ago (September 24). Below is his reply from a few days ago re: why MWP is not being considered as an Assistant Coach for the Lakers (I personally don’t think that MWP would be open to that idea; I think he still wants to play):
“This is an idea that keeps coming up, but I don’t necessarily agree with that. Coaches don’t practice with the team, they don’t occupy the same space on the team bus or plane. They are, also, naturally separated from the players in that they are “the bosses”. Regardless of how cool your coach is or how close you get to them, the messages delivered from them will always be received a bit differently than the ones given by a fellow player.
“I’m not saying Ron wouldn’t have value as a coach. But I am saying there is likely to be a different perception of him/how he is received should he make the team as a player.”
Valroide Lyons says
I like the idea of MWP being a prospective Mentor/ Assistant Coach. VL
Robert says
Through process of elimination, you can pretty much figure out who will likely make the final cut. Unless there are any surprise trades, Russell, Clarkson, Kobe, Randle, Hibbert, Bass, Lou, and Nick, will all be on the opening day roster. Huertas will make the team, because the Lakers are otherwise short on ball handling guards who can play the point. Tarik Black will make the team, because he’s the best back up C on the roster. I’d also be surprised if Metta doesn’t make the team, and the two other rookies, Nance and Brown will be on the team as well. That makes 13, with only 2 spots open. The Lakers should have at least 3 players on the roster that can play C, so one of those 2 spots will belong to either Sacre or Upshaw. Upshaw has the most upside between the two, but at this point in their careers, Sacre is the better player, with NBA experience under his belt. In my opinion, the best place for Upshaw and his NBA career would be in the D-league this season, where he would get consistent minutes to develop, and show NBA teams he is fit to play in the league. If he does well there, then I think the Lakers should look to sign him for next season, but for now, I think Sacre is the better option to have as the 3rd string C. That’s 14 with only one more spot available between, Kelly, J. Brown, Frazier, and Holmes. I think this spot will likely go to who ever shines in training camp, and the preseason. My guess is Frazier. I think Kelly will likely get waived or traded, since there really isn’t any place where he would get minutes on this team. I would give minutes to Randle, Bass, and Nance ahead of him, and there will also be other players on the team that can slide into the PF position like Black and Metta. From what I’ve read, Frazier likely has the most upside as a 3 and D wing. In college last season he was one of the best spot up shooters. Between him and Jabari, I’d go with Frazier, since he would be a legit 2 way player. Holmes also has upside to be a 2 way player, but he’s not as good of an outside shooter as Frazier, but he does have great length at 6′ 9″ with a 6′ 11″ wingspan. It will be close, and will likely come down to who outplays the other in training camp and preseason. Should be fun to watch.
Prob says
I have to say, I’m a little surprised the Lakers signed Metta. Thought it should’ve have happened, but never actually thought it would. It shows a lot about front office and their plans, and I think they know that they really have to make a push for the playoffs this season. Sounds unrealistic given the current roster, but even falling short of that 8th spot this season would be a success in my opinion. Signing Metta is sending a message to FA of 2016, that we need to, and want to win now. And we are willing to do anything to get there and maybe your the missing piece(future FA) to get us over the hump.
The only question is can Metta really help this team and go a full 82 games? And how much does he have left in the tank at the age of 37?
Ed says
The loser of the Holmes-Kelly battle will not be in the final 15. If MWP stays,then one if not both Browns are in danger of being cut.Of course injuries and trades will also play a part in what figures to be a very interesting camp. It really comes down to whether any rookies or young players can impress enough to beat Meta out of a job.
Robert says
Robert: The post at 11:13 is obviously not me. Hey Robert – please use an initial after your name – especially if you are going to post something so detailed. You do not want to be linked to the name “Robert” on this board : )
MWP + Nash: So Ron is now signed and it has been reported that the Lakers DID try to sign Nash prior to GS landing him. So it seems that the talking heads and ESPN types do know what they are talking about on some of these stories.
Rico Tico says
We have 12 players already under contract, which are on the left.
PG Russel…..Huertas
SG Clarkson, Williams, ……. J.Brown, Frazier
SF Kobe, Young, Brown …….. MWP
PF Randle, Bass, Nance, Kelly……Holmes
C Hibbert, Sacre, ……. Black, Upshaw
The 3 players that have the most talent are Black, J Brown, Huertas. If we can dump Kelly and Sacre (which is what I would do) I would add Upshaw and MWP.
SlyBly says
PG: Russell, Huertas
SG: Clarkson, Williams, J Brown
SF: Kobe, Nick, MWP, A Brown
PF: Randle, Bass, Nance
C: Hibbert, Black, Upshaw
Robert Fisher says
Let’s not forget that the Lakers have the option to send Upshaw, Holmes, & Frazier [all undrafted players] down to the D-Fenders to continue to develop and still keep the rights to them. So just because they don’t make the roster at the beginning of the year, doesn’t mean they are lost to the Lakers. So unless they play unbelievably well leading up to opening night, I can see this happening, which gives Jabari Brown the opportunity to continue the good play he showed at the end of last season. By the January deadline for the nonguaranteed contracts to become guaranteed or waived, we will know how he and Tarik Back fit. If one or both goes, then someone moves up from the D-fenders.
Now for Upshaw, with the D-Fenders he gets time to play and develop, and when ready can come up with Sacre getting traded or waived.
Huertas is the backup PG, so unless he simply can’t cut it at the NBA level, he is in, which means the roster is full. So to add MWP, someone has to be waived or traded by opening night. The obvious choices to trade by opening night as far as fit right now are Kelly and Young, but not Sacre since he serves a purpose until Upshaw is ready. To waive a guaranteed contract, you look at the money, which points to Kelly.
The rule allowing Upshaw, Holmes, and Frazier to be sent down to the farm team while retaining their rights gives the Lakers the flexibility. So the only question, barring a trade before opening night, is to add MWP, what guaranteed contract gets waived. Right now that looks to be Kelly, but hey, that is what training camp and preseason is about. Let the fireworks begin!
Joseph says
What terrible roster you be lucky to win 27 games
Baylor Fan says
According to Nash, the Lakers (and the Suns) did not reach out until after he agreed to work for the Warriors. It is probably a better fit for Nash since Kerr was the one recruiting him.
Anonymous says
MWP won’t help our record this year. ESPN ‘s preseason power rankings have the Lakers ranked 28th. This will be a long road.
KevTheBold says
With regards to Nash, one would think that 28 million dollars for doing basically nothing for 3 seasons, would prompt anyone with any sense of honor to feel a keen obligation to give back.
Nash knew from the moment that we drafted D’Angelo, that the Lakers could use his help, and so did Kerr. Kerr also, realizing that Nash sees only dollar signs, easily snatched him out of our gym, as a pre-emptive strike against what could be a better back court the warriors duo.
In short, Kerr is smart yet underhanded with foresight; and Nash is unprincipled money grubber with myopic vision who fails to see how his actions tarnish his legacy, and his karma.
KevTheBold says
I agree with those that say there is no issue. It’s simple to see that Sacre and Kelly are long overdue the gallows. Which leaves one to be determined, a ticket to the D leagues.
pat oslon says
“It’s simple to see that Sacre and Kelly are long overdue the gallows.” …..ROFL
Funny but TRUE!
Prob says
I read someone’s comment on Dangelo Russell’s locker being next to Kobe’s, and what that means to him. It doesn’t mean anything to him, I’m not even sure if he’ll be a laker for long. I think he’ll end up back in Florida playing for either, the Magic or the Heat. I say that because he went to highschool in Florida and seems like he loves it there. He doesn’t seem like he cares about the whole laker legacy or what it means to be a laker either, so don’t expect Russell to be a laker for long.
Clarkson neither. I think if lakers try and low ball him he’ll leave soon enough too. look for Clarkson to join either one of the Texas teams Spurs, Rockets, or Mavs depending on what happens with there guards down there.
One Russell that will be a laker for sure in the future is Westbrook. He loves LA, and you can tell he wants to take his brand to another level, and what better stage to be on than living in LA, and being a laker? I think if Durrant leaves OKC, so will Westbrook..
My point is don’t expect this current “core group” DRussell, Clarkson, and Randle to with the lakers for many years like everyone thinks they will. I don’t think they are franchise players and because of that, they won’t be around for long.
KevTheBold says
You may be right prob, yet I can’t help to hope you aren’t. Though I respect Westbrook’s talent,…D’Angelo has a savant passing ability, eyes with a 360 degree field of view, combined with a sweet shooting hand, and most of all,
a confidence decades beyond his age.
If he lives up to his potential, he’s projected to possibly be, the most talented point guard in NBA history.
Robert says
Prob: You are depressing me. And with the Lakers – that is tough to do as I am not overly optimistic. While I am not quite as down as you with regard to the “core”, I see your point. First the “core” needs to perform and be worth keeping together. Then – the “core” needs to see a reason to stay. Many of those decisions have not been going our way (either in terms of guys staying or FA coming our way). Things need to change. And they will in 2017.
Darius Soriano says
Any decision on where Clarkson or Russell play will be determined by the Lakers, not by the players for the foreseeable future. Clarkson is a RFA this summer, the Lakers have the right to match any offer and because of the Gilbert Arenas provision, the amount another team can offer him is capped. This puts the Lakers in the driver’s seat for any contract extension they may offer him and if any other team makes him an offer. And for those worrying about a “poison pill” offer sheet like Lin and Asik signed with the Rockets, that type of deal would only help the Lakers if structured similarly since it would allow the Lakers to have even *more* cap space next season.
As for Russell, rookies rights are controlled by the team which drafts them for 5 seasons and usually longer since few rookies do not take extension offers from the team which drafts them. The financial security is simply too great to pass up, especially since rookies are typically the most underpaid players (next to elite superstars) in the league *and* haven’t had the luxury of making a boatload of money in the first part of their careers.
So, again, anyone making claims about where Russell and Clarkson might play in the coming years and saying it’s likely not LA are either ignoring these facts or just making things up. Either way it’s the same result.
Robert says
Darius: As I said – I am not as pessimistic as Prob. And yes – agreed – that the Lakers have the financial advantage in both cases. However, the team is most likely not going to “contend” for the next 2-3 years so, the question is – how long can the band stay together. Keeping a core together is not an easy thing to do and there needs to be compelling reasons for the players to do it. Also the financial advantages are not always exercised as we saw with DH. That is another FACT that can’t be ignored.
Darius Soriano says
Robert,
Dwight was an unrestricted free agent. His situation doesn’t compare to Clarkson or Russell’s. That’s really the only fact that matters here. The Lakers are in the driver’s seat here. If they want either player for the foreseeable future, they simply have to pay the money. It’s that simple.
kO says
Either prob is Aaron or we have this years version. Not buying any of it. If they perform this could be the best place for them.
Rico Tico says
@ Prob
Randle is locked in for a few years and loves the Lakers and Kobe. He personally wants the torch passed to him. He bleeds purple and gold. He is not going anywhere.
The Lakers were the team that truly valued Clarkson paying almost 2 million dollars to put him in a Laker uniform. Clarkson knows he has a shot of being a started and being a center piece going forward, he is hungry and just wants playing time, he will get plenty of that here. Plus he is a restricted free agent. Lakers are in control , he is not going anywhere.
D’Angelo Russel just signed a rookie deal with the Lakers 3 /4 years. The Lakers have told him they wanted him because they envision him and Clarkson as the Lakers back court for the next 10 years. He’s locked in. He is not going anywhere.
KevTheBold says
Thanks for clearing that up Darius. I can see the deep consideration the Lakers head office put into drafting our next franchise star. Many, it seems, have no idea of D’Angelo’s potential, and have placed too much importance into summer league stats, so are scratching their heads over his selection over Okafor.
I personally would be more than happy if the Lakers would follow their blueprint in history, and build another championship team, via drafts and trades.
Contrary to current popular belief, Free agency was never our methodology.
Snarky George says
I agree with Darius, the kids will be here as long as the FO wants them to be. We all hope that is a very long time as the alternative would mean they aren’t very good and that would send the Lakers rebuild well into the next decade.
Russell Westbrook is not a free agent until the summer of 2017 at which time he’ll be 28. While Westbrook clearly is a top 10 talent now, I have concerns about how well he’ll age. He just plays so hard and punishes his body in the process. This combined with his multiple knee operations would make me leary of betting on him with a max free agent deal.
Additionally, if the kids work out then backcourt help would be the least of our problems so Westbrook wouldn’t necessarily be a good fit. If the kids don’t work out then that means the Lakers would not be an attractive landing spot for any elite free agent.
KevTheBold says
Snarky, I agree with you in regards to Westbrook’s future health. Like Rose, he treats his body like a drag racer, but unlike cars, the parts are not interchangeable.
Another reason to bet on D’Angelo: his philosophy is to use his mind as his greatest weapon, not his body.
Ed says
Our problem isn`t the current roster,but the coaching staff, player development,and support personnel in the front office. We`re not top 5 in this area(not bottom 5 either). If we were,there would be no problem developing the current core and attracting future top tier FA`s. With the Laker revenue stream, there is no reason we shouldn`t be able to attract and hire the best coaching and support. Maybe that`s why I pull for the players,because I know they are at a disadvantage compared others in the league.
Renato Afonso says
Ed, I have been saying that for a while. It’s true that the CBA restrita our ability to use our deep pockets to sign the best players by outbidding others. However, why are we not top five in everything else? We should be up there in coaching and conditioning…
Craig W. says
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
Anonymous says
I’m with KO, Prob sounds like Aaron.
R says
Renato, you’ve articulated very well what I’ve been thinking for a long time: the Lakers need to leverage their financial resources to be outstanding in areas that are not capped. Hiring Worthy as a coach might be a positive step in this direction.