It has been widely discussed that one reason the Lakers fell in love with rookie D’Angelo Russell is that his combination of skill and confidence reinforce the idea he can one day be the type of alpha leader who carries the Lakers’ franchise forward post-Kobe Bryant. What is not talked about enough, though, is Julius Randle — the Lakers’ first lottery pick of their rebuild — also has some of these same traits.
Randle isn’t viewed as having the same skill level as Russell. His bully-ball style lacks the polish and smoothness that Russell’s game does. But do not let the raw physicality of Randle’s approach overshadow the skill level he does possess — especially for a 6’9″, 250 pound man.
His off the dribble work and open court prowess have been on display all season — be it on coast to coast takes or on moves like this one versus the Cavs:
https://vine.co/v/iHd1KeLmbLI
That’s your starting PF beating a point guard off the dribble and then yamming it on the rim protector’s head. Not many 4’s in the league have this in their tool kit. Randle is one of them, though.
What Randle also has is the confidence and moxie to want the ball in the big moments. It’s been overlooked in a mostly dreary Lakers’ season, but Randle — though in limited opportunities — has been an efficient scorer in the clutch. In the final 5 minutes of games that have a margin of 5 points or less, Randle is shooting 50% on the year. In the last 3 minutes with margins of 5 points or less, that percentage jumps to 63.6%.
This was on full display against the Heat on Wednesday night when, with the game tied and a nearly full shot clock to work with, it was Randle — and not Russell or Clarkson — who brought the ball up, held for the final shot, isolated on the wing, and buried the bucket to win the game.
I have taken to calling Julius “Tasmanian Randle” for his spinning drives which can often result in these wild looking, hanging leaners where his legs kick out and his off arm shoots out to fend off defenders. But these shots, as unorthodox as they look, are effective. Randle’s game is full of these types of moves — stuttering, jerky, and physically punishing at the same time.
As I wrote when he tallied his first career triple double recently, Randle has the ability to play a complete floor game and will (hopefully) only improve. Considering his work ethic and want to be a great player, I see him making the type of strides which can catapult him into the conversation as one of the better PF’s in the game. He’s already one of the more unique ones.
He’s also already one of the ones with the most self belief. And it is that alpha mentality, regardless of who his teammates are, which can help him become the player he wants to be. The one the Lakers want him to be too.
Anon#1 says
From the previous thread
_____
R: A question for any and all: will the Lakers be able to extend max offers to Whiteside and DeRozan simultaneously?
_____
A better question is: Can the Lakers extend max offers to KD, Whiteside and Derozan simultaneously?
It’s a really long shot but that trio, a top pick, the current young core and a new coach puts the Lakers back in business much sooner than any of us could imagine.
If, I’m the FO that’s the plan I’m drawing up.
Anonymous says
Hopefully we’ll end up with the #2 pick, it starts there with drafting Ingram. Sign Whiteside and Derozan, swap Swaggy for a used AA battery and some sweaty tube socks and a 2nd round pick. Bring back Hibbert and call up Upshaw and contend in 2 years.
Baylor Fan says
Nick Van Exel definitely agrees with you. He feels that Randle has a better chance of being a special player than Russell due to his quickness. Funny how Nick places such emphasis on that. Randle’s work ethic cannot be questioned after coming back from last year’s injury.
Fern says
And people here want to trade Randle for picks *sigh* It’s possible to get those 3 players but it would gooble up all the cap space and no money to fill up the rest of the roster.
Anonymous says
It’s possible to get those 3 players but it would gooble up all the cap space and no money to fill up the rest of the roster.
__
Who cares. You’d still have Clarkson, the pick and Nance on the bench as part of your rotation. You’d only need two or three players that can play 10 minutes a game to fill out your rotation. Spots 11 – 14 don’t get much playing time anyway.
Anonymous says
Clarkson is a restricted free agent without bird rights, there’s no guarantee that he’s back next year, without signing his qualifying offer.
DP says
The Lakers have $33.4 million in salaries on the book for next year. The cap is projected to be $90 million. This means that the Lakers have $56.6 million in cap space. However, Bass ($3 Mil) has a player option and will likely seek more money elsewhere and Williams ($7 mil) is tradeable so there is potentially another $10 mil to add bringing the total to $66.6 mil in cap space.
Annual max deals based on year’s of service and 4 year total amounts:
KD’s max deal comes in at $21,018,007 per year
Whiteside’s max deal comes in at $17,514,472 per year
DeRozan’s max deal comes in at $21,018,007 per year
That total is $59,550,486 or so as I know KD’s contract may escalate if he is top 3 all NBA, etc.
So yes, offering max contracts to KD, Whiteside and DeRozan is possible.
Kevin says
Are you factoring in our draft picks salary with those numbers? Also, are those max deals according to next year’s cap number?
R says
… Offering max (deals) to (all three) is possible.
—-
OK, then let’s go shopping. If all three bite, then fill out the roster with bums – the Lakers FO has experience doing this. But, all three won’t bite. If two of the three come, it’s a fabulous coup.
FYI – Dr Buss would do this. Let’s see if the kiddies have what it takes.
LT Mitchell says
Wow, I’m salivating at that lineup. The only downside is Jimbo might get to keep his job.
Anonymous says
2 Max player is a Realistic possibility, 3 Max would mean shuffling and trading pieces which is hard to do and it would also mean saying good bye to Jordan Clarkson.
Darius Soriano says
DP,
Your salary figures are incorrect. It’s not possible to offer all three of those players max salaries next year. The cap is projected to be $90 million — though Zach Lowe has reported teams, internally, are using a $92 million figure. Anyways, let’s use $90 since that is the public, mostly agreed upon figure.
Max salary slots are actually below:
0-6 years of service: 25% of the cap
7-9 years of service: 30% of the cap
10 years & above: 35% of the cap
Next year will be Durant’s 9th year and DeRozan’s 8th. Their max will be 30% of the cap, which, with a $90 million cap would be roughly $27 million a year. Whiteside would be a 5th year veteran and his salary would be roughly $22.5 million a year. Add all those numbers up and the Lakers would need to have about $77 million in cap space next summer. That is not the case. Depending on what happens with their draft pick, if they stretch Nick Young, if they trade players, if Bass picks up his option, if they extend qualifying offers to players (besides Clarkson, who will get a QO) they can have anywhere between the high 50’s or low 60’s million(s).
The Lakers’ best bet is to sign two of those guys or to trade for a max player on a more cap friendly deal and then use the remaining salary to chase 1 max guy and one high level, non-max guy.
R says
Thanks Darius for the straight scoop.
So making two simultaneous max offers to DeRozan and Whiteside sounds like a plan. Thrilled if one comes; giddy if both come. Addition by subtraction: make Swaggy gone. No, not because he sleeps around. ‘Cmon, we’re all adults here (right?). Nope, he’s an under achiever who has been at the center of not one but two controversies with the young “core” recently. Don’t care if he was “blameless” both times.
Ship Byron away, too. Yes, I know I know the ownership is horrid, but they you know, own the team … besides maybe they are capable of learning and personal growth. We can hope …
DP says
Oops! I used percentages based on previous (lower) Cap.
Devean George Forever says
Nooooo, Jordan Clarkson is dating Kendall Jenner
http://www.people.com/article/kendall-jenner-dating-jordan-clarkson
matt says
Dp
Good info i know post is about julius randle, but…will players like durant, whiteside, and derozan choose to play for the lakers, probably not.
Here’s a list of low profile free agents, that would sign
Centers, ezeli, noah, mosgov, biyombo,
Pf/c, leonard, powell
Sf. Dudley, j.johnson, deng
Sg/sf bazemore, fournier
Sg, gordon, afflalo
Pg, chalmers, waiters
john says
Matt, don’t mention Bazemore. We took him from thrash, then lost it for nothing and now overpay him? Please don’t
Fern says
We all understood that we can get only two but like some anom says who cares if we can’t pay anybody else and can’t fill the roster if we get all three. These anoms lol. Good thing some of these fools dont run a team.
Anonymous says
This might be the year to get crazy and jettison everything except for: Randle/Clarkson/Russell/Nance/cap hold for pick.
I know that may not be enough space for all three unless they take less than the max. Maybe KD takes less to make it work as he is well paid by Nike. Let him pick the coach and GM.
R says
Matt, like Darius said, “… chase one high level non max guy …” maybe one of the people in your list. Not Noah, though I love him, it looks like he can’t stay off the injured list.
“… will players like Durant, Whiteside, and Derozan choose to play for the Lakers, probably not.”
Well, there’s only one way to find out, although of course Durant seems like the longest of long shots, which is why I like the idea of simultaneous offers to Whiteside and DeRozan.
Anon#1 says
Can we go over the cap to resign Clarkson?
matt says
On randle, i remember watching him in college, and i don’t usually watch college, but you know, lakers were gonna get a pick, he was impressive in college, he would get the ball hesitate then drive forward to the basket, no one could stop him, three defenders would collapse on him and he would still score, or get his own rebound, he was limited in minutes for kentucky, but as a freshman still looked like the best player, that year i thought the lakers would be the 4th or 5th pick, people at my workplace were hoping to get exum, the lakers dropped to 7th pick, i didn’t think randle would drop that far,i was excited about the pick……. it’s good that he’s bounced back from the injury, and has been healthy all year.
Anon#1 says
Without KD on board are either Whiteside or DeRozan max guys? They aren’t elite — in my mind it only makes sense to overpay for them as an incentive to get KD.
Kbj says
I don’t think Whiteside is a max guy, but DeRozan is.
R says
Trust me, both these dudes are max guys.
There’s going to be a lot of cap space chasing a limited talent pool; prepare to be astonished if not revolted by the offers that will be made.
matt says
Being shown that whiteside max deal is 17 mil. Per year i would imagine multiple max deals would be offered to him,
there are 3-4 highly coveted centers that will be free agents,,, horford, howard, whiteside, and p gasol.
I count at least 8 team in need of centers.
Whiteside doesn’t seem highly valued in miami so i imagine he signs elsewhere
Kbj says
R, I might have to eat crow. I said a while ago Whiteside will never get a max contract, but I may have underestimated how desperate some teams are in getting a big like him. I’m going to throw up if Lakers offer the max…
KevTheBold says
I think Randle will be a monster, and am so glad to have him on the team.
Randle might develop into a super star, on this team, or on another, if he learns to move in contrast to what the defense is offering him, versus making up his mind before hand, and going for broke.
This of course would mean that he would need to develop many more moves than he currently has in his arsenal.
No matter what, with his rebounding prowess, he will always be in demand, and a double double, possibly triple double machine.
As far as alpha dog however,..it’s D’Angelo, who I see as the clear choice of leader and goto guy.
His skill set is much more varied out the gate, and his eye, cool confidence, and feel for the game is much more advanced.
Yes they will both continue to develop, yet D’Angelo starts his sprint from half way across the field, and his position of PG gives him that extra edge to be in control.
R says
kbj, well it’s a matter of supply and demand … and the Lakers are going to need to gamble a bit in order to have a chance to return to relevance. They are dreadfully impoverished of talent, while at the same time being the 2nd most valuable team in the league by the reckoning of Forbes magazine. So, they can afford to take some smart chances and MUST do so if they want to really improve.
I suggest you only feel slightly nauseated if they offer Whiteside the max; that way you have the option of hurling if he accepts! (I’ll be pleased if he is offered and even more so if he accepts).
Anon#1 says
I still think getting all 3 is doable. What if they all sign for $22.5 mil each — that is a $67.5 mil cap hit which as DP showed is doable this summer. Then KD and DeRozan have opt outs in their deals which allow the Lakers to retain their Bird rights and ‘resign’ them for max raises 1 or 2 years into their original contracts. The cap will continue to rise so they will make up for the cash left on the table when they initially signed.
This is all possible — if only we had someone in the FO with gravitas to ‘sell’ this vision to the players and their agents.
TempleofJamesWorthy says
The thing that has impressed me most about Randle to date is that the league knows his limitations, league opponents play to his limitations, and Randle (mostly) produces anyway. That sort of physical dominance is rare.
That doesn’t mean Randle will develop into a First Team All-NBA player, but the player whose “Everyone knows what he does but they can’t stop it” aspect seems most similar to Randle is Manu Ginobli. Manu always drives to his left. Even when he drives right he always changes back to going left. And yet the league has had 14 years to stop Manu, and they still can’t do it. Of course, Orlando Woolridge was similarly limited (always drove right) and he didn’t have quite the career Ginobili has had.
The other Spur I think is relevant to compare to Randle is Kawahi Leonard who, because of his limitations coming out of college, slipped in the draft far enough where the Spurs could trade solid-but-unspectactular George Hill for the draft slot to grab Leonard. Now, with hard work and skill improvement, he’s a viable candidate for league MVP.
I’m not saying Randle will reach that level. I don’t know if he can. But if he combines his physical tools with enough skill improvement (an outside shot, better moves in the post, etc.), he could be one of the top power forwards in the league. Let’s hope he maximizes his talents for the Lakers.
matt says
If we keep the pick and draft simmons or ingram, i really don’t care if we muff in free agency, they gonna have to manage the salaries to resign, russell, randle, and simmons or ingram when they become restricted free agent. All we would need eventually is a center.
J C says
Randle’s recent triple double hinted at his true potential. And in the previous game he had 5 assists.
It’s as though he decided to try passing on top of his other habits.
If he works hard on his shot, and eventually has teammates to pass to that can shoot, AND we have a coach that fosters true team play – Randle’s game could approximate Draymond Green’s: a tough player, one not afraid of anyone nor of the big moment.
matt says
Usually rebuilding franchises are not a free agent’s destination, no one wanted to go to golden state 4 years ago
matt says
Think about it, no one talked about how the lakers a 20 win team who had the second pick, sat down with the #1 free agent last year, when does that ever happen,
But the news media jumped all over, alderidge wasn’t sold on the lakers, of coarse he wasn’t sold
Hopefully in 3 years (when Russell, clarkson, nance, randle, and if we get the pick this year, if not we get the 2017 pick for sure) when our youngsters develop… free agents we be crawling to us, no pitch needed
Renato Afonso says
Randle’s future with the Lakers depend on this pick. If the Lakers get #1 (Simmons) I would see a trade for a wing or a center. If #2 then I think Ingram would fall to the Lakers and our SF and PF positions would be solid. I see Randle as haviing a bright future and his weak points are really easy to improve with work ethic and drills. Shooting is a matter of repetition. Off hand dexterity is easy to improve and you can practice all day long. Defense can be coached to the point where he’s not a negative on that side of the ball, even if he’ll never be a top defender.
I was ecstatic when he fell to the Lakers because I really thought he was a top3 that year. Of all our rookies, he is the alpha dog…
Fern says
If we get Simmons or Ingram and sign a center like Whiteside, i really don’t see the need to add another primo FA. Since Simmons is being touted as a swiss knife kind of player, I don’t see any trouble sliding him into the SF position. I mean he has that versatility we been told. Randle is emerging, so lets trade him right? I been watching Simmons play obviously he has a lot of talent, but im not that impressed. His game has some major, major holes and has a tendency of stat padding, zero outside shot as he looks like he has never in his entire life had shoot the ball outside 2 feet from the basket and the less we talk about his defense the better oh and hates contact. And he didn’t did so good against some of the best teams in the country when it mattered. Ingram is the one that is emerging as the top pick and is a better player than Simmons already even though he is more than a year younger. Now that would be a seamless fit and he is a better scorer than Simmons, more athletic and has a freakish wingspan. His drawback is that he is too skinny because his body is not thru developing yet. But he has a more refined game and actually defends. If i were the Lakers i would pick Ingram if we get #1, Simmons if we get #2 and Dragan Bender at #3. Nobody talks a lot about him but he could be our Porzingis. A 7’1 that can protect the rim and can shoot 3s ohhh we don’t want that lol. About Randle unless he gets traded for someone like Boogie he shouldn’t be traded at all. As far as im concerned he is our starting PF for years to come…
Mid-Wilshire says
Here’s an interesting article by Mike Schmitz of Yahoo Sports / The Vertical comparing Brandon Ingram and Kevin Durant at the same age (18):
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/vertical-comp–k-d–and-brandon-ingram-153255100.html
Fern says
Thanks for the read Mid, I don’t pretend to say that Ingram is going to be as good as Durant, not at all that’s an unreasonable high expectation, but i dare to say that i take him over Simmons.
A Horse with no name says
The guy we should all be studying is Dragen Bender. Please check out his videos on draft express. He has the highest ceiling of anyone in the draft. His ability to shoot, pass and handle are first rate; but where he blows me away is his ability to defend the perimeter and cover ground with his superb lateral quickness. This is a guy who at 7’1″ can right now defend NBA wings. He ultimately will be 3-4 position defender with his length and quickness. He would be a perfect compliment to Randle as the other forward. Obviously he is young and skinny, but like Porzingis, teams who are willing to be patient will get a future star. We know that Mitch traveled to Israel to scout him recently–a long flight to just do your due diligence–my guess is that the Lakers really like him. Doubt he falls past the lakers if they keep their top three pick. If I am right on Bender, y’all never gonna hear the end of it….
LordMo says
Ok you take Ingram over Simmons because he is likened to Durant.
Then I’ll take Simmons who is compared to LeBron!
Both going to be really good really don’t see how you could go wrong with either.
Simmons is way better on the ball than ANYONE we have now and can postup… Ingram is as good of a knock down shooter as DAR and super long on the perimeter.
Jaylen Brown & Bender intriguing at the 3rd spot also… Much depends which spot we pull this year. We really need a top 2 pick because those are 2 can’t miss players but gets a little dicey after that.
Re: Randle is an “Alpha Dog” ? I’m sure the rest of the league is quaking in their boots and will be game planning to the wee hours of the night all next year when they have to face this Alpha Dog… Lol. The one Alpha we did have was long in the tooth and he will be gone. He himself has said “There is NO ONE on this team to pass the torch too!” … hence no Alpha Dogs!
matt says
Ingram vertical reach is 7 inches more than simmons
bleedpurplegold says
I wouldnt draft a guy based off highlight reels, those could even make kwame look like a stud
i doubt derozan will come to us if we cant sign at least 1 other max guy and 1 near max guy to come to la along with him….
Btt: i think JR will be an all star….he has great work ethic and develops his game constantly….but more important is his desire to win. He gets sick after losses, as we could see in many interviews this season…..he has the physical tools to be a 3 in a 4s body…..his ball handling is already first class for a PF….if he stays healthy, i think it is only a matter of time until he becomes a star in the league
Anonymous says
Without an outside shot Simmons would need to play PF. Who is a better all around Four, Randle or Simmons?
Fern says
Yep, there is a Randle hater here. First wants to trade him and now diminish his game. Its obvious Randle has earned the respect of his peers, the ones that have actually played against him. Dirk, Draymond Green, Demarcus, ect ect ect all have nothing but high praise for him and seen that he can be a star and is a double double machine already as a rookie basically and have a lot of room to improve. But i guess that’s not good enough for some people. Lebron James game was light years ahead of Simmons as a rookie. Like i said countless time before, i like Simmons and if the Lakers get the second pick by all means Draft him but i think he is seriously overhyped. He is not going to come in and avg 20ppg like Lebron did. I don’t care about the Ingram/Durant comparisions, good read nothing more. But he has a way more developed NBA ready game than Simmons and he not Simmons might end up being the #1 pick.
Fern says
All this talk about Simmons and he finished his one and done career with 10 points in a 33 point blowout. Talk about going out with a whimper…
rr says
Kevin Pelton (3:28 PM)
Specifically, I think the one free agent they should target besides Kevin Durant is Hassan Whiteside, whose rim protection and ability as a roll man would be a perfect complement for their young players.
matt says
Simmons or ingram, after watching some new draft express videos I’m now leaning towards ingram, he played good against top college teams, he drives to the hoop, has a good first step, and has court vision almost as good as simmons, plus the length advantage. Give me a month i probably will be back towards simmons, but like -fern- said there are major holes in his game
I am trying to tell yall though dragen bender, you can’t find footage of him dunking on anyone, or bouncing off defenders to shoot, he steps back to shoot. Porzingis was dunking on fools in the euro league. This always happens a good player comes out of europe then the next year someone draft a player hoping for the same thing.
matt says
Ben simmons wingspan 6’11”
Brandon ingram wingspan 7’3″
Just to correct what I said earlier
matt says
Check out the baller out of chino hills, lonzo ball, he has committed to ucla
matt says
Whiteside has the #1 per of all centers in the league 25.5
Hibbert is #56 among centers per 11.3
Busboys4me says
The problem with Julius is the same problem that the rest of the youngsters have he tends to float in the middle games. He loses concentration gets lazy and sometimes causes the ball to either stop or makes unforced turnovers. Getting rid of Swaggy P and getting another veteran who’s more serious will help them. I hope we draf Ingram if not the big man will be an excellent choice. Simmons doesn’t fit because he like Clarkson doesn’t have a natural shot.
LordMo says
@Fern
Re: Randle don’t hate the kid I rather like him actually.
I kind of know him seen him play many AAU games in TX bro.
Spoke to the kid a few times back in the day and he was always respectful.
Good kid and I’m glad to see him make it and hopes he plays for years.
But I always want what’s good for the Lakers. And to say this kid is an Alpha dog is totally premature. I don’t think any of those vets you mention give a rats azz about this kids game at this point. What was on display was professional courtesy when one has a mic in ones face. Again our guy… Our Alpha said no one is ready.. No one! That’s all I needed to hear Fern… 5 years Fern mark it down and be prepared for the fact that most of these guys won’t be here when the Lakers do finally get in position for a title run.
Dom says
Derozan is a career 28% 3 pt shooter. he averages 3.9 reb and 2.6 assists
Harrison Barnes is a 37% 3 pt shooter with a championship pedigree. 4.6 reb 1.6 assists
Id prefer Harrison Barnes, We have Clarkson at 2 guard DAR at point or vice versa. Derozan flourishes partially because of Kyle Lowry. Barnes gives a better option as a shooter and defender.
Look Rome isnt going to be built in a day. Building a strong core is the third step. The Lakers FO is a mess you can offer money but there are much better winning situations that can offer similar deals. Right now all LA is good for is driving up the price that FA’s want from winning organizations. Westbrook isnt going to make this a winning team. We have no coach, no system, no offensive identity, no defensive scheme. Other than sunshine and high taxes why would a franchise type FA come to this mess.
The only way BScott stays is if the team is tanking yet again and trying to have a top 3 pick in 2017. This isnt an immediate if we get this FA or that FA all of a sudden this is a Playoff let alone a championship team.
Draft Ingram let him develop along side of Randle Clarkson DAR, get Barnes and you have a solid 5 young players to grow together. These young guys need to learn to play NBA basketball. These kids are a few years away from actually understanding what it takes to win consistently at this level. Ill reiterate what i said in a previous post. This changes when changes are made at the top of the org chart. This changes when we can commit to a coach, philosophy and style long term. We need a visionary coach who sees the changing landscape of the league and can adapt. Look at Kerr, Stevens, Clifford, Snyder, KIdd are all coaches the seem to be building very strong young squads. Teams that are still trying to play Isolation high pick and roll are dinosaurs. Who is out there that can bring a fresh energy and install a system that is exciting, will draw fans while the team learns and grows? In my mind getting 28 year old’s and higher at this point in time is a waste. If you remember the Warriors got their young core, along with Bogut, signed David Lee as a FA and then trade for Iggy. But their core they drafted. Anyway my point is that trying to sign a mega free agent right now is a pipe dream
KevTheBold says
Well put Dom,..
Foresight is a rare commodity.
LordMo says
@Dom
I do like Barnes and I think he is out of GS especially if Durant goes to GS.
The possibility is actually greater than most people realize. The Lakers I do believe will be one of the teams that offer Barnes. He is more of a 3 who can play the 4 in a small ball lineup. Very underrated and unappreciated and is going to be a good get for someone.
Gary says
I think the Lakers should target Whiteside and Barnes. Each fit a need. Max deals for both come in at $22.5/per due to their time of service. However immediate offers to each makes extending an offer to KD impossible since there isn’t enough cap space for all three.
SF: Barnes
PF: Randle
C: Whiteside
PG: Russell
SG: Clarkson
Hopefully a top pick joins Nance off the bench. Add a good young coach and give them a few years to develop.
Dom, I agree that the best thing for the team would be to fix the FO. But because management is dysfunctional I doubt that happens. But clearly a new coach is needed and he can act as a buffer between the team, fans and the sibling rivalry upstairs.
rr says
Derozan flourishes partially because of Kyle Lowry.
—
To include this but to leave out who Barnes plays with, is, shall we say, a little questionable. Also, you cherry-picked one of Barnes’ best stats and one of DeRozan’s worst.
Barnes is sort of where Trevor Ariza was back in 2009, in that there are questions about whether he has the skillset to take on a more central offensive role on a lesser team. My guess is that he doesn’t.
Those points made, there are arguments against signing DeRozan to a big contract. He is not all that efficient, and he will be 27 next year, whereas Barnes will be 24. A lot of whether DeRozan will seem like a good idea to the FO will depend on
a) How much Clarkson gets
b) How good the FO actually thinks Clarkson is
c) The deal with Jim’s timeline. DeRozan and Whiteside would probably be the fastest way to try to get the team close to .500 among the options out there now (I am not counting Durant as an option).
R says
Please lets forget about Upshaw.
By “let’s” I mean us fans.
The professionals have already written him off, and apparently rightfully so.
Marty Susman says
PEOPLE KEEP TALKING ABOUT WHITEISDE, no way is he worth a max deal when Cousins is in the wings begging to come to the Lakers…..
KEVIN REZENDES says
Get them both cousins can play the 4
It worked with bynum and pau
Dom says
Boogie isnt a FA until after the 2018 season. I dont believe the Lakers have the assets to acquire him from the Kings. The only way they can get Him is if he forces a trade out of Sactown. The Kings will demand a “kings” ransom for him. If Boogie wants to be a Laker im not trading for him let him play out his option and sign him after 2018. I think Boogie is the Shaq of 2018 FA period. We need to get as many young talented players now, give them they next 2 years to develop and see what we have. If they are progressing as expected then Boogie becomes the addition that should make us championship relevant again. But all of this is contingent upon finding a quality coach and Jeannie taking over from JIm