We knew the Lakers had a need for a wing. While they just drafted Brandon Ingram, he’s the only SF currently on the team who I expect to be on the team when the season starts. The Lakers need more options, period.
Late Friday night it was reported that they had offered Kent Bazemore a 4 year contract worth $72 million. Bazemore turned them down and re-signed with the Hawks instead. The Lakers, then took that same money and offered it to someone else. They got their man.
Free agent Luol Deng has reached agreement on a four-year, $72 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, league sources tell The Vertical.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 2, 2016
My first two thoughts about this deal are 1. I really like Deng and 2. I am still getting used to the amount of money in these contracts. I do the math conversions in my head and understand the economics how the rise in cap is impacting deals, but I’m just not used to seeing the actual numbers yet.
As for Deng’s deal specifically, the average annual salary is totally reasonable to me in these new economics. It might not be exactly where I would want it, but that’s fine. The bigger question is the length of the deal at 4 years. Deng just turned 31 in April. Unless there are options or a non or partial-guaranteed year at the end of this deal, it will pay Deng through his 35th birthday.
Deng has played over 31 thousand minutes in his career, regular season and playoffs combined. He played heavy, high intensity minutes for Tom Thibodeau’s Bulls where he often played through the types of ailments he shouldn’t have. There is a legitimate question of how well Deng will age or whether his body will begin to break down in the next couple of years.
The flip side of this is that Deng is still a very good basketball player. When thinking of the archetype of player the Lakers would want to add, Deng checks a lot of boxes. Though not at the level of his peak, Deng is still a very good defensive player, both individually and in executing team concepts. He can shoot, pass, attack off the dribble, work some from the post, and score at the rim. His shot chart doesn’t show elite level shooting from any one place, but it shows a nice versatility the Lakers can leverage.
Deng is also a wonderful locker room presence and the type of veteran voice the Lakers really need. Above I wrote about how Deng would play through many ailments he maybe shouldn’t have. This speaks to the type of commitment and professionalism he possesses. Deng is a team first player who leads by example; he helps set a standard and culture for any team he’s on. Considering the young players the Lakers have, this will be an invaluable part of his role for this specific team.
While I love the skill-set and locker room fit, there are still some questions about how exactly Deng will fit into the lineup. While at his peak Deng was a pure wing, at this stage of his career he has settled into more of a SF/PF hybrid. After Bosh’s blood clot scare in Miami, Deng slid up to PF almost full time and excelled there. This positional versatility will help the Lakers, for sure, but it also somewhat complicates things based off their current roster construction.
The Lakers just drafted Brandon Ingram at SF. They have Julius Randle and Larry Nance Jr. at PF. Shuffling where Deng fits into this group or how the young players’ minutes are impacted is worth monitoring. That said, if Luke Walton really is trying to bring some of the Warriors’ style of play with him to Los Angeles, I can imagine lineups where Deng flanks Russell, Ingram, Randle, and Clarkson (or Nance) in a lineup which features a bunch of similarly sized players who can all make decisions with the ball, switch defensively, and play all over the floor.
In other words, Deng has the ability to unlock different lineup combinations which weren’t really possible before. This should excite Lakers fans and his younger teammates.
Will Deng start or be a reserve? Will his presence push Brandon Ingram to the bench? Will he play more minutes as a pure SF or will he still be a PF for half or more of his minutes? These are legitimate questions. And when it all plays out, I’m not sure if we will always like the answers.
But, make no mistake, the Lakers added a very good basketball player who will help them a great deal. Maybe the deal is a year too long (though, we will know more about that when the full details are available). And maybe it’s a bit more money than I would like it to be. And maybe the fit isn’t perfect.
But from the standpoint of what he brings to the floor with his versatility and skill set, to the locker room with his work ethic and veteran leadership, and to the franchise in terms being a legitimate add in a free agent period where it looked like the team might strike out on “name” players, this is a wonderful add.
I know fans might question the front office, but in a period where it’s clear the Lakers aren’t competing for the top-tiered guys, they were going to have to spend some money on guys to help build the team. Deng fits that role to a tee and I am happy to have him.
blkmacster says
RE”I know fans might question the front office, but in a period where it’s clear the Lakers aren’t competing for the top-tiered guys, they were going to have to spend some money on guys to help build the team. Deng fits that role to a tee and I am happy to have him.”
Yes
Reality is brutal, the FO is just doing what they have to do. I think that they are doing a great job, “given the circumstances.” IMHO, this year is pivotal in that the team must make an improvement across the board. I think that they will. The summer league will provide some interesting insight and also opportunities for some of the players to make the team. Manny Harris, Vader Blue where are you?
M~
barry_g says
Agree w/ Darius here. I like Deng (for what he can bring both on the court and in the locker room), can understand the per yr salary, but not liking the # of yrs on the contract. The Williams and Bass contracts last yr were much more reasonable. This and the Mosgov contract seem a little too large (even when scaling for cap inflation), and therefore will be hard to move as the two get less productive (I’m assuming, given their age). Looks like the Lakers are anticipating that they won’t be able to bring in two max players next summer, and are loading the team up accordingly (likely leaving enough room to be able to go after a single max player in 2017). Again, overall I like Mozgov and Deng, just not the length of the contracts.
matt24 says
This means they have about 20 million left
sald0gg says
We probably could’ve gotten Harkless or Crabbe for $14M per and they fit our timeline. Deng isn’t bad, but what a nightmare this has turned into. You want these guys on the team next summer when everyone is a free agent? These should have been 1 or 2 year deals. We’re done. There is no fix now. We’re throwing away 4 years and our young studs will be max guys by the time mid-30’s Deng and Moz come off our books. At least Jimmy will be gone…
tomass1947 says
I think it’s a great signing, after he showed that he could play the small 5 in the playoffs it takes care of who’ll play in that role, as for the amount and length of contract it seems to be about like most of the other older players, every team has lots of money they have to spend and if you’re not one of the top 8-10 teams the only other incentive is length of contract, it will be even worse next year ane will make some of these contracts look cheap!!!
tomass1947 says
sald0gg you’re not looking at this in the real world of what’shappening with the glut of money, did you really think Bazemore would get 70mil, and turn down 2 teams offering 72mil, every team has lots of money they have to spend the only difference is how long the contract, 2 years ago the Lakers chased big names and by the time they came up empty the were left nothing but dregs, over the next week you’ll see even more strange deals, next year will be even worse and I think in the new CBA teams will get a chance to shed some of these contracts that were forced in order to compete, just like they did last time.
danaruns says
What these signings say to me is that the Lakers believe their next stars are already on the roster (Ingram and Russell).
FredP says
Deng is just what the Lakers needed. A strong across the board player who will accept his role. Two max contracts would have been a disaster for the rebuild. This way the young stars will get a chance to develop and Luke can implement his own system. Deng for Young is about a good an exchange as one could hope for.
matt24 says
With the way it’s going I’m expecting to sign either varajao, as a backup, after gsw cut him, or ray felton
jameskatt says
I liked Deng years ago when the Lakers considered trading Kobe. But not now. And not for this price.
He can’t shot midrange or 3-pointers. He isn’t a star. At 31 years old, he is over the hill.
jameskatt says
So far the Lakers have spent $34 million of their Salary Cap on two players: One is a small forward who can’t shoot. Another on a center who is often injured and may need further knee surgery.
Maybe Mozgov can be a babysitter for their new draft pick center.
Maybe Deng can be a babysitter for their young players.
The Lakers’ hopes are pinned on developing the young players. Hopefully they can afford to pay them once they grow up.
I don’t see the Lakers making much headway against the Clippers, Golden State, Spurs, etc.
Maybe Luke can instill the warrior mentality that Golden State had. Maybe. But that is hard to do when your players are fat cats flushed with money in the playground that is Los Angeles. Andrew Bynum comes to mind.
JR3233 says
tomass1947 sald0gg I definitely agree with http://www.livefyre.com/profile/109342212/, the best way to become contender is to have cap available after the young guys have shown their value but also before they end their rookie contracts. Only in this way we can have the youngsters and the good free agents. That’s why 4 years are too much.
JR3233 says
blkmacster But you could have given Mozgov or anybody else the max for one year, and so for the next years, in order to keep our cap free once the young guys have shown their value. The Jordan Hill contract is what I am referring to.
bluehill says
It seems like the FO has accepted that the top UFAs are unlikely to sign here and/or they have accepted that their strategy can’t hinge on hoping that one of them will be willing to play for a 17-65 team.
The Mozgov and Deng contracts end in 3 or 4 years which is should be the time when the young guys are entering their prime years. At that point, the team should be more competitive and lot more attractive to top UFAs. These guys also seem to be good team guys and willing to let the young guys develop.
Looking at the signings so far, most of the big names have re-signed with their current teams, which isn’t surprising given the edge in salary that they offer. Of course, the biggest name, Durant, is still out there, but he seems solely focused on what team gives him the best change of winning a chip. In short, right now, the players we sign are all going to have some flaws but they have some value in that they can help with the develop of the young guys and don’t limit our financial flexibility going forward. As a fan, it’s not exciting, but seems consistent with a longer-term rebuild plan.
JeffFulton says
Veterans who have not yet been paid well but have a skill set the Lakers need (veteran locker room presence, decent skills and #’s when playing good minutes) will take the $$ from the Lakers in return for helping the kids grow. At least these two did. It sounds like this is the goal. The Lakers are almost at 15 players now (assuming Black and Marcelo sign).. They just moved from 20+ wins to the upper 20’s. Maybe 30. One more decent veteran at point guard (Miami seems to have one available) and they could get to 35-40. Not a playoff team, but the foundation (like the new facility) for a future.
Msway says
Depending on the structure of the contracts The lakers still have upwords of 30 mil left, and no reason to save for next year thinking things will be improved. three roster spots left,(stretching nick)-they have to spend 20 more to get to the minimum,there is still talent out there and we need to sign them,,Who are they?
KenOak says
The new salary cap realities are…interesting. It seems like the team is backed into a corner here. They have to *pray* that their draft picks pan out into something special or we’ll be in this hell hole for the next decade. Superstars aren’t flocking to the Lakers the way they used to.
Deng is still a good player and I think that he can fit in well with this team, but it’s going to be interesting to see how Luke juggles minutes so that he doesn’t stunt the growth of our young players. Mozgov is another good player, but I’m not so certain about his fit with this team. I really thought we needed a player in the Whiteside/Deandre Jordan/Biyombo sort of mold. A guy that can get out and run with the young players. But, who knows. Maybe the FO and Luke have a really good idea of what they want to do with line-ups. Maybe we run a small-ball line-up for the majority of all games?
I have to agree with Darius though. The money being thrown around is just shocking to me even though we were all forewarned that it would happen!
bluehill says
JR3233 blkmacster We could have, but would Mozgov have accepted it? Both sides have to agree and we don’t have much leverage right now.
Below is an excerpt from http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2649518-los-angeles-lakers-had-no-choice-with-timofey-mozgovs-massive-contract
”
But if you’re the Lakers, it’s still so hard to
justify four guaranteed years on a declining player who’s about to turn
30 and has only logged more than 2,000 minutes once in his career. Mozgov’s
best days are almost certainly in the rearview mirror, but money is no
object for a Lakers team that entered this offseason with more cap space
than anybody else.
They negotiated this contract as if they had no
leverage, and, considering the market and their own desire to lock up an
unrestricted 7-footer, maybe they didn’t. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reported thatHassan Whiteside http://miamiherald.typepad.com/sports-buzz/2016/06/thursday-250-pm-whiteside-update.html, http://bleacherreport.com/dwight-howard never entered the conversation for obvious reasons and http://bleacherreport.com/joakim-noah already cast his focus on Manhattan, per http://www.espn.co.uk/nba/story/_/id/16661651/joakim-noah-new-york-knicks-agreement-4-year-72-million-deal.
The class still has several younger options like Festus Ezeli and Bismack Biyombo, but neither can match Mozgov’s experience.
Ezeli is a restricted free agent, which makes acquiring him a lot harder because the http://bleacherreport.com/golden-state-warriors can match any offer, and Biyombo’s
market value will be based on two weeks of spectacular play as Jonas
Valanciunas’ backup against two teams with small front lines. Ian Mahinmi is another option, but he’s only a few months younger than Mozgov, and he will almost definitely command considerably more than $64 million.”
Kareemez says
bluehill JR3233 blkmacster Also, it doesn’t work that way. Giving Mozgov the max, even for a year, would have tied up $30 million of our $60 million in cap space, limiting who we could potentially go after. Also, as stated, there weren’t many other options, and, in this market, he could have found more money and years elsewhere (above a 1 year max).
blkmacster says
JR3233 blkmacster
I am not nor have I ever been a GM, my expertise is else where. I am not privy to the plan that Jimmy and Mitch have. The only thing that I would have done is to surround myself with knowledgeable people, work with them to formulate a plan and then stick to it and adjust it as necessary based on how the current situation affects the long term plan. Things change, and you have to adjust accordingly. All you can do is the best that you can do. So, if that was the best that we could have done according to the plan, then my answer would be yes!
You can’t just stick this in a microwave, press 2 minutes and then you are done. This takes time to get it right. What is happening is a change in cultural for the organization akin to someone use to paying money to get what they want, and now that doesn’t work.
M~
Joe Kerr says
It seems that the Lakers have conceded that they won’t be getting good free agents for not only this year but the next couple as well. These contracts are 4 year deals.
Basically, the team that is assembled this offseason may be the team we see for the next 3-4 seasons. The Lakers better hope that the young guys pan out. Otherwise, this team will be stuck in a “hell hole” for a long time.
the other Stephen says
Looking forward to seeing Russell, Clarkson, Ingram, Deng, and Randle on the court together.
Michael NP says
If one wishes to build a culture, one year contracts is not the way to go. Veterans with solid, professional attitudes are necessary. Nobody has the same attributes. We already have guys who need the ball in their hands in order to be effective. Now we have two players who put the team first (moreso Deng than Mozgov).
Chasing the big names hasn’t been a good idea for years. Egg has been on the faces of the FO again and again. Guys like Whiteside are only a “businessman who happens to play basketball” and aren’t the best kinds of Veterans to have around. The players signed are more about the collective :hard-working, selfless, understanding of team concepts. If the coach is good enough (Popovich) then we can win with lesser talented individuals.
Kareemez says
Michael NP I think culture is the key word with Mozgov and Deng. If Luke Walton wants to establish a culture of accountability and fun, vets can’t feel like they have one foot out of the door. Vets would be unlikely to provide leadership if they felt they were rentals.
Remember when Luol Deng wrote his public letter to the Hawks management regarding their racist language in his scouting report? Deng is a high character, high intelligence guy. If the presence of Mozgov and Deng supports a team culture for the youth movement to thrive, then their contracts are worth it. As others have noted, the Lakers are committing to a 3-4 year process, as they should.
I also find it interesting that we have brought in two international players. I have a theory that maybe these vets will care less about Russell’s “transgressions” with Young, as they are less invested/steeped in US sports and celebrity culture.
_ Robert _ says
“It seems like the team is backed into a corner here” Why is this
always the case with the Lakers over the past few years? When we have
players to get rid of (Dwight, Pau) there is supposedly no market for
them. When we have money, the money is cheap and everyone has money.
When we try to get FA – we get scraps while others fight over the
prizes. We are always “forced” to do this, because of the
“situation”.
I have not written you a poker analogy in a
while. This “backed into a corner” mentality that we have reminds me
of a bad poker player, running bad, just throwing his money away. “I
had to call, I was pot committed” “What else could I do, I can’t lay
that hand down” “Man am I unlucky”. “I was in a bad spot – I
had to do it”
I can listen to the Lakers trying to
explain themselves, or I can go to the Bellagio and listen to what
players are saying right after they get wiped out – the dialogue is the
same.
Mid Wilshire says
JR3233 tomass1947 sald0gg
We’re probably talking 3 years, not 4. The majority of contracts have a non-guaranteed 4th year (Team Option). So, these players will be expected to start for 2 years while the young kids grow and develop. Then they’ll come off the bench for a year. Then they’ll be gone. It’s a good strategy It all makes sense.
bluehill says
So here’s the positive take on the signings of Mozgov and Deng. Only time will tell.
https://theringer.com/lakers-sign-timofey-mozgov-luol-deng-2016-nba-free-agency-59da626f5a4e#.g71wc0iut
”
The Lakers’
free-agency haul thus far signifies a new stage of the franchise
rebuild; they don’t want any more high lottery picks. They have a young
core in place and they are committed to developing them. Deng and Mozgov
aren’t stealth tanking signings like Carlos Boozer; this team is built
with competitiveness in mind.
There
is no quick fix in L.A. To become a viable free-agent destination, the
Lakers need Russell, Ingram, Clarkson, and Randle to become stars. If
those guys can live up to their potential, their future is bright. In
the meantime, the only thing the Lakers can do is acquire players who
can put those guys in the best position to succeed. That’s the only way
to judge the Mozgov and Deng deals, not by how it affects their salary
cap.”
new rr says
I think this pretty much settles the argument about whether the FO is conscious of the Jim Buss timeline and taking it seriously: they are. Deng is a win-now player. I also expect that this means the Lakers will keep Williams with the idea that he will sort of do what Barbosa was doing in GS. Kupchak did say several times that he wanted more veterans, and he apparently meant it.
Deng is still a good player, but I would have tried to get a younger, cheaper guy to split time with Ingram at the 3. The Lakers are too far away to make a guy like Deng a good call IMO. I suppose it may be setting up future moves.
As to the “culture” stuff: I still say that a lot of that is on Walton, and he needs to be able to establish the culture, especially considering that he is taking over a very young team and has championship cred. So I don’t think culture and mentoring should be a big parts of the justifications for contracts the size of Deng’s and Mozgov’s.
It will make the Lakers more interesting to watch this coming year, and I like Deng.
Also, it draws a line under the need to get Young’s deal off the cap.
Msway says
You Guys? Does anthony brown make this roster?Harkless or anderson could be good gets,What about branden bass. Anderson and bass can add more veterans and some wins to transform our kids into more competative games?
Mid Wilshire says
new rr
rr,
I’m not quite sure that I follow your logic when you say that culture and mentoring do not play a role in the acquiring of players such as Mozgov and Deng, even if culture and mentoring may not be the primary reasons for bringing them on the team.
Simply by virtue of the presence on the team of veterans such as Deng and Mozgov who have seen many wars and played in playoffs (+ Luke Walton’s influence), I would think that a new, team-oriented, hard-working, no-nonsense, defense-first culture could be possibly very much in the offing.
Also, I would think that the presence of Deng and Mozgov on the squad would help with the mentoring of the young players (especially Ingram and Zubac) simply because the young players will have to play against them every day in practice. There’s real virtue in that. Frankly, I’d much rather have Ingram playing against a seasoned veteran like Deng in practice than Bazemore who is still learning the ropes to a certain extent.
Culture and mentoring, then, would be major (though not exclusive or even primary) reasons for bringing in veterans. I can’t help but feel that this could be a part of the FO’s and Luke Walton’s rationale for bringing in seasoned, established veterans such as these. If that is the case, then this all makes sense.
Clay Bertrand says
new rr ,
I agree that this isn’t the perfect move although I like Deng. It seems these are the blunt expenditures that are required to bring above average vets here in the current financial climate given our dearth of known talent. We are overpaying for OK fits.
However, I don’t see this as a WIN NOW move at all. If it IS, its a pretty lame one. Deng just cannot move the needle much on his own at this stage in his career especially. Mid Wilshire’s view that the Mozgov deal was in some way to mentor Zubac may be a stretch. But Deng as a Mentor or at least a Veteran example for Ingram and the young guys while getting rid of CLOWN Swaggy could be a valuable component of this deal.
Deng may or may not start. I DO like his versatility and professionalism and Luke likes ZONA guys. I just wonder if Derrick Williams would might have been a better and cheaper pick up??? Likely though, Williams would have taken more time from Ingram and Randall. Deng will take a back seat easier or come of the bench.
fern16 says
Im not really surprised that we didn’t get the top free agents. That’s what 17 wins get you. This overpaying extravaganza was coming. I don’t understand why people are surprised. If this was 2014 Nick Young would had get a Mozgov type contract easily, think about that. Both Mozgov and Deng would had get between 10-12 million with the old cap. I like Deng but 4 years? Ugh, again that’s what 17 wins get you, beggars can’t be choosers. I see Deng starting and showing Ingram the ropes, especially in the defensive side with Brandon either later this season or the next sliding in the starting lineup. There is no homerun moves here folks. This are veterans that this team needed. The Lakers are done building thru the Draft. All this moves are designed around our kids. We still have quite a bit of money to spend so we will see what happens. I expect quite an improvement next season.
Msway says
Good Point of views Fern 16, I am still thinking about improving our roster and the last thing that mitch and jim need to do here is take a break and think they can settle down.They need to get more,Today,Get us some solid pros to stabilize our kids in tough games when they are getting thier asses kicked so that coaching and learning can occur in game situations. Mitch,you can order out ,get on the phone,get on a plane, no one leaves the office while opportunity is there.
Clay Bertrand says
These moves are sorta like when you are 16yrs old and your parents are willing to help buy you your first car: SURE you want a Trans Am but FATHER KNOWS BEST and you end up with a 6 year old Toyota Camry.
I think that Bill Oram’s Tweet rings true for us:
“My conclusion on Lakers moves: Franchise is at a point where it needs to pay premium to build a culture that will one day attract star FAs.”
As we pull back and look at the grand picture of the product on the floor and the direction of the development, I think that we will see that these moves are going to make a better and more stable environment for the growth of our young core.
According to Randle, the young players all made promises to each other vowing to improve their weaknesses this off season and come in ready to take that next step. Honestly, this is YEAR 1 of the rebuild. I’m ready to enjoy it!!!
Clay Bertrand says
Biyombo’s deal has to sting……….slightly more than Mozgov…….. Crikey!!!
mattal says
I’m a long time follower of FBG and have posted under many ‘names’ over the past three years. One thing has been consistent in my comments and is based on my observations of this FO, I think the Jim and Mitch experiment has run its course. The lack of confidence and vision exhibited this past season has been driven home this current free agent Season has sealed their fate.
The rationalization I have seen for the signings of Mozgov and Deng is well, weak. Nothing against them as players but they’re back ups — two year contract types. Four year deals for them smacks of desperation.
The fact that we’ve committed $136 million over four years, killing much of next year’s flexibility, and without securing a young vet building block on approx the same timeline as our youngsters is a travesty. The fact that we could have spent less and offered, for example Fournier or Leonard, a max deal is telling. Folks will say well we could have missed on Mozgov and or Deng – my response would be ‘so what?’ Mozgov is just a guy, Deng was done when he left Chicago three years ago.
Hibbert on a one year deal would better. Nene on a short deal would be better. Waiting and using cap space opportunistically to get a vet on a short deal would have been better. Waiting and having leverage with Mozgov or Deng would have been better. Why the rush to make bad deals?
Even adding these two, we’re still a 30 win team and we have little financial flexibility left for next summer. The FO threw in the towel in without seeing how the kids would play this year. What if the kids blow up and the Lakers become attractive as early as next summer?
Instead we committed the ultimate crime for any FO lacking foresight commits: we’re paying good money for aging vets for the entire downside of their careers.
I have long respected Mitch but it’s tine to turn the keys over to new management.
jameskatt says
Tomofey Mozgov + Luol Deng + Jordan Clarkson = 46.5 Million a year for the next 4 years for 3 players. Half of the salary cap is gone. And we still don’t have a championship contender.
I agree with Clarkson – if he can play defense. Otherwise this trio is a huge waste of money.
new rr says
Mid Wilshire new rr
Mid,
I would put it this way: if two ways you are justifying deals this size are “It may be shorter than we think” and “I want these guys to practice against our young guys” then I think those are solid reasons to question the deals. Also, a lot of the culture/mentoring stuff was used in support of the Hibbert deal last year.
Deng and Mozgov were not, IIRC, on Darius’s target lists. I don’t recall anyone here saying “We really need Deng and Mozgov.”
So, like I said a few days ago: If the FO wanted to spend serious money on a wing and a big in this FA class, I would have gone after Biyombo, who just signed in ORL for 4/70, and made a big offer to Crabbe, who just turned 24, is from LA, can play the 2 or the 3, and has good shooting numbers, especially from the arc.
I like Deng, but I think he is the kind of guy you get when you are looking to contend or make post-season–not when you just won 17 games.
Finally, I am pretty confident that if the FO had kept Byron and signed these exact same two guys at this exact same amount of money, many people would be freaking out, and I am very confident that Byron would be 100% behind these moves, for the very reasons you cite: these are tough guys who have been there, team guys, etc.
fern16 says
https://theringer.com/lakers-sign-timofey-mozgov-luol-deng-2016-nba-free-agency-59da626f5a4e
new rr says
Clay Bertrand new rr
Clay,
By “win now” I mean “win enough games to put pressure on Jeanie not to can Jim.” I may be dead wrong, and I hope I am, but the FO going 4/72 for Luol Deng suggests to that the timeline is very much in play.
The argument for these deals, is basically, that they are a bridge to a great future 3-4 years from now, with Deng and Mozgov providing the on and off-court bricks that lead to constructing a strong building that will last. I hope it works out that way, but I am skeptical that these deals were made with that kind of long view in mind.
mattal says
My frustration is that Mosgov and Deng were unnecessary signings. They do little more than fill out our roster with vets. In two years we’ll be spending 30% of our cap on them for what will likely be very little production. You can spin their signings any way you like but that is the bottom line for me. When the kids are ready to take the next step we’re going to be handcuffed by these deals.
That’s the hidden cost of an FO under pressure. Sometimes sitting tight and not doing something is better than acting and doing the wrong thing.
fern16 says
Ryan Anderson getting 80 million for 4 years. Yikes
new rr says
Mid Wilshire new rr
https://twitter.com/sam_amick
Just checked on this, and…no options on Luol Deng’s deal with the Lakers. Straight four years, $72 million.
fern16 says
We don’t know the whole story on those contracts. They can have some player/team option the last year or two. So I wouldn’t be jumping the gun…
new rr says
fern16
https://twitter.com/sam_amick
Just checked on this, and…no options on Luol Deng’s deal with the Lakers. Straight four years, $72 million.
fern16 says
I just read that they are fully guaranteed, again beggars can be choosers. Not entirely happy but it’s what we got.
Msway says
At this point I think that saving this Money now would be a detriment to all involved.We have cash on hand ,roster spots open, and we have to make sure that this is a competetive roster,I do agree that shorter term contracts with the remaining space is wise,and when our youngsters blow up we own thier bird rights and can comfortably fit them in at bargain prices,of cousre this summers contracts will have expired by them or included in trades,think positive guys,we will be able to stay awake for the 4th Qrtr this year
John Citizen says
Darius article is perfect, nothing more to say about Deng.
Clay Bertrand says
The Horford signing just goes to further prove that you have to have a semblance of a foundation and a culture with players and coaching before a FA of any game changing quality will choose to play for you.
I keep reading these comments about how the Lakers let players like Ed Davis and Kent Bazemore but the real issue was catering to Kobe over the interests of the TEAM.
All Kobe First Moves:
1.) Trying to Extend Kobe’s Championship Window with the Nash deal.
2.) Rewarding Kobe with a Final Contract that ate the Cap though he was badly injured.
3.) Hiring Byron Scott to coach and cater to the Kobe First agenda.
4.) Prioritizing Kobe’s Farewell Tour over the development of the guys NOW expected to be core of the team.
The Celtics traded away the guys who delivered their ring to one of the last NBA sucker FOs in the Billy Knight Nets. They moved to hire a strong young coach and gave him a long term timeline to implement his system and culture. They drafted with their picks which I would argue has been the weakest part of their rebuild (I think the Lakers have drafted better than the Celtics). They made an opportune couple of trades and slowly improved as a team with NO star players essentially.
Today they signed Horford and could very well sign Durant.
The problem has been the Lakers JUST hired the coach so THIS is Year One of our rebuild. The last 2-3 years have been a shameful stalling of the rebuild to Kobe worship and dream of BS Free Agent Hero signings.
We need some organic growth!!! I can’t wait til Friday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Clay Bertrand says
Mahinmi got that MOZGOV money!!!! Still not the greatest move we could have made but its looking less and less like the travesty it initially seemed. If he can actually PLAY, I’ll be much more relieved.
slybly says
I like this signing a lot. Still not crazy about the Mozgov signing when we could have had Byombo but $2 mil more, but he has his shortcomings too. He would have fit perfectly age wise though. Would love to see them hold tight now and maybe take a few players (with one year left on their deal) off someone’s hand in a trade that nets them a first rounder for next year with a vet or two. Not sure there is much left worth using up valuable cap space for the future for. Maybe Harkless?
Trading ATL for Thabo abd Splitter and a first would have been nice if they had kept Horford. Both players come off the books next year and would have filled good spots on our roster. We may need that #1 pick next year to trade someone else to take Mozgov or Lou and Nick off our hands to create more salary room for next year’s free agents.
I think we got two good players and think they will help. I just don’t like that they are both 4 year deals.
PeterForseth says
If this pathethic class of free agents and who wouldnt even talk to us doesnt tell Jeanie its time to dump Jim,what else does? Look what could of been with what Phil is doing in newyork. None of the good free agents like Durant would even take a meeting.. Also for what these average players are getting ,kobe was a bargain.First ballot hall of famer kobe was the only good thing we had the last 3 years,also i bet Wade feels stupid now for getting ripped off while jobbers got paid.Miami only offered him 10 million.DUMP JIM BUSS and maybe Magic wont ask his name to be removed from lakers offices but will come and run our once great team. Once again were the worst,thanks Dr buss for putiing that loser Jim in charge.
PeterForseth says
Ive been a laker fan since 1970 and who knows with current management if we will ever win again.Who would of ever thought a guy would take a meeting with the clippers but refuse us? That what k.d. thinks of our current FO. and i cant blame him.
MikeLowrey504 says
My sentiments exactly. But you want to let youth run a team when we’ve never been a youthful team but hey what do I know. I would’ve def traded for jimmy or boogie to make something happen to tell kd go grab who you want and let’s make something happen. With the money we giving away
MikeLowrey504 says
When in reality it was never Mitch that had the juice Jerry west had the juice I say make him president of basketball operations.
MikeLowrey504 says
Deng would be perfect if we were winning 54+ games and needed that bench presence. I’m surprised he didn’t sign with the Spurs or golden state.
PeterForseth says
I thought about my last statement,and I think all of this is jerry buss fault. Instead of what he did when he was alive which was admit he knew nothing about basketball, but let Jerry West run it. Why when he dies does he leaving running basketball to an dolt like his son? Why not his real person his mentored Magic Johnson? Magic would have told jim to sit down,collect your check and shutup. Magic if not personally involved day to day would of had the power to kept Phil. Or brought him back,phil should be in that seat instead of told there was nothing for him to do from Jeannie. The only choice we have since Dr buss screwed up and Jeannie don’t have the balls to replace her brother is stop going to games,stop buying merchandise etc.,until the stands are empty and it forces there hand,when you hit someone in the wallet it gets there attention. Otherwise Jeannie will continue in this denial as long as the stands are full. We will never see a title until then change happens. Mitch is probably next to get the scapegoat axe,as was Bryon Scott who never stood a chance. I know why magic is pissed,you hire his friend and then f-him. Its up to us FANS now to make them make a change,hurt them in the wallet or make them sell.