We have officially hit a lull in the roster construction portion of the off-season. The Lakers had an eventful stretch from late June through the first week of July, adding players who will be key contributors to next year’s team.
For summary purposes, let’s run down the transactions:
- Drafted Brandon Ingram
- Drafted Ivica Zubac
- Signed Timofey Mozgov in Free Agency
- Signed Luol Deng in Free Agency
- Re-signed Jordan Clarkson
- Traded for Jose Calderon
- Re-signed Tarik Black
- Re-signed Marcelo Huertas
While not all of the contracts associated with these deals are officially signed (we’ll discuss this more in a bit), all of these agreements have been reported by credible sources. Add the players listed above with those who were already under contract and the Lakers have commitments to 14 players.
The question is, are they done?
Answering this isn’t as straight forward as it may seem. Based on the above, they have 1 open roster spot. But that doesn’t mean it will stay that way. Let’s take a quick look at the team’s projected depth chart:
PG: Russell, Calderon, Huertas
SG: Clarkson, Lou Williams, Anthony Brown
SF: Deng, Ingram, Nick Young
PF: Julius Randle, Larry Nance Jr.
C: Mozgov, Black, Zubac
This looks like a pretty complete roster to me. It remains to be seen how good this group could be, but they have ample depth at every spot, have good positional versatility, and have a nice mix between young players and veterans.
There is still a question about Nick Young, however. What happens with him doesn’t necessarily impact the rotation much, but it would open up a roster spot and, in theory, open up an opportunity for a wing who can play either SG or SF to be an “emergency” sub or the type of player who could see somewhat regular minutes should Luke Walton decide he will consistently play 10-11 players (which he might).
If the Lakers are to make a move, there is a question of how much cap space they have to actually do so. As it stands, the team has officially announced the signings of Mozgov, Deng, and Clarkson. The Calderon trade is also official, so his contract is on the books.
This leaves the contracts for Black, Huertas, and Ingram all unsigned. There is also a question of whether Zubac is yet signed, but let’s say for the sake of argument he is. The players who are not yet signed give the Lakers some wiggle room to add another player via trade or in free agency into currently unused cap space. This is mostly relevant because of Tarik Black’s contract. The difference between the deal he has reportedly agreed to and his cap hold is a shade over $5 million. The Lakers could use Black’s “early Bird” rights to go over the cap to sign him.
This matters because if Black were to be the last Laker signed, they could have roughly $13 million in cap space to sign another player (or players) and then go over the cap to sign Black. This number could go up by around another $2.2 million should the Lakers use the stretch provision on Young. This would give them roughly $14.5 to $15 million in space. That’s enough to sign a good player, if they so chose.
Again, though, I do not expect this to happen. The Lakers’ rotation looks to be about set. The commitments they have made in free agency to this point (including Lou’s signing last year) and via their drafted prospects over the last 3 years are enough to take up nearly all the minutes available. Any player added now is, basically excess. The Lakers also likely do not want to commit any additional dollars to free agents who would be on next year’s books as that would further impact the money they could offer to that season’s FA prizes.
As it stands, then, I think what we see is what we’ll have when it comes to the start of the season. There could still be small tweaks (or a major trade could blow it all up), but from where I sit the roster seems pretty set.
DonFord says
That projected depth chart put a smile on my face – win or lose, this will be a fun, emotional, exciting season watching this youthful team truly have a chance to stretch out its legs and see what it can (and can’t) do. Finally, I think we have a legit comparison to the feeling of the 90s Lake Show, albeit at a lower (or at least younger) level of talent.
As a Kobe aside, I didn’t expect to think so, but it’s odd to see that depth chart and see no Kobe on it. Wha…? Plus, weren’t there rumors (yeeears ago, during that Time of Kobe’s Rage, I believe) that Kobe would be traded to the Bulls in a package featuring Deng? Funny that Deng’s starting on that depth chart, and Kobe ain’t. The geriatric equivalent of the trade that never happened? – ha.
_ Robert _ says
I am going to try to categorize the summer moves as follows:
Obvious moves that almost anyone would have done:
Drafted Brandon Ingram
Re-signed Jordan Clarkson (although credit here for saving some $)
Re-signed Tarik Black
Good moves:
Drafted Ivica Zubac
Traded for Jose Calderon
Highly questionable moves:
Signed Timofey Mozgov in Free Agency
Signed Luol Deng in Free Agency
Re-signed Marcelo Huertas
Anyone categorize differently?
MT87 says
_ Robert _ I don’t mind Huertas’ deal very much but otherwise that sounds right to me. I find myself grateful for the shorter contracts of the current cba. The five years on Luke Walton’s final contract as a player seemed to last for an eternity.
stats2 says
I’d be happy to see Bass resigned. We could use his C-PF versatility and professionalism. I’ve not heard a peep about where he may go. Any news?
TravisR says
I want to see us try to sign Donatas Motiejunas. I LOVE his game and think he’d be great coming off the bench with Nance. I like Black too but think he should be the 3rd big on the bench. Let Zubac take a year to develop in the D-League and a couple of spot games when he’s needed because of injuries.
new rr says
_ Robert _
Sort of. I would say:
Obvious but good-to-great: Walton, Ingram, Clarkson
Obvious and OK: Black (I think they could perhaps have gotten him for a little less money).
Solid and clever: Calderon
Unknown but solid and maybe very good: Zubac
Questionable and possibly damaging: Deng
Questionable but not really damaging: Huertas
Extremely questionable and possibly damaging: Mozgov
To look at it in simplified binary terms:
Agree with: Walton, Ingram, Clarkson, Zubac, Black, Calderon
Disagree with Mozgov, Huertas, Deng
But of course sometimes moves that appear to be good don’t work and the reverse is also true.
All that said, the Lakers’ fate probably ultimately hinges on Russell, Ingram, and Walton. If Russell and Ingram are ASG-level guys or near that in 2-3 years and Walton is a popular, high-end coach who can help to draw guys in FA and develop guys internally, then the Lakers are probably on their way back, although it will take time. If not, then hey’re probably not on their way back, barring a FA miracle or three.
new rr says
DonFord
Kobe got an ESPY “Icon” award last night mad made a joke about going out on a 17-65 team that was pretty funny.
JohnnyGard says
stats2 no celtics please.
JohnnyGard says
stats2 no celtics.
Clay Bertrand says
JohnnyGard stats2
I saw some interest out of Minnesota last week but haven’t heard much since on BB.
Clay Bertrand says
Bring Back GOUDELOCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I like Brandon Bass but that roster is pretty stocked up at his position. Ideally, I’d like to see more pure shooting on the team, particularly of the CATCH AND SHOOT variety–i.e. guys who don’t need to monopolize the ball to score. Brown is coming along rather slowly as a shooter considering his mechanics are great and his history of shooting in college is above average. I sentimentally mention the old MINI MAMBA even though we’d never sign him.
Truly though, we are likely set and will roll with the current roster save for a potential opening of a new spot with a Nick Young move. I’m good with that because at the end of the day, there are only so many minutes to go around even in a 10-11 man rotation and we have so many young guys who NEED those minutes to develop into what we HOPE they can be.
We may not win another Larry O’Brien this year, but maybe we can take the WAYNE NEWTON TROPHY or the CRAZY HORSE CUP or whatever they call the award for winning Vegas Summer League.
I know its just sloppy Summer League but I dig this whole WINNING thing. I could really get used to VICTORY!!!!!!!!!!
Clay Bertrand says
new rr _ Robert _
Well reasoned. new rr breaks it down into more detail adding some categories but I am in accord with your assessments for the most part.
I am sort of reserving complete (preseason) judgment on the Mozgov signing. I’m hoping this is one of those moves you mentioned rr where perhaps it will be something of a pleasant surprise. There are just too many unknowns for me with Mozgov and I am really hoping that BShaw and Luke know some things that we don’t.
Regarding the Black resigning, I think that the Memphis connection with Luke coaching him is really intriguing. Tarik is a pretty thoughtful guy and his interviews are not simply cliche athlete BS. I think from reading his comments that he really connected with Luke at Memphis and I think that this year, he has been assured there will be no monkey business with the rotations like Byron seemed to do with him last season.
Tarik seemed to feel much like the fanbase AND the FO—- that he was just not being played by Byron even though he was more effective than Hibbert and Sacre. His lack of playing time was puzzling to many and I think that he is confident he will get what he earns playing time wise (to paraphrase what he said recently). I think he could have a surprising year for us.
new rr says
DonFord
and made a joke…typo
matt24 says
According to the Vegas odds to win the nba championship there are only 5 teams with worse odds then the lakers
matt24 says
15 mill, plus Calderón expired 7 million, next year the cap jumps up to 7-10 million, next year about 30 million in space, I wouldn’t sign anyone, at a big price unless it’s a one year deal, keep the cap free for next year
adamv37 says
I would like to see Jabari Brown get that last roster spot because he’s a pure scorer that can replace Nick Young’s offensive production at a lower price. If the Lakers can trade Young for someone with an expiring or non-guaranteed contract, that would work best. If that player gets waived or bought out, the additional roster spot should go to Mumford, even though that would give us 4 point guards (5 if you count Clarkson, 6 if you count Williams).
My opinion is that Brown and Mumford would give us some versatility in the backcourt and protection if the Lakers decide to pull off a major trade. I think one of the reasons the team decided to resign Huertas after the Colderon trade is because they are planning on flipping Calderon again.
I can see Calderon and/or Lou Williams being packaged up in a trade. I’m not sure what trades are possible, but I have to think the team is looking for a strong, defensive perimeter player to counter all of the guys on the current roster that are defensive liabilities. I just don’t see anyone on the current roster who can play lockdown D on any of the top PG’s in the league, which is a major problem that needs to be addressed.