We recently told you the Lakers had upped their training camp roster to 18 via the signing of 3 players. Well, their camp roster is now up to 20 after the additions of Metta World Peace and Thomas Robinson according to Shams Charania of The Vertical.
Before we get to the merits of each player, I think the best way to look at both signings as a continuation of the major theme of the Summer. After Luke Walton was hired, almost every soundbite coming from him or his staff has been related back to two central themes — competition and culture.
Walton has openly discussed wanting to establish a culture where players wanted to come into the gym and work hard. He wants players to have fun, but he wants that fun to come out of competing every day and cultivating an environment where players can improve.
The Metta and Robinson signings are an extension of these ideas.
At this stage of his career, Metta is more mentor than major contributor. He is good in the locker room, good in the film room, and a great sounding board on the bench. Last season several of the young players noted he was a positive resource for them and Julius Randle, specifically, noted he wanted him to make the team when the coaching staff was in the process of determining the final roster composition.
While a cynic might point to this signing as the Lakers not learning from past mistakes of signing older players who end up stealing minutes from young guys, I think it’s important to point out that 1). Metta has not made the team yet and 2). Should he make the team, he would clearly be slotted behind Luol Deng and Brandon Ingram on any theoretical depth chart. In other words, let’s not jump to any conclusions just yet.
As for Robinson, he is no longer the “young” player with “upside” he was when he was drafted 5th overall 4 seasons ago, but he keeps getting chances in the league (he’s already played for 5 teams) because he plays hard and talent evaluators are still intrigued by his skill-set. The Lakers are already quite deep at PF/C, but bringing in another athletic player to bang around in practice and push the guys already on the team can be viewed as a net positive.
I don’t really look at Robinson’s signing any differently than I do Zach Auguste’s. Both guys are energy players who have a specific skill-set which can translate to today’s NBA. Both guys will work hard and both should bring a positive attitude to practices, scrimmages, and pre-season games in order to try and make the best impression possible. If they can push Julius Randle, Larry Nance, Tarik Black, and Ivica Zubac to take strides forward in the process, they have done their jobs.
In other words, I don’t expect Robinson to make the team. And, at best, I’d call Metta a toss up to survive the final cuts. I guess I could imagine a scenario where Nick Young is waived and Metta is kept, but I could also envision a scenario where the Lakers only keep 14 players on their roster (cutting Young, Metta, and every other non-guaranteed player not named Yi) to give themselves some added flexibility for future moves.
Lastly, I fully expect both Metta’s and Robinson’s contracts to be fully non-guaranteed or only partially guaranteed at the minimum salary for each player. Charania’s reports do not include this information, but history tells us the Lakers do not commit real money to players who would project to have fringe roles and a limited future on the team. You can go back to Metta’s contract last year as an example of this or even look at Yi’s incentive laden deal which offers a tantalizing cap figure but little meat to the deal should they decide to move away from him early in the season.
So, the Lakers look to have their full roster for camp. It should be one full of competition where all the guys are looking to prove they belong (either in the starting lineup, in the rotation, or on the roster in general). It should also be fun. Based on Luke Walton’s comments this summer, that’s exactly what he’s after.
adamv37 says
When MWP gets cut, can he come back to the team as an assistant coach?
A Horse With No Name says
adamv37 Sure.
Mid Wilshire says
This is kinda, sorta interesting. I’ve always felt that Thomas Robinson can play in this league. When he was playing college ball at Kansas, he absolutely killed it, averaging 17.7 ppg and 11.9 rpg in his final year. His being chosen 5th overall in his NBA draft class was not a fluke.
Of course, he’s never lived up to his potential (he’s a high flying, 6-10, 237-lb. PF) and he’s bounced around the league, having played now for 5 teams.
Even so, last year with the Nets in the last 6 games of the year he averaged 15.3 ppg, 13 rpg, and 52.6% shooting. But he does have major holes in his game. He’s a terrible free-throw shooter and can hit beyond 5 feet. He only seems to score on jams or tip-ins.
But he’s a strong rebounder and a genuine defender.
I agree with Darius, though. He probably won’t make the team. But if he does, it will be at the expense of Yi Jianlian and/or possibly (hopefully) Nick Young. If the Lakers do cut him, someone, I think, will pick him up. He’s been a disappointment. But he’s not a stiff.
A Horse With No Name says
Mid Wilshire
Robinson is a bit shorter than Randle, measured barefoot at 6’7.75″. But he has a surprisingly large wingspan: 7’3″. I also agree with you and Darius; he’s not likely to make the team because of the competition for the position and his inability to shoot. Still, it’s good to bring talent to camp. Injuries can happen etc. You might need this guy.
Vasheed says
I appreciate Metta but, I would rather see him as part of the coaching staff at this point.
BigCitySid10552 says
Hmmm, so if Metta World Peace actually makes the team what will that say?
J C hoops says
Maybe Metta’s unspoken camp assignment will be to ‘accidentally’ elbow Nick (James Harden, anyone?) and put him on the IR list to clear some roster space.
Vasheed says
BigCitySid10552
It would be a very mixed message. The Lakers spent a fortune on Deng and Mozgov to provide that veteran leadership. It would have made sense to sign Metta, if the Lakers had gone out and signed younger players to those big contracts. Meanwhile Metta just isn’t that fast anymore. He is still strong enough to play as an undersized PF but, it seems like a really questionable contribution when the Lakers could easily fill that role with a younger guy.
Darius Soriano says
Vasheed BigCitySid10552 Deng and Mozgov were signed to be starting caliber players. Their leadership (especially Deng’s) is a real asset, but you don’t spend as much as the Lakers did on these players to solely be mentors. So, I don’t really put Metta and those guys in the same category.
I’d add that as of right now Deng, Mozgov, Lou Williams, Calderon, and Young are the only 4 players on the roster with more than 5 seasons of NBA experience. If Metta makes the team, it’s likely at the expense of young. Calderon might end up sticking, but he could also be moved during the season. Having another veteran on this Lakers team — especially one who is respected by the young guys and who can be another good resource to them — isn’t the worst idea. Especially since it is unlikely he’d play much if at all.
Vasheed says
Darius Soriano Vasheed BigCitySid10552
I respect your opinion Darius. But as you expand on the list of veterans, and our guys went through a year of mentorship last year with exception obviously obviously to the rookies of this year, I would lean more towards a young guy in that slot.
Vasheed says
Darius Soriano Vasheed BigCitySid10552
I do believe Deng is meant to be a mentor to Ingram with the intent to sooner than later have Ingram become the starter. Mozgov was definitely intended to be signed as a starter. However, I feel Zubac has a shot at becoming the starter down the road.
Darius Soriano says
Vasheed BigCitySid10552 I can see both sides of this, but I don’t think it’s worth really arguing over. It honestly matters very little, imo. Either he makes the team or he doesn’t. If he does, he’s not likely to play. Just like a young player isn’t likely to play if he made the team.
Vasheed says
Darius Soriano Vasheed BigCitySid10552
It has been the dog days of summer. I’m bored….
matt24 says
Robinson and auguste are competing with jianlian yi for the reserve pf/c spot
matt24 says
I’m hoping julian jacobs takes marcelo huertas spot.
matt24 says
Lol, right after he hits a 3 and throws up the 3 fingers, BLOOUW…., really though i actually like nick young and I’m hoping he turns it around
J C hoops says
I actually like Nick too. I think his 3 point shooting may fit in well with Luke’s designs. My post was for entertainment value mostly – so thanks for noticing! 🙂
matt24 says
You know they call him swaggy p…..
Because when he uses a public bathroom, with the urinals with no dividers, when other dudes are there pissin, he steps up in the urinal with swagger, like “what up yall”
JohnKennethPress says
Well this is sad. I just looked at a site that had the 25 worst players in the NBA. Steve Blake was there, but so was Nick Young. And, if Metta is our franchise player, that is sad too. He is the only Laker I really know anymore and he’s past his prime by a few years.
So, I need to know, who is the hope for this Lakers team? I need to find a charming character on the squad to cheer for. I am trying to be a great Lakers fan. But, Young and Metta don’t give me much hope for banner 17 or even getting to the playoffs in the ensuing years. I still follow. But, I’m blue.
GOOoooOOOOO LAKERS