The NBA Combine has officially begun and with that executives and coaches from across the league are in Chicago to get a closer look at the talent of the future. That includes the Lakers’ decision making trio of Magic Johnson, Rob Pelinka, and Luke Walton who will observe and likely meet with both top prospects and later-in-the-draft talents alike due to their potential to land near the top of the lottery while also possessing Houston’s 28th pick overall.
The draft, though, isn’t the only thing Lakers’ observers are interested in. The team’s entire summer plan offers intrigue and, when given the chance to speak with him during their combine coverage, ESPN asked Magic about potential scenarios this summer. Magic’s answer might surprise you:
Magic Johnson says that the Lakers will be bigger players in next year’s free agency than they would be in this year’s. (via @clippittv) pic.twitter.com/j3qe0SEoWh
— Basketball Society (@BBallSociety_) May 11, 2017
Let’s be clear, Magic isn’t ruling anything out here. He says outright the team can still make a trade and he did not rule out the team exploring the free agent market for a difference maker. After all, with talents like Steph Curry (unrestricted), Kevin Durant (player option), Chris Paul (early termination option), Blake Griffin (early termination option), and Gordon Hayward (unrestricted) all potentially being available, it would be silly for Magic to say in May that any of those guys wouldn’t be targets come July.
That said, Magic stating point blank that his preference is to roll over the team’s cap space this summer to the summer of 2018 is news. And it comes with good reason. First, of the names listed above, none are “likely” to want to sign with the Lakers as free agents with the current state of the team. Curry and Durant are on the favorites to win the NBA title. Paul and Griffin, no matter how much they love playing in Los Angeles, are on a perennial playoff team who wins/flirts with winning 50 games a year. Leaving those teams to play for a team which just won 26 games is a major stretch.
Second, though, is that the free agent class of 2018 is also flush with talent. Beyond Paul George, DeMarcus Cousins, and DeAndre Jordan (early termination option), it remains to be seen what Russell Westbrook does this summer (he is extension eligible) plus Griffin and Paul could also end up delaying their free agency to 2018 by not exercising their respective ETO’s. Further, waiting another year comes with the added benefit of the Lakers potentially being even further along in their development as a team, making them a more desirable option for those FA’s.
The sense I get from reports and discussions happening around the league is that the Lakers are itching to make a move this summer. And, maybe that ends up still happening. Magic’s comments at the combine could be a smokescreen or they could be an honest representation of how he’s thinking now, with the caveat being anyone can change their mind at any time. That said, him presenting this idea of patience is a welcome one, if only to show that him and the rest of the FO really is trying to see the entire board.
Sten says
With our inexperienced front office, and a lot of company building to be done, it makes a lot of sense to put the word out that we are not looking to do anything crazy in the next couple months. I’d much rather hear that our company was all in order before we started making big trades with the players.
Part of the reason I’ve been fearful of a big move this summer was because it sounds like too much to get done in a short period of time. It’s like being 50lbs overweight. You don’t just fix the problem in a summer. You have to make real changes, and live those changes, before you get the result you want.
You can’t fire Jim, Mitch, Trainers, Analytics, untold support staff, reshape the scouting department, and properly run a draft and then go “hit a grand slam in free agency”. Laker fans want to hit a %15 pick, make a brutally complex trade, and reshape a billion dollar company in two months with inexperienced executives. It’s not that it’s impossible, but it’s a bad bet and a good way to lose all your chips before the final table.
Hearing this quote is a nice contrast to our old standing position: every summer we are going to forgo signing talented young role players to go after Dwight, Carmelo, Aldridge, KD, or Lebron. I’m pretty sure I read a quote from Magic where he wanted to build the team around the coach. That would be a pleasant change from the confusing combinations of team and: Mike Brown, D’Antoni, and Scott.
Magic and Pelinka have never built a team before. Ease into it. They, and the former front office, are a lot smarter than I am but it’s still promising to hear we’re racing under a caution flag this summer.
Tar baby says
Agreed – spend the first year doing housekeeping and getting all your ducts in a row…once the foundation is in place then you can look to expand.
Still, it’s kinda funny because it sounds a lot like what Jim/Mitch used to say before “landing” guys like Wesley Johnson and Wayne Ellington.
Eye_On_The_Prize says
Breathes a deep sigh of relief – great news!
KevTheBold says
I for one hope that the front office has the patience to wait. I would hate to see them act in the manner of the old regime and make a move, just to make a move.
Anonymous says
Yes!
Anonymous says
Exactly no sense at all draft stay young and forget abt p.george
Lovetap says
Submit an offer to Patty Mills or Jonathon Simmons at 12:01 am July 1st
Alan says
I like the idea of exercising patience in the upcoming season. Deng will be better at the 4, Moz will be able to provide minutes at center. Having said that, I’m still concerned about team defense. Nwaba (spelling) and Nance played well, perhaps the team can pick up a defender during the summer.
R says
Not only is Westbrook extension eligible this Summer, but he is supermax eligible, grandfathered in along with Hardin.
CraigW. says
It is also worth noting that Magic just reduced his presumed starting offer to Indiana for Paul George this summer.
LT Mitchell says
Good point. I think Magic ideally (desperately?) wants to trade for Paul George this summer but only at the right price. He knows he holds all the cards. His motive is to inform Indy that if they don’t reduce their price for PG, he is willing to wait until 2018 and sign him as a free agent. As usual, Magic is doing it right.
R says
LT – how do you figure the Lakers hold “all” the cards? Sure, it’s said PG wants to come to L.A. But that’s far from holding “all” the cards. Consider: there are other teams who may well have more tradable assets to deal for George.
By the way, yeah without a doubt he’d be a really nice get. But he’s no Jordan. He’s not even another Kobe. My point is, he’s not the franchise cornerstone that’s leading the lakers back to the promised land, not by himself. Which brings us right back to the problem of the lakers’ overall talent deficit.
Rick in Seattle says
Allow me to reinforce a point about Mozgov & Deng. While it may sound like a broken record to some of you, one of Pelinka’s priorities for this summer (in my opinion) should be to try to remove or mitigate the contracts of either Deng or Mozgov.
It was recently revealed that Magic expressed his preference to focus in on 2018 free agency rather than 2017. With that announcement, some of you will say that it gives the Lakers some breathing room. Partly true.
However, history has shown us that unforeseen opportunities often come along quickly. Teams that are adequately prepared with trade assets and cap space can (and often do) take advantage of these opportunities. It would be illogical of this FO not to be well prepared, because prior planning & preparation works.
But to continue my point, the Lakers are not the only NBA team with players who are not the right fit or are no longer needed. Nearly every team has them. If the Lakers are truly waiting until 2018 to make a major F/A move, now would be the time to start getting their financial house in order.
That means, in my opinion, removing at least one of the aforementioned financial road blocks in the person of Deng or Mozgov–even it it means taking on some less desirable contracts from other teams on a temporary basis. If done intelligently, it is possible to mitigate the remaining 3 years of either Deng or Mozgov, into a shorter period.
Would any of you argue that it Is not worth a try? .
Let’s start with list of 2018 free agents who have one year remaining on their contract. Not the top 10 or 15, but the bottom 10 or 15–the ones that teams are more anxious to get rid of. Clearly, there are players among these less desirable free agents, that are expendable–players who would not hurt the Lakers to have for the coming year.
Beyond that, look at other team in general. Its productive to know your adversary. And don’t limit this search to just expiring contracts. Look at players with options beyond next year who might be trade prospects. Also, look at teams who are starting a rebuild. Look at teams who have difficulty keeping players. Look at teams with middle quality veterans that may be expendable (Rudy Gay with Sacramento). Look at teams that fear losing players and want something in return. Every team has some players who no longer fit for a variety of reasons. The trick is finding them and convincing their teams that either Deng or Mozgov still have value.
I am not naive. The Deng & Mozgov contracts will not be easy to move. But New York has a similar ‘untradable’ contract that is just as bad or worse. With a little creative marketing, I believe that both Deng & Mozgov are tradable. Why not focus on Mozgov. for this summer? He has the most trade value. Keep Deng for next summer when he has only two years remaining on his contract. If the former Lakers regime can create a trade for Pau Gasol from Bynum & parts, the current regime can at least try to creatively find a trade partner for Deng or Mozgov, without setting back the rebuild in a major way.
How many times in the past have we have we seen supposedly “untradable” players moved? To paraphrase an old saying, one teams garbage is another team’s treasure. It’s not an impossibility–particularly with Mozgov who still has decent trade value.
Waiting until the last minute in 2018 to try to re-arrange cap space is a risky proposition. It removes bargaining power when teams know you are under the gun to make a deal.
Tar Baby says
I disagree. Deng/Mozgov may not be worth what they’re making, but they’re still decent NBA reserves…..any contract you’d have to take back for them would probably be dead weight, and I’m not sure that’s what the Lakers need right now.
Besides, the Lakers don’t have to “re-arrange” cap space next year – they only have $63m committed with Randle the only “priority” re-signee. As long as they don’t commit long-term they’ll have plenty of space for a max FA or a combination of “A-/B+” guys.
Mitch/Jim made a lot of boneheaded moves, but they deserve some credit for cap management and keeping this level of flexibility.
Concerned says
Deng averaged 8 pts and 5 rbs and had a PER of 10.13. Mozgov averaged 7 pts and 5 rebs and had a PER of 12.3.
If an average NBA player has a PER of 15 then both Deng and Mozgov are far below average. I would argue that they are back of the roster players. Smart teams allocate minimum salaries for those spots versus $34/mil a year.
Yes, Mitch/Jim made a lot of boneheaded moves. Signing Mozgov/Deng was one of them. It was also their last one as it was a major contributing factor in their getting fired.
Tar baby says
PER says Dolph Schayes is better than Oscar Robertson, Larry Bird, and Kobe Bryant….you might want to pick a different statistical measure.
That said, I, too, would argue they are back of roster players too, which is why I called them “reserves”. Besides, everybody agrees they’re paid too much, but that’s already done…all that matters now is what you do next.
Concerned says
You mean the Dolph Schayes that was a 12 time All Star and 12 time All NBA player?
Tar baby says
Yes, the same Dolph Schayes who shot 38% from the field for his career.
CraigW. says
We are so busy thinking of Deng and Moz’s contracts that we don’t seem to be able to evaluate the actual players without reference to what they make. From a dollar standpoint it makes more sense to wait until next year to use the spread option on one of the contracts, so that leaves only finding a home for one of the two. The specific skills of each player, with regards to Luke’s system should be the guiding factor – unless some club really wants a specific player. Since – IMO – Luke was consulted on the signings I suspect Moz was specifically targeted to be a ‘Bogut’ type player. Also – IMO – Deng was mistakenly targeted to be a 3 at the signing. If we were to trade for George that further overloads the wing position; if not, then we may have too many centers and want to go lightly into next years competition for the 2018 draft pick.
Tar baby says
Agreed – I like Zubac a lot, but he’s still really green and could use another year before starting and I’m comfortable with Deng against bench 3s or as an emergency/small ball 4….they’re not out there to contribute so much as to not make rookie mistakes.
And yeah, that’s REALLY lowering the bar, but it is what it is.
drrayeye says
I like your thinking, Rick, but I have a slightly different way to the same destination. Without getting into specifics, in my mind I first subdivide the Lakers into “keepers” and “bait.” My keepers are a core that I’d like to keep together as much as possible–about 9 players. My “bait” consists of players I’d be willing to offer in trade–about 4 players + 2 draft picks. The draft picks would fill the two empty slots left by MWP and Nick Young. Two of my “bait” players are Moz/Deng; two are Clarkston/Randle; the others are our two first round draft picks (knock on wood).
One could imagine some combination of Moz+ to the Nets for Lopez; some combination of Deng + to Minneapolis for Pekovic’s contract +; Deng or Moz + to Sacramento for A Afflalo+; etc. The idea would be to equal or improve performance while reducing the contract term and/or cost.
Some of these trades might happen right away, while others might happen in season. One phase will happen over a six week period following May 16. Others may not happen until the 2018 trade deadline. As long as either Deng or Mozkov remain Lakers, it is critical to always treat and appreciate them as assets. For example, in my thinking, it might be easier to trade Deng once he was showcased at PF.
A Horse With No Name says
Nailed that Craig!
R says
Yes pls pursue PG as FA or (probably) forget about it. They don’t have the luxury of trading mega assets to get him.
LALaker#14 says
This gives the new FO more time to assess the players over an entire season. They will have much more information by then in order to make informative and rational decisions.
RR says
It is silly to say that Deng and Mozgov should be evaluated independently of their contracts, but even if you accept that point, Deng’s metrics cratered last year and he looked dead-legged by the eye test. Mozgov failed to have any measurable impact on the team D, which was one of the main reasons that the FO brought him in presumably. So, both of the deals are pretty much inarguably among the 4 or worst deals in the NBA, and have made the hole that the Lakers are in that much deeper and the deals will continue to affect roster construction negatively as long as they are on the books.
And, that is one reason, among many that trading for Paul George right now is not a very good idea.
CraigW. says
I’m not sure anyone wants to argue – anymore – about the value of last summer’s free-agent signings. That is precisely why arguing about their contracts is so silly. The point is to discuss what we might be able to do with them, which one we would rather keep, and how they might be used on next year’s team.
My take is that we shouldn’t spread either contract this summer – too much remaining on the cap for too long. Do this for one of them next summer, if we can’t find a home for one of them. As for trades, we might discuss ranking our current youngsters, in order to find a home for one of our ‘veteran two’ with one of the people we would like to keep.
My ranking is: Ingram, Russell, Randle, Nance, Zubac, Clarkson
Tar baby says
That’s not entirely true. The Lakers defensive rating, defensive rebounds, and defensive FG% were all higher with Moz on the floor than off.
No, that’s NOT to say that he had a “good” year, just that he wasn’t nearly the trainwreck folks wanted him to be. His biggest issue is the inability to switch 1-5, and that’s what relegated him to bench so much.
But that also begs the question: “why was Walton so ‘gung ho’ about signing him?”
Alan says
Everyone agrees the Moz & Deng contracts are an issue. The club has figured that out as well and with try to come up with a solution. They may even be available to a club with more caps space than players for a draft pick, time will tell.
Now, let’s go through the draft and see where that leads, then maybe a free agent signing or trade and start practice.
Irregardless of who is on the team, defense should be the first priority in my opinion. I think the team was 28th or something giving up points. If the second and third year players have not made significant progress in this area, trades are in order. All the teams to beat like Golden State and San Antonio start there and offense comes second.
I look forward to the next 60 days, players will be better understood, new trainers and other staff jobs will get filled. I’m optimistic the Lakers will field a better team than last year and all the players contribute…no more sitting on the bench for a month or two like last season, we are well beyond that.