Where do the Lakers go from here...?

[bksballer89]

So the current team which won 35 games last year and no longer has Lopez or KCP will somehow vault up to being a 6-8 seed? Seems pretty unlikely.

Lakers fans are delusional.

Lonzo, Ingram, and Kuzma are not the only players in the league putting in work already......

 

[flyerhawk]

Lakers fans are delusional.

Lonzo, Ingram, and Kuzma are not the only players in the league putting in work already......

Well 2 Lakers fans are delusional at least.

 

[Retroram52]

Maybe Magic and Pelinka were actually drafting the players they wanted and not for trade purposes.

You might think he was a reach, but Moritz Wagner is exactly who the Lakers wanted

 

[bksballer89]

Well 2 Lakers fans are delusional at least.

This summer can be a disaster for them if LBJ/PG doesn't go there.

Lebron is going likely drag out free agency as always. His decision likely doesn't come until July 7th or 8th so if he doesn't choose them, there is a great chance that Randle isn't waiting that long to sign an offer sheet with another team

 

[trojanfan12]

So the current team which won 35 games last year and no longer has Lopez or KCP will somehow vault up to being a 6-8 seed? Seems pretty unlikely.

You realize they will add other vets on Lopez/KCP type deals right?

A lot will depend on what they get.

 

[trojanfan12]

This summer can be a disaster for them if LBJ/PG doesn't go there.

How exactly is it a disaster?

Suppose they don't get either one. Magic has already said that if they don't, they won't spend money just to spend money. They will preserve their cap space, develop the kids some more and be players again next off-season when there's a deeper FA group than this one.

In fact, they may be able to be in even better shape because Deng will be an expiring contract and much easier to move.

Losing Randole isn't a big deal because they were going to lose him anyway either this season or next to bring in 2 max guys.

I'd hardly call that a disaster.

 

[flyerhawk]

You realize they will add other vets on Lopez/KCP type deals right?

A lot will depend on what they get.

Sure. I was responding to Shaq's claim that the Lakers were 6-8 seed as is.

 

[flyerhawk]

How exactly is it a disaster?

Supposed they don't get either one. Magic has already said that if they don't, they won't spend money just to spend money. They will preserve their cap space, develop the kids some more and be players again next off-season when there's a deeper FA group than this one.

In fact, they may be able to be in even better shape because Deng will be an expiring contract and much easier to move.

Losing Randole isn't a big deal because they were going to lose him anyway either this season or next to bring in 2 max guys.

I'd hardly call that a disaster.

Certainly not a disaster. But not ideal. If they don't sign a big name player or two they will need to sign some competent players to fill out the roster next year. Unless they are willing to tank, they need to get guys that can play but only want short term contracts.

 

[trojanfan12]

Sure. I was responding to Shaq's claim that the Lakers were 6-8 seed as is.

The problem with arguing that is that we know they won't be "as is." If they don't get any max level guys, they will have to bring in KCP/Lopez types.

If that happens I could see them with a shot at the 8 seed at best. They were 24-20 over the last 44 games of the season and Ball and Ingram missed a combined 53 games last season.

If they stay healthy, continue to improve and catch a break or 2 along the way, they could sneak in, imo.

More likely, they are competitive and in the playoff hunt for much of the season, screw up the seeding for a couple of teams and end up just missing the playoffs.

 

[trojanfan12]

Certainly not a disaster. But not ideal. If they don't sign a big name player or two they will need to sign some competent players to fill out the roster next year. Unless they are willing to tank, they need to get guys that can play but only want short term contracts.

From what I've read and heard, that's pretty much the plan. Tanking is no longer an option. Spending money just to say they "did something" is also no longer an option.

From what Magic has said, if they strike out this off-season, they will preserve their cap space, develop the kids some more and be back to big game hunting next off-season.

 

[flyerhawk]

The problem with arguing that is that we know they won't be "as is." If they don't get any max level guys, they will have to bring in KCP/Lopez types.

If that happens I could see them with a shot at the 8 seed at best. They were 24-20 over the last 44 games of the season and Ball and Ingram missed a combined 53 games last season.

If they stay healthy, continue to improve and catch a break or 2 along the way, they could sneak in, imo.

More likely, they are competitive and in the playoff hunt for much of the season, screw up the seeding for a couple of teams and end up just missing the playoffs.

I agree completely. My point wasn't that the Lakers won't improve. My point was that it was far from certain that they WILL improve because there are too many unknowns. You can't assume that a bunch of new free agents can get you 10 more wins.

 

[DJ]

So the current team which won 35 games last year and no longer has Lopez or KCP will somehow vault up to being a 6-8 seed? Seems pretty unlikely.

Ball and Ingram missed a combined 60 plus games.....if they hadn't......the Lakers would have easily won 42-43 games.

 

[flyerhawk]

From what I've read and heard, that's pretty much the plan. Tanking is no longer an option. Spending money just to say they "did something" is also no longer an option.

From what Magic has said, if they strike out this off-season, they will preserve their cap space, develop the kids some more and be back to big game hunting next off-season.

Which is a smart plan. But it is a difficult one to execute. Getting players to take 1 year deals usually means you overpay, look at JJ Reddick as a perfect example of that.

So it can definitely happen but it is tricky.

 

[DJ]

How exactly is it a disaster?

Supposed they don't get either one. Magic has already said that if they don't, they won't spend money just to spend money. They will preserve their cap space, develop the kids some more and be players again next off-season when there's a deeper FA group than this one.

In fact, they may be able to be in even better shape because Deng will be an expiring contract and much easier to move.

Losing Randole isn't a big deal because they were going to lose him anyway either this season or next to bring in 2 max guys.

I'd hardly call that a disaster.

BOOM.

But, I think they'll reel in at least 1 FA this summer.

 

[flyerhawk]

Ball and Ingram missed a combined 60 plus games.....if they hadn't......the Lakers would have easily won 42-43 games.

They very well may have won 42-43. Which would have left them 5 games shy of making the playoffs.

To be a playoff team next year will require a 35% improvement in their record. That is significant. Certainly doable but far from certain.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

This summer can be a disaster for them if LBJ/PG doesn't go there.

Lebron is going likely drag out free agency as always. His decision likely doesn't come until July 7th or 8th so if he doesn't choose them, there is a great chance that Randle isn't waiting that long to sign an offer sheet with another team

He might not drag this one out.
The first time he was committed to The Decision show.
When he left Miami, he wanted to screw Riley over, plus he knew he was getting Love for Wiggins.

If he needs to commit right away or close to right away in order to add players that might go elsewhere if he doesn’t, why wouldnt he?

 

[flyerhawk]

He might not drag this one out.
The first time he was committed to The Decision show.
When he left Miami, he wanted to screw Riley over, plus he knew he was getting Love for Wiggins.

If he needs to commit right away or close to right away in order to add players that might go elsewhere if he doesn’t, why wouldnt he?

I can't imagine he will drag this out. No matter which team he goes to, they will need to make moves after he comes to the team. Waiting 2 weeks into FA will significantly harm the chances of that team to bring in appropriate players. This is especially true of the Cavs and Lakers.

 

[Wamu]

Ball and Ingram missed a combined 60 plus games.....if they hadn't......the Lakers would have easily won 42-43 games.

They didn't miss 60+ games. Lonzo missed 30 & Ingram missed 23.

 

[tlance]

The problem with arguing that is that we know they won't be "as is." If they don't get any max level guys, they will have to bring in KCP/Lopez types.

If that happens I could see them with a shot at the 8 seed at best. They were 24-20 over the last 44 games of the season and Ball and Ingram missed a combined 53 games last season.

If they stay healthy, continue to improve and catch a break or 2 along the way, they could sneak in, imo.

More likely, they are competitive and in the playoff hunt for much of the season, screw up the seeding for a couple of teams and end up just missing the playoffs.

Of course.

But anybody they bring in on a 1 year deal is not making a huge impact.

The Lakers could make the playoffs without bringing in a difference maker, but they won't be projected as a 6-8 seed this year if that is the case.

Because, who of these teams are they passing:

GS
Houston
NO
OKC
Utah
Portland
SA
MIN
DEN

Then, teams like Memphis will bounce back somewhat and Phoenix looks to be on the rise too.

There are easily 12 teams in the West that would be no doubter playoff squads in the East given a healthy season. The West could be even tougher this season than it was last. The Lakers could conceivably have a worse record with a better team if they keep it in tact.

 

[DJ]

He might not drag this one out.
The first time he was committed to The Decision show.
When he left Miami, he wanted to screw Riley over, plus he knew he was getting Love for Wiggins.

If he needs to commit right away or close to right away in order to add players that might go elsewhere if he doesn’t, why wouldnt he?

This.