Roster Improvement: Free Agents Now and Later?

If we somehow end up with Smith/Korver or Smith/Morrow.....

We will be a solid team.

Please Mitch have one more trick up your sleeve.

I really don't buy too much into Smith getting us over the top though. He's not Exactly a deadeye shooter. Isn't what we missing a Forward who can stretch the floor and play some defense? Utah is in a dilemma and I'd love for Mitch to pull off some three way involving Millsap seeing how Utah has no need for Pau

Well Real, you may very well turn out to be right about your Gasol prediction - gonzo today or tomorrow.

Last night (and last week against Den, OKC, and Hou) showed them (FO) exaclty where they are weak in contending for a title. Still need to adress back up PG (West? Flynn?) But finding a better Clark (Smith) will do wonders for defense and wins - not to mention keeping Howard. Would it be too good to be true??

Punk-101 wrote:

therealdeal wrote:

Punk-101 wrote:The question is what could minn offer atl, cause i want smoove?

Well not too long ago they were offering Pek and Williams. After Pek's great start, I doubt he's available any more... If they really truly wanted Gasol, they'd have to part with either Pek or Kirilenko...

Pek, Williams to atl
Gasol to minn
Smoove, zaza to la

?

That's pretty much the deal I've been hoping for. Hopefully Minne doesn't insist on keeping Pek, but I could still see ATL going for Dwill2 + AK + Pieces.

tigerjeterkobe wrote:Well Real, you may very well turn out to be right about your Gasol prediction - gonzo today or tomorrow.

Last night (and last week against Den, OKC, and Hou) showed them (FO) exaclty where they are weak in contending for a title. Still need to adress back up PG (West? Flynn?) But finding a better Clark (Smith) will do wonders for defense and wins - not to mention keeping Howard. Would it be too good to be true??

Well I think the nails in the coffin are his quotes coming out now. "I won't go to the bench","It's not something I will consider", I mean these are just death sentences.

One thing the Lakers FO doesn't deal with is insubordination and uncooperative people.

Ba Ba Ba BUT -- he is not only a starter. He considers himself a "STAR" Starter on a contending team.

Yeah, you never really heard these sorts of jabs and selfish statements from him before. Reading between the lines, he is doing his own PR to brace for a trade and spin it that he wants to be a starter, was sick of being the scapegoat in LA, was not appreciated for his championship contributions, and looks forward to going to a team that plays together, etc. He will have jabs for MDA and Kobe, no doubt.

Damn. Now I will be refreshing this page every 10 minutes all weekend.

By Eric Pincus
January 18, 2013, 5:00 p.m.
The Lakers have reportedly shown interest in Minnesota Timberwolves forward Dante Cunningham.

According to Darren Wolfson of 1500ESPN.com, "Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak is said to have called the Wolves recently about forward Dante Cunningham."

Cunningham is a 6-foot-8, 25-year-old forward who averages 7.4 points and 5.5 rebounds a game this season.

There's no word as to who or what Kupchak offered in return but Cunningham has a $2.09-million salary.

"With a reasonable $2.1 million team option for 2013-14, Cunningham won't be easy to get," according to 1500ESPN.com. Technically it's $2.18 million. The Timberwolves are reportedly looking to add size to their roster.

Minnesota has been linked to Pau Gasol in the past but there's no suggestion yet from the Lakers they're ready to make a major move.

The trade deadline is Feb. 21.

I've always liked him. Another one of those Hill/Clark guys that Mitch scoops up, puts them in a perfect role and they thrive.

How the heck can that deal even happen? Pau makes 17 million more than Cunningham.....maybe Love is involved?

^

....but what about his broken hand? And would that mean we are officially conceding the season?

I used to be against the Smith trade at the beginning of the season, because I believed in Pau. I also was not sure about what kind of talent we actually need with the Princeton offense etc. But now I see that Pau is not playing that well with this Laker team and his attitude is getting worse. On the other hand -- after seeing Nash setting people up, Kobe and Dwight playing well, Metta/Clark being solid contributors and someone from the bench is usually playing well too (Meeks, Jamison, Morris) -- I don't think we necessarily need a dead eye shooting forward. Our offense is doing fine, sometimes even great! But having an athletic wing who can score in different ways, and most importantly someone who can play with energy, can run, can jump and is willing to play D and block shots? Now, that's something that would make us a lot better. If we can get that for Pau, and perhaps a backup shooter and/or big... that would be terrific.

As soon as people start playing with urgency (defense+offensive rebounds) -- our team immediately looks better. There's no denying that.

Smith is a good player. He's a 17/8/3 guy. The only problem here is that he would make our FT% absolutely horrific.

Chillbongo wrote:^

....but what about his broken hand? And would that mean we are officially conceding the season?

I am of the thought that we play better when either Pau or Dwight are on the floor, both of them at the same does not work. IF we SOMEHOW were able to get Love, it would most likely put Cunningham in the lineup until Love was healthy again, running with only 1 big which we have seen has worked out great before. Back to reality, i don't see any way of Minni making a trade without either trading 1 or 2 big-contract players, or trading a bunch of small-contract players (and seeing how short-handed they already are I can't see them doing that.)

thisbjgz wrote:I really don't buy too much into Smith getting us over the top though. He's not Exactly a deadeye shooter. Isn't what we missing a Forward who can stretch the floor and play some defense? Utah is in a dilemma and I'd love for Mitch to pull off some three way involving Millsap seeing how Utah has no need for Pau

He is easily the better defender and while he can't shoot, Pau is not much better... But what he can do is make the Lakers better in transition on both ends on the floor...

Doc Brown wrote:

By Eric Pincus
January 18, 2013, 5:00 p.m.
The Lakers have reportedly shown interest in Minnesota Timberwolves forward Dante Cunningham.

According to Darren Wolfson of 1500ESPN.com, "Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak is said to have called the Wolves recently about forward Dante Cunningham."

Cunningham is a 6-foot-8, 25-year-old forward who averages 7.4 points and 5.5 rebounds a game this season.

There's no word as to who or what Kupchak offered in return but Cunningham has a $2.09-million salary.

"With a reasonable $2.1 million team option for 2013-14, Cunningham won't be easy to get," according to 1500ESPN.com. Technically it's $2.18 million. The Timberwolves are reportedly looking to add size to their roster.

Minnesota has been linked to Pau Gasol in the past but there's no suggestion yet from the Lakers they're ready to make a major move.

The trade deadline is Feb. 21.

So, I'm thinking he contacted him after Gasol, Howard, and Hill were out or he's a throw-in for a bigger deal? Interesting. I don't see inquring about a player like Dante unless he is a throw-in.

Cunningham is "sick" tonight and isn't playing.

I don't think Minny is crazy enough to gift us Kevin Love and start rebuilding again so soon. But hey, I guess stranger things have happened.

I will say this, though: as much as Kevin Love is a superstar, I think Josh Smith is a better fit simply because of his excellent defense. I mean, Clark is not known for his shooting, either, but we played great with him. Josh is a very underrated passer and clutch player, too.

We need defense more than anything else. Defense also wins championships. Getting Smith would be a no-brainer at this point.

dj vitus wrote:I don't think Minny is crazy enough to gift us Kevin Love and start rebuilding again so soon. But hey, I guess stranger things have happened.

I will say this, though: as much as Kevin Love is a superstar, I think Josh Smith is a better fit simply because of his excellent defense. I mean, Clark is not known for his shooting, either, but we played great with him. Josh is a very underrated passer and clutch player, too.

We need defense more than anything else. Defense also wins championships. Getting Smith would be a no-brainer at this point.

The T-Wolves have already made it clear to Love they don't intend to rebuild around him, they want Rubio to be their franchise cornerstone, they did it after giving Ricky the 5 year extension and didn't even offer it to Love. KLove's time in Minnesota is up IMO, either when someone trades for him or he opts out of his contract, there has been too much bad blood brewing with the front office and him, and now much of the fan base have started turning on him after the comments he made about not thinking the FO had a plan to get better.

Howard / Gasol
Clark / Jamson
MWP
Bryant / Meeks / Morris
Nash / Duhon

Howard n Bryant are expected to play extended minutes at C n SG. With Gasol n MWP can play PF, Clark, Byrant n Morris can play SF, I think Lakers are set at these spots. What they need is a capable back up PG, better a combo guard can set play n score. Obviously Duhon isn't this kind of player they need.

There are only abt 40 games left. At this time of a season, I don't expect major trade hapened as they would have no time to build up chemistry.

Gasol may not be a good fit to this time. However, with his expiring contract, his trade value would be much higher in coming off season or next season. Besides, he is also a capable C if Howard decided to walk away from Lakers this summer.

karacha wrote:
Smith is a good player. He's a 17/8/3 guy. The only problem here is that he would make our FT% absolutely horrific.

I'll take the FT horrifics anyda and twice on Sundays if we couldn't permanently close the buffet line at the Dunk and Layup Grill the minute D12 goes to the bench.

TOR got 13 buckets in the 3rd. 4 were dunks. 4 were layups. Can we make it any easier for opponents to score?

FWIW....

Sam Amico ‏@SamAmicoFSO
Lakers are said to have a strong interest in Cavs' Daniel Gibson, a natural in D'Antoni's system, but have nothing to offer.
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Gibson/Cunningham.....

Somebody is trying to get a bench.

Dantoni will still play Morris and Duhon over him. Meeks part 2.

Doc Brown wrote:FWIW....

Sam Amico ‏@SamAmicoFSO
Lakers are said to have a strong interest in Cavs' Daniel Gibson, a natural in D'Antoni's system, but have nothing to offer.
Expand Reply Retweet Favorite More

Gibson/Cunningham.....

Somebody is trying to get a bench.

yea thats what we need, more undersized 2's who dont play a lick of D

KBJelleyBean24 wrote:

dj vitus wrote:I don't think Minny is crazy enough to gift us Kevin Love and start rebuilding again so soon. But hey, I guess stranger things have happened.

I will say this, though: as much as Kevin Love is a superstar, I think Josh Smith is a better fit simply because of his excellent defense. I mean, Clark is not known for his shooting, either, but we played great with him. Josh is a very underrated passer and clutch player, too.

We need defense more than anything else. Defense also wins championships. Getting Smith would be a no-brainer at this point.

The T-Wolves have already made it clear to Love they don't intend to rebuild around him, they want Rubio to be their franchise cornerstone, they did it after giving Ricky the 5 year extension and didn't even offer it to Love. KLove's time in Minnesota is up IMO, either when someone trades for him or he opts out of his contract, there has been too much bad blood brewing with the front office and him, and now much of the fan base have started turning on him after the comments he made about not thinking the FO had a plan to get better.

Ummm no...

He got 4/$62MM. Opt out after year 3-- 2015. At the very least, they can keep him this season, next season and then move him if they feel he is going to leave.

Not sure why anyone that has any knowledge of basketball and the business of basketball would think that Pau would be a good package for Minny. Bringing in Pau for some combo of Pek/AK/Dwill is a different story. Even so, Pek is needed right now with Love out. Would they trade AK/DWill/Barea for Pau/Blake? That's a good deal for both parties IMO

khmrP wrote:

Doc Brown wrote:FWIW....

Sam Amico ‏@SamAmicoFSO
Lakers are said to have a strong interest in Cavs' Daniel Gibson, a natural in D'Antoni's system, but have nothing to offer.
Expand Reply Retweet Favorite More

Gibson/Cunningham.....

Somebody is trying to get a bench.

yea thats what we need, more undersized 2's who dont play a lick of D

I'm guessing he would play PG here. He's played mostly PG this season and has played a lot in the past.

Doc Brown wrote:

khmrP wrote:

Doc Brown wrote:FWIW....

Sam Amico ‏@SamAmicoFSO
Lakers are said to have a strong interest in Cavs' Daniel Gibson, a natural in D'Antoni's system, but have nothing to offer.
Expand Reply Retweet Favorite More

Gibson/Cunningham.....

Somebody is trying to get a bench.

yea thats what we need, more undersized 2's who dont play a lick of D

I'm guessing he would play PG here. He's played mostly PG this season and has played a lot in the past.

ok 1 more turd added to the pot of turds we already have there I guess ....Gibson is as much a PG as Morris is, only difference is Gibson can hit shots here and there.

If you think about it, getting guys like Gibson/Cunningham now gives us cheap but serviceable players off the bench for next season, before other teams get dibs on them.

For example, if we did get those two, if I'm reading this right, we would have Cunningham at 2.1 million and the bird rights on Gibson and Clark. Throw in Hill and Meeks coming back next season and we would technically already have our bench, with the mini-MLE still left to use.

Now the hard part is getting guys like Blake/Duhon off the team and cutting loose Ebanks/Morris. That's where Mitch comes in.