Chewy316
Years ago
Lakers Rebuilding/Reloading
Hi guys, haven't been on here for a while (well at least I haven't posted on here in a while). I've been observing this year's NBA season and I'm interested in what everyone's view is on how the Lakers are going to rebuild/reload this off-season to become a contender again. Let's face it, Kobe isn't going to want to be a part of a team that settles with being anything less than a contender, and neither do the people of LA as a general rule. Kupchak was able to pull off the Kwame Brown for Gasol trade a few seasons ago and it instantly put the Lakers into title contention for the next few seasons. It is becoming more and more evident that the elite teams in the league have elite point guards with the exception of Miami. Seeing as the Lakers have gone away from the triangle, not having an elite point guard is really hurting them. Sessions was a solid pickup and I believe he'll re-sign in the off-season, but I'm not sure if he is going to be a guy who can put up electric numbers and lead the offense like a Rondo, Parker, Westbrook etc.
Gasol will definitely be traded, I don't doubt that. Who he will be traded for will be an interesting debate. The Lakers obviously need bench help, as well as point guard help. Do the Lakers make a trade such as Gasol for Scola and Lowry? Or do they try to trade for someone like Andre Iguodala?
I've heard rumblings that Michael Beasley might join the Lakers in the off-season via a sign and trade deal. He was close to joining the Lakers last year at the trade deadline. I've heard that Minnesota likes Jordan Hill so maybe a package can be built around Hill to get Beasley to LA. Remember that Hill has quite a bit of potential being the 8th overall pick a few years ago so there is definite talent there. This also allows LA to explore further avenues to trade Gasol.
Last but not least, the past few weeks I've heard from a few people that Odom wants to return to LA. Actually I heard it not long after he was traded to Dallas but it's heated up in the past 3-4 weeks for sure. I suspect that Dallas will trade Odom for next to nothing. LA could possibly use their trade exception of 8.9 million (or whatever the exact value is) and a pick or two for Odom. Seems logical seeing as though the Mavs don't want him and his value is minimal at the moment. In addition, it would add to the depth on the bench and give the Lakers a reliable 6th man.
Having analysed the situation, if I was Kupchak, I would rebuild the Lakers like so:
Re-sign Ramon Sessions
Sign and trade Jordan Hill + picks and fillers for Michael Beasley
Trade exception plus a 2nd round pick for Lamar Odom
Trade Pau Gasol for Luis Scola and Kyle Lowry (picks and fillers for the cap hit to match)
Use the amnesty clause to release Steve Blake if he hasn't been included as a filler in a trade.
Starting lineup:
PG: Lowry
SG: Kobe
SF: World Peace
PF: Scola
C: Bynum
Bench main rotation:
Sessions
Odom
Beasley
Would probably need to find someone in the mold of Kendrick Perkins as a backup 5.
Lakers could also go after Deron Williams in a sign and trade deal but that would be quite difficult to accomplish. Then again, anything is possible in LA.
Thoughts?
