Los Angeles Lakers Off-Season Thread

[Basel]

Yeah, nothing surprising there. Here's to hoping he's more focused next season as he himself admitted that he wasn't always 100% focused all the time.

[Cris]

Shocking

[King Sancho Fantastic]

Lakers Rumors: T-Wolves Interested in Beasley Sign-and-Trade?

With the Los Angeles Lakers reportedly interested in making some moves during the off-season, there have been many names thrown around as people are trying to determine who they may or may not be interested.

One name that surfaced near the trade deadline last season was Minnesota Timberwolves forward Michael Beasley, who the Lakers were reportedly close to acquiring. Now, more reports have come out that the team is once again interested in the former number two overall pick. And, it also seems that the feels are mutual.

According to sources close to the Timberwolves organization, Minnesota General Manager David Kahn told team owner Glen Taylor that the team was interested in pursuing a sign-and-trade with the Lakers in July.

One name that the team is reportedly interested in is Jordan Hill – the backup big man who played well for the Lakers in limited minutes since being acquired from the Houston Rockets in March.

Beasley could help the Lakers’ small forward position, where they had some issues last season. With Matt Barnes not expected to return and an uncertain future facing Metta World Peace, expect the Lakers to consider this option if Kahn and Minnesota indeed come calling.

Sign and trade Beasley for Jordan Hill?

http://www.lakersnation.com/lakers-r...de/2012/06/06/

[Basel]

If that's true, get that shit done.

[Bogg]

Originally Posted by Wilt_The_Stilt

What do people think about Millsap and Harris for Pau?

Why would Utah want to do that?


As far as the Beasley rumors, I imagine it would have to be done in two separate deals, with the TPE being used to absorb Beasley and Hill then being sent to Minny, otherwise you're getting into including second and possibly third players in the deal that the other team doesn't want to deal with.

[Floods]

Anyone catch First Take today? Stephen A Smith suggested the Heat call up the Lakers and offer Wade/Bosh for Kobe/Gasol

Just curious how you guys would feel about that.

[Cris]

Why would Miami do that?

[Basel]

Originally Posted by Floods

Anyone catch First Take today? Stephen A Smith suggested the Heat call up the Lakers and offer Wade/Bosh for Kobe/Gasol

Just curious how you guys would feel about that.

No thanks.

[King Sancho Fantastic]

Deron Williams says he's keeping free agency options open - latimes.com

Deron Williams entered the L.A. Convention Center on Wednesday appearing eager to perform a basketball video game demo.

The Lakers would be equally eager to see Williams across the street next season, walking to Staples Center and performing in a Lakers uniform. And with a little less than a month before he becomes an unrestricted free agent, the New Jersey Nets point guard told The Times he hasn't "closed any windows" on where he'd play for in the 2011-12 season.

As far as the Lakers are concerned, Williams appeared well aware that the Lakers' payroll is limited.

"I know they don't have any money to just go out and sign me," Williams said. "It'll have to be some kind of deal."

Williams spoke Wednesday at the E3 Expo, where he was promoting the video game "NBA Baller Beats," which features him on the cover and will be released in September. Who knows if Williams' interaction with people* at E3, many presumably who root for the Lakers, would play a part in any courtship. But the Lakers could use any help they can get.

Even though the Lakers bolstered their backcourt by acquiring Ramon Sessions before the March 15 deadline, he averaged only 6.8 points on 35.3% shooting in the team's Western Conference semifinals loss to Oklahoma City. The Times' Mike Bresnahan reported Sessions is expected to opt out of his $4.55-million player option in hopes of getting a long-term contract. Meanwhile, Williams' skill set vastly exceeds Sessions. Williams' 21 points per game ranked third among the NBA's guards and his 8.8 assists per game ranked sixth among guards.

"I used to hate them. They pushed us out of the playoffs three years in a row," Williams said of the Lakers, referring to when they beat Williams'* Utah Jazz each postseason from 2008 through 2010. "We'll see."

The Lakers have already committed $78.4 million to only seven players next season.* It appears likely they will shop forward Pau Gasol, whom they owe $38.3 million over the next two years -- a contract that appears extra-hefty considering his reduced role and 12.5-point in the 2012 playoffs. But numerous reports have indicated a Gasol-for-Williams swap would be unrealistic.

Meanwhile, the Lakers also officially exercised a $16.1-million option on center Andrew Bynum, though it remains unclear if they would trade him or soon sign him to a long-term deal. And don't even think about what the Lakers would do with Kobe Bryant. He's not going anywhere.






The Dallas Mavericks cleared cap space this past season, presumably to give themselves a better chance to secure Williams or even Dwight Howard. But the Lakers don't have such a luxury.* They still have the $8.9-million trade exception stemming from the Lamar Odom trade. They also can sign a player at the mini mid-level exception, worth around $3 million. Would Williams be open to joining any team via sign-and-trade?

"I don't know," Williams said with a smile.

Even if he didn't tip his hand on future options, Williams clearly outlined what variables he'll weigh next month. He sounded impatient that his seven-year career has amounted to one Western Conference Finals appearance (2007), three shorter playoff runs and three seasons in which his team didn't make the playoffs. Williams was traded to the New Jersey Nets in the middle of the 2010-11 season after spending his first 5 1/2 seasons with the Jazz.

"I want to go to a place where I feel like they will have a chance to build and build fast," Williams said.* "I'm not really in the mood for being part of a rebuilding process. I'm getting older. I'm about to be 28. I want to win. I want to win now. Also, I want to live in a place where I want to live and my kids will enjoy living. That's pretty much it."

The Nets finished 22-44 this season. They traded a first-round pick for forward Gerald Wallace. They missed out on winning the NBA draft lottery. Yet Williams gave the organization a vote of confidence.*

"The move to Brooklyn is definitely going to be huge. That's first and foremost. I'm very confident in management there. I like Coach Avery Johnson and I like playing for him. Like I said, the move to Brooklyn could be huge. It'll be a fun thing to be a part of."

Yahoo! Sports Adrian Wojnarowski recently quoted a league source who reported that Williams' willingness to stay with New Jersey hinged on whether the Nets secured Orlando center Dwight Howard, a revelation Williams immediately shot down via Twitter. He did the same thing on Wednesday.

"I didn't say that. It's not how I feel. I don't think I'm going to base my decision, my family's decision on somebody else coming to a team or not. I have to make a decision that's best for me and my family. That's what I'm going to do."

What that decision would be, Williams says he doesn't know yet. The only thing he knew Wednesday was that he was simply in Los Angeles to promote a video game. Laker fans can only hope his next appearance in L.A. involves him holding up a purple and gold uniform.

Interesting stuff out of Deron Williams.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers...r&dlvrit=53297

[LA68]

The deal is in Philly. They like that Pau can sit in the post and move the ball to all those athletic guards and forwards. They could try to sign and trade Hawes and send him with Iggy. Maybe toss someone in to even up the deal.

Kobe and Iggy are tight so that's no problem. Amnesty WWIII, re sign Sessions, Hill,Ebanks. See who else we can get cheap to fill up the bench.

Not a great deal but, They are hemmed in by the tax.

[King Sancho Fantastic]

NBA Rumors: Mavericks Exploring Loophole to Trade Lamar Odom Back to Lakers

The Dallas Mavericks are extremely unhappy with their investment in Lamar Odom, but there is a chance they might not take a complete loss on the deal.

According to David Lord and Mike Fisher of DallasBasketball.com, a high-ranking team insider found that the team is looking into a revision in the maligned forward’s contract that would move the buyout deadline (worth $2.4 million) from June 29 to an undisclosed date in July. Odom would have to consent to this change in order for it to happen.

This is extremely important, because a league rule dictates that a player cannot be traded back to the same team that he was originally dealt from during the same season. The 2011-12 season ends on June 30, one day after the Mavs—as of right now—would have to either buy out Odom’s contract or pay him the full $8.2 million for the upcoming year.

If the two parties agree to the revision, the Mavericks would be free to trade Odom back to the Los Angeles Lakers, who are desperate to fix their roster this summer and would likely welcome the former Sixth Man of the Year back with open arms.

Should the Lakers Take Lamar Odom Back?

This trade, which may require a third party to match salary, would be mutually beneficial for all parties.

Odom clearly did not pan out with the Mavs, and they ended up deactivating him before the regular season even ended. The man was playing so poor that owner Mark Cuban called it “addition by subtraction.” The Lakers—who are over the cap—would like to bring a key bench player back into the fold, and doing so via trade means they could save their mid-level exception for another free agent.

Odom also makes out great, pulling in his full salary for the season rather than a quarter of it or so after a buyout.

It’ll be interesting to see if Los Angeles is willing to absorb their former star’s contract, or if they feel that he is washed up as well. They also have the potential option of waiting until December—when Odom is eligible to re-sign with the Lakers—to pick him up at a discount.*

One thing is certain, however: Dallas will definitely trade Odom for pennies on the dollar just to avoid paying him another cent.*

http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles...back-to-lakers

[Cris]

Sources say Brandon Roy wants to play for the Lakers and the team is interested in signing him. FYI: He was in LA last week.
https://twitter.com/TLN24/status/211997319938318336

The Lakers are also expected to pursue Ray Allen in the Summer. Ray will undergo surgery to repair a bone spur in his ankle.
https://twitter.com/TLN24/status/211998082064326656

...

[King Sancho Fantastic]

Man...if Roy can regain even 75% of what he was he would be a great addition.

[Damian Necronamous]

If Roy gets like 9 of those German knee treatments this summer then maybe I'd think about signing him...maybe.

[Wilt_The_Stilt]

TMac might also be a cheap option.