Bill Plaschke of the L.A. Times is convinced Magic Johnson – recently hired as the Lakers‘ basketball and business advisor – will be calling the shots in the team’s front office. Johnson’s “advisor” title was merely an interim tag, Plaschke speculates, until this coming spring, when Jeanie Buss will rebuild the team’s front office around him.
“Johnson would call the shots that are now called by Jim Buss,” Plaschke writes. “He would be the voice that is currently Mitch Kupchak’s. He would essentially fill the role, both spiritually and practically, that Jerry Buss once entrusted to Jerry West.”
More from the Lakers…
- Amongst four other questions leading up to the trade deadline, Dan Woike of the L.A. Times wondered “who is doing what?” in the Lakers’ front office. Woike notes that Johnson’s role as team advisor has only made the team’s front office situation murkier. While the team previously voiced a desire to build through the draft and attract a big name free agent over the offseason, Woike asks whether Johnson will persuade the team to trade for a star player. The Lakers could build assets by trading Lou Williams or Nick Young, Woike observes, while preserving their top-three pick in the upcoming draft.
- Mark Heisler of the L.A. Daily News notes that the Nets, Suns, and Magic are all capable of finishing with worse records than the Lakers, putting their top-three draft pick in jeopardy. While the focus will be on trading Williams or Young, the team will also look to off-load Timofey Mozgov or Luol Deng, if possible.
- Jason McIntyre of The Big Lead complimented the Lakers’ decision to avoid trading Brandon Ingram in a package for DeMarcus Cousins. Ingram has shown as a 19-year-old prospect, McIntyre argues, while Cousins wouldn’t have made the Lakers a contender this year or next. “Not to mention if the Lakers finish outside the Top 3, they’ll lose their 1st round pick. It would have been a disastrous move that would have set the franchise back even further.”
- Mark Medina of the O.C. Register emphasized the importance of Luke Walton “playing the kids” in the second half. Medina recommended the team keep Deng and Mozgov on the bench as much as possible, and (assuming they aren’t traded) do the same with Young and Williams. While keeping their draft pick should be L.A.’s top concern, Medina mentioned the importance of improving defensively.
I hear that the Lakers are pushing hard for Butler but I also hear the Bulls are likely to keep Butler. No sure what to believe. I do believe the Lakers are trying to make trades and they are actually trying for some of the big name players available but they seem reluctant to part ways with Russell or Ingram so I don’t know if they’ll actually be able to pull off a trade for the players they are aiming for.
As a lakers fan I’d love to see Lou get traded for a 2017 first, IND and WAS make some sense. Trade SwaggyP for a 2017 second and future second. Lastly Clarkson with Mosgov somewhere for a young player and a future second. Clear so much Cap Space for FA, and acquire a bunch of assets to make a trade in the offseason
I agree. I would love if they made some moves like that. I doubt anyone will take on Mozgov though. But if they can get some picks for Clarkson, Lou and Young I’d be happy with that plus it would clear space and we are losing a few contracts in the offseason and the cap is rising again this off season so we would have draft picks to trade and money to spend in free agency. Not sure if that’s just wishful thinking but I really hope they make some moves
Some times I wonder if D’antoni who had Mozgov in New York would ever push Houston management to make such a trade…. they have a few players who don’t fit the system real well in Brewer and McDaniels… along with a filler in Nene I believe the salaries would work in a trade
More than likely the Lakers would have to attach a 1st round pick with Mozgov to dump him
Second round picks are barely valuable. They’re basically throw ins unless they’re a top of the 2nd round pick. At best, you might be able to package a couple of second rounders for a late first.
I know I’m going to get heat for this but forget getting a pick for Williams and just see if you could package him with either Deng or Mozgov to gain financial flexibility for the future. More cap space with Dumb and Dumber (Mitch and Jim) gone will have more of an impact on our future of this ball club than a mid to late first round pick… also see if you could get a second for Nick or Jose (doubt anyone would want Calderon at his salary when rumors are he might get waived after the deadline) and you’ve done yourself well under the conditions we’re in….
Lakers need to get a first rounder for Lou Williams other wise I keep him for next year at 7 million.
I’d gauge the interest in clarkson tho.
Nets, philly or Knicks could be a fit
To me Clarkson is nothing more than empty calories so to speak… just like with Williams I’d personally try to attach him with a Deng or Mozgov and see if anyone would bite.
It’d be awesome if a team would bite at Mozgov and Black for maybe some rights to a foreign player or a protected second round pick. I hope we use the stretch provision on him or something. Horrible signing. Deng is a bit more understable but still to this day can’t understand the signing. I think the Lakers should first try to attach an attractive piece with Mozgov and ship him out (maybe Clarkson and Mozgov for Derrick Favors). If they can’t do that, trade Young, Williams, Black for picks
I think Utah is looking for more of a salary dump with Favors and they have Gobert, theirs no need for them to have another center with more years on his contract than Favors… now in regards to Clarkson for Favors straight up trade it could work salary wise but once again heard Utah is looking to clear salary because of Hill and Hayward free agency this summer
Also Favors is more valuable than Clarkson. He’s having a down year due to injuries and bigger roles for George Hill/Hayward/Gobert, but he’s still a starting caliber big on most teams.
All you Lakers fans are very optimistic. No one wants Deng or Mozgov. Maybe a late 1st rounder is possible for Williams though.
WOW ! The lakers didn’t want to give up Ingram for cousins *face palm*. Ingram is too skinny to guard anybody on the floor and doesn’t have a particular skill that stands out yet. I’m sorry but I don’t see all star nor superstar potential with this kid and he suffers from the Andrew Wiggins syndrome(nice guy no killer instinct) except Wiggins is way more athletic and WAY better scorer.
I wouldn’t have made that deal if I’m the lakers. Cousins doesn’t really fit their age group. I don’t think it would make sense for the Lakers to give up those assets. Plus, you essentially would have to resign him. And then you might not be there for guys in the next couple of years, assuming they don’t resign with their teams and take the money. Don’t know how their roster would really look
Also, the Lakers didn’t have a 1st round pick to trade until at least 2021, while they got a pick that will be in the 14-18 range at the worst in this year’s draft (2017)
He can bulk up. Durant got the same tag, being too skinny, when he came out of college. Bulking up shouldn’t be a problem in the future…I do agree that his problem will be that he doesn’t have one or two above average skills.
He might bulk up but he doesn’t have the height, length and skill KD possesses. I feel like Ingram skillset for the wing isn’t fit in today’s NBA.