It’s rare for a team that finished 41 games out of the top spot in its conference to have an air of optimism surrounding the organization. One of the league’s storied franchises has hit hard times lately but the Los Angeles Lakers headed into the offseason with some real hope for a turnaround.
They got lucky in the lottery, securing the No. 2 pick and putting off the first-round debt they owe to the Sixers for another season. They have a new front office direction, thanks to the in-season shakeup which saw Lakers legend Magic Johnson and former agent Rob Pelinka become the franchise’s top two executives. They already hired a coveted young coach prior to last season in Luke Walton.
There’s also a reasonable chance they can attract a top-level free agent or use some of their assets to trade for an All-Star level player.
Here’s a look at the major questions confronting the club this offseason:
1. Should the Lakers pursue a trade for Pacers star Paul George or wait until he becomes a unrestricted free agent?
George’s desire to play for the Lakers is an open secret. He would give Johnson the star he covets, and Magic has no bones that he’ll be shopping for a superstar.
Whether George fits that category is debatable but he’s undeniably one of the top forwards in the league. In a perfect world, the Lakers could sit back and wait for George to sign the dotted line next summer.
If the Lakers really want him, a preemptive strike might be necessary. They would probably have to move the No. 2 overall pick and a couple of young players to entice the Pacers to trade George prior to his walk year. Magic apparently views last June’s lottery pick, Brandon Ingram, as his only untouchable.
2. Assuming the Lakers don’t trade their lottery pick, is Lonzo Ball the right choice?
It’s expected the the Celtics will select Markelle Fultz, though GM Danny Ainge is notoriously secretive about his intentions on draft day. Ball would make sense on a lot of fronts. He wants to play there — or at least his meddling dad is trying to steer him in that direction.
Johnson has said that Ball’s spotlight-seeking father will not be a factor in whether he selects the UCLA playmaker. Ball’s flashy playmaking would be a natural fit for a team that finished 26th in assists per possession. If Ball goes No. 1, Fultz would be hard to pass up.
3. If the Lakers draft a point guard, what should they do with D’Angelo Russell?
Several teams are reportedly interested in Russell if the Lakers shop him. Russell, who was the No. 2 pick in 2015, has been a bit of a disappointment in his first two seasons. While no one would label him a bust, he hasn’t provided the impact a franchise would anticipate from someone drafted that high.
However, there’s a school of thought that Russell might thrive as on off-guard. He’s an aggressive scorer who wants to take the big shot. Ball’s pass-first mentality might mesh well with Russell’s game.
If they wind up with Fultz, who’s more of a scorer, it may be tougher to pair him up with Russell. In that scenario, trading Russell would be almost inevitable.
4. What should the Lakers do on the free agent market?
Proceed cautiously. The previous regime overspent on a couple of veterans last summer, Timofey Mozgov and Luol Deng, and now they’re stuck with a couple of bad contracts.
They do have a decent amount of cap space, given that they have approximately $78MM in salary commitments. They could go after a top-level free agent by trying to open up more space via trades.
A dynamic power forward to pair up with Ingram would be the logical route, given that the free agent crop of centers and shooting guards is unremarkable.
Blake Griffin stands out in that regard. Griffin could stay put in Los Angeles, while his recent injury and offcourt issues could shrink the amount of teams willing to shell out the big bucks on him.
Serge Ibaka would be a lower-cost alternative, a productive starter who would provide a solid veteran presence on an otherwise green starting unit. Chris Bosh would also be intriguing once he hits the free agent market — Pelinka is his former agent, and he could teach the young group what it takes to be a winner.
5. The Lakers have another first-round pick at No. 28. What should they do with it?
Johnson received this pick in the Lou Williams deadline trade with the Rockets, giving the club another asset.
They’ve got plenty of youth on the roster and it’s unlikely they’ll want to have another rookie on their bench. Most likely, they’ll look to trade this pick for future considerations or a veteran player who can provide immediate help. If they can’t move it, a draft-and-stash prospect would be the desired route.
Here’s where things currently stand for the Lakers financially:
Guaranteed Salary
- Luol Deng ($17,190,000)
- Timofey Mozgov ($15,280,000)
- Jordan Clarkson ($11,562,500)
- Corey Brewer ($7,579,366)
- D’Angelo Russell ($5,562,360)
- Brandon Ingram ($5,519,400)
- Julius Randle ($4,149,242)
- Larry Nance Jr. ($1,471,382)
- Ivica Zubac ($1,312,611)
- Total: $69,626,861
Player Options
- Nick Young ($5,668,667)
- Total: $5,668,667
Team Options
- David Nwaba ($1,312,611)
- Total: $1,312,611
Non-Guaranteed Salary
- Tarik Black ($6,655,325)1
- Total: $6,655,325
Restricted Free Agents
- None
Cap Holds
- Nick Young ($10,343,444) — If player option is declined
- No. 2 overall pick ($6,286,560)
- Tyler Ennis ($2,666,707)
- Thomas Robinson ($1,471,382)
- Metta World Peace ($1,471,382)
- No. 28 overall pick ($1,414,920)
- Total: $23,654,395
Projected Salary Cap: $101,000,000
Maximum Cap Room: $22,856,044
- With nine guaranteed contracts, two cap holds for first-round picks, and one cap charge for an empty roster slot, the Lakers would have $78,143,956 on their books. That would give the team a sizable chunk of cap room, albeit not quite enough for a maximum salary player. The Lakers aren’t likely to sign anyone to a max contract this summer, but if they wanted to, they’d need to move guaranteed contracts and/or draft picks to create space.
Footnotes:
- Black’s salary becomes fully guaranteed after July 4.
Salary information from Basketball Insiders and The Vertical was used in the creation of this post. Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
1. Wait
2. Keep it & take Lonzo Ball
3. Trade Russell for an upgrade over Randle
4. Stand pat or sign 1 year rentals
5. Draft a value player – Giles, Rabb, Adebayo
Drafting Rabb, Giles, or Adebayo doesn’t make sense with all the young power forwards. None of those guys look better than what they already have. Giles probably goes first round but the other two will probably slip to the second round so they could buy a pick again to get one of them (IF they really like one.) I would like to see them to try grab a 3 and D type player at 28 or pare it with Deng or Mos to get rid of them.
Trading Russell and Randle doesn’t make sense right now. If Randle doesn’t take a bigger step forward this year then maybe they think about trading him but they are both on cheap rookie deals so the lakers have plenty of time to figure out if they can play a role for the team in the future. Both players have gotten better since they’ve been in the league so there’s a good chance they are going to continue to develop. Russell’s numbers look good for a guy his age and if he can play like he did for most the second half he could still be special.
They should wait on free agents though.
I view Randle and Nance as pieces that get moved to dump Deng and Mozgov. Randle is an RFA 2018, not cheap a year from now.
I’mma Pacer fan… if they think they can get PG next year…y trade away everything to get him if he’s gonna sign their anyway… trade it pieces and get another star so both stars aren’t under the same salary cap…u get more 4 ur money next year
u really don’t need ball u have 2 pgs that are better then ball and Kno the system already trade the pic get ah star player get Paul George next year
In complete honesty, avoid the Ball family at all costs. Lavar will be an extreme distraction. If his son doesn’t end up being a star he will blame it on the coach, GM, or his teammates. Lonzo looks like a good player but he isn’t worth the headache his dad will bring. Just stay away. His dad’s constant commentary will cheapen the Lakers’ brand.
First Thing Draft Lonzo! PG 13 in 18. I agree about possibly trading the 28th pick for vet or draft and stash prospect.
Anyone that says Russell is a bit of disappointment is not someone that watches the games, and just goes off false perception. Russell compared to Booker had higher PER, winshares, ORPM, DRPM, and VORP. His counting numbers adjusted for 36 minutes are way better also and even higher than Wiggins in his age 20 season.
Just sayin, Russell is a keeper and his numbers at his age compare to other allstars point guards.
Ball would compliment him really well. What each of them do well covers each other’s weaknesses.
Except neither can play defense. Name a worse defensive backcourt in the league. Don’t worry, I’ll wait.
Lol, name a back court with two 2way players when they were……19 and 21. Yea, I’ll wait too ;) Good job judging prospects as finished products. Do you also complain about the defense of Harden, Curry, Lillard, Irving, McCollum etc?
Who drafts a point guard because of their defensive?? And you think Portland is a hurry at breaking up their back court because they don’t play defense? I love watching Russell, and if he had one reliable shooter around him he would have created a lot more offensive than he did. I would like to see Russell get a little better at getting buckets around the hoop but no player is perfect.
Zak,
I will list the 2017 NBA All-Star Game guards right now. First, the 4 starters…
DeRozan
Irving
Curry
Harden
The best defender of the 4 is Curry, and calling him average is generous. Irving and Harden are matadors, and DeRozan is and always has been a below-average defender. Now onto the reserves, with the question “do they play defense well?”
Lowry (nope)
Isaiah Thomas (heck no)
Kemba Walker (while his O has improved, his D has now gone from OK to bad)
Wall (passable, but certainly not a difference-maker)
Westbrook (has become Harden-like on D)
Klay Thompson (very good)
The only person on this entire list that is even an above-average defender is Klay Thompson.
The point is that even the great players aren’t stopping anyone from doing what they want to on the court. And the good defensive guards usually aren’t good on offense. There is almost no one like Mike Conley, who is pretty good both ways. Heck, even some guys with good defensive reputations, like Patrick Beverley, aren’t actually good defenders. Lillard and McCollum form one of the best backcourts in the league, and they are both bad defenders.
It’s definitely unfair to point out Russell’s defensive shortcomings, whatever they are, when they don’t stand out from even the great guards in this league. The bottom line is that good offensive guards are going to pretty much go wherever they want to on the court, and there is very little that their defenders can do to stop that.
I don’t get why everyone is down on Russell. I love his game, and it is what everyone is looking for in the NBA today.
Outstanding comments. It’s unbelievable how people are down on Russell and Ingram just gets a pass, when it’s not even close as to which one has actually played better so far. (I’m not saying Ingram doesn’t have legit upside, because he did start to look like he was getting it in the final 20 games or so.) I don’t think there have been 6 players in NBA history that have ever averaged more than what Russell has in terms of points and assists per 36 mins. for a player aged 21 or less in his first 2 NBA seasons. If he can become a 40% 3-point shooter (he’s been at about 35% so far), we’re talking about a perennial All-Star once you take physical maturation (as he reaches his prime) into account. And he’ll improve on other things as well. This isn’t a guarantee (that he’ll improve the 3-point shooting to that figure), but even if he doesn’t, he should still be a fine player.
Oh, and anyone who calls out Russell for his defense but doesn’t do the same for Booker is laughable. Also, there are very few difference-making guards on defense in this league that are also good on offense. VERY few.
Hope ur Booker mention isn’t Devin Booker. Devin Booker is a far better player then Russell. And Booker plays passable D and is a better shooter
Devin Booker plays no D whatsoever. You seriously have to be kidding me. And I never compared him overall to Russell, but merely made a comment about his defense. It’s not fair to just slam one guy for defense and give plaudits to the other, when the other is arguably worse on defense.
DONT DRAFT BALL !!!!! That’s it who cares what else you do
don’t judge a player based on a loud mouth father haha. if you have any other reason then OK
Um he didn’t show up for the game against Kentucky he only averaged 13 points a game he’s highly overrated
Led the NATION in assists. Seemed to let that slip. But let’s not let facts get in the midst of a good argument. And he got destroyed by Fox it happens. There’s a reason they both are potential top 5 draft picks
How do you lead the nation in assists with 7 a game nice try
I’d call around and try to give away the 28th pick if that could unload deng or moz contract.
Lakers should try to clear as much cap space as possible to make a legitimate run at good players—
-Trade Russell and Randle in 2 different trades both as salary dumps
Russell and Mozgov
Randle and Deng
-Trade Clarkson for a late 1st rounder if possible
-Draft Lonzo— then fill out the rest of the draft with 2 guys like Harry Giles and Ojeleye.
-Use cap space to sign Ibaka and get set up for Paul George
2018 starting lineup: Lonzo, Ingram, George, Ibaka, Giles
Clarkson is on a good deal I wouldn’t deal him because of the player market is overvalued now
I am glad you are not the GM!
No kidding. Jesus.
They should just trade 2nd pick to Sac for the 5th and 10th pick and draft Dennis Smith and Lauri Mark. Dennis and DLo back Court and so deadly. Dennis is a far better athlete than lonzo and he also averaged 18 5 6 to lonzo 14 6 7. You get a better scorer who can also beat his man off the dribble, score from anywhere and still shows he has the game to be a dbl dbl point in points and assists.
Go get PG now. Picks/players…sell the back forty. Ball/Ingram/PG…rebuild is done.
Here’s my suggestion. Trade Russell for Kings 5th pick. Select Ball and select and hopefully he’s still there Josh Jackson or Tatum. You got 2 great young stars to play together.
2017
Ball
Jackson/Tatum
Ingram
Randle
Zubac
Then you can trade Randle or salary cap vets to sign free agents in the summer
Why trade russel when Jackson can run the 2 just as you mentioned. Russel is a better prospect than ball all around. He can attack off the dribble, work a half court set, deadly from the post on smaller guards and can run simply run the pick and roll. We all who are real fans saw a lot of DLo’s passes fumble out of mosgov, deng and JR hands lol he could’ve easily averaged 6-7 dimes last season
Take Fox instead of Ball and Tatum with 5. Then sign P George as free agent.
There should be a deal to be made with the sixers—
Okafor for Russell won’t work… but Clarkson for Okafor and a 2nd or something like that could work, basically to open up 10 mil a year in cap space for the Lakers, and be able to have time for Russell/Ingram/and Ball
Sixers can absorb Deng so swapping Okafor for Deng and Russell is the deal to do. Honestly they could absorb Mozgov and Deng and still not be hindered too bad.
I think Sixers would take that in a second—
A) Can you imagine the carnage caused by Papa Ball if the #2 pick is traded to Indiana for George? Epic. Hand out rain coats and umbrella’s at draft day because it’s going be on a “Gallagher-ianish” epic level.
B) Magic needs to avoid making the same moves he did with the Dodgers the first couple of years. That mistake was rushing to sign marquee names to simply appease a fan base that wants a big name player. The result was a ridiculously high salary cap that netted them not a single world series appearance.
c) If they attempt to trade for George AND it requires the #1 pick and more, then what you’ll have is George, a couple of vets and probably Ingram. All that will net you is a run at the #8. That’s a waste of assets.
Keep the pick and draft Ball. Than in itself should increase attendance organically. Keep Russell and play him alongside Ball at the 2 spot. See if there’s a FA with star ability willing to come to LA that makes sense, try and move some of the bad contracts and try and loosen up for a run @ George next year when he’s a FA. If you get a good player dangled at you for Russell then you listen.
What exactly has Ball done anywhere of any significance that would draw any fans? I’m a laker fan from Magic, Kareem, Worthy days and the last guy I want to see in the purple and gold is Ball. There are probably a thousand guys in ncaa basketball last year with better numbers and don’t already think they belong in hall of fame before even getting drafted. Unreal that people bandwagon on to an average at best college player that got a lot publicity. Research some college players numbers from last year and if you still think Ball is any kind of God to basketball let me know.
I wish some of you would think before speaking. Ball idk, only led the NCAA in assists last year. More than every other player in common vernacular. He shot the ball at over 50% and the 3 at over 40%. Don’t make it out like he is a bum. You may not like his father, and that’s okay but Lonzo was one of the better players in college basketball last season
Nothing to do with his father. Not sure how you got that out of comment but I would recommend stop watching ESPN sportcenter for their college basketball opinions and watch all different leagues and games and see what’s out there for players other than what the media wants to show you and you will realize that he’s an average college basketball player with one year of playing. That is my opinion without any consideration of his father. Anybody giving any thought to his father is falling right into the media sucking you in to anything they can grab on to to make people read. I do wonder if anybody would know who Ball even was if there were never any stories about his dad. You can’t find the story of him being such an amazing talent and leader that marched his team through the tournament and got to cut the nets down. So as I asked prior, what exactly has Ball done yet to be such a self proclaimed super star??
Somebody isn’t well-versed in his (or her) baseball knowledge. First off, Magic has never had anything to do with the baseball operations of the Dodgers, in terms of player personnel. He’s a figurehead who helped the Guggenheim Group secure the purchase in the first place, but he has nothing to do with actually making on-field decisions.
Secondly, there is no salary cap in baseball. The Dodgers knew that they were taking on bad contracts from the Red Sox in that mega-deal, but they had a clear plan. Adrian Gonzalez was, at the time, still a very productive player, a local guy, and someone that the fanbase would love due to his Mexican heritage. Yeah, they had to take on Carl Crawford and Josh Beckett, etc, but the key was just getting Adrian at the time. The Dodgers didn’t lose in the postseason over the past few seasons because they didn’t have enough money to spend. And the front office always had a plan to increase the talent in the minors by spending again on scouting and player development (which was hampered by the penny-pinching Frank McCourt), and to eventually get more home-grown players in there. We’re seeing some of that now with guys like Seager and Bellinger and Joc Pederson and Urias, and more help will be on the way in the next couple of years in the form of pitchers like Alvarez and Buehler and hitters like Verdugo and possibly Calhoun. And that will allow them to still spend lavishly on top free agents without completely blowing up the payroll.
Draft is deep enough to get a PG with their 2nd pick – trade their number one and one of their high contract/no performance contracts for a big man that will be productive
No no no. Some of you would be the worst GM ever. What the Lakers need to do is simple. Draft Ball to be the passing complement to D-Lo’s scoring. Package the 28th pick with Deng and send it anywhere. Just stretch Mozgov if no one will give you anything for his albatross of a contract. Zubac, Julius, and T Black are fine enough in whatever rotation we play to be at the 5. The Lakers young core is talented and underrated. D-Lo’s a way better scorer than he’s given credit for. Clarkson is the spark plug off the bench that every team needs. Julius has basically averaged a double-double over his 2 seasons of actually playing, and this season drastically improved his shooting and passing. Honestly I don’t see all the hype about Ingram. But if they believe in him, trading for PG13 this year would put Ingram on the bench or at the 4 which isn’t ideal. Believe in the system and let the players continue to develop. At the end of 2017-18, or even at the trade deadline if they seemed to stall at role players then make moves.
The lakers will b better year 2 under Walton. Russell gets a bad rap because of the whole situation with Nick Young. They need to wipe the slate clean of all me me me vets and roll with the young guys. Worst thing that happens they turn into role players and u bring George on as a free agent after the season and he’s surrounded by guys who can play a role. Best case Russell turns into a Harden-lite play maker at the 2 guard and Ingram turns into a solid shooter/scorer and they r able to maximize Balls potential as a facilitator. The reason u take Ball at 2 is the pure fact that he passes so well and is a big point. Even tho it’s a skinny 1-2-3 it’s a talented group