**LA LAKERS THREAD** Sitting on 17! 2023-2024 offseason begins

Fun Julius Randle stats

His shots around the rim are going in at 67.5%, up from 56.8%

He struggles from 3-10 feet, shooting 32.1%, down from 36.2%.


10-16 up to 47.8% from 22.7% last year

16-
 
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Brandon Ingram = The Future
 
Which is why Luke should put Clarkson in with Russell more often. Clarkson was at his best tonight when he was in the game with Russell and Randle. Both Young and Clarkson can benefit playing alongside DLo and Randle.

I wouldn't mind Luke tinkering with the lineup a little bit and start DLo, Clarkson at 2, Young at 3, Randle, and Mozgov. Considering Young has stepped up his defensive play all year, I'm sure he would relish the challenge of trying to guard opposing SF's. Not like he hasn't done it before.

Then we have Deng come off the bench and play with Lou, Ingram, Black, and Robinson/Nance where Ingram is running the point.
That works for now...

And I agree with the idea of separating Lou & Clarkson, and sending Deng to the bench (possibly Bolivia if possible)... Lou & Clarkson are two ball dominant guards, and neither are anything but subpar running an offense.

Even with that, I still don't see Clarkson as a long term starter.

A super sub? Yes. A starter ? No

Primarily because of defense. For all the **** DLo gets for his defense (on some nights well deserved), he's a decent defender when he's engaged because of his measurables.. Clarkson is not, which is astounding considering his athleticism and quickness.

I think we need a 3&D guy starting at the 2 (if we think long term), at least more than what Nick is capable of on defense.


If I were to draw this team out... I'd say we should be running a 6, possibly 7 man rotation with the 3 wing positions... Russell & Ingram are starters (that's a given). Clarkson & Nick are bench players.

That leaves you with needing a strong 3 & D guy at the 2. A capable Backup PG.

Deng doesn't fit AT ALL.. Lou has best trade value, and while he's the most likely to go for 20+ a night, I'd take Clarkson's youth and Nick's ability to better fit the flow of the offense on motion and dribble hand offs over Lou
Using your scenario, who is a strong 3&D player that is available via trade?

The Lakers are only 4 games out of the 8-seed. It's really interesting to see how the rest of the season turns out. Do they tank in order to hopefully secure their protected top 3 pick or do they make a serious run for the playoffs and make some minor roster changes in order to compete? If you ask me, I say they compete and try to make the playoffs.

As good as Fultz, Ball, Monk, and Johnson are, none of them are screaming legitimate superstar that can immediately turn around a franchise. Even Simmons looked better last year.

Sefalosha could be available, his salary is only $4 mil, but he can't shoot from long range. I doubt MEM trades Tony Allen either. And because of HOU's excellent start, no way Morey is going to deal Ariza. 

The player I have in mind is Khris Middleton, 6'8", can defend, and shoots the lights out. His contract is lengthy, but a value at roughly $14 mil per year. He seems to be the odd man out in MIL with Giannis and Parker emerging as the top 2. 

A capable back up PG is Dellavadova, but he has another 4 years left on his contract at $9 mil per. I'm sure the Lakers can find someone else whose contract is more short-term. Ty Lawson comes to mind.
 
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Using your scenario, who is a strong 3&D player that is available via trade?

The Lakers are only 4 games out of the 8-seed. It's really interesting to see how the rest of the season turns out. Do they tank in order to hopefully secure their protected top 3 pick or do they make a serious run for the playoffs and make some minor roster changes in order to compete? If you ask me, I say they compete and try to make the playoffs.

As good as Fultz, Ball, Monk, and Johnson are, none of them are screaming legitimate superstar that can immediately turn around a franchise. Even Simmons looked better last year.

Sefalosha could be available, his salary is only $4 mil, but he can't shoot from long range. I doubt MEM trades Tony Allen either. And because of HOU's excellent start, no way Morey is going to deal Ariza. 

The player I have in mind is Khris Middleton, 6'8", can defend, and shoots the lights out. His contract is lengthy, but a value at roughly $14 mil per year. He seems to be the odd man out in MIL with Giannis and Parker emerging as the top 2. 

I added to my point about Ingram, I think it's worth a try seeing him at SG. Even for right now, he's better suited guarding 2s because of his weight. But even if he gains weight, and if it doesn't impact how he moves on the floor, maybe not a bad idea running a really tall lineup, that doesn't have to sacrifice shooting.

Available? Now? I don't know... I really and truly want Avery Bradley, but of course he has to be a Celtic, so it'll never happen.. He'd fit perfectly alongside both Russell in the starting lineup, and next to Clarkson to try and spark the Mike D'Antoni era Clarkson, and handle all of the defensive duties.Bradley eats up a **** ton of minutes as well.


But it could also be Free Agency.

Don't think the Bucks trade Middleton unless they get a solid enough deal in return. They are paying a lot of guys like Plumelee, Delly, Teletovic, so moving Middleton may not be a good move for them. Also Middleton is out for 6 months
 
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I added to my point about Ingram, I think it's worth a try seeing him at SG. Even for right now, he's better suited guarding 2s because of his weight. But even if he gains weight, and if it doesn't impact how he moves on the floor, maybe not a bad idea running a really tall lineup, that doesn't have to sacrifice shooting.

Available? Now? I don't know... I really and truly want Avery Bradley, but of course he has to be a Celtic, so it'll never happen.. He'd fit perfectly alongside both Russell in the starting lineup, and next to Clarkson to try and spark the Mike D'Antoni era Clarkson, and handle all of the defensive duties.Bradley eats up a **** ton of minutes as well.


But it could also be Free Agency.

Don't think the Bucks trade Middleton unless they get a solid enough deal in return. They are paying a lot of guys like Plumelee, Delly, Teletovic, so moving Middleton may not be a good move for them. Also Middleton is out for 6 months
The Bucks are definitely looking to improve their roster as they jockey for playoff positioning in the East. I can see them moving Middleton and Monroe if the deal addresses their most pressing needs - a veteran presence in the paint who is better than Henson lol, and a scorer at the guard position.

Lou gives them the scoring they need and imo would fit well with Giannis and Parker. Adding Mozgov could also be appealing to the Bucks because it would reunite Moz with Dellavadova and add another proven playoff veteran. Who knows, this just might be enough to tempt them considering we'd take the underachieving Monroe off their hands. And if the Lakers have to take on the last two years of Monroe's contract just to acquire Middleton, who's only 25, I'd take the risk because Middleton is definitely legit.

Moz, Williams, and Calderon for Middleton and Monroe. 

Lakers lineup would then look like this:

Russell

Middleton

Young

Randle

Monroe

Bench - Ingram, Clarkson, Deng, Nance, Black, Robinson, Huertas

Trading Williams and Calderon will open up minutes for Huertas, who I like as a 10-12 min per game backup PG, which is all we need him for. If Huertas has an off-game, Ingram can simply slide in at the point. 
 
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The Bucks are definitely looking to improve their roster as they jockey for playoff positioning in the East. I can see them moving Middleton and Monroe if the deal addresses their most pressing needs - a veteran presence in the paint who is better than Henson lol, and a scorer at the guard position.

Lou gives them the scoring they need and imo would fit well with Giannis and Parker. Adding Mozgov could also be appealing to the Bucks because it would reunite Moz with Dellavadova and add another proven playoff veteran. Who knows, this just might be enough to tempt them considering we'd take the underachieving Monroe off their hands. And if the Lakers have to take on the last two years of Monroe's contract just to acquire Middleton, who's only 25, I'd take the risk because Middleton is definitely legit.

Moz, Williams, and Calderon for Middleton and Monroe. 

Lakers lineup would then look like this:

Russell
Middleton
Young
Randle
Monroe

Bench - Ingram, Clarkson, Deng, Nance, Black, Robinson, Huertas

Trading Williams and Calderon will open up minutes for Huertas, who I like as a 10-12 min per game backup PG, which is all we need him for. If Huertas has an off-game, Ingram can simply slide in at the point. 


Middleton is out for a while.. At least through most of March, if not through entire Regular Season... He says he'll be back this season, but it's not a high likelihood. So it does nothing for us this season.

Secondly, they value Middleton really highly.

2 bench guys (Mozgov is an eventual bench guy) is not worth the versatility they get from Middleton, even if he's out.

But trading Middleton for 2 bench players, when Greek Freak has just broken out to superstardom, isn't a great move for the Bucks at all.


I do love Middleton though
 
 
laugh.gif


What are you smoking sonny... why would Milwaukee consider this trade
Incoming contracts are short-term, which would free up cap space for the Bucks in two years rather than being tied up with Middleton's long term deal. Williams averages just as many points as Middleton, who is coming off major surgery.

You want to smoke this blunt with me?
 
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The Bucks are definitely looking to improve their roster as they jockey for playoff positioning in the East. I can see them moving Middleton and Monroe if the deal addresses their most pressing needs - a veteran presence in the paint who is better than Henson lol, and a scorer at the guard position.

Lou gives them the scoring they need and imo would fit well with Giannis and Parker. Adding Mozgov could also be appealing to the Bucks because it would reunite Moz with Dellavadova and add another proven playoff veteran. Who knows, this just might be enough to tempt them considering we'd take the underachieving Monroe off their hands. And if the Lakers have to take on the last two years of Monroe's contract just to acquire Middleton, who's only 25, I'd take the risk because Middleton is definitely legit.

Moz, Williams, and Calderon for Middleton and Monroe. 

Lakers lineup would then look like this:

Russell
Middleton
Young
Randle
Monroe

Bench - Ingram, Clarkson, Deng, Nance, Black, Robinson, Huertas

Trading Williams and Calderon will open up minutes for Huertas, who I like as a 10-12 min per game backup PG, which is all we need him for. If Huertas has an off-game, Ingram can simply slide in at the point. 

Middleton is out for a while.. At least through most of March, if not through entire Regular Season... He says he'll be back this season, but it's not a high likelihood. So it does nothing for us this season.

Secondly, they value Middleton really highly.

2 bench guys (Mozgov is an eventual bench guy) is not worth the versatility they get from Middleton, even if he's out.

But trading Middleton for 2 bench players, when Greek Freak has just broken out to superstardom, isn't a great move for the Bucks at all.


I do love Middleton though
Once Middleton returns (and he will be back this year for sure), less shots for Parker and Giannis. That's why Middleton can be moved for "pieces" aka players who play a specific role. Three starters who demand the ball is not a good thing for MIL, which is another reason why Monroe can't make an impact. Williams, on the other hand, is the perfect scoring spark plug who will give them 18 ppg that MIL lacks off the bench.

This is not about Moz and Williams being "bench" players. For MIL, it's about filling needs as they position themselves to make a playoff run.
 
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:lol:


What are you smoking sonny... why would Milwaukee consider this trade

Incoming contracts are short-term, which would free up cap space for the Bucks in two years rather than being tied up with Middleton's long term deal. Williams averages just as many points as Middleton, who is coming off major surgery.

You want to smoke this blunt with me?

Nah I don't like to get wet

Milwaukee would never trade Middleton just for Lou Williams and Jose freakin Calderon
 
Just spitballing... People who could be close to available, who could help

Ricky Rubio - Not a 2 or 3.. But solves some defensive issues, and while he can't shoot worth a damn, would actually run a good offense.

Danny Green
Wes Matthews - Injury concerns me

Robert Covington - can't score effectively, but plays great Defense
Trevor Ariza
Rudy Gay - Surprising defensive numbers for him


Would say Rubio, Green, Ariza or Gay are the only possible players available at PG, SG or SF that fill a role of need for us. Rubio might be the only one who gets us out of Deng's contract
 
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Just spitballing... People who could be close to available, who could help

Ricky Rubio - Not a 2 or 3.. But solves some defensive issues, and while he can't shoot worth a damn, would actually run a good offense. Can play him off the bench, and still make him a Super Sub.

Danny Green
Wes Matthews - Injury concerns me

Robert Covington
Trevor Ariza
Rudy Gay - Surprising defensive numbers for him
Rubio - no freakin thank you

Matthews - no freakin thank you

Green - SA won't trade him, he is an asset and is a plug for Ginobili

Covington - I'm interested

Ariza - no way HOU trades him. What are you smoking

Gay - possible
 
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What would you guys be willing to give up for Paul Milsap or Kyle Korver?

Reports are saying ATL has begun to start listening to team offers for both of them because they are afraid of losing both guys in free agency next summer.
 
What would you guys be willing to give up for Paul Milsap or Kyle Korver?

Reports are saying ATL has begun to start listening to team offers for both of them because they are afraid of losing both guys in free agency next summer.
ATL would want Randle in exchange. I'd keep Randle over Millsap only because Millsap is getting up there in age

No to Korver
 






Probably the best chemistry I've seen these two have since they've been together.
 
Last night might have been the most engaged DLo has been in a while. His passes were on point, and he wasn't shooting bad at all. Randle is a beast when he's under control. When he can consistently have that control, he can out muscle anyone. I do like that Ingram has been looking to attack the hoop since his jumper isn't falling. The play where he cut the defense for an easy lay up was :smokin .
 
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