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

[lovehateself]

Also, this is funny.

There has been a Gonzaga to Lakers pipeline over the years (Turiaf, Morrison, Sacre, Elias Harris, Johnathan Williams, Zach Norvell, Joel Ayayi, Rui). Lakers liked Nembhard in last year's draft too.

this happened too

Lakers Draft Workouts: Gonzaga Star Drew Timme, Two Returning Prospects Headline June 19 Group

The latest pre-draft workout group for the Los Angeles Lakers includes Gonzaga star Drew Timme and two players returning for second workouts.

lakersnation.com

 

[MajinZuub]

Jett Howard is one of the worst defenders I’ve ever seen

 

[Lizakers]

Jett Howard is one of the worst defenders I’ve ever seen

He’ll fit right into the NBA, look at how scoring has exploded. Nobody plays D anymore, plus rules changes of course

 

[MIKE LOWERY]

Still rather move off the pick for a myriad of 2nds and future pick(s), especially if you're talking Buddy/GTJ/Caruso coming with. Kobe Brown, Andre Jackson Jr. even Emoni Bates could be there mid 2nd.

 

[DLF]

Who would’ve thunk it…our scouting department is not actually good… their secret is just to watch Michigan and Gonzaga games and just choose the best players available from those teams.


In all seriousness, they deserve our benefit of the doubt so I am not gonna react to some mock draft that will be wrong 90% of the time

 

[Maximus Meridius]

That game 4 performance in OT

Dude was really 21.

I still laugh when they compare guys like Tatum, Booker, etc. to Kobe.

 

[pmatic]

 

[grittyman]

Have zero idea who any of those guys are but I trust the Lakers scouting dept so not really focusing much on who they workout/draft this year.

 

[MIKE LOWERY]

Saw Ben Shepperd taken at #47 in one mock. He did well at the draft combine. 6'6" shooter that at least tries to defend. Saw they were attempting to see if he could handle a little at the combine. Wouldn't be a bad play mid to late 2nd.


Kinda reminds me of Malcolm Brogdon. Both from ATL too.

 

[essential1]

I’ve realized how much less each year I pay attention to NCAA.

Just doesn’t appeal to me anymore. I’ll know the top 3 or 4 and their game. But after that, feels like I am an anchor at ESPN.

 

[moonman818]

It's because all the best players leave.

One and done killed the college game. Star players don't build legacies at schools anymore.

 

[essential1]

If it doesn’t go well in negotiations. Could be a Beasley + Pick trade candidate. But the pick and Beasley are probably just as valuable, if you are hoping Beasley’s slump was a fluke (it wasn’t). Really all depends on how “in” they are financially.

 

[MIKE LOWERY]

Definitely trade bait. Him and Buddy are my two realistic "Beasley + 17" moves.

 

[pdino]

Reality is Lakers unlikely to make a big move. Can trade the Bamba/Beasley expirings for something. Cap is pretty locked up if we just re-sign everyone.

Bargain bin UFA wish list using mid-level: Naz Reid, Brook Lopez (3+D center), Jalen Mcdaniels. Honorable mentions: Dennis smith JR., Trey lyles

 

[essential1]

Jalen McDaniels feels like the best idea.

Just show him a picture of his brother and say. Be more like this guy. (except for the anger issues)

 

[BIG LEEMELONE]

Feels like the Lakers are up to something. Running it back doesn't get you any further

 

[essential1]

Feels like the Lakers are up to something. Running it back doesn't get you any further

Never know what happens year to year.
Lakers could get injured and everything would be moot but so could other teams.

Or a favorite gets knocked out in the playoffs by another team and opens up a path.


What they could bank on is that the team October through the end of January was an entirely different team than After that. And that is where an off-season, training camp and adding around the margins instead of huge wholesale changes could create a different team identity.
And come February if it’s not going well. DLo, Rui, Vando and other mid level deals outside of AR should probably get shipped out.

 

[pdino]

Jalen McDaniels feels like the best idea.

Just show him a picture of his brother and say. Be more like this guy. (except for the anger issues)

Get a guy who's going to defend the opponents best player and get back on transition D at the very least

 

[essential1]

Get a guy who's going to defend the opponents best player and get back on transition D at the very least

“Please don’t fall when you take a layup”

Every time it happened. I just put my head down and said “Here comes a 3”

 

[BIG LEEMELONE]

Never know what happens year to year.
Lakers could get injured and everything would be moot but so could other teams.

Or a favorite gets knocked out in the playoffs by another team and opens up a path.

Can't build a contender by hoping to get lucky

 

[essential1]

Can't build a contender by hoping to get lucky

They already are a contender as is. (Made it to WCF, they are a top 3-4 talent team in the West at worst)

And a bunch of titles in the last decade have a level of luck attached to it.

 

[BIG LEEMELONE]

They already are a contender as is. (Made it to WCF, they are a top 3-4 talent team in the West at worst)

And a bunch of titles in the last decade have a level of luck attached to it.

They're not a contender when we know they can't beat Denver and are hoping another team beats them or gets injured. And they're not as talented as Phoenix

 

[essential1]

They're not a contender when we know they can't beat Denver and are hoping another team beats them. And they're not as talented as Phoenix

Nobody knows how much of their roster Denver can keep. Bruce Brown is likely gone. And KCP as good as he was,, could end up as a trade candidate due to the CBA (whether he’s traded or not is a different story). But trying to get 2 guys for KCP may be necessary to avoid the tax apron.
He’ll decline his option for 2024-25 and try to get paid. That could scare Denver into moving him early to recoup.

Phoenix is a super top heavy team with injury prone players.

 

[pmatic]

Hate to miss the forest for the trees, but Denver is still present. They're likely to lose Bruce Brown, but they're going to be really good regardless.

Got to figure out a way to increase the offense or become an even nastier defense. Ideally you accomplish both, but that's a difficult ask.

 

[essential1]

Denver is obviously the favorite going in (don’t tell Mike Malone)

But as many favorites don’t make it back as do. That’s not praying, that’s just how it goes.

Lakers are in the mix. And the gap between Nuggets, Suns, Warriors and Lakers then the next batch is pretty significant.