[::WORLD CHAMPION LAKERS OFF-SEASON THREAD: 2 Weeks Away From Pre-Season::]

[knightngale]

I am not liking what I have been reading about the lakers trying to cut costs. They can not and should not get rid of any core players (odom) just to cut costs and win another ring.

They also NEED to use the full MLE because with Farmar gone the bench will be even weaker.

If they don't improve the bench it will be hard to 3peat.

 

[tupac003]

[h1]latimes.com[/h1][h4]ON THE NBA[/h4][h2]Despite Lakers' titles, money is getting tight[/h2][h3]Phil Jackson's reported pay cut, if he returns, is only the beginning, with lower-level players expected to take a financial hit as well.[/h3]
Mark Heisler

8:14 PM PDT, June 23, 2010

Phil! Come back, Phil! Please come back!

Oh, you haven't actually gone yet?

Phil Jackson, who gave Lakerdom enough memories to last the century, may have one left as the Lakers' version of Shane, riding off into the sunset in the 1953 western with the little boy running after him, begging him to stay.

Suggesting how much of a local institution Jackson has become, Wednesday's suggestion that he's leaning toward retiring came as a shock, despite months of speculation he wouldn't be back.

Imagine Lakers ownership's devastation:

We didn't even have a chance to offer him his pay cut!

Owner Jerry Buss told Jackson he hoped he'd return when they met this week, although they didn't get into numbers.

Buss might not have wanted to spoil the moment, still reportedly intent on offering Jackson a $2-million-to-$3-million cut in his $12-million salary.

Management has been bonkers about money all season, and another title and $15 million to $20 million in profits doesn't seem to have cheered anyone up.

The Lakers made $40 million to $45 million last season. As far as they're concerned, they just lost $25 million.

There's a new austerity program across the board, with the little people in the organization expected to take major cuts too.

Whether that applies to the salaries the Busses pay themselves before profits isn't known.

The team will have to suck it up too, with speculation that the Lakers won't use their $5.9-million mid-level exception.

If not, there go Steve Blake and/or Mike Miller, who could have spelled Derek Fisher, who's 35, or Ron Artest, who's Ron Artest.

With the local careers of Jordan Farmar and Adam Morrison thought to be over, there's speculation within the organization that Lamar Odom may be moved to save money.

On the other hand, they just won their second title in a row going away, didn't they?

Oh, right. They won by the hair of their chinny- chin-chins.

Two problems led to this season's shortfall:

The Lakers took on an additional $90 million in salary and taxes to get Pau Gasol in 2008, assuming they would slash that figure by letting Odom go when his deal ran out in 2009.

Instead, Odom proved his value in the 2009 postseason with Andrew Bynum hurt.

At the urging of Jackson and Magic Johnson, Buss re-signed Lamar but only after pulling his offer at one point in unusually heated negotiations.

Even with Odom down to $8.5 million a season from his old $12 million, he cost $17 million in salary and tax this season.

Multiplied by four, the number of years on Lamar's contract, that's $68 million the Lakers hadn't expected to pay.

On the other hand, didn't Lamar just help them win two titles in a row?

Then there were the hard economic times that prevented the Lakers from raising ticket prices this season.

Of course, the prices will go back up next season, like a rocket.

Ask not what you can do for the Lakers. You don't have to. They'll tell you.

Finally, there's that looming menace all NBA owners are girding for, the 2011 lockout!

You think Wall Street got bailed out?

This would be like demanding a bailout before the crash, knowing you are going to pull the plug and cause it.

With both sides eager to posture, creating a perfect storm in the bonkers Internet age, the 2011 lockout is accepted as a fact of life, as if it had already happened.

A lockout that summer is, indeed, likely, with the owners asking players for huge give-backs.

Nevertheless, with the players in a non-militant posture, I'd bet that if it lasts into the season, it won't last long into the season.

Happily, you and I don't work for the Lakers and won't have to give up our savings to bolster theirs, just in case.

Of course, as Buss could tell you, sometimes you take the mandatory hit at 15 and bust. Things are tough all over.

Oh hell no...how the hell do you make money, win a championship and even think about moving Odom? Buss has been talked about as being the greatest owner ever. If he makes these dumb moves he will be no better then that other organization's owner that shares Staples with us. SMH!!

 

[licensed to ball]

^i agree with you tuPAC, wth is up with buss? I understand I'm no business expert, but according to the article his organization made 45 million dollars profit last year. (I guess to poor people like me that seems very

)Now I'm sure expenses for such a high maintenance team were sky high and better profits were made with other franchises, but ours won the freaking chip.

You don't have to be a business major to know 45 million dollars profit is still 45 million dollars of profit.

That seems like a good enough amount of money made to me to accompany another banner being lifted at Staples. He's got to be mixin some heavy cocaine with his Viagra or somethin

To even consider moving Lamar after a title is just rediculous. Of course at some points he underperforms but regardless he is the heart of our bench and without his length and rebounding we would most certainly not have been in the finals. He is in no way "replacable," not unless Buss wants to spend more than 8.5 mill that's for sure. I can only hope these rumors are just that, rumors.

 

[mjsaver]

Wow

Perfect example of why you have to seize the moment, cuz you never know what might happen next year.

Last year we were on the edge of our seats with the LO & Ariza deals, after winning it all.

Now we gotte worry about Phil, Fisher, & LO again, and thats after repeating.

Im sure i could never understand Buss's point of view, but cmon old man make it happen please.

I would hate to see this team broken up by management like the old bulls.

 

[tupac003]

^ Isn't this what it feels like? A owner acting dumb. Phil maybe getting ready to leave. I don't see how Kobe could be happy with ANY of this....

 

[westcoastsfinest]

please fellas dont question mr. buss...im confident with him yes hes raised a lot of eyebrows but at the end of the day he knows how to build a championship product consistantly


i am confident everyone will be back with the exception of ears

 

[CP1708]

[h3]A way to add Chris Paul to Lakers' mix[/h3]
June, 24, 2010
Jun 24

11:13

AM ET

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By J.A. Adande

With the prospect of Phil Jackson leaving the Lakers edging closer to reality and the thought of the Hornets trading Chris Paul entering the realm of possibility, my mind’s in overdrive. You see, sometimes I combine various tidbits of NBA information into a what-if scenario, just as I sometimes throw whatever fruit I have on hand into the blender to make a smoothie. This is one of those times -- for a what-if scenario, that is. Not a smoothie. (Although I’d love a smoothie right now. That’d be great.)

It’s not that hard to envision a scenario that brings Paul to the Lakers. It starts with Jackson retiring, a move he said he is “leaning toward.

 

[kookcle]

Rule #1

Lakers + Trade rumor = It will NEVER Happen

Its like once Mitch hears these rumors he kills the deal on the spot.

 

 

[goldmember]

CP3 wouldn't work in our system anyway.. but i'm all for it if phil retires just like what CP said..

C'mon PHIL!!

 

[licensed to ball]

^qft Laker rumors usually never fall through.

(except Queensbridge's finest

)

 

[hybridsoldier23]

Originally Posted by Kookcle

Rule #1

Lakers + Trade rumor = It will NEVER Happen

Its like once Mitch hears these rumors he kills the deal on the spot.

 

Totally. Anything that will be done no one will know about till it's inked.

 

[mjsaver]

I can hear it already.

" If Lebron had CP3 & Pau he'd win 5 straight chips, maybe more "

 

[hironakamura]

Originally Posted by mrdieselfuel09

anyone notice how after game 7..no Celtics player congratulated any Lakers players? I remember in 08' the Lakers still had the audacity to congratulate them after game 6.

the kinda did...just wasnt shown on tv....

 

[tupac003]

CP...

We have always been good but for the life of me I would never understand why you would like this trade. Even if phil left. We won because nobody could deal with our lenght. So you would be down to trade 2 7 ft'ers for a point guard? Ummmm......

 

[america bambaataa]

Originally Posted by mrdieselfuel09

anyone notice how after game 7..no Celtics player congratulated any Lakers players? I remember in 08' the Lakers still had the audacity to congratulate them after game 6.

Probably because of the way the game ended... it was very climactic. They would've had to wait around for a few minutes if they wanted to congratulate them, not worth it and not mad at that. NBA is a fraternity and trust that they show love when the cameras aren't rolling.

 

[CP1708]

Originally Posted by tupac003

CP...

We have always been good but for the life of me I would never understand why you would like this trade. Even if phil left. We won because nobody could deal with our lenght. So you would be down to trade 2 7 ft'ers for a point guard? Ummmm......

Remember, this all starts with Phil.  If he stays, I don't need the deal with CP3. 

But.......

If he leaves, and you bring in Byron Scott, a former Laker, ties to Fish and Kobe as they were teammates in 96, been to 2 straight finals, and on top of all that, he's good with CP3, come on now. 
Paul gives us THREE franchise guys.  Kobe, Gasol, CP3.  What are all the teams tryin to do right now?  Get 3 max deal type guys, well, there we would be, with 3 of em.  We still get Okafur back, a defensive minded big, who rebounds.  So we're in a sense, losing only one (Odom) but gaining a HUGE advantage at the PG.  Also, this is the perfect guy to bring Fish back, but off the bench to spell Paul in clutch moments if needed, save Paul AND Fish for when we really truly need them. 

Imagine Kobe not havin to do all the work on offense.  No more 28 footers at 2 on the shot clock  (though I'm sure Kobe would still throw a few of those just for old times sake

)
Imagine pick and rolls with Gasol and Paul.  Or Kobe comin off screens to catch and shoot with Paul puttin the ball right there.  Artest would be able to get shots off Paul driving and dishing.  

It would be unreal. 

Now, we still need a 3rd big, no doubt about it.  And we would need some scoring off the bench as well.  No doubt. 

But sit back, who do you go too to score AGAINST this team, Okafur, Gasol, Artest, Bryant, Paul.  ?????  Do you not see some solid defense right there?  Bryant and Paul in the passing lanes? 

 

Paul driving and kicking would also allow Kobe to relax on offense a little more, possibly meaning more energy from him on defense, something we all like to see. 

The possibilities are endless.  We would keep firing on all cylinders.  If Phil walks, and a new coach comes in, we have to buy into all their principles, and you have guys like Odom, or even Bynum, or Artest that may not really be into that.  Not to even mention Kobe and Fish having to buy into a new system. 
  

 

[dontsteponmyshoes]

Originally Posted by youngpnoi

Farmar's more than gone, he's been reiterating it during the post-season and during his exit interview. I don't see us matching any offer for him.

I'm not sure how big he is in the draft boards, what do you think about drafting Jon Scheyer from Duke? Good shooter in college that's a 6'4-6'5 combo guard.

1 out of every 150 dudes that play for duke ever end up being good in the NBA.

 

[percy.]

Originally Posted by DontStepOnMyShoes

Originally Posted by youngpnoi

Farmar's more than gone, he's been reiterating it during the post-season and during his exit interview. I don't see us matching any offer for him.

I'm not sure how big he is in the draft boards, what do you think about drafting Jon Scheyer from Duke? Good shooter in college that's a 6'4-6'5 combo guard.

1 out of every 150 dudes that play for duke ever end up being good in the NBA.

Yeah, true. A lot of mock drafts have us taken Greivis Vasquez.

 

[frenchblue23]

Originally Posted by youngpnoi



Yeah, true. A lot of mock drafts have us taken Greivis Vasquez.

as well as...

Willie Warren
Jeremy Lin 

 

[noreasonabledoubt]

Went on vacation right after the chip...haha whats been good? Phil is playing his same 'ol games, shell out Buss!

 

[tupac003]

I don't know...I just don't like it. I am a little to loyal to the guys we have. Especially after back to back titles...

We took a forward? Why? I thought we would go after a pg...

 

[lamarownsem]

Originally Posted by tupac003

I don't know...I just don't like it. I am a little to loyal to the guys we have. Especially after back to back titles...

We took a forward? Why? I thought we would go after a pg...

I think we drafted someone only because we had to, not because we were looking for anything specific. I see Ebanks getting traded and if not, I highly doubt he'll make the final roster.

Did you really think that we were going to find a replacement point guard in the second round from this weak draft?

 

[pdoggy85]

I love the pick. The guy was supposed to be a lottery pick coming out of HS. Struggled some in college, but very athletic. I see alot of Ariza in him. With all the guys we're losing, I see him making the roster come the start of the season.

 

[tupac003]

Originally Posted by LamarOwnsem

Originally Posted by tupac003

I don't know...I just don't like it. I am a little to loyal to the guys we have. Especially after back to back titles...

We took a forward? Why? I thought we would go after a pg...

I think we drafted someone only because we had to, not because we were looking for anything specific. I see Ebanks getting traded and if not, I highly doubt he'll make the final roster.

Did you really think that we were going to find a replacement point guard in the second round from this weak draft?

Maybe somebody you can develop...I don't know. Let's see what this pick is....another forward. LOL

 

[Truth]

Ebanks & Caracter are good replacements for Morrison & Powell