Saturday, August 13, 2005

Roster thoughts - what if we can't sign AD? Trade with ORL?

I wrote this on 7/14 (Link)
Based on what I am hearing from the SPL, it sounds like:
Bynum - will be a back up center
Turiaf - will be a back up PF
Parker - will be a back up PG
Vujacic - 12th man or goes to NBDL for more seasoning
Wafer - should go play international ball
Douthit - NBDL
Green - NBDL

Also, let's assume that the trade for Kwame Brown happens and it is Butler and Atkins for Brown. That leaves the Lakers roster as:
     Keepers           Trade Bait?
C  - Mihm, Bynum     | Divac, Grant
PF - Brown, Turiaf   | Cook, Medvedenko
SF - Odom, Walton    | Jones, George
SG - Bryant, Vujacic |
PG - ???, Parker     |

The Lakers could slide Walton or George to the back up SG position. Of Divac, Grant, Cook and Medvedenko, I think the Lakers want to keep one on the active roster and one on the inactive roster, meaning two have to go. One possibility is to waive Grant for luxury tax savings and roster space.

The big hole in the roster (assuming that Atkins goes for Brown) is a starting PG. My guess is that the Lakers are hoping to sign Antonio Daniels for that spot. But what if they can't? What if Daniels signs with another team? Looking around for veteran combo guards, the pickings are slim. Derek Anderson of Portland and Mike James of Houston are possibilities, but I can't think of a trade that would land them. Here are the trades I can think of:
Tony Allen of Boston for Cook
With the drafting of Green, Boston has four guys who can play SG - Pierce, Davis, Allen and Green. Boston is thin on bigs, with the Blount (who doesn't care), LaFrentz (who has bad knees), Jefferson (he is one year out of high school), Perkins (who is very raw) and Scalabrine (a hustling back up PF). Allen is a good defender, quick first step but needs to improve his jump shot.

Doug Christie of Orlando for George and Medvedenko
Christie was very unhappy after being traded to Orlando and, per Coach Hill, has asked to be traded. He was suppose to take over PG duties and let Steve Francis slide to SG, but that didn't work and Jameer Nelson was more successful at PG. Christie was named NBA all-defensive second team three seasons ago, but he is coming off of ankle surgery.

Stevie Francis of Orlando in three way with Dallas
I know - Francis isn't a good fit for the triangle or with Kobe. But the choices are so bad that he really is the third best choice. The Lakers would trade players to Dallas for Finley (who Dallas is going to trade or waive for luxury tax savings), who goes to Orlando. Dallas wants expiring contracts, which would mean Divac, Medvedenko, George and Jones. Another options are Divac, Medvedenko, George and Cook. A third option is Grant and Cook.

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