Divac & Lakers Agree to Postpone Decision <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The team and Vlade Divac have agreed to postpone a decision on the veteran center's contract status until just before the start of training camp. The Lakers have the option of picking up a one-year, $5.4 million contract option or buying Divac out for $2 million. The decision was originally due Friday, but the parties agreed to postpone it until Sept. 30. The 37-year-old Divac, who signed with the Lakers last summer, underwent back surgery in January and played in only 15 games last season, averaging 2.3 points and 2.1 rebounds. He averaged 11.9 points and 8.3 rebounds in 15 previous NBA seasons -- six with the Lakers, two with Charlotte and seven with Sacramento. Divac has said he will retire if he doesn't return to the Lakers. The postponement enables the team to better evaluate the condition of Divac's back and get a better sense if first-round draft pick Andrew Bynum will be able to make a contribution next season.</div> Source
Well I think this is a good move by the Lakers. Vlade Divac needs to prove to the Lakers that his body will be able to hold up during the season, and that he is still the same player he was before arriving in Los Angeles. He played only 15 games last season after not missing more than two games a season for the last four NBA seasons prior to that. His stats have been slowly declining since the 98-99 season he has averaged less points each season. This year playing 15 games and averaging a career low 2.3 points a game it may be through for him after sixteen years in the league a players body just might not be able to take it any more. The best move for the Lakers would either not pick him up for the five million dollar option, and try and resign him for the veteran minimum enabling him to take a mentor role, and teach Bynum how to become a better passer. With Mihm and Bynum in the fold they do not need Divac to play such a big role in their system. Have him fall into a role like Ron Harper accepted in the finale of his career.
The Lakers should pick up the $5.4Million option and bring Vlade back. Vlade Divac is a great locker room presence, he's good with the fans, and will be one of the best teachers for Bynum. Even if Vlade can only give the Lakers 10-15 minutes a night, the rest of his intangibles justifies his contract. If the Lakers buy him out and bring him back for the veteran minimum it's going to be for close to the same amount anyways. Chris Mihm needs to learn how to stay out of foul trouble and play a solid 30 Mins a night next year.
I think the Lakers should definitely bring back Vlade. If anything, he gives them that locker room prescence and he will be a great mentor for the young Andrew Bynum. Beyond that, he gives them another big body in the post to help beef up the front line, something they need to do and didn't have last year.
