<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">They took care of finding a big guard for coach Phil Jackson, reaching agreement with free agent Aaron McKie. Now the Lakers, who still have some $2.5 million left to spend, have started the search for a speedy guard to bring off the bench. Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak has inquired about free agents Jannero Pargo and Dan Dickau, according to agent Mark Bartelstein, who represents both players. Pargo played in Chicago last season, and Dickau started 46 games for New Orleans. "I think they're still trying to figure out what direction they're going to go (after McKie)," Bartelstein said of the Lakers. Pargo played in parts of two seasons with the Lakers before he was released in January 2004. Dickau, who has also been linked to Boston, averaged 13.2 points and 5.2 assists in 67 games for the Hornets. </div> Source Scratch Dickau off, he's just been traded to the Celtics. The Lakers should find a way to trade with Boston, since they have 5 PGs on their roster. Maybe the Lakers can acquire Marcus Banks as the speed guard.
I like Pargo or Banks but I would really like to get Jalen Rose as the 6th man off the bench. He would be the first to backup either gaurd position and the small forward. I wouldn't do it if we had to give up Chris Mihm though. That would really improve our bench with Rose.
I would also like to see the Lakers pursue Jalen Rose. Trading for him makes a lot more sense now with Aaron McKie signed. I'm not sure who I would prefer starting, but both players are capable of playing 3 positions on the floor. This trade was being discussed with Toronto a week ago ... Divac, Devean George, Slava Medvedenko + Miami's 2006 first round pick for Jalen Rose The Raptors would free up tremendous cap space for 2006 free agents, plus they get another 1st Round Pick in next year's draft. I was opposed to this trade earlier because I thought the Lakers were going to end up spending the full MLE on DA and not have options to increase their depth. With McKie signed for only half the MLE, the Lakers can still sign two more players. The only hold up will be the amount of players the Raptors currently have on their roster. Divac will retire, but the Raptors need to figure out who to cut or send to the NBDL since they are taking on two players for one. <u>Lakers Lineup </u> PG - McKie/Rose/Smush/Sasha SG - Kobe/Rose/Wafer/Profit SF - Odom/Jones/ Walton/ PF - Brown/Cook C - Mihm/Bynum The Lakers will obviously need some players in the frontline, but the backcourt looks solid.
Cook backing up Brown? I don't like that so much and Bynum backing up Mihm? I odnt' like that either. I like our point gaurd, shooting gaurd, and small forward situation though. But our front court is still weak.
Marcus Hatten would be a cheap minimum wage pickup, and the guy's got sick D. I wouldn't touch Dickau. While he may be great offensively, his D would be exposed a lot. Pargo I'd go with.
Forget Rose, too much $ <div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">I would also like to see the Lakers pursue Jalen Rose. Trading for him makes a lot more sense now with Aaron McKie signed. I'm not sure who I would prefer starting, but both players are capable of playing 3 positions on the floor. </div> JRose would be great but there is no way the blue light Lakers are going to pick up his overblown contract. The only possibililty went out the window when the Raps didn't use the waiver on him. We have absolutely no scoring off the bench at the guard position right now, what about Nick the quick Van Exel, is he still available? Instant scoring and three point range, just what we need and should come cheap.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting whatthef?:</div><div class="quote_post">JRose would be great but there is no way the blue light Lakers are going to pick up his overblown contract. The only possibililty went out the window when the Raps didn't use the waiver on him. We have absolutely no scoring off the bench at the guard position right now, what about Nick the quick Van Exel, is he still available? Instant scoring and three point range, just what we need and should come cheap. </div> Jalen Rose has a ridiculous contract, but his salary ends in two years, which is right on target for the 2007 Free Agent Plan. NVE wouldn't be a bad option, I'm not sure if there's any interest from either side though. I have a feeling he ends up in Dallas or Denver (long shot) though.
I thought they wanted a quick guy? I would look to get Earl Watson, but he might be out of their price range, so I don't know.
I'm not sure why the Lakers are after a speed guard either. They signed Smush Parker, he's plenty quick coming off the bench. He's also defensive minded, which is a plus. The article mentions "speed guard" then has a direct quote saying ... "I think they're still trying to figure out what direction they're going to go (after McKie)," Bartelstein said of the Lakers. So who knows how valid the "speed guard" search really is?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting og15:</div><div class="quote_post">I thought they wanted a quick guy? I would look to get Earl Watson, but he might be out of their price range, so I don't know.</div> I have no idea why the Lakers won't sign Watson. He's willing to play for $2.5M (half the MLE), but wants a 4 year deal. The Lakers are adament about not signing anyone past a 2 year deal, but Watson is a bargain at only $2.5M for the next 4 years, and having only count for $2.5 a year won't put a dent in their 2007 Plan. This off-season has been irritating at times as a Laker fan.
If we could get Rose for two years that'd be a good pickup. Though I would think Rose would start ahead of Mckie. Rose is younger and can play more minutes. That trade scenario is a good one as well, were not giving up anyone crucial to the roster.
I'm not a big fan of Smush. His PG skills are not that great, and his decision making doesn't impress me at all.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting og15:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm not a big fan of Smush. His PG skills are not that great, and his decision making doesn't impress me at all.</div> I agree, but he won't have those responsibilities in the Triangle offense. The Lakers will have Walton or Sasha in at the same time to handle the ball. Smush will be in there for defensive stops. He just needs to improve on being more consistent from the outside.
I think the Lakers should go after Pargo or Steve Blake, I think both of them are very underrated Pargo is clutch and can shoot with the best of 'em, and Blake reminds me of every other fundamental PG that played the game. Both would be good for the Lakers but I dont no about Blake being speedy, I've only seen him play a couple of times but I've heard good things about him.
One player I forgot about was Jay Williams. He was getting attention earlier this summer, but lately I have not heard his name being linked to any teams. I'd love to see the Lakers gamble on him being able to play. He mentioned he didn't want to play in the Triangle again, but he might reconsider if he can win the starting job with the team. Besides, the Lakers roster is more than capable of playing an uptempo game for stretches. Odom, Kobe, and Kwame could all get out on the break and run with Jay Williams on fastbreaks. Steve Blake would be a solid pickup, he's fundamentally sound and protects the rock. I'm not sure how good he is defensively at this point in his career, and he's never been very athletic and doesn't have the long arms PJax likes in his guards. Pargo's agent said his client would announce his decision this upcoming week. Lakers are still in consideration, however, Kupchak said the Lakers are done signing anyone else.
They should try to get a hold of Chris Paul.. he is just like an Iverson type of guard. But playing with Kobe Bryant will limit the potential that he is bound to have.
