<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Los Angeles Lakers have some interest in Jason Kapono, via sign-and-trade, a league source confirmed. Kapono would welcome that -- he's from Southern California -- but it's hard to picture what the Lakers could send to Charlotte as compensation. The Bobcats wouldn't want another body -- and salary -- unless that player fits in the rotation.</div> Source Possible pieces the Lakers could offer ... - Jumaine Jones - Brian Cook - Sasha Vujacic - Miami 2006 1st Round Pick - Slava Medvedenko - Devean George
I've heard rumors that Jumaine Jones would be the player going to Charlotte. If that's true, then Charlotte would be robbing LA. Kapono is a one dimensional player, while the Bobcats would be getting a good shooter, rebounder, and a average defender. Come on Bernie, get it done!
The Lakers could use Kapono's outside touch, but at the cost of Jumaine Jones, I'm not really supportive of this move. It really depends on Devean George being able to stay healthy. He's reportedly in the best shape of his life, and is showing no signs of his injuries slowing him down. If George is healthy, JJ is more expendable. JJ probably won't re-sign with the team anyways, so at least the Lakers get something for him. I still would have preferred a different UCLA Bruin aboard named Earl Watson. I assume Jason Kapono will be the Lakers version of Steve Kerr or John Paxson. The upside of Kapono is his perimeter shooting and free throw shooting. However, his downside is his defense and slow feet. Last year JJ shot 39% from downtown vs. Kapono's 41%, but JJ also took more shots from there. JJ is the superior defender and athlete, plus he brings energy off the bench. After looking at the shooting stats, this trade makes even less sense for the Lakers. Unless the Lakers can pry away Melvin Ely, Jake Voskul, or Primoz Brezec as part of the deal, they should just stick with JJ.
I agree with Shape on this one. JJ isn't worth Kapono. Kapono is very one dimensional and JJ can do a little of everything. In all, I'm not really sure if Kapono is worth anything the Lakers could trade. If George is healthy, he can give the Lakers another good player off the bench and is overall better then Kapono, as he has a good outside touch and has superb athleticism compared to Kapono. Cook is valuable depth at the big man position and he can also stretch the defense with his outside stroke. Vujacic has too good of potential to give up for Kapono, that and he is likely to end up being our back up point guard. The '06 1st rounder, I wouldn't give up because you never know what kind of players will emerge this year, that and it gives the Lakers a couple first round picks. With Medvedenko, he's a good hustle player and brings good energy when he's on the court. Only problem with him is he has never really run in to a shot that he doesn't like. All in all, Jason Kapono isn't worth anything thte Lakers could potentially give up.
kapono is a great shooter...and thats what the lakers need...a pure shooter, especially one in kapono, who is 6'7" as well...with kwame and kobe clogging the inside, kapono will be able to shoot at will to spread the floor...I think the lakers are looking for just strictly shooting at that spot, and kapono is definitely a better marksman than jones...they have other players such as brian cook, odom, and aaron mckie to do the dirty work and defend and rebound...kapono is a gunner, and thats what they want...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Shooter:</div><div class="quote_post">kapono is a great shooter...and thats what the lakers need...a pure shooter, especially one in kapono, who is 6'7" as well...with kwame and kobe clogging the inside, kapono will be able to shoot at will to spread the floor...I think the lakers are looking for just strictly shooting at that spot, and kapono is definitely a better marksman than jones...they have other players such as brian cook, odom, and aaron mckie to do the dirty work and defend and rebound...kapono is a gunner, and thats what they want...</div> I disagree, the Lakers want a marksmen, but they also want a player who can defend on the other end of the court. The last thing the Lakers need is Kapono hitting a three point basket, and then giving up three points on the other end, or getting burnt on the wing, leading to a cheap foul on Kwame or Mihm. Jumaine Jones can hit open looks just as well, plus you don't have to worry about him on defense, and he's an active player on the boards. If the Lakers are patient enough, I could see the Bobcats not even re-signing him. They still have the following free agents to consider ... Cory Alexander, Keith Bogans ®, Jason Kapono ®, Gerald Wallace ®, Tamar Slay, Theron Smith. The Bobcats have already signed Matt Carroll, Alan Anderson, Antonio Meekings, and Kareem Rush. The Bobcats have a logjam at SG, and plenty of perimeter players. The Lakers could probably offer Kapono the remaining MLE or even the LLE instead of trading for him. <font size="5">Kapo-NO!</font>
Why do the Lakers need someone who can simply shoot? Why not keep someone who can not just shoot, but can defend, rebound, and brings athleticism to the table. The only thing that Kapono could do for LA is stretch the defense and add a shooter. He doesn't have great athleticism and can't create for himself very well. With Jones, he can not just stretch the defense, but can also get to the hole and score. He's got great athleticism, something that will help him create, and also helps him on the defensive side of the ball. Kapono isn't great with defense, as he can't move laterally very well. All in all, it's not good for LA.
For JJ, this trade isn't worth it. However, I'd still love to get Kapono on our team somehow. He has a very rare touch from the outside, and that's definitely something the Lakers can use. Other than Kobe, Brian Cook is the only other 3pt threat on the team. Additionally, while he's not the most atheletically gifted, you can never question his effort. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post"> I assume Jason Kapono will be the Lakers version of Steve Kerr or John Paxson. The upside of Kapono is his perimeter shooting and free throw shooting. However, his downside is his defense and slow feet. Last year JJ shot 39% from downtown vs. Kapono's 41%, but JJ also took more shots from there. JJ is the superior defender and athlete, plus he brings energy off the bench. After looking at the shooting stats, this trade makes even less sense for the Lakers.</div> Well, that's a bit misleading. While their percentages may be close, Kapano's outside shot is miles ahead of JJ's. When his feet are set, I'd argue that Kapono is as automatic as anybody in the league. Problem is that he hasn't been the beneficiary of great looks like Jumaine had last season for the Lakers. Kobe makes life much easier for outside shooters. Put Jones in Charlotte and Kapono in LA, and i guarentee you'll see a larger discrepency in percentages. Additonally, guys who are one-dimension specialty players thrive most on good teams, and are hurt most by playing for bad teams. This is mainly due to the fact that on good teams, defensive attention is diverted elsewhere (i.e. doubling Kobe), so they can focus on their specialty. I honestly believe Kapono has been a victim of playing on bad teams, and given the rite circumstances, he can thrive and be a very solid contributer (much like aforementioned Paxon and Kerr). It's also worth noting that Kapono hit 47% from downtown in when he played with LeBron, granted it was in limited attempts.
