<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Lakers reportedly are going beyond U.S. borders in their search for a new backcourt starter. With Smush Parker out the door and Farmar having played only one NBA season, the Lakers have offered a multi-year contract to 30-year-old guard Theodoros Papaloukas, according to Eleftheros Tipos, a newspaper in Greece. The report said Papaloukas had confirmed the offer and was pondering it among a handful from NBA teams. Lakers officials declined to comment. Papaloukas, a Greek native who is listed at 6 feet 7, was the Euroleague player of the year last season with CSKA Moscow, and is widely thought to be the best point guard in Europe. He signed a three-year deal with CSKA Moscow in June 2006, a contract that could require a substantial buy-out price. The Lakers probably would have to use most or all of their mid-level exception ? five years and about $30 million ? to sign him. The mid-level exception is given to teams that are over the salary cap and can be divvied up to sign more than one free agent. Papaloukas had 12 assists to lead Greece to an upset of the U.S. in the semifinals of the 2006 world championships. He had 10 points and nine assists for CSKA Moscow in a 94-75 exhibition victory over the Clippers last October, an effort that prompted Clippers forward Elton Brand to tell the Associated Press that he "definitely [had] flashbacks of Papaloukas," from the U.S. semifinal loss.</div> Source : LA Times
Dang, for a minute, I thought this was going to be about Vassilis Spanoulis. I got happy for a second. I would love for V-Span to be gone from the team. But Lakers should get whatever they can to get Smushy on the bench.
but thirty Mil for a 30 year old gaurd thats never played in the L? I know these foreign dudes are sick but that just seems risky to me...
i would give him half of the MLE, i think he is pretty decent, lets face it, he cant be worse than smush!!!!!
honestly people dont' give smush any love. I know he's an arrogant nobody but he averaged around 12 ppg for 2 seasons in one of the highest pressure situations in the L, under the critical eyes of two of the greatest figures in the history of basketball. I hate the guys attitude, but for someone that drifted from team to team and barely belonged in the league, he did pretty well. If it wasn't for Smush's 3 towards the end of game 4 in PHX two years ago, and then his steal moments later, Kobe never would have hit the game winning shot. Give the guy his due.
That's the first good news in a long time for the Lakers. Too bad he is 30... I wonder how long the contract is.
I saw him in the World Championship he pretty much diescted Team USA and Coach K's defensive scheme... solid guard but with the way things are going for the Lakers lately I'm not holding my breath...
Man..it is so hard to guess what Lakers FO are going to do. Every years, they sign someone that most of fans never thought of. I hope this guy turns out to be good, otherwise Mitch has a lot of explanation to do.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Plrxg2AvXvs You know, he looks real good. Unlike Sasha, he can actually dribble the ball.
II am Greek and, in Greece, I've seen him play many times, and Spanoulis<<<<<<<<Papaloukas. The Lakers can probably start Papa, and he'll do alright. He's an excellent passer and shooter, and can play very good defense. He is worth the full MLE.
I heard he wasn't a great shotter.But great in the pick and roll.Is he worth all the MLE not sure the guy is 30.But will be a great PG. I read that the Head deal is Cook and 19th pick for head and 26th pick. Source
^^ I think that Steve Nash has some competition for assist leader next year. That dude got some sick moves. I can't wait to see what he can do for the Lakers next year.
The Papa!? Yes! He's like the Euro version of Jason Kidd!!! Nice signing! Is eh nice! I very excite! I like!
<div class="quote_poster">yodawgsup Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">http://youtube.com/watch?v=Plrxg2AvXvs You know, he looks real good. Unlike Sasha, he can actually dribble the ball.</div> Sign him! Thats Steve Nash's brother!!
<div class="quote_poster">danny18 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">AM570 Petro and Money just said he has already sign with the Lakers</div>
