Who do you think the Lakers should go after this offseason? There is obviously a lot the Lakers will need to get because of so many players leaving and/or retiring. Ofcourse this depends on if Shaq gets traded or not, but here's a few players I think the Lakers should relaly try to go after: Rodney White *Unrestricted* - He's a very athletic young player, who I think if given a chance can be a top player in this league. He's shown a lot of potential, and I think he would be great playing next to Kobe. With the rotation of Kobe, George and White I believe this will give the Lakers a chance to really run and get out in transition, which will also benefit Gary and Karl if they decide to return. He is actually my first choice on free agents to aquire this offseason. Stromile Swift *Restricted* - The Lakers obviously need to go after power forwards this season, and I believe a young athletic one like Swift is exactly what they need. He's still 24 and I believe he can also be a very good player in this league. The only problem is that he is a restricted free agent, and I don't think Jerry West will let him go without a fight. It might take a contract a little bigger than what the Lakers want to, but I really believe it will be worth it. SIGN HIM, PLEASE!!! Marcus Fizer *Restricted* - A lot of people seem to have given up on him, and I think he could be fairly easy to sign. He's shown that he is very weak on defense, but that can be worked on. I don't know much about him because I've only seen him play a few times, but from what I've seen he is a very good scorer. He is undersized and that could be a problem, but either way I think he would be a great off the bench. Mehmet Okur *Restricted* - He'll be the toughest one of all the free agents to pursue, simply because he is restricted and the Pistons seem dedicated on trying to keep him. I've heard over the last few months that the Lakers are very interested in him, and so are a lot of other teams. We probably won't stand a chance on getting him unless Shaq leaves, but I'd still go after him. He's very young and a very good offensive player, but I still don't know too much of him on the defensive end. Either way signing him is a long shot, but he's still a possibility.. Keon Clark *Unrestricted* - A very atheltic, but thin PF/C. The only problem with him is that he's coming off an injury and a season where he was only able to play two games. He's also another guy who the Lakers should look at when thinking about going athletic and younger. If a large contract is needed to get him I would probably look the other way, but if they can get him in a reasonable price I would definitely go after him. All these guys are young and atheltic, simply because I believe that's the direction the Lakers should go. This is just a short list of what's avalible this offseason, so does anyone else have any other suggestions?
If the Kings are stupid enough not to extend Vlade Lakers would take him back and ause I think Kobe wouldn't go Swiftnad maybe a good rookie or a trade between eternal averageness of Rick Fox with something scory would be nice....
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Marcus Fizer *Restricted* - A lot of people seem to have given up on him, and I think he could be fairly easy to sign. He's shown that he is very weak on defense, but that can be worked on. I don't know much about him because I've only seen him play a few times, but from what I've seen he is a very good scorer. He is undersized and that could be a problem, but either way I think he would be a great off the bench.</div> He will likely be made unrestricted in the expansion draft, I want Toronto to also go after him but we got no dough, will be a good pickup. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Rodney White *Unrestricted* - He's a very athletic young player, who I think if given a chance can be a top player in this league. He's shown a lot of potential, and I think he would be great playing next to Kobe. With the rotation of Kobe, George and White I believe this will give the Lakers a chance to really run and get out in transition, which will also benefit Gary and Karl if they decide to return. He is actually my first choice on free agents to aquire this offseason.</div> You know I really thought he was restricted, Denver could sign him back, and Toronto and NOH could also use a guy like that.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting og15:</div><div class="quote_post">You know I really thought he was restricted, Denver could sign him back, and Toronto and NOH could also use a guy like that.</div> Yeah I know, I was also surprised as well when I saw NBA.com listed him as an unrestricted free agent, but I'm just going by what they say.. Rodney White could be a great pickup if he's really an unrestricted though, because he is very athletic and has shown signs of improvement on the threes. He's still very young and I really think he's capable of putting up 15-17ppg even next to a guy like Kobe (assuming Shaq won't be there.) I don't think he'll be resigning with Denver either, because he only played 13 minutes a game last season and I read that he was unhappy about that. I like Devean George but he's shown that we can't really rely on him so I'd like to see them bringing in White. He would also be a huge upgrade in our SF spot even if he comes off the bench, and I believe it is a much needed upgrade with the aging Fox.
Marcus Fizer out of that group is the one with the most potential and that I believe you should go after he is young and a big body that would play well out west. He can rebound at the power forward slot hich is something the lakers will lack if malone doesnt return. Also clark is someone you should attempt to gain. With shaq wanting out clark is the perfect defensive player to help fill the void. He can block shots wonderfully and can rebound for you guys. Porbable wont be very affective offensivly but is a defensive machine.
Ya Brent Barry is a name I've heard possibly going to L.A. He's big, he can play the point, and he can shoot 3s.
I would like to see White, Barry, or Ginobili here in L.A., Kobe has shown he can play the 3 if they want to sign Manu and start him at the 2. Manu has also shown that he is great off of the bench, We need to make big changes and start building the team around Kobe (pending his case), Shaq is getting old...Malone has made himself a FA, Payton is also old but I think can flourish with Jackson gone now...I think we should start looking for youth...this period, the next 4 or 5 seasons, will bring out the true Laker fans.
I think Fizer or Swift should be sought after by the Lakers, after we get Kobe back, which I'm praying we do. Both are very good young players who obviously have not played up to their potential.
I really like Keon Clark, he is explosive and is very long. I like Stromile too, (what position) I don't think kobe and him would have any problems, Stromile isn't a scorer like Shaq.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting KareemTheRush:</div><div class="quote_post">I really like Keon Clark, he is explosive and is very long. I like Stromile too, (what position) I don't think kobe and him would have any problems, Stromile isn't a scorer like Shaq.</div> Swift plays center he is a very athletic guy and has hops like you wouldnt believe. So many teams are in compatition to get him including my t-wolves. I dont think he would go to the lakers because he is a restricted free agent me aning the griz can match any offer made to him so they would have to do a sign and trade with jerry west and the griz. The lakers do not have much that they would be able to give the griz in a sign and trade. Keep in mind players like rick fox wouldnt work because the griz are a young fast passed athletic team. While fox is more a half court spot up shooter. All I could really see doing for the lakers to try and get him is trading deven george and rush. Those two are the lakers future along with kobe so I dont think they would want to give those two up.
^ Swift does play the center spot at times, but he is a PF and not much else. Swift stands at 6'9 and about 230-240 lbs. Like Pure Skillz said it would be very tough to sign him because he is a restricted free agent and the Lakers have little money to spend. If they do not have enough money to throw at him when the signing days begin, I wouldn't mind seeing them trade Rush and George for him. Although I like both of them a lot, I believe it is more important in going out to get big young talent, and I would trade a few players if necessary to do that.
I would trade George, but, I wouldn't be trading Rush yet. They haven't been guaranteed to have Kobe return, and if he doesn't, he could be replacing him in the starting line up. But, I think if it's necessary, trade George. He's shown many signs of being an explosive player, but, he's far too inconsistent at this point in his career.
I would obviously wait to make any trades before resolving the situations with Shaq and Kobe too, but I believe bringing in a guy in Swift or White's calibur is necessary. No matter what happens, it won't hurt to get any of these guys. I'm actually hoping this Shaq trade situation will end as soon as possible, so we can get on with planning the future. Whether it's Shaq staying and Kobe leaving or Kobe staying and Shaq staying, either way we need to do a lot to the team this season. This is already one hell of an offseason, and we're only a week into it! Looking forward to seeing what will happen.
Yea, this has already been quite the interesting offseason. Kobe opts out, Shaq demands a trade, and the name Tracy McGrady comes up for the Shaq trade. All this in a week. Yes, interesting indeed. But, I agree, they need to get the Shaq thing done asap. Whether it's trade him, give him a bigger deal, whatever, it needs to get done. The Kobe ordeal, I don't see getting done as fast as the Shaq one will. He's gonna shop around his talents for awhile, and, unless Shaq gets traded, it's likely he'll be somewhere else next year, which is something I don't want to see. But, either way, they will very much so need a new power forward next year. Malone opted out and I see him retiring before all is said and done. I would think any of those would be a good choice for the Lakers, especially Swift in my opinion. He's extremely young and extremely athletic at that position and I think would fit in well with Kobe and Payton or Shaq and Payton or all damn three if that ends up happening. But, before they do anything, get the Shaq ordeal done and take that headache away from the management.
