Uncertainty for Divac & Walton

Uncertainty for Divac & Walton

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">SACRAMENTO ? As the Laker off-season draws nearer with each loss, decision-making time moves closer to reality.

Among other issues, the Lakers must figure out whether they want to re-sign forward Luke Walton, 25, a restricted free agent who is making $620,000 this season, and whether they want to pay Vlade Divac $5.4 million next season or buy out the final year of his contract for $2 million.
Divac, who has played only 12 games because of back problems, said he would retire if the Lakers did not want him back. The charismatic Divac, 37, has his share of supporters.

"He would have made life a lot easier for everybody [this season]," Kobe Bryant said. "His basketball IQ is at such a high level ? his understanding, his feel for the game, his passing ability. He just opens the floor for everybody."

"A couple practices ago, I switched myself to the second unit just to play with him. If they come to me and ask me my opinion, I'd tell them I love to play with him. He's something else."</div>

Source

 

I'm mixed on Walton. He's an intelligent player, the best passer on the Lakers, and a decent defender. I'm just discouraged in the way his offensive game has not developed. He's still not a confident shooter, and he has a tough time finishing around the basket. I think the Lakers should do a sign and trade if possible with Walton, and get something in return for him. I have a gut feeling he'll turn out to be a solid player once he leaves the Lakers. He's great at getting the ball into the post, unfortunately the Lakers don't have a post presence, so I could see Luke really helping out a team like the Heat, Rockets, Suns, or Spurs next year.

 

I say buy out Vlade and let Walton go. They don't make a huge difference for us. Vlade is old and often injured, and Luke is indecisive, his passing game is good, but that is about it.