<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Lakers vice president of player personnel Jim Buss said last week the Lakers' goal is "to be great in two years." Buss made clear that not having anyone besides Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom on a guaranteed contract in 2007 is to save salary-cap space for a big offer to a free agent. Even in referencing the future of Coach Phil Jackson, whose contract expires in 2008, Buss said: "If things are developing like we want and we get the free agent two years from now, I don't see why he would not want to coach longer, if he wants to." But if Yao and Stoudemire never reach the market in 2007, there are alternate courses for the Lakers. The first would be to pursue other free agents, and there should be other top players available: 2005 All-Stars Dirk Nowitzki, Paul Pierce, Vince Carter, Rashard Lewis and Antawn Jamison can opt out of their contracts and become free agents in 2007. Jamaal Magloire and Peja Stojakovic are scheduled to become free, but Stojakovic likely will opt out of his contract next summer. Another option would be to push the timetable back a year and shoot for a bigger free-agent star than Yao or Stoudemire: LeBron James. James is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in 2008, with draft classmates Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh. Potential veteran free agents via player options would be Baron Davis, Steve Francis, Ron Artest and Shawn Marion. "That's why we're moving in the direction of having cap room," Buss said. "Because if you keep mending your team every year after you make a trade like Shaq (O'Neal), then you're just going to be an average team, maybe make the first or second round. That's not the goal. The goal is to make a big step."</div> Source
I totally agree, what team wouldn't plan ahead. I think the Lakers have already generated quite a few scenarios for 2007 without Yao or Stoudemire, it's just going to be very interesting to see what the Lakers pull out of the hat. Oh I predict Kupchack to be fired if the Lakers are still struggling by the end of next year.
The goal is to make big steps? maybe in some situations, but I alot of situations don't need big steps, just the RIGHT steps. But, if not the only anternative is a big step. IMO making the goal of signing a big FA in 07/08 is the wrong appraoch, but an avenue I would still explore. I would rather graduallyubild my team up and just look for hte missing pieces.
Right you don't neccessarily need big steps, Detroit prooved that. The Lakers need the right step, but we all know they are going for the BIG RIGHT step. They are gonna go after big people and check, double check, and triple check everything. I think the Lakers will be a threat in the NBA in a year or two. Give it time
Lottery=No Free Agents <div class="quote_poster">Quoting YourNewChef:</div><div class="quote_post">I totally agree, what team wouldn't plan ahead. I think the Lakers have already generated quite a few scenarios for 2007 without Yao or Stoudemire, it's just going to be very interesting to see what the Lakers pull out of the hat. Oh I predict Kupchack to be fired if the Lakers are still struggling by the end of next year.</div> Unless management makes this an attractive franchise to play for(read win games and compete for a championship) no free agents will want to sign here. Phil and Kobe are great starts, Odom at his natural position of power forward would be better. The rest of the bunch are question marks or CBA reject reclamation projects. That will not get it done or give a marquee free agent any reason to play for the Lakers.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting whatthef?:</div><div class="quote_post">, Odom at his natural position of power forward would be better. </div> Odom's natural position is Small Forward, that's where he dominates.
Odom is now a power forward <div class="quote_poster">Quoting YourNewChef:</div><div class="quote_post">Odom's natural position is Small Forward, that's where he dominates.</div> Five years ago he was a small forward, now he couldn't guard any other small forward in the league. Believe me he will be a power forward or won't be dominating anything. Look at his size, weight and speed, would you call Rasheed Wallace a small forward?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting whatthef?:</div><div class="quote_post">Five years ago he was a small forward, now he couldn't guard any other small forward in the league. Believe me he will be a power forward or won't be dominating anything. Look at his size, weight and speed, would you call Rasheed Wallace a small forward?</div> I wouldn't call Sheed a small forward even though he could play it, but he is one of the biggest guys on detroit and he has to stay at power forward. If Lamar Odom can't play Small forward this year, then you are right he will need to stay at power forward. Let Phil Jackson have his way with Odom and see what he can do with Odom's situation playing the 3 spot.
I think Odom will play both forward positions depending on the match ups. At least this season the Lakers have the option of playing him in either spot.
