Link <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>The Lakers are waiting to see if restricted free agents Sasha Vujacic and Ronny Turiaf attract attention from other teams, so they can gauge how much each are going to cost the team, the L.A. Times are reporting. Both have been extended qualifying offers by the Lakers, who are above the luxury tax threshold and would have to pay dollar for dollar above this value. The Lakers are interested in retaining Vujacic but have not offered him more than $5 million a season.</div>
You missed the most important part: <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>They are somewhat interested in bringing back unrestricted free-agent center DJ Mbenga at a low cost.</div> Dacos!
This is getting interesting in Lakerland. Here's two scenarios I've heard. 1) Corey Maggette signs with Boston making it impossible for them to bring back James Posey. This creates an opportunity for the Lakers to sign Posey, but would not have the money to bring back Sasha or Turiaf. 2) Boston re-signs James Posey, and the Lakers go after CMaggs. Apparently, Kobe and CMaggs are close friends off the court and CMaggs wouldn't mind staying in LA if possible. Again this rules out bringing back Sasha or Turiaf. Would you rather have CMaggs or Posey as opposed to both Sasha & Turiaf?
I'd definitely take Corey or Posey over Sasha and Ronny. As for Corey and Kobe, they're great friends. Corey was @ Kobe's MVP presentation and they share the same agent. I'm surprised there hasn't been a link between the Lakers and Corey, yet. I think it would be absolutely stupid not to offer him the MLE just to contend with Boston and San Antonio.
Just because there isn't a link doesn't mean nothing is happening. Maybe they are doing something behind the scenes? Who knows Based on past experiences, I know that if there is a "leak" or some rumor about the Lakers during the offseason, it is pretty much guarenteed, or 99% guarenteed of not going down. Look at all the rumors that surfaced last offseason. We had like a new rumor every week, but nothing went down. Then, out of the blue, we somehow manage to snatch up Gasol out of nowhere. I like rumors because they keep things exciting, but sometimes, it may be better to keep things on the down low. Or all this could mean Mitch sitting on his ass all day. But I prefer not to think that way.
A question for you Laker fans, so if your team signs either CMag or Posey, will there be space for Sasha or Ronny or both?
It all depends on how much Sasha and Ronny will ask for. Ronny is a different story, but if we sign either Posey or Maggette for the MLE, losing Sasha wouldn't be a big deal, especially if he is going to ask for big bucks. After what happened with Luke last offseason, I'm not really feeling these contract year players. Ronny, I believe, should come much cheaper than Sasha. I would love Ronny to return, because I like his story, and he's just somebody you want to root for. He plays with energy and effort, and is a great teammate. But unfortunately, he just isn't a very good basketball player. His play is too eratic, and he gets into foul trouble too easily. He hurts us a lot because he puts us in the penatly early on in the quarters. For cheap, I would love to have him back. If not, then we can always look elsewhere. He production wouldn't be missed, but I'll miss him being on the bench.
