Source: Y! Sports I wouldn't mind signing him to the vet minimum or LLE if that's available. He'd be a nice replacement for Ariza starring in the athletic forward role.
The article made it sound like he wants PT. He wont get it on the Lakers. If we add another SG/SF type player, I would like him to be a shooter.
A bit OT, but what about Iverson? If he could be had for the vet minimum and is willing to be a role player, he could be an awesome complement to Kobe and Fisher.
How cheap do you think he could be had for? I think he'd be a great option off the bench, and you'd think he can't fetch much in this market.
If we could get him for that price I would sign him with absolutely no hesitation. Too bad neither scenarios have a shot at happening.
Why would the Lakers want AI? He dominates the ball when he's on the court, killing any movement whatsoever. He's not an efficient jump shooter, which is something you need to be as a guard in the tri. He's also not going to come any cheaper than the MLE. Even if we could get him for the vets minimum I wouldn't want him. He's a chemistry killer and isn't a necessity for LA.
Desmond would be a cool addition, very athletic. And, maybe Craig Hodges can whip him into being a reliable 3-pt shooter just like Ariza. Doubt it happens though since he seems to want a big role and cupcake is already committed to 13 players. Getting Iverson would be a nice fall back, but I'm worried of what he'll do in terms of our offense, and if whether he will be ok with being assigned to the bench. Because no way is he gonna be in a lineup that already has Kobe, Pau, Artest and Bynum. Not enough shots to go around.
Anyone who thinks Iverson would be a good addition to the Lakers either know very little about the Lakers, or very little about Iverson, or both. He is a total mismatch and would destroy the team. Mason on the other hand, assuming he's got his speed and hops left, might be a good bench player, although I know little of his defensive capabilities, nor his 3-point shooting for that matter.
Not only would Iverson be the worst possible fit to the Lakers, I don't want Allen Iverson fan boys having the opportunity to celebrate their idol winning a ring.
You guys are clearly underrating AI. Yes, he effed things up in Detroit, but he would be a good fit for the Lakers if he is willing to come off the bench. Our second unit often struggles to score, with AI that wouldn't be a problem. He'd be very motivated as well, as he has a chance to compete for a ring. Shannon/Iverson/Luke/Odom as a second unit is scary as hell.
Would he play for the vet minimum? He was unhappy coming off the bench in Detroit even though he was still getting a good deal of minutes and 20 million.
That's a lot of what ifs. He complained about coming off the bench in Detroit, and I think he said he would retire before doing that again. Furthermore, his ego is too big to take the vet's min AND come off the bench at the same time. I think he'd rather just retire. Even if he does agree to these circumstances and we do sign him, he will also have to change his style of play, which he has never been willing to do. Thus, it has less than a 1% chance of working out. Although I do believe if you could get his type of talent for cheap, you do it. The rewards far exceed the risk (we can always cut him), but I don't see it working out at all.
