I've said his name many times before, but Earl Watson would be a good fit on any team. The Lakers could use him since he's a good passer and plays good defense.
I get the feeling the Lakers and Blazers have something brewing. The Lakers need a PG, and the Blazers now have three, young point guards on their roster with the signing of Juan Dixon. Nate McMillan ran a two-guard offense in Seattle, but I don't see the Blazers holding on to Telfair, Jack, and Dixon, when they also have talent at SG (Webster, Outlaw, Monya, & Anderson). The Lakers don't have much talent to trade after the Kwame Brown for Caron Butler & Chucky Atkins deal goes through. However, the Lakers still have the expiring contracts of Devean George, Vlade Divac, Jumaine Jones, and Slava Medvedenko, and young players in Sasha Vujacic and Brian Cook. The Lakers will likely keep Jumaine Jones because of his skill set and the Blazers would not want Vlade Divac because he'll likely retire. Mitch Kupchak is too, big a fan of Vujacic to trade him and Phil Jackson is big on Brian Cook, so it's hard seeing either of them being traded. Besides the Blazers are loaded with young talent already and are more interested in cap space. The Blazers would like to unload Theo Ratliff, Nick Van Exel, Derek Anderson, Ruben Patterson and Darius Miles to create better cap flexibility, and free up room when their young players come off their rookie contracts. The Lakers want to have cap space to make a serious run in the 2007 free agent market, so they won't take on any hefty contracts extending past 2007. This excludes Theo Ratliff and Darius Miles from the group above. It also likely excludes Nick Van Exel, because the Blazers would be forced to take Brian Grant's contract since no one else on the Laker roster up for trade is in the double digit range. The Lakers need help in the backcourt, and would be willing to take Ruben Patterson or Derek Anderson if they could also land Jarrett Jack. Out of the three guards Jack would appear to be the most expendable and also the most coveted by the Lakers. Phil Jackson likes big guards, and the Lakers were impressed in his workouts with the team. Estimated 2005 Payrolls ----------------------- Derek Anderson - $9,093,000 Ruben Patterson - $6,353,200 Jarrett Jack - $849,500 Devean George - $5,000,600 * 1.25 = $6,250,750 Slava Medvedenko - $3,000,000 * 1.25 = $3,750,000 (*note the 1.25 is the 25% cushion teams get when trading) Two possible holdups... 1) The Lakers would rather have Ruben Patterson, but are not sure who else to include as a filler to make the trade work under the salary cap. They about $1Million off in salary, which means Jumaine Jones, Sasha Vujacic, or Brian Cook would have to be included. 2) The Blazers want to unload Derek Anderson instead, but don't want to take on both Slava and George to get the deal done and would prefer the 2006 draft pick or Sasha, Cook, Jones, Walton instead of Slava. Another possibility could involve a sign & trade involving Damon Stoudemire, but I don't think he would be willing to only get a 2 year deal from the Lakers. The most realistic trade I can see happening is Derek Anderson & Jarrett Jack for Devean George and Slava Medvedenko. The Lakers will probably experiment with DA at PG, and groom Jack for a couple of seasons. The Blazers will have the option to waive one or both of those players and save close to $20Million over the next two seasons. - Projected Lakers Lineup - PG - Derek Anderson/Sasha Vujacic/Jarrett Jack SG - Kobe Bryant/Laron Profit/Von Wafer SF - Lamar Odom/Jumaine Jones/Luke Walton PF - Kwame Brown/Brian Grant/Brian Cook C - Chris Mihm/Andrew Bynum
^if that trade goes through, i'll be estatic...Anderson when healthy is a very good player...and Jack is the guy that I'ev always liked...However, i'm not giving my hopes up for this... I'm a big fan of Earl Watson (been following him since his freshman year at UCLA) and I love his tenacity, but I'm not sure if he fits into the offense. When Kobe gets double and triple teamed, I have a hard time envisioning Earl being any sort of a threat to burn the opposition. While his passing and defense is good, his shot is very suspect. I wouldn't mind getting a guy like Jeff McInnis because of his mid-range shooting (despite his defense), but reports are the Lakers aren't showing any interest. I'm not sure who's left out there, but we definietly need a guy who can defend the point and knock down open shots...I'm just not sure if there's anyone left out there who can do both
I also like Earl Watson, but the Lakers appear to be hell bent on not committing more than two years to anyone they sign, in hopes of making a splash in the 2007 free agent market. There are teams willing to give Watson more than 2 years, and a team like the Hawks could outbid the Lakers and assure him the starting PG role. I don't expect Watson to give the Lakers a hometown discount either. Hopefully more options present themselves if teams use the Amnesty Rule and the Lakers can land a quality veteran to start at PG.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting notMuchgame:</div><div class="quote_post">^if that trade goes through, i'll be estatic...Anderson when healthy is a very good player...and Jack is the guy that I'ev always liked...However, i'm not giving my hopes up for this... I'm a big fan of Earl Watson (been following him since his freshman year at UCLA) and I love his tenacity, but I'm not sure if he fits into the offense. When Kobe gets double and triple teamed, I have a hard time envisioning Earl being any sort of a threat to burn the opposition. While his passing and defense is good, his shot is very suspect. I wouldn't mind getting a guy like Jeff McInnis because of his mid-range shooting (despite his defense), but reports are the Lakers aren't showing any interest. I'm not sure who's left out there, but we definietly need a guy who can defend the point and knock down open shots...I'm just not sure if there's anyone left out there who can do both</div> The last thing the Lakers need is a headcase who isn't good on defense.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Bobcats:</div><div class="quote_post">The last thing the Lakers need is a headcase who isn't good on defense.</div> exactly. i said it before, and yes, i'll say it again. i still think the best fit for the lakers in the market is lue and pargo. i hope we make a big run for them both. they already have experience in the triangle. i think if we could sign them both, we would have an ideal off seson.
No chance Jeff McInnis makes it back in Los Angeles. The Lakers are well aware of him being a team cancer and I'm sure Lamar Odom let the Lakers know all negatives about his former teammate. Lue & Pargo know the Triangle, but the Triangle is going to be different without Shaq on the team. I wouldn't mind either coming off the bench, but I don't think either are good enough as everyday starters. Some other players I would like to see the Lakers take a look at are Chris Duhon, Jay Williams, and Speedy Claxton. It will be hard to steal Duhon away from Chicago, but I think the Lakers have a chance to sign Jay Williams or Speedy for a reasonable deal. The Lakers can offer either of them something most teams cannot, which is a chance to start. Jay Williams is a risk, but if he can play anywhere close to his abilities he'll be a steal. I also like Speedy, because he's a pesky defender is quick enough to keep up with the speed guards. His problem has been his ability to run a team and protect the rock, but on the Lakers he won't be the primary ball-handler and can focus most of his attention on defense and hitting the occassional jumper. He's only 5'11, and it probably rules him out, but I wouldn't mind him on the team.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">No chance Jeff McInnis makes it back in Los Angeles. The Lakers are well aware of him being a team cancer and I'm sure Lamar Odom let the Lakers know all negatives about his former teammate. Lue & Pargo know the Triangle, but the Triangle is going to be different without Shaq on the team. I wouldn't mind either coming off the bench, but I don't think either are good enough as everyday starters. Some other players I would like to see the Lakers take a look at are Chris Duhon, Jay Williams, and Speedy Claxton. It will be hard to steal Duhon away from Chicago, but I think the Lakers have a chance to sign Jay Williams or Speedy for a reasonable deal. The Lakers can offer either of them something most teams cannot, which is a chance to start. Jay Williams is a risk, but if he can play anywhere close to his abilities he'll be a steal. I also like Speedy, because he's a pesky defender is quick enough to keep up with the speed guards. His problem has been his ability to run a team and protect the rock, but on the Lakers he won't be the primary ball-handler and can focus most of his attention on defense and hitting the occassional jumper. He's only 5'11, and it probably rules him out, but I wouldn't mind him on the team.</div> That and he can't seem to stay healthy. He also doesn't have a good jumpshot.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Bobcats:</div><div class="quote_post">The last thing the Lakers need is a headcase who isn't good on defense.</div> well, right now we're staring at Sasha being the starting PG ... desperate times call for desperate measures...I agree that he's a headcase but I do like his game, offensively anyway.. As far as Claxton, he's more of a backup but I wouldn't mind picking him up if the price was right... I like Duhon as a backup as well, not starter material IMO .. He can hit the 3 ball, but otherwise Watson is the better option in every other aspect..
Well, the Lakers can only blame themselves now. They missed out on the chance to draft a PG twice (Jack and Ukic).
I don't think passing on Jarrett Jack was a bad decision, but I'm still pissed they did not draft Ukic after he dropped into the 2nd Round. He was ideal for the team, tall, can defend, good passer, I guess Von Wafer must have blown them away in his workouts, who knows.
Jarret Jack would be a great acquisition for the team. He is a big guard who has decent shot. The thing about him though is he is a slower pg (from what I've heard). Therefore, that leaves me to believe that he would be eaten alive by the quicker guards in the west such as Tony Parker. Whatever the case is though, it can't be any worse than our starting PG situation right now...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kobe 8 Ball:</div><div class="quote_post">Jarret Jack would be a great acquisition for the team. He is a big guard who has decent shot. The thing about him though is he is a slower pg (from what I've heard). Therefore, that leaves me to believe that he would be eaten alive by the quicker guards in the west such as Tony Parker. Whatever the case is though, it can't be any worse than our starting PG situation right now...</div> Jack isn't that slow. He isn't as quick as Raymond Felton or Chris Paul, but he's a good defender. He can also use his big frame to back down smaller PG's sort of like Chauncey Billups.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting trenchteam:</div><div class="quote_post">Will Wafer even make the lineup this season?</div> well, looking at his performance in the summer league, he should. i think next season he'll be used as a backup point and to backup kobe.
No depth at guard <div class="quote_poster">Quoting trenchteam:</div><div class="quote_post">Will Wafer even make the lineup this season?</div> the Lakers have two countem two guards on their signed roster right now, there is no way Wafer won't make the roster and probably get minutes. Free agent guards are at a premium and since the chances of the Lakers making the playoffs is minimal at best, and they are only offering two years, their pickins are slim. If Kobe gets in foul trouble or god help us gets injured, the Lakers have nobody. Thank you Mitch!
With the roster expanded to 14 players, and Turiaf out for the year, I'm almost positive Von Wafer is on the opening day roster. It has been very quiet in Lakerland, and the last time it was quiet the Lakers pulled off the Kwame Brown trade.
