Report Card Grades for LA Lakers' 2014 Free-Agent Signings
The Los Angeles Lakers' 2014 offseason hasnโt helped satiate a fan base obsessed with championship glory.
On the contrary, report card grades handed out to the free agents they did manage to sign are sure to leave fans wondering what the future holds.
Lakerland failed to reel in a big-name star like Carmelo Anthony. He will reportedly return to the New York Knicks, per the New York Daily Newsโ Frank Isola.
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Since it couldnโt acquire an MVP-caliber talent to pair with Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles needed to set its sights on a second-tier free agent. The Lakers and point guard Isaiah Thomas, for instance, had mutual interest, according to Slam Magazineโs Brett Weisband.
The Washington product was seen as one of the best floor generals available. Heโs set to stay in the Pacific Division, but heโll do so with the Phoenix Suns after a sign-and-trade was completed between the desert dwellers and the Sacramento Kings.
Even retaining four-time All-Star and two-time NBA champion Pau Gasol was an option that eluded general manager Mitch Kupchakโthough not for lack of trying.
According to Yahoo Sportsโ Adrian Wojnarowski, Gasol turned down a two-year deal from the Purple and Gold that would have paid him more than $20 million over a two-year span. Again, itโs not as if management didnโt pursue the veteran Spaniard with a noteworthy offerโhe simply opted to decline it. Gasolโs poised to head for the Eastern Conference and sign with the Chicago Bulls, per ESPN.comโs Ramona Shelburne.
That manifestation speaks volumes about the current state of the Lakers. The appeal of a franchise with championship pedigree only goes so far. Especially when the two key players on the rosterโBryant and Steve Nashโhave age and injury woes working against them.
The Lakers didnโt make any notable signings to shape the NBA landscape, but they did retain some of their own.
After finishing his first year with the Lakers as the teamโs leading scorer, swingman Nick Young will return.
It was clear the man otherwise known as "Swaggy P" was targeting a raise by opting out of his 2014-15 player option, which was set to pay him approximately $1.2 million. He certainly got one. The only question is whether he or the Lakers got the better end of the deal.
For a frame of reference, letโs compare Youngโs new deal to former Lakers teammate Jodie Meeksโwho inked a three-year, $19.5 million contract to join Stan Van Gundyโs Detroit Pistons.
| Player | FG% At Rim | FG% | 3P% | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG |
| Nick Young | 55.7% | 43.5% | 38.6% | 17.9 | 2.6 | 1.5 | 0.7 |
| Jodie Meeks | 58.9% | 46.3% | 40.1% | 15.7 | 2.5 | 1.8 | 1.4 |
Sure, Young led the Lakers in scoring by posting 17.9 points per contest (primarily off the bench), but Meeks was the more efficient shooter from just about everywhere. He also swiped more steals per game.
Considering that Young didnโt outperform Meeks in terms of rebounding or dishing out assists, is he really worth a longer commitment?
Young may be seen as more favorable because of his size. At 6โ7โ, the USC product passes the eye test when playing small forward. Meeksโ 6โ4โ frame isnโt prototypical for that spot in the lineup.
Still, Meeksโ 18.4 player efficiency ratingย per 48 minutes at the 3 was superior to Youngโs PER at the same position of 17.3, per 82games.com.
Young carved a niche as a viable Sixth Man of the Year candidate due to his volume scoring, but Meeks was arguably the better player during the same campaign and will earn less money on his next deal in the long run. Those details donโt necessarily favor Lakers management.
Nevertheless, the Lakers needed to find a scoring threat to complement Bryant and incoming rookie Julius Randle. The California native fits the billโespecially since he's a fan favoriteโbut the price tag could have been more appealing.
Also, since Young is locked in for three years (possibly four), that leaves less maneuverability for the Lakers next summer. They have to fill the roster somehow, and Young proved he deserved a pay raise, but this signing was average at best.
Grade: C+
Jordan Hill
Few players in the NBA have experienced a less ideal start to their respective careers than Jordan Hill.
The New York Knicks drafted the University of Arizona product in 2009 with the No. 8 pick. NYโs coach at the time was none other than Mike DโAntoni, whose up-tempo offensive schemes didnโt jell with Hill. The big man wound up in Mike Dโs doghouse and was traded during his rookie campaign to the Houston Rockets.
Fast-forward to 2013-14, where Hill faced similar circumstances. DโAntoni allotted Hill a career-high 20.8 minutes per game, but his opportunities still didnโt give him a chance to break out.
Nevertheless, Hill averaged 9.7 points and 7.4 rebounds while shooting 54.9 percent from the floor (all career highs). Assuming he can build on that production moving forward, he could be a viable rotational piece (perhaps even starter) for the Lakers.
According to Wojnarowski, the Lakers will retain Hill via a two-year, $18 million contract.
As CBS Sportsโ James Herbert wrote, โItโs possible heโs now both overpaid and underrated.โ
I couldnโt have put it better.
Itโs difficult to gauge exactly where Hillโs career is headed. He just finished the best campaign of his young career and could blossom in a new system with more court time. However, itโs hard to justify him making more money annually than Isaiah Thomas and sharpshooting big man Channing Frye.
The Lakers are paying Hill based on potential. If they donโt bring in a new head coach capable of embracing that potential, theyโll undoubtedly be overpaying the 26-year-old.
On the bright side, the second year of the deal is a team option, per Wojnarowski. If Hill lives up to the contract, L.A. can choose to bring him back. If not, the front office can turn down the option and embrace cap space for 2015 free agency.
Grade: B-
Synopsis
After missing out on a blockbuster signing, these less-noteworthy moves feel as if Kupchak and Co. are simply trying to avoid bottoming out again. As currently constructed, the roster is going to have trouble making the playoffs, much less compete for a championship.
Retaining Young and Hill makes the roster better, but missing out on Kent Bazemore (Atlanta Hawks), Jordan Farmar (Los Angeles Clippers), Chris Kaman (Portland Trail Blazers) and Meeks (Pistons) doesnโt help in terms of depth.
Is Bryant going to tolerate another season treading water in the loaded Western Conference?
Letโs just say he wonโt be thrilled.
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