Los Angeles Lakers: Potential Offseason Moves for the Team
The Los Angeles Lakers will be heading towards an uncertain offseason. After being recently eliminated (and I'm being nice) from the postseason by the upstart Dallas Mavericks, the Lakers front office will have to make a decision regarding this aging roster. The Lakers cannot idly await for this roster to regain their "championship" focus. That ship sailed long ago. This team over the years has been criticized for many shortcomings, but they would eventually always bounce back. After a disappointing loss (especially in the playoffs), the team would return with a different attitude and swagger, something they haven't displayed consistently in the 2011 season.
When the Lakers pulled out 17 wins after the All-Star break, fans and media alike believed their early season struggles resulted due to their fatigue (which is partly true). The early signs were troubling, but even I joined the majority in blaming their struggles on fatigue and boredom. More than anything, the Lakers never mentally invested into the season.
Their arrogance was on full display against the Mavericks, even in the fourth quarter when both Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom committed silly, and in the case of Bynum, dangerous technicals. They not only embarrassed themselves but the organization as whole. Even when LA was defeated by Boston in the 2008 finals, they never went out as disgraceful as Sunday's showing.
This time was eventually going to come. The core was aging and eventually mental fatigue was going to kick in after playing in three straight finals. More than anything, the Lakers recent exit should have now woken GM Mitch Kupchak (who's been sleeping at his desk since making the Pau Gasol deal). Over the last two offseasons, Mitch has not seriously considering trading any of the core pieces, but it's a different ball game now. Mitch must make moves, major one's at that, to preserve this Laker dynasty.
It might be too early to discuss potential offseason acquisitions for the Lakers considering the league is heading into unknown territory with the labor negotiations. There might be a lockout and that would definitely hurt LA's (as well as many other teams) chances in tweaking that roster. LA will have to worry about the coaching vacancy as well, with the likely departure of Phil Jackson. Brian Shaw is the popular choice in the locker room, but the guys in the front office might head into a different direction.
Excluding what might happen in the lockout, here are some potential offseason moves the Lakers might look at.
Superman Joins
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We've all heard the discussions about Dwight Howard departing Orlando and following the "Shaq blueprint" (leaving Orlando via free agency and heading to the bright lights of Los Angeles). The rumors are even getting to Dwight Howard (twitter remarks of the Orlando Sentinel).
The more realistic option for the Lakers to acquire Superman, would be via trade. They have the pieces to make it work, but it's up to Orlando. The Magic want Dwight Howard to stay in Orlando, but they will most certainly not lose Superman for nothing. The organization has learned from the Shaq fiasco and might end up following the Utah blueprint, where they trade Dwight either this offseason or before next year's trade deadline.
I'm not sure if LA has the best package for a Dwight Howard trade, but they will have an enticing offer. Andrew Bynum will most definitely be included in any deal involving Howard, but it gets a bit blurry when discussing the complimentary pieces. Some analysts believe Gasol or Odom would have to be included in such a deal, but LA may still be able to keep both bigs.
Dwight Howard will be an instant success in LA, both off and on the court. Even if LA includes Odom or Gasol, Howard will finally play with a talented big. He's never had an All-Star or near All-Star power forward playing along side him. His defensive capabilities will change the way the Lakers play defense. They will likely funnel all traffic towards Dwight, and because the Lakers have the ability to defend the perimeter, it should make that defense very potent. Dwight Howard plays with horrible perimeter defenders, and yet, the Magic are a consistent top five or six defensive team, so adding Superman would hopefully shore up the Lakers defensive shortcomings (especially the pick in roll defense).
The most exciting part of Dwight potentially joining the Lakers, is his underrated ability to stay healthy. While Dwight isn't 7'1", he doesn't have bad knees and has stayed healthy throughout his career. Laker fans wouldn't have to gasp every time he goes for a rebound or shot, knowing that Howard isn't injury-prone.
Dwight would also serve as the future "man" when Kobe retires. He's never played with such a prolific player as Kobe. His veteran presence would immensely help Dwight. Some analysts and fans don't see a killer instinct in Dwight, something a superstar should have. Howard will fall in line under a veteran like Kobe, who he definitely respects and admires.
CP3 Heading to Tinseltown
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The rumors of CP3 heading to the Los Angeles Lakers have been prevalent the last two years. Chris Paul is the best or one of the best point guards in the NBA. I believe Chris Paul has lost all faith in the Hornets front office. The team still hasn't found an owner, and if they eventually do find one, will they be thrifty (considering this isn't a big market team) like their previous owner or will Paul finally receive the help he has sorely sought.
David West is a key piece in determining Chris Paul's happiness. If West decides to leave (which is likely to happen in my opinion), Chris Paul will probably ask for a trade. There are several teams vying for Chris Paul's services, but LA will have the most enticing package. They could offer Andrew Bynum and somehow try to swallow Emeka Okafor's huge contract.
The Lakers would acquire a young superstar guard who would be able to make life easier for Kobe Bryant. While the point guard position has been a thorn in LA's side (on both ends unfortunately), Chris Paul will infuse instant excitement and energy to a roster that desperately needs it.
The only issue with acquiring such a ball dominating point guard, is the question of his fit within the triangle. The triangle offense requires lots of ball movement and LA has never really relied on their pick in roll offense (they ran it a lot in end game situations with Kobe and Gasol combo). Chris Paul ran a heavy pick in roll offense in New Orleans, so I'm not sure if LA will play to his strengths.
Now, we don't know what offense the Lakers will be running with the departure of Phil Jackson. If the Lakers go with Shaw, I'm sure he'll run a similar offense with some tweaks. I'm sure Shaw would be able to adapt with Chris Paul on the roster, but I have my doubts. If the Lakers could incorporate more pick-and-roll sets while also effectively establishing the triangle as the base of their offense, this acquisition could make the Lakers scary.
At the least, Chris Paul would be able to get out on the break (something the Lakers have sorely missed since the departure of Ariza) and create easy buckets for Kobe and co. Also, Chris Paul would give them some tenacity on the defensive end. He's the best two-way point guard in the game and would definitely help in an area (backcourt defense) the Lakers have struggled with in the last couple of years.
There would be an adjustment period at first, but I'm sure the Lakers would love such a tenacious player on their team.
Shooters, Shooters, Shooters...
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Whether the Lakers run the triangle or not, they must acquire shooters to surround Kobe and co. The triangle runs much more smoothly with a threat behind the arc. The spacing becomes that much better with a consistent three point threat (or several). It could shake some coverage off Kobe and free up the paint for the bigs to dominate.
There were several options a season ago but I guess it wasn't enough to entice Mtich or Jerry to open their wallets. Korver would have been a nice option. I understand that his only strength is his outside shooting, but he's a rare player in the league right now. He's an extremely dangerous shooter who would have at least freed the paint up a bit for Gasol and Bynum (especially when teams packed the paint). Anthony Morrow, another dangerous shooter, would have been a nice option off the bench but Mitch again passed on that option (though a bit understandable considering it would have been via trade).
There are slim pickings in terms of shooters in the 2011 free-agency class (whenever it starts). The best option seems to be Peja, but with his injury history and age, I'm not sure if that is the best direction. Some Laker fans would disagree, considering Peja played a huge part in ending the Lakers season, but I'm sure he'll be expecting a nice pay raise from the veteran's minimum.
Another option, though unlikely, is Ray Allen. I believe he has a player option, and if he decides to test the waters (very doubtful considering the lockout), he could be a game changer (though off the bench, making it more unlikely he'll join). Also, I'm sure LA fans would feel very weird with acquiring a Celtic.
Other possible options include Quentin Richardson, Shawne Williams, Daequan Cook, James Jones and Eddie House.
Upgrading the Bench Unit
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The Lakers have the worst or one of the worst bench unit's in the league right now. Lamar Odom is the only reason why this unit is in the middle of the pack statistically. Laker fans understand that the lack of production from the bench was a major factor in there early departure out of the playoffs (along with Mr. Gasol).
Mitch thought he shored the unit up in the offseason, with the signings of both Steve Blake and Matt Barnes, but the production just wasn't there this season. Blake is signed for three more years with about $12 million left on his contract. Both Barnes and Shannon have player options (they're likely gone). Shannon was the biggest disappointment in my eyes. He played extremely well in the beginning of the season (along with Blake and Barnes), but once his shot left him, his play in other areas fell off. Brown will be better served with a team that plays at a faster pace, so he'll entertain offers from two guard needy teams like Chicago and Indiana.
Barnes could return (and I wouldn't be against it) but at the minimum. I'm not sure how much teams will offer for his services (considering his down year), but he will not receive anything more than the minimum from the Lakers.
The Lakers must address the second unit this offseason. A scorer is desperately needed to take the load off Odom. Lamar has to shoulder the scoring and playmaking duties for the second unit, and that might be asking too much. There are several players available in free agency who would be significant upgrades for the Lakers.
Jamal Crawford is likely departing Atlanta. The Hawks just gave Joe Johnson a max contract, leaving Jamal Crawford as the odd man out. I'm not sure if we can sign Crawford to the mid-level but acquiring such a prolific scorer would do wonders for the second unit. He could also play alongside Kobe and the starting unit in end game situations (proven clutch player).
A more realistic option could be someone like Jason Richardson. Richardson used to be a consistent 20-point scorer, and while that may not be true now, he could give LA some punch off the pine. We could definitely acquire Richardson with the mid-level, making it more cost friendly for Buss.
The Lakers biggest asset is their mid-level exception, so they won't have the resources to completely reshape their second unit, but they most definitely could acquire at least one impact player.
