First off if you know me, you know I’m a diehard Lakers fan and some of this post will make you laugh, some might make you mad, but hey it’s all my opinion. It could be right, wrong or indifferent. I just wanted to get that off my chest before I start a little rant about my favorite NBA squad.
The Lakers off-season started early this 2013-14 season soon as Kobe broke his knee cap the season which didn’t have much hope to begin with withered away in the Los Angeles sunset.
The Lakers had the 7th pick in the NBA draft and ended up selecting Kentucky power forward Julius Randle. Randle reminds me of a more athletic Zach Randolph, with his physical style of play. I think Randle will be a double-double guy for years to come. The Lakers got a steal with him falling to the 7th pick. So the basketball gods showed some love for this move.
The big tagline from a lot of media outlets during the end of the season is the Lakers were poised to get one of the big name free agents out in the market. The two big dogs were fellow small forwards LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony. I knew it was no chance in hell LeBron would be silly enough to help Kobe win a few more glory rings, so I never bought into that rumor, but I did have some hope the Lakers could steal Melo away from the lowly Knicks. Ultimately Melo went back to NY and the Lakers whiffed of their big splash signing. The basketball gods showed no love.
The Lakers resigned high energy power forward Jordan Hill to a two-year $18 million dollar deal. I like Hill as a player, but the Lakers overpaid just a tad. Every team needs a dirty work player who is effective, but for $9 million a year? I don’t know! As least it’s only a two-year deal. The basketball gods showed no love.
Nick “Swaggy P” Young resigned with for four years $21.5 million, the fourth year is a player option. Swaggy P was the Lakers leading scorer last year and for the mid-level exception Young is a steal for the Lakers to retain at that price. Young’s overall entertainment value is worth this contract and the fact he can score. The basketball gods showed love.
Jeremy Lin and a 1st round pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. Lin only has one year left on his deal, but it’s the poison pill part of deal which is roughly $ 15 million this year against the cap. Lin is better than any other point guard on the roster and the value of getting the 1st round pick is very important. We all know Linsanity was just a two-week run in New York, but he isn’t a bum. As much as I talked about Lin and now he’s on my favorite team, karma for my ass! As must as I want to say the basketball gods didn’t show love, in fact they did.
The Gasol for Boozer unintentional swap has been the big topic amongst Laker fans this week. Pau Gasol went to the Bulls and Carlos “Bigen” Boozer came to the Lakers. Gasol signed a deal with the Bulls and Boozer was amnestied by Bulls and signed by the Lakers for $3.25 million. The Bulls still will pay Boozer a little over $16 million this year, which is a win for him. I’ve wanted to replace Gasol for the last three years, but I didn’t want the replacement to be Boozer. Is this a sick game being played on me? Do you know how much I dislike Boozer? Overall, getting Boozer for 3.25 million is a good deal, but it’s still Boozer. The basketball gods showed no love.
There are a few other moves that were made, but nothing worth saying if the basketball gods hates the Lakers or not. If Kobe can come back strong maybe the Lakers will compete for a bottom seed in the Western Conference. I know the Lakers will be better than last year, but the question is how much better?
Note: Byron Scott is the new head coach.
I don’t think you have all your facts straight in your article. First off, Jeremy Lin will be paid $15 million this coming season but only $8.3 million will count toward the salary cap. An expiring contract that gives the Lakers financial flexibility moving forward. Also, in addition to the Rockets 1st round pick, the Lakers received from Houston an LA Clipper 2nd round pick in 2015. Not a bad trade at all, Jeremy Lin learning the point guard position from Steve Nash, 2 high basketball IQ players. In the $18 million dollar contract for Jordan Hill the Lakers have a $9 million dollar player option on the second year, a great escape for the Lakers if Jordan doesn’t live up to expectations. I think Jordan Hill will thrive in Byron Scott’s defense first system.
D’Antoni resigned.
Nick Young re-signed.
The basketball gods have spoken, and they are not amused.
Kobe needs to move to the 3 sometime. He can’t keep trying to guard the quick young 2-guards coming into the league. Anyone can bulk-up, but no one can speed-up. This should extend Kobe’s career a year or two.