Expansion Draft Coming up...

[[Q]]

It's interesting to see who could possibly go in the expansion draft to Chralotte. I think players on the good, deep teams are screwed (Lakers, Mavs, Kings, T-Wolves, Spurs). Some possible picks might be:
Rick Fox, Ndudi Ebi, a Knicks player (maybe Moochie), a Blazers player (maybe Qyntel). Who else do you guys think might go?

[RedTorro]

First of all Mr. Vanessa Williams would never leave Hollywood. He has too many Ford commercials and Radio shack stuff to sell. Second of all the Lakers would be much wiser to let go Devean George or Kareem Rush go. Rush doesn't get the PT and Georger is just stealing money from them. If there is anybody I want to see get picked up in the expansion draft from any team it's that o#*&#^@ theif Eddie Robinson.

[.]

I rather see Fox go then Kareem Rush or Devean George.

Rush has been there when his team needed him (Rockets series), and he is still very young, and compared to last year, fundamentally he has improved alot, and with him gone, who would replace Kobe when he needs some rest besides Derek Fisher?

George is a skilled player who showed great hustle in the boards and can make those open jumpers, to problem is....he has these games sometimes where he plays good and makes most of his shots, then the next game he shoots below 30%, the guy can ball...but he is a goofus, I wouldnt count him out, specially at this moment, he has played some very good games in the playoffs and made big shots when the Lakers needed them.

Rick Fox has *injured* written all over him, the only thing he does well these series is physical defense, but thats about it...besides game 4 he was as good as gone and hardly took a shot or he bricked one, his confidence has dropped since the injury, and I really hope he gets it back, because he was the 2004 Devean George of the Lakers during their 3-peat days, but he is getting older, and I think Devean George would be a safer pick, he got the talent, but he lacks between his ears.

I see the Lakers keeping these players:

Shaquille O´Neal
Kobe Bryant
Gary Payton
Karl Malone
Devean George
Derek Fisher
Slava Medvedenko
Kareem Rush

which keeps players like Luke Walton and Brian Cook unprotected (I dont count Russell and Grant in, because they both have a 1 year contract and most likely wont get picked up by the Lakers again.

I like the way Brian Cook is playing, he can rebound the ball, shoot the ball, but he lacks the defense to hold down players like Tim Duncan or Kevin Garnett, Luke Walton is about the same story, only a better passer, and Cook is a better shooter then he is. Also, Brian Cook is not affraid to make the offensive play, while Luke holds back on alot of shots, just like Karl Malone does thesedays

[Fresh8]

Well- I think the Lakers will want to keep Walton protected because he's an important team player that Jax can use in the future. Medvedenko has done well to replace Shaq in games. Derek Fisher is Derek Fisher.

Can someone tell me if Kobe decides to test free agency- does that mean Kobe can't be involved in the expansion draft? Then the Lakers wont need to worry bout him and keep Walton as well!

[Andrew]

If there is anybody I want to see get picked up in the expansion draft from any team it's that o#*&#^@ theif Eddie Robinson.

Agreed.

Taking a look back at the 1995 Expansion Draft, the possibility remains that the Bobcats will leave some of the talented players on deep teams untouched. Remember, they do have a smaller salary cap than the other 29 teams. Some of those talented reserves have big contracts with two or three years remaining, as well some baggage.

[fgrep15]

I rather see Fox go then Kareem Rush or Devean George.

Rush has been there when his team needed him (Rockets series), and he is still very young, and compared to last year, fundamentally he has improved alot, and with him gone, who would replace Kobe when he needs some rest besides Derek Fisher?

George is a skilled player who showed great hustle in the boards and can make those open jumpers, to problem is....he has these games sometimes where he plays good and makes most of his shots, then the next game he shoots below 30%, the guy can ball...but he is a goofus, I wouldnt count him out, specially at this moment, he has played some very good games in the playoffs and made big shots when the Lakers needed them.

Rick Fox has *injured* written all over him, the only thing he does well these series is physical defense, but thats about it...besides game 4 he was as good as gone and hardly took a shot or he bricked one, his confidence has dropped since the injury, and I really hope he gets it back, because he was the 2004 Devean George of the Lakers during their 3-peat days, but he is getting older, and I think Devean George would be a safer pick, he got the talent, but he lacks between his ears.

I see the Lakers keeping these players:

Shaquille O´Neal
Kobe Bryant
Gary Payton
Karl Malone
Devean George
Derek Fisher
Slava Medvedenko
Kareem Rush

which keeps players like Luke Walton and Brian Cook unprotected (I dont count Russell and Grant in, because they both have a 1 year contract and most likely wont get picked up by the Lakers again.

I like the way Brian Cook is playing, he can rebound the ball, shoot the ball, but he lacks the defense to hold down players like Tim Duncan or Kevin Garnett, Luke Walton is about the same story, only a better passer, and Cook is a better shooter then he is. Also, Brian Cook is not affraid to make the offensive play, while Luke holds back on alot of shots, just like Karl Malone does thesedays

You only have to protect contracted players and unresticted FA's, so the Lakers don't have to protect Kobe if he's opting out.

[[Q]]

And I think Slava is an unrestricted free agent, so I suspect
Shaq, Malone, Kobe, GP, Fisher, George (even though he's overpaid), Rush, and maybe Cook.

[The Big Racist]

LA ain't no deep team,how can you say theire deep?Dallas is deep,Sacramento is deep but LA ain't deep.

[-BHZMAFIA-]

LA ain't no deep team,how can you say theire deep?Dallas is deep,Sacramento is deep but LA ain't deep.

memphis is deep

i say the grizz protect: gasol, battier, posey, jwill, miller, swift, wells and watson. they will take a gamble and leave wright unprotected so if the bobcats get him we would have alot of caproom and can sign a big man or a star-caliber player.

[KillaCam1100]

LA ain't no deep team,how can you say theire deep?Dallas is deep,Sacramento is deep but LA ain't deep.

memphis is deep

i say the grizz protect: gasol, battier, posey, jwill, miller, swift, wells and watson. they will take a gamble and leave wright unprotected so if the bobcats get him we would have alot of caproom and can sign a big man or a star-caliber player.

Yeah!!! That is a good idea, Memphis needs a big man next to Pal Gasol. It would be hard for Wright to expect his new team if he go, because he was born and rasied in Memphis.

But I think they shouldn't protect J-Will, because Jerry West said he don't want any selfish players on the team, because I feel like J-Will is a ball hog at times, and create his own plays. I really think J-Will should be left unprotected, or trade him for a better PG.

[[Q]]

LA ain't no deep team,how can you say theire deep?Dallas is deep,Sacramento is deep but LA ain't deep.

okay, so they're not deep but they will have to leave some quality rookie prospects unprotected...

[Jay-Peso]

It's interesting to see who could possibly go in the expansion draft to Chralotte. I think players on the good, deep teams are screwed (Lakers, Mavs, Kings, T-Wolves, Spurs). Some possible picks might be:
Rick Fox, Ndudi Ebi, a Knicks player (maybe Moochie), a Blazers player (maybe Qyntel). Who else do you guys think might go?

Ndubi Ebi, I worked out with him once in Texas right after the draft

[FanOfAll]

It's interesting to see who could possibly go in the expansion draft to Chralotte. I think players on the good, deep teams are screwed (Lakers, Mavs, Kings, T-Wolves, Spurs). Some possible picks might be:
Rick Fox, Ndudi Ebi, a Knicks player (maybe Moochie), a Blazers player (maybe Qyntel). Who else do you guys think might go?

I've heard Fox could retire after this season, don't know the truth behind that.

The Wolves will not leave Ebi unprotected. The kid showed flashes of being able to play in this league and the T-Wolves are incredibly high on him. Teammates, like KG have already raved about him. Someone like the Kandi Man (contract, underachiever), Ervin Johson, Martin, Wally, Miller are more likely to be unprotected...just some random names.

I rather see Fox go then Kareem Rush or Devean George.

Rush has been there when his team needed him (Rockets series), and he is still very young, and compared to last year, fundamentally he has improved alot, and with him gone, who would replace Kobe when he needs some rest besides Derek Fisher?

George is a skilled player who showed great hustle in the boards and can make those open jumpers, to problem is....he has these games sometimes where he plays good and makes most of his shots, then the next game he shoots below 30%, the guy can ball...but he is a goofus, I wouldnt count him out, specially at this moment, he has played some very good games in the playoffs and made big shots when the Lakers needed them.

Rick Fox has *injured* written all over him, the only thing he does well these series is physical defense, but thats about it...besides game 4 he was as good as gone and hardly took a shot or he bricked one, his confidence has dropped since the injury, and I really hope he gets it back, because he was the 2004 Devean George of the Lakers during their 3-peat days, but he is getting older, and I think Devean George would be a safer pick, he got the talent, but he lacks between his ears.

I see the Lakers keeping these players:

Shaquille O´Neal
Kobe Bryant
Gary Payton
Karl Malone
Devean George
Derek Fisher
Slava Medvedenko
Kareem Rush

which keeps players like Luke Walton and Brian Cook unprotected (I dont count Russell and Grant in, because they both have a 1 year contract and most likely wont get picked up by the Lakers again.

I like the way Brian Cook is playing, he can rebound the ball, shoot the ball, but he lacks the defense to hold down players like Tim Duncan or Kevin Garnett, Luke Walton is about the same story, only a better passer, and Cook is a better shooter then he is. Also, Brian Cook is not affraid to make the offensive play, while Luke holds back on alot of shots, just like Karl Malone does thesedays

I would protect both Cook and Walton. I like both their games and I think they'll play well with more time. No one knows if Payton or Malone will come back...Malone could retire, I think Payton has a player option (actually I believe both do, but I'm not sure and too lazy to look it up). I would also like to see Fox leave over George and Rush.

[[Q]]

Did you see Rush last night? 6 for 6 from 3 point territory until he missed that last one... He stepped up big and last night he looked better than some of the other players (ahem... Devean George). I don't see how you can't protect Rush.

[fgrep15]

Okay ko8e4mvp, you scared the other Laker fans enough

Protect
Brian Cook
Derek Fisher
Devean George
*Karl Malone* (might opt out)
Shaquille O'neal...
Kareem Rush
Luke Walton


Don't Protect
Rick Fox (they'll probably take the gamble here since CHA probably won't pick him up)


Unrestricted FA
Kobe Bryant (opt out)
Gary Payton (I'm going to say he'll opt out)
Jamal Sampson
Byron Russell
Medvedenko
Horace Grant


Even if Payton doesn't opt out, LA still has one more spot to protect a player, and Charlotte will not pick up Rick Fox so LA has nothing to fear, even though they might want Charlotte to pick him up.
The Lakers have 10 players under contract for next year, and 4 (Kobe, Malone, Payton, Fisher) have player options.
You have to leave at least one guy unprotected, and Fox is the man.

[Amphatoast]

I haven't seen Ebi play in a real game yet, but I just start using the timberwolves in NBA Live 2004 and this guy is a monster off the bench with the dunks Then again Darko is a starter for the Pistons and we all know that isn't the real Darko...yet

[Full Surface]

Malone might ask to be traded back to Utah for his final season (if he wins a championship this year).

Wizards

Protected

Gilbert Arenas
Kwame Brown
Steve Blake
Etan Thomas
Larry Hughes
Jarvis Hayes
Juan Dixon
Brendan Haywood

Rumor has it that the Wizards are planning on trading the 5th pick and Stackhouse for a center, if they aren't able to re-sign Etan Thomas.