Laker 2 Year Strategy: Will It Pay Off?

[maes]

It two deals now in the off-season the Lakers have refused to budge on giving out anything more than a 2 year contract, highly unusual these days...even rookies out of high school get more than this. LA is doing this to make cap room to sign Amare or Yao.

In one deal, it went through anyway, Kwame.

But yesterday they just lost the best remaining (american) PG on the market, 6' 4" Antonio Daniels who helped the Sonics to a 50+ record. He's physical, has a great assist to TO ratio, hustles, and has been a veteran with the Spurs, a system the Lakers could use a little more of. As a bonus, he's probably one of the best PG's in the league for PJ's system. He's tall, a great passer, a defensive hustler, doesn't fumble TO's. You don't need to be a zippy penetrator in the triangle since penetration is done w/ passing not slashing...PJ's best PG's were Paxson and Harper.

Everything in the Seattle papers pointed to AD joining the Lakers...except they refuse to offer anything more than 2 years. While the 5 that Washington gave was probably too much, 3 or 4 would have put AD in a Laker's uniform. And of course, some of the better free agents probably didn't even start talks as soon as they heard 2 years was the Laker max.

So is this going to payoff? Will they sign Amare or Yao? Or are they killing their future by assuming these guys will jump ship like Shaq in Orlando?

[TheFranchiseKing]

So is this going to payoff? Will they sign Amare or Yao? Or are they killing their future by assuming these guys will jump ship like Shaq in Orlando?

Amare and Yao are not going anywhere. Yao already wants to be locked in forever and Phoenix will make sure he is extended way before 07. They are dreaming.

[kevC]

If Yao leaves, I leave. Oh wait, this isn't a CoolMAC thread...

[Kobe101]

I think they must turn to the draft the next few years.

[J@3]

If Yao leaves, I leave. Oh wait, this isn't a CoolMAC thread...

Lol! Alright that's officially the funniest thing you've ever said

[kevC]

Do I get a party???

[Fenix]

This might help:

Date # of total
Player signed years salary misc FA

Boris Diaw ............ 7/10/03 4 $5,163,421 rc t-opt '07

Marcus Banks .......... 7/10/03 4 $7,299,516 rc t-opt '07
Raef LaFrentz ......... 7/30/02 7 $69,973,750 p-opt '07
Kendrick Perkins ...... 7/10/03 4 $4,315,610 rc t-opt '07
Paul Pierce ........... 1/22/99,8/1/01 4+6 $6,563,031+$79.3+mill p-opt '07

Primoz Brezec ......... 6/19/01,9/30/04 4+3 $3,789,375+$8.25mill p-opt '07

Kirk Hinrich .......... 7/15/03 4 $10,242,268 rc t-opt '07
Andres Nocioni ........ 8/11/04 3 $8.3 million '07

LeBron James .......... 7/3/03 4 $18,789,170 rc t-opt '07
Aleksander Pavlovic ... 9/25/03 4 $5,756,786 rc t-opt '07
Anderson Varejao ...... 8/19/04 3 $2.6 million '07

Josh Howard ........... 7/3/03 4 $4,258,523 rc t-opt '07
Dirk Nowitzki ......... 1/21/99,10/23/01 4+6 $6,906,835+~$79.3mill p-opt '07
Jerry Stackhouse ...... 1/22/99,6/26/03 7+2 $37 mill + $18 mill '07

Carmelo Anthony ....... 7/17/03 4 $15,108,241 rc t-opt '07
Earl Boykins .......... 8/18/03 5 $13.7 million p-opt '07
Eduardo Najera ........ 9/28/02 6 $24 million p-opt '07

Chauncey Billups ...... 7/17/02 6 $33.7 million p-opt '07
Antonio McDyess ....... 7/14/04 4 $22.5 million p-opt '07
Darko Milicic ......... 9/12/03 4 $16,815,062 rc t-opt '07

Zarko Cabarkapa ....... 7/15/03 4 $6,095,497 rc '07
Mickael Pietrus ....... 7/7/03 4 $7,893,020 rc '07

Jonathan Bender ....... 8/5/99,10/31/02 4+4 $10,368,785+$27.2mill '07
Austin Croshere ....... 8/1/00 7 $51 million '07

Lionel Chalmers ....... 8/16/04 3 minimum t-opt '07
Chris Kaman ........... 7/12/03 4 $11,214,368 rc '07

Dahntay Jones ......... 7/5/03 4 $5,316,313 rc t-opt '07
Lawrence Roberts ...... 7/10/05 2 ??? '07
Jake Tsakalidis ....... 9/10/04 3 $8.7 million '07

Michael Doleac ........ 7/15/04 4 $11 million p-opt '07
Dwyane Wade ........... 8/19/03 4 $12,343,923 rc '07

Calvin Booth .......... 7/31/01 6 $34,042,500 '07
T.J. Ford ............. 7/2/03 4 $9,387,987 rc t-opt '07
Reece Gaines .......... 7/18/03 4 $6,749,513 rc t-opt '07
Desmond Mason ......... 8/3/00,10/27/03 4+3 $5,364,152+$21.7 mill '07
Joe Smith ............. 7/30/01 6 $34,035,000 '07
Maurice Williams ...... 8/21/04 3 $5.3 million '07

Vince Carter .......... 1/22/99,8/1/01 4+6 $9,874,873+$79.3+mill p-opt '07
Zoran Planinic ........ 7/11/03 4 $5,015,656 rc t-opt '07

P.J. Brown ............ 7/16/03 4 $34 million '07
Maciej Lampe .......... 8/13/03 4 $3.49 million t-opt '07
Jamaal Magloire ....... 7/18/00,10/29/03 4+3 $4,871,131+$20.25mill '07
David West ............ 7/11/03 4 $5,793,418 rc t-opt '07

Malik Rose ............ 7/26/02 7 $42 million p-opt '07
Mike Sweetney ......... 7/7/03 4 $8,633,596 rc '07
Maurice Taylor ........ 8/7/01 6 $48,750,000 '07
Jerome Williams ....... 7/18/01 7 $40.8 million p&t-opt '07

Leandro Barbosa ....... 7/16/03 4 $4,289,613 rc t-opt '07
Dijon Thompson ........ 7/11/05 2 ??? t-opt '07

Derek Anderson ........ 7/25/01 6 $48,712,500 '07
Travis Outlaw ......... 7/15/03 4 $4,871,226 rc t-opt '07

Mike Bibby ............ 8/16/02 7 $80.5 million p-opt '07
Corliss Williamson .... 7/24/01 6 $31,500,000 '07

Nick Collison ......... 7/7/03 4 $7,590,990 rc t-opt '07
Danny Fortson ......... 8/16/00 7 $38 million '07
Rashard Lewis ......... 9/19/02 7 $65 million p-opt '07
Luke Ridnour .......... 7/9/03 4 $7,019,478 rc t-opt '07

Chris Bosh ............ 7/8/03 4 $13,624,260 rc '07
Morris Peterson ....... 7/30/04 3 $13.5 million '07
Jalen Rose ............ 8/2/00 7 $92.88 million '07

Jarvis Hayes .......... 8/20/03 4 $8,203,887 rc t-opt '07
Antwan Jamison ........ 1/21/99,8/28/01 4+6 $10,899,456+$79.3+mill p-opt '07
Peter John Ramos ...... 7/23/04 3 $2 million '07

rc = rookie contract, 1st round picks from 1995 and on are signed to 3
year contracts at a set range, with for picks from 1998 and on with a
4th year at the team's option
p-opt = player opt-out (player has the option to become a free agent) [the
year after p-opt is the year the player would be a free agent if he
opts out]
xp-opt = player opted-out (player is free agent and rest of contract void)
t-opt = team option year(s) (if team chooses, player will be under
contract for another year) [the year after t-opt is the year the player
would be a free agent if the option is picked up]
xt-opt = team didn't pick up option year
x-opt = performance based option year(s) (if the player achieves certain
statistical criteria, option year becomes guaranteed)
p&t-opt = mutual option (I guess both the player and team have to agree
to the extra year)
FA = year player becomes a free agent (year = summer of) [Note: For
players who have less than 3 years of experience (most noteably,
rookies), the players are restricted free agents - their team can match
any offer made to the player. 1st round draft picks who have completed
the 4th year of their rookie contract are also restricted free agents.]
r = restricted free agent (qualifying offer has been extended)

http://forums.lakersground.net/viewtopic.php?t=5192

It's clear that they're going after Darko .

[Drex]

What a great front line!!! Just imagine, Darko at C, with Brown at the PF position...they should aim for Miles at the SF...and then they could try to sign Jay Williams for the PG spot

[Fenix]

All-bust team? It would be fun to watch.

[Blue Nugget]

I think it's stupid to insist on 2 year max,despite the numerous free agents that will be on the market. Daniels would've been a great fit but now we can only hope to pick up Payton which would be smooth given the circumstances.

What I'm wondering,though,is if PJ is gonna stick around for another 2 years..? (I don't know how long he signed for)

[TheFranchiseKing]

I think it's stupid to insist on 2 year max,despite the numerous free agents that will be on the market. Daniels would've been a great fit but now we can only hope to pick up Payton which would be smooth given the circumstances.

Payton will not return to the Lakers. The screwed him and sent him to Boston.

What I'm wondering,though,is if PJ is gonna stick around for another 2 years..? (I don't know how long he signed for)

3 Years 30 Mill.

[Jackal]

LeBron James.

He gets paid more, doesn't he? Btw, I am only kidding.

[Andrew]

I can understand the reasoning behind the idea, but I think they'll continue to miss out on some good free agents by doing so. It's a good idea to be selective about who you want to lock up for a long time for a lot of money, but sometimes they'll have to budge.

[Fenix]

I bet they already have an oral commitment from someone from this list. They wouldn't be risking their future if they didn't have at least that.

[Fresh8]

Yao Ming was considered a possibility because Rudy T was in town before. Now that he isn't and the Rockets look like they are building a stronger squad, Yao is out of the question.

Amare won't be lured away from the Suns because I see them reaching the WCF in the next 2 seasons and after that, Amare should stay loyal to his team.

[Fenix]

Amare won't be lured away from the Suns because I see them reaching the WCF in the next 2 seasons and after that, Amare should stay loyal to his team.

If the Suns don't match Hawks's offer to Johnson, we can bet that Amare won't sign an extension this offseason.

[Fresh8]

Doesn't that mean the Suns can offer an even bigger contract when he expires?

[Jackal]

If the Suns don't match Hawks's offer to Johnson, we can bet that Amare won't sign an extension this offseason.

Well, Johnson is a smaller player, big guys like Amare are rare, I'm pretty confident the Suns won't let him go without getting something in return & since there isn't much that'll interest them besides Kobe (who can't be traded) I see no way Amare will be in LA in the next two years.

If I hear anyone even remotely mentioning Yao Ming coming to LA again, I'm going to pee on my dog, in his eyes. Now be considerate & spare the poor animal of that humiliation.

I'd hate it if Ming came to LA.

[TheFranchiseKing]

If the Suns don't match Hawks's offer to Johnson, we can bet that Amare won't sign an extension this offseason.

Still not a chance it would happen. He has already stated numerous times that he wants to play in Phoenix.

Why would he want to play second fiddle in LA anyway?

I'd hate it if Ming came to LA.

Jackal don't worry it will not happen.

LA needs to worry since Kobe obviously has no skill of getting free agents to sign. That was all Shaq.

If I hear anyone even remotely mentioning Yao Ming coming to LA again, I'm going to pee on my dog, in his eyes. Now be considerate & spare the poor animal of that humiliation.

Poor Dog. It's not his fault these Laker fans are dreaming!!!

[Jackal]

LA needs to worry since Kobe obviously has no skill of getting free agents to sign.

That's not even my concern, my concern is with what are they going to sign them? They're all capped out.

Look, if you're a big dominant center whose presence can let you win games, sure, I'll pay. If you're Kobe, meh, nevermind.

[maes]

I think the Lakers are going to setup Yao or Amare for some sex scandal forcing a trade. Poor Yao, this will look bad for him.

[Jackal]

That's it, I'm going to pee on my dog.

[Fenix]

LA needs to worry since Kobe obviously has no skill of getting free agents to sign. That was all Shaq.

You think Shaq would be able to persuade Daniels, a 30 years old basketball player, to leave three years of guaranteed money on the table?

[TheFranchiseKing]

You think Shaq would be able to persuade Daniels, a 30 years old basketball player, to leave three years of guaranteed money on the table?

Sorry, that is not what I meant. I am making a general point. Jesus could not get Daniels to leave 3 years of guaranteed money on the table.

[maes]

Shaq came pretty close with Haslem. Haslem reportedly turned down an offer worth $10M more than what the Heat offered, which is also roughly 2 years of AD's new contract.

But an additional 3 years, too much to turn down.