Will/should the Lakers revamp their roster?

[Guest OraleHolmes]

Personally, I think L.A. should work out a sign and trade with Bryant, as opposed to getting nothing in return. McGrady and Iverson are likely candidates, I would think.

 

The Lakers should also trade the deteriorating Shaq for Chandler and Curry (of the Bulls). O'Neal for O'Neal (of the Pacers) wouldn't be a bad idea either.

 

What do you guys think? How should the Lakers overhaul their roster?

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Philly would riot if we traded Iverson for Bryant.

[Guest OraleHolmes]

Why? Bryant is from Philly. Just because he shut Iverson down in the 2001 NBA Finals, doesn't mean Philly fans have to hate him. Believe me, once the fans realize how good he is, he'll become Philadelphia's favorite son. And that whole issue about Kobe not having any street cred compared to Iverson, well the rape allegations and the new tattoos did just that -- give him that elusive street cred.

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

For starters not do what they did last year. They need to bring players in who will have good chemistry together and not cry babies like Payton. And as declined as Shaq is you still have to run a team through him if the Lakers expect to see the post-season in 2005.

[Guest OraleHolmes]

I'm pretty sure Payton and Bryant are done with the Lakers after this season. Shaq will stay -- at least for another year -- and I'm assuming Karl Malone will be back with LA if he doesn't retire.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Why? Bryant is from Philly. Just because he shut Iverson down in the 2001 NBA Finals, doesn't mean Philly fans have to hate him. Believe me, once the fans realize how good he is, he'll become Philadelphia's favorite son. And that whole issue about Kobe not having any street cred compared to Iverson, well the rape allegations and the new tattoos did just that -- give him that elusive street cred.

 

We know how good Kobe is. It doesn't matter. Kobe Bryant is a spoiled little punk bitch. And last I checked, Iverson never raped anyone.

[Guest OraleHolmes]

Whoa, whoa there. Remember, you're innocent until proven guilty. In addition, why would Kobe Bryant NEED to rape anyone? He could have any girl he wants with almost no persuasion.

[KingPK 0]

Ok, let's stop the arguing about Kobe's court case before it starts. This thread is about the Lakers' roster, not Kobe's off-court issues. If you want to discuss the rape trial, start a new thread about it.

[Sass 0]

Word out of Laker land is that if Kobe ends up gone from the team (leaves/gets convicted of rape and put in jail) then Tracy McGrady looks like the most likely candidate to replace him after Orlando's GM made the announcement that McGrady has a certain amount of time to negotiate with other teams before his contract rolls (I forget the specifics but I was a little surprised that T-Mac was called to the floor like that).

 

Jason Kidd got a new contract at the end of last season with the Nets IIRC and so he doesn't look like he'll go anywhere. But there is always the chance he might come and join the Lakers if the team gives him a better sweet heart deal then what he currently has with NJ.

 

Shaq is stuck with the team until the end of next year's season and wants a contract extension (he's been calling for one since the start of this season). Unless his cardio improves and his weight goes down, Dr.Buss will probably make the call to let his contract roll.

 

If the team does get Kobe to stay with them (barring jail time) then there's a strong possibility that the team will not continue to negotiate a new contract with Coach Jackson (the contract talks have been suspended since the late fall) and let him retire and ask Byron Scott to come back to LA and take over as the head coach of the Lakers.

 

Malone and Payton will more than likely be gone from LA come next season regardless of how this season turns out.

 

Derek Fisher will probably continue to stick around along with Rick Fox (ugh) since both guys are popular on the team and are well liked by the front office.

[The Czech Republic 0]

The Big Four will all disperse and Showtime will be led by Luke Walton and Megadefjam or whatever his name is.

[Damaramu 0]

So....if all these changes occur.....does that mean they'll suck next year?

[Vern Gagne 0]

Jason Kidd got a new contract at the end of last season with the Nets IIRC and so he doesn't look like he'll go anywhere. But there is always the chance he might come and join the Lakers if the team gives him a better sweet heart deal then what he currently has with NJ.

Of course Byron Scott might be a canidate to coach the Lakers if Phil Jackson doesn't return.

[Sass 0]

 

Jason Kidd got a new contract at the end of last season with the Nets IIRC and so he doesn't look like he'll go anywhere.  But there is always the chance he might come and join the Lakers if the team gives him a better sweet heart deal then what he currently has with NJ.

Of course Byron Scott might be a canidate to coach the Lakers if Phil Jackson doesn't return.

It all depends on who Dr.Buss would value more to have on the team: Scott or Kidd.

 

He's a gambler so I'd say he'd take a chance with getting T-Mac signed before he'd have the front office make a pitch to Kidd (comes cheaper than Kidd and doesn't have all his excess baggage).

 

Dr.Buss has said he'd like to see Byron return to the Lakers one day in some sort of capacity so that probably rules out seeing Kidd on the Lakers if it goes down that way.

[Vern Gagne 0]

Shaq likely plays the biggest role in this. He's said he won't play for anyone, but Phil Jackson. That might not mean he won't play, just you won't see the effort from the Shaq.

[Sass 0]

He hasn't shown effort in years. During the post-season he'll kick into a higher gear sometimes but he is so broken down from the knees down that he is forced to limit the amount of energy he exerts so he doesn't throw something out of whack.

 

Shaq just wants a contract extension. Once/If he gets that then he'll complain about how he'll only play for the new coach if Coach Jackson retires.

 

He's a merc right now who is just looking for a couple more years of payday's.

[Guest Choken One]

I feel Kobe, Payton and Malone are done with the Lakers after they finish jobbing to the Spurs.

 

Kobe, either is headed to Jail or he'll desire to leave the pressure of Hollywood and seek a chance to "prove" himself that he doesn't need Shaq to win the title and head to either Memphis and reunite with West or perhaps a Eastern Conference team where he would just need a nice support cast to work with(perhaps in the proposed Orlando/PHILA scenario).

 

Malone will head to a dormat team like Atlanta for the record run or back home to New Orleans, a city that needs a draw.

 

Payton? I'm feeling that he'll head home as well to Golden State or might try his hand at a Eastern Team...

 

Shaq, I have a feeling retires next season with all those injuries forcing him to sit out most of next season.

 

Jackson is gone for sure and Scott will come in. Likely, Buss will try to get a T-Mac, Iverson type superstar to replace Kobe and the old timer crew...Not sure if he can pull off that Steinbreneriesque A-ROD trade.

 

T-Mac should wait and see if Orlando can get Okafor. If they don't...LEAVE. If they do...He should stay still because he finally gets help.

[Sass 0]

I feel Kobe, Payton and Malone are done with the Lakers after they finish jobbing to the Spurs.

Kobe can get a 7-year, $142 million contract deal if he holds the Lakers up for a new contract. That's the best deal he can get in the league from any team (the Spurs included).

 

Kobe, either is headed to Jail or he'll desire to leave the pressure of Hollywood and seek a chance to "prove" himself that he doesn't need Shaq to win the title and head to either Memphis and reunite with West or perhaps a Eastern Conference team where he would just need a nice support cast to work with(perhaps in the proposed Orlando/PHILA scenario).

 

He will more than likely end up in Memphis due to his relationship with Jerry West who he was very close with when West was with the Lakers front office. He's always been considered a "father figure" to Kobe (in some circles, a better "father" figure than his actual one).

 

They are also one of the teams who could offer him a good deal along with SA, Atl, and the Clippers but nowhere near what the Lakers could pay him if he stays.

 

Malone will head to a dormat team like Atlanta for the record run or back home to New Orleans, a city that needs a draw.

 

That might have been true had Karl's mother not passed away earlier this year. He has his priorities in check it seems and has said the points record is meaningless to him now that his mother won't be able to witness it.

 

Karl has too much pride to me to pimp himself out like that to a team like Atlanta. He wouldn't have anyone to help him score and would be in a bad situation down there to say the least.

 

Payton? I'm feeling that he'll head home as well to Golden State or might try his hand at a Eastern Team...

 

GS is an option since Payton would be playing closer to his hometown but he'd probably only go there if the team offered him a deal like he had during the 90's with Seattle (which would be dumb for several reasons).

 

Shaq, I have a feeling retires next season with all those injuries forcing him to sit out most of next season.

 

Shaq wants more money. He feels he can still play ball and wants a deal that will allow him to play until he is in his mid 30's at least. He isn't going to retire unless he is forced to due to injuries (which has a strong chance of happening in the next couple of seasons).

 

Jackson is gone for sure and Scott will come in. Likely, Buss will try to get a T-Mac, Iverson type superstar to replace Kobe and the old timer crew...Not sure if he can pull off that Steinbreneriesque A-ROD trade.

 

These are the main factors involving a new Jackson contract:

 

1. His relationship with Shaq and Kobe.

 

2. His health.

 

3. His relationship with Jeannie Buss.

 

If neither of those 3 things are strong or positive then he will most likely retire after this season. So far the first point hasn't been doing well this season with both players lashing out at Jackson (most file it under "pressure" though since Kobe might be in jail next year and Shaq wants a contract extension pronto).

 

The other two points haven't developed well enough for anyone to get a good enough read on.

 

T-Mac should wait and see if Orlando can get Okafor. If they don't...LEAVE. If they do...He should stay still because he finally gets help.

 

I don't believe T-Mac can wait around to see if Okafor is coming in because I read somewhere that Orlando's GM told T-Mac he had x-amount of months to look for a new team after the horrible season the team had, with much of the blame put on T-Mac's shoulders.

 

If anyone has any info on the deal with T-Mac, please feel free to correct me here.

[alfdogg 0]

O'Neal for O'Neal (of the Pacers) wouldn't be a bad idea either.

Yes it would.

[JustJoe2k5 0]

Kobe Bryant must come to North Carolina and lead the Charlotte Bobcats to the NBA Finals in their first year as a team!!

[2GOLD 0]

If Kobe goes anywhere, it will be to Memphis with West.

 

And the Lakers are just too old with too many egos. Payton, Bryant and Shaq was just a powder keg waiting to explode.

 

Malone can get a chip but he really wants the title and has got to be pissed to watch it all slipping away again. I don't know if he'll be back, the Mailman might just pack it up if he can't do it with this bunch.

 

Shaq will remain in LA, Kobe will leave, Payton will be gone, Mailman might stay because he'll think Shaq is his best chance, and Fox will be dealt.

[Guest Vitamin X]

WHOA WHOA WHOA.

 

It's only Game 3, guys.

[Steviekick 0]

That's kind of what i've been saying, Vitamin X.

 

But you always should be looking to the future. The two biggest player moves that the Lakers should worry about are what are they going to do to keep or replace Kobe, and to build up their bench. Keep Shaq. If they win the Finals or give other good reason to keep Karl and Gary in LA, don't resign Phil Jackson, and get Byron Scott.

[Guest NaturalBornThriller4:20]

O'Neal for O'Neal (of the Pacers) wouldn't be a bad idea either.

Are you serious ?

 

Possible Most Valuable Player (Next year) in his prime for an injury-ridden, crybaby big man in the last stages of his career ?

 

Survey says... BAD IDEA.

 

In my opinion...

 

- Kobe Bryant leaves, signs with Memphis.

 

- Phil Jackson leaves, replaced by Byron Scott.

 

- Shaq has about another 2 years left in him, but I say he'll retire after next season due to injuries.

 

- Karl Malone resigns with the Lakers, retires at the end of next season.

 

- After the way Gary Payton has been treated, I say leave. But if the money is right, he'll stay.

 

 

T-Mac should wait and see if Orlando can get Okafor. If they don't...LEAVE. If they do...He should stay still because he finally gets help.

 

How much is Okafor going to do for the Magic ? Yeah, it's a huge step up for them. Okafor is a good player, but is he going to make an impact quickly enough ? Plus, they still need a solid point guard and new players to make up for that shitty bench.

[Steviekick 0]

If Jackson leaves, I really see Payton staying.

 

The only plus for Indiana in the suggested O'Neal/O'Neal is that they would then have THE most dominant center in the whole Eastern conference. But this season proved that they didnt need Shaq.

[Fökai 0]

If anyone has any info on the deal with T-Mac, please feel free to correct me here.

 

Player option after 2004-2005 season.

 

Until then, he's either going to be kept around or used as trade bait.

[Ripper 0]

Why? Bryant is from Philly. Just because he shut Iverson down in the 2001 NBA Finals, doesn't mean Philly fans have to hate him. Believe me, once the fans realize how good he is, he'll become Philadelphia's favorite son. And that whole issue about Kobe not having any street cred compared to Iverson, well the rape allegations and the new tattoos did just that -- give him that elusive street cred.

this is quite possibly the dumbest thing I have read in weeks.

[ant_7000 0]

After watching that interview with Malone on the pregame show, I think he'll retire after the season is over. GP is gone if Coach Jackson stays, Kobe might go if he gets blamed for the Lakers losing to the Spurs.

[Guest OraleHolmes]

Ripper, I was being facetious about the whole street cred thing. Guess you didn't get it.

[Ripper 0]

Ripper, I was being facetious about the whole street cred thing. Guess you didn't get it.

well, the Shutting down Iverson in the finals was right there with it in the stupidity.

[C Dubya 04 0]

Why? Bryant is from Philly. Just because he shut Iverson down in the 2001 NBA Finals, doesn't mean Philly fans have to hate him. Believe me, once the fans realize how good he is, he'll become Philadelphia's favorite son. And that whole issue about Kobe not having any street cred compared to Iverson, well the rape allegations and the new tattoos did just that -- give him that elusive street cred.

this is quite possibly the dumbest thing I have read in weeks.

Not spending much time in CE lately, huh?

 

It seems that I'm in the minority as far as giving this series to the Spurs. It's far from over people. 2-1 is not anywhere near insurmountable. That being said, I think that they'll be major changes in LA next year regardless. I'd be surprised if Kobe, Payton & Malone aren't all in other cities next year.