Laker needs

[TRUTHTELLA2]

Who can step up besides Kobe, Odom, and Butler?

Lakers need some more pieces

[kobesgame]

Well, they need Mihm to be a consistent 10 and 10 guy. He's shown he can do it in spurts, but they need that consistently. Hopefully with people having to double on Kobe, he'll be left open for some shots and easy boards.

Atkins is a pretty decent PG. He'll never be an all-star, but I think he's similar to DFish -- works hard to get his shot and plays solid D. However, he isn't quite as streaky as Fish, so that could be an upgrade.

However, depth is going to be the real concern. If Kobe, Odom and Butler get theirs, Who is coming in to rest them? George? He's overpaid and a terrible shooter. But maybe without Shaq clogging the middle he'll be able to roam a little more which is best feature. He's not a spot-up shooter.

Kobe is going to have to play A LOT of minutes. And one injury to him or Odom could end any chances of the playoffs.

[Zhengi]

I think the best chance of the Lakers getting a good player will be next year. The reason for this is that Chucky Atkins, Devean George, and Slava's contracts are going to be in their last year. That's roughly 11 million in salaries that we can trade for a good player.

That's why unless the Lakers do a trade of Devean to the Bobcats for a draft pick, I believe we're pretty much set in stone at the moment. If any trades do come up, it'll be towards the trading deadline involving a player like Luke or Rush.

[suburbanWMD]

i don't think george will get traded. That's my opinion, backed up by a couple of rumors, but I forsee no major changes this year.

[Zhengi]

Yeah, I agree suburbanstreet.

This team isn't going to win the title this year. It's a project and it'll take at least 3 years. There are still some missing pieces, and the beauty of all the trades and contracts we have is that almost all of them end within this time period, which gives the Lakers flexibility to manuever trades or sign a free agent.

[kobesgame]

I think the best chance of the Lakers getting a good player will be next year. The reason for this is that Chucky Atkins, Devean George, and Slava's contracts are going to be in their last year. That's roughly 11 million in salaries that we can trade for a good player.

That's why unless the Lakers do a trade of Devean to the Bobcats for a draft pick, I believe we're pretty much set in stone at the moment. If any trades do come up, it'll be towards the trading deadline involving a player like Luke or Rush.
Didn't Slava sign a new contract? Or was it just an option that we picked up?

[Zhengi]

Didn't Slava sign a new contract? Or was it just an option that we picked up?
Slava signed a 2 year contract worth $6 million. Next year, he'll be in his last year and that contract is worth a little over $3 mil.

[kobesgame]

Thanks for the info -- it gets tough to hear the nuances of contracts and team roster moves out here in Minnesota!

[LALion]

You said it zhengi. If you don't expect too much from this team, it might be fun to watch them grow into a contender.

[kobesgame]

It's going to be a fun season -- I love the energy and the hardwork. And the running game is fun to see.

[BinderBeast]

It will be a fun season, and the next, and the next. As long as Kobe and Mitch get with the program.

[LALion]

You're right, kobe. I loved watching the old run and gun lakers, with the frequent fast break and the theatrics, before they called it showtime. This might be fun, but we might lose a lot at first.