Roundtable: Recapping the Dwightmare
The Lakers came into the season with high expectations, and that was because of Dwight Howard. However, after a disappointing season, Howard spurned the Lakers for the Houston Rockets. As a result, the Lakers are in a tricky situation, balancing between being competitive and being bad. We here at Lake Show Life tackled a few of the topics about Dwight’s process and what the Lakers’ future holds.
What’s next for the Lakers?
Caleb Cottrell (@caleb_cottrell): Move on. The Lakers are in a rough position — a place most fans aren’t used to — but they should get used to it. The Lakers don’t have much to spend this free agency, so we are going to have to wait and see what they do in 2014 free agency, and possibly even 2015 if they don’t get who they want. Hang tight, Laker fans.
Jacob Rude (@JacobRude): Dwight Howard is the sign that superstars may not look at the Laker lore like players of the past have. However, he is not someone who will break the psyche of the franchise. He was the first superstar to leave the franchise in the manner he did, but the Lakers aren’t the Cavs. Our goal has always been 2014 and now we just push forward through one more season.
Apr 28, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard (12) grabs a rebound away from San Antonio Spurs power forward Matt Bonner (15) during 1st half action in game four of the first round of the 2013 NBA playoffs at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Fern Rea (fullcourtfern): The Lakers might be bitter after just losing out on their prized free agent to the Houston Rockets and probably don’t want anything to do with assisting them in dumping contracts to offer Howard a max deal. Looking at the big picture, the Lakers need to get over it fast and start compiling young talent and Houston has a few guys that are still untapped. In addition, in agreeing to a sign and trade, the Lakers will get a massive trade exception that they can use later in the year in the event that an attractive player comes up on the trading block.
Brian Booth (@bbooth248): Stand pat. We need to accept the fact that the Lakers will be, at best, a slightly above average team next season and a likely 1st round exit. But let’s not fool ourselves; the Lakers top goal next season should be to simply survive. Kobe Bryant is expected to miss a portion of the season, Steve Nash certainly isn’t getting any younger, and who knows about Pau Gasol. Should they miss the playoffs (a real possibility), they will then have an at least respectable draft pick in a very deep and loaded class. One key thing for the Lakers not to do next is make any impulsive moves. Everything is now built around having loads of cap space next summer.
Colin Lopez (@colinrlopez): A long off-season. The free agent pool is dwindling and the Lakers have been left without anything to show for it. Due to the salary cap situation it looks like the Lakers will head into next season with the core of Gasol-Bryant-Nash, with whatever pieces off the scrap heap they can throw together. Next season may be a little bit of a struggle, but the summer of 2014 never looked so appealing to Lakers fans.