LSL’s 2013-14 Lakers Preseason Roundtable
By Jacob Rude
Which, if any, Laker will be traded during the season?
Booth – I’m not going to spend time evaluating non-impact players (if the 9th guy off the bench is traded for a 2nd round draft pick, I don’t see what being all that significant). As far as IMPACT players are concerned, I hate to say that if any are dealt this year, all the speculation will again fall on Gasol. He has an expiring contract, which many teams will continue to covet, and if the right offer came along, I see the Lakers dealing him to officially start the rebuild we all know is coming. The most likely trade I have speculated over for a couple seasons now I still think holds the most water is dealing Gasol to Boston for Rajon Rondo. I’d be surprised if Rondo lasts the season with the Celtics, and with their front office already is full-blown rebuild mode, Rondo is the next likely player to go, especially if it returns an expiring contract.
Garcia – I don’t expect any Laker trades unless a superstar is coming back in return. Carmelo Anthony is going to test free agency. All other trades are negated unless Nash is involved for a contract that terminates at the end of this year. While the team looks like it may be gutted for the summer of 2014, I expect the franchise to maintain cap space until they have two franchise cornerstone players to build around first.
Oct 6, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Steve Nash (10) passes the ball to forward Pau Gasol (not pictured) during the first half against the Denver Nuggets at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Hicks – Unless the Lakers can a get Greg Monroe or an Al Horford there’s no point in making any major moves that might bring back any longer term contracts. Too many teams start rebuilding plans and scuttle them with panicked moves at the last minute. The cap space available in the off-season is a once in a decade chance at reboot and should play itself out. If a player like Anderson Varejao becomes available that’s someone worth taking a look at as well. Gasol is the subject of rumors as usual but again unless it brings back some good young talent or a elite point guard, he should be kept. At worst he’s a top 7 center and they don’t grow on trees. Shipping out Steve Blake and/or Jodie Meeks would be a good idea if it brought back a young developmental forward. The Lakers need to think long-term in every way.
Morales – The two players who may be traded by mid-season are Jordan Hill and Jodie Meeks. Jordan is a good offensive rebounder but that is about it. He is trying to extend his range but he just is not a mid range shooter. Andray Blatche of the Nets proved last year he has the capability to mature. The style of Blatche, who is in the last year of his deal, fits in with the Lakers second team which is young and aggressive and quick. Jordan makes twice the salary of Blatche. Blatche and a second round pick fits the D’antoni system more than Jordan does.
Meeks is going to have a difficult time getting in games. Henry is more versatile and is a better player. Jodie only does one thing well and sometimes his three point shooting is hit and miss. He is a liability at the rim on fast breaks. The Lakers can trade him to Dallas for Devin Harris who makes less money. At 30, he is older than Meeks, but he is in the last year of his deal. When Harris, who is injured now, does play, he shoots over 50% on two point shots and averages three assists. No one knows what is going to happen with Nash so a combo guard wouldn’t hurt but it is hard to imagine Mark Cuban pulling the trigger since he was burned by Lamar Odom.
Cottrell – If you would have asked me this question at this time last year, I would have said Gasol. Now, I’m not so sure. If I had it my way, I would start to rebuild, but I’m not sure the front office wants to do that. I could see Steve Blake or Jodie Meeks being traded, maybe even both. With the addition of Nick Young, Meeks won’t be needed if he shoots like he did last season. The Lakers may try and get a pick or two out of them, or they could try and get a small forward/power forward since the Lakers have little depth at those positions.
Lopez – The obvious trade chips are Steve Nash and Pau Gasol. If the Lakers struggle out of the gate or have another series of injuries like last year, both of these veterans will look to be shopped. The Lakers goal would be to take back young players still on rookie contracts and hope to grab a 2014 1st round draft pick as well. Nash and Gasol would be important pieces to a team that is trying to compete for a title right now, so any sort of lottery pick returning would be unlikely.
Rude – I’ve been highly adamant against tanking as it’s not something any team should “strive” for. That being said, if any type of deal arises this year that benefits the future more than the present, the Lakers should pull the trigger. With nearly every Laker on an expiring contract, they all are enticing trade chips, and all of them (minus Kobe, obviously) should be on the trade block. I’d say Jodie Meeks might be one name to look out for. He has a unique skill set he excels at and one that is desired by many teams, plus he’ll likely be the odd man out for the Lakers.