Sep 29, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) answers questions during media day at the team practice facility in El Segundo. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
If the past month is any indication of what’s to come, the Los Angeles Lakers are in for a complete roster overhaul following the departure of Kobe Bryant.
The Lakers added three players in August alone. Texas forward Jonathan Holmes, Florida guard Michael Frazier and FC Barcelona guard Marcelo Huertas all signed non-guaranteed contracts.
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Although they are not guaranteed a roster spot, the three undrafted rookies will have an opportunity to showcase their talents in training camp later this month.
It was also reported Metta World Peace and the Lakers are on the verge of getting a deal done. It would be World Peace’s second stint with the team (2009-13).
Furthermore, the Robert Upshaw situation is still very much in the air. Laker fans desperately want Upshaw to make the squad due to his seemingly limitless potential, but he has some personal issues to resolve first.
With those five players accounted for, the Lakers projected roster stands at 19 which is four above the league maximum (15) and one shy of the training camp max (20).
Anybody who’s had to pick out 14 clubs for a golf tournament can understand the current predicament the Lakers are in. With that in mind, here’s a list of the “clubs” that should be included in the Lakers “bag” on opening night.
Next: The No-Brainers
Feb 25, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) reacts to dunking the ball during the first half against the Utah Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
The Shoo-ins
Much like the process of making the USA Basketball Men’s National Team, some players are guaranteed a spot based on reputation alone. In this case, the Lakers projected starting line up is safe: D’Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, Bryant, Julius Randle and Roy Hibbert.
Second Ballot
It’s safe to assume the Lakers wouldn’t trade or waive any of the players they either drafted in June or signed in free agency a month later. Larry Nance Jr., Brandon Bass and Lou Williams all qualify, and their addition to the projected roster brings the total of guarantees to eight.
Easy Picks
Looking at the Lakers roster, an area where the team could still improve is the small forward position, and the man formerly known as Ron Artest fits that criteria despite his age (35).
World Peace temporarily solves the problem of having an inexperienced rookie back up Bryant. Anthony Brown, the No. 34 pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, deserves a spot, but the Lakers need some security at that position. World Peace would also provide Randle with a much needed mentor who can instill some toughness.
Additionally, Huertas proved his worth overseas with FC Barcelona and is a true point guard who draws warranted comparisons to Minnesota Timberwolves playmaker Ricky Rubio.
| Season | Age | Club | League | G | MP | FGA | FG% | 3PA | 3P% | 2P% | FTA | FT% | ORB | TRB | AST | STL | TOV | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-13 | 29 | Barcelona Regal | Liga ACB | 34 | 740 | 12.0 | .433 | 4.9 | .410 | .449 | 3.0 | .871 | 0.6 | 3.8 | 6.1 | 1.5 | 2.3 | 15.0 |
| 2013-14 | 30 | FC Barcelona | Liga ACB | 33 | 715 | 11.2 | .486 | 4.3 | .360 | .566 | 1.7 | .971 | 0.9 | 3.4 | 7.2 | 1.0 | 2.6 | 14.1 |
| 2014-15 | 31 | FC Barcelona | Liga ACB | 34 | 741 | 10.3 | .479 | 4.4 | .333 | .585 | 1.5 | .871 | 0.9 | 3.6 | 7.5 | 1.1 | 3.3 | 12.7 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 9/11/2015.
Huertas will share the same type of relationship with Russell that Steve Nash and Clarkson developed as last season progressed. Huertas’ impact on Russell’s overall game will be more meaningful than anything Bryant could offer.
Russell and Huertas are not supreme athletes, but they can be wizards with the ball. They have the confidence to squeeze tight passes into gaps where others would not. The Huertas signing was a great move by the Lakers front office and will certainly help more than “Huer-tas.”
Next: The Tough Decisions
Feb 8, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Tarik Black (28) dunks the ball in front of Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) in the second quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
The Tough Decisions
Of the five remaining non-guaranteed contracts — Tarik Black, Brown, Holmes, Frazier and Jabari Brown — at least two of them should make the team.
With the Anthony Brown and Frazier signings, the Lakers hinted at moving toward the way the game is played today and finally embraced three-point shooters.
Both guys do similar things, but it seems more likely the organization will stick with their original draft pick over Frazier who went undrafted. They may try to stash him with their D-League affiliate.
The Incumbents
In a perfect world, the Lakers would find a way to somehow package Ryan Kelly, Robert Sacre and/or Nick Young and turn them into second round picks or other assets.
Kelly is a stretch four much like Ryan Anderson, which many teams prefer, but Kelly is nearly non-existent on the other end of the floor.
It’s possible Young could have a turn around the likes of J.R. Smith with Cleveland, but his production over the past few seasons has been at an all-time low.
| Season | Age | Tm | G | MP | FGA | FG% | 3PA | 3P% | 2P% | eFG% | FTA | FT% | ORB | TRB | AST | STL | BLK | TOV | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-13 | 27 | PHI | 59 | 23.9 | 9.2 | .413 | 3.6 | .357 | .449 | .482 | 2.2 | .820 | 0.4 | 2.2 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.8 | 10.6 |
| 2013-14 | 28 | LAL | 64 | 28.3 | 13.9 | .435 | 5.5 | .386 | .468 | .511 | 4.5 | .825 | 0.5 | 2.6 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 1.5 | 17.9 |
| 2014-15 | 29 | LAL | 42 | 23.8 | 11.3 | .366 | 5.4 | .369 | .363 | .453 | 3.5 | .892 | 0.4 | 2.3 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 13.4 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 9/11/2015.
That brings us to Sacre. Although he represents what a model teammate should be, Sacre has yet to show any improvement since entering the league.
With all of that in mind, the Lakers should buy out Kelly’s contact. It would make the most sense contractually. Sacre and his non-guaranteed deal should be waived. Lastly, Young either learns to become a team player, or he should get moved for picks at a later date.
Next: Who's Getting Cut?
Who’s Getting Cut?
While Black seems to have found his place on the Lakers roster after providing one of the only bright spots from the forward/center position last season, Black’s contract is non-guaranteed, and he could end up on the chopping block.
The Lakers pulling the trigger and signing Holmes was a pleasant surprise. He’s a work horse that rebounds on both ends of the floor and is never out hustled. That said, Holmes may be too similar to Nance Jr. and Black.
The battles these three will have in training camp will be fun to watch and should ultimately decide which of these two makes the roster.
Although the league is moving toward smaller lineups by the day, Holmes and Black would still be solid options even with a crowded power forward position.
The Lakers were log jammed at guard last year and face a similar problem with forwards this year. This could be proven more difficult with Upshaw in the picture.
The team only has one true center which makes the case for signing Upshaw that much more compelling.
Although it’s since been revealed Upshaw would not start as a rotation player, it seems obvious that stashing and developing him would yield more dividends than Kelly or Sacre could ever provide.
As I understand it, the Lakers hope to have Robert Upshaw in training camp, but he has some private personal steps he needs to achieve
— Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) August 30, 2015
Next: Projected Roster
Oct 30, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks small forward Metta World Peace (51) advances the ball during the third quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Madison Square Garden. Knicks won 90-83. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Ideal Opening Night Roster
The Lakers have made great progress by signing young, talented players that will help them transition into the post-Bryant era. This team makeover should serve well in luring free agents next season, but the organization must commit to these players in order for change to take place.
Here’s what the ideal Lakers roster will look like on Opening Night:
- Point Guard: D’Angelo Russell, Marcelo Huertas
- Shooting Guard: Jordan Clarkson, Lou Williams, Michael Frazier
- Small Forward: Kobe Bryant, Metta World Peace, Anthony Brown
- Power Forward: Julius Randle, Brandon Bass, Larry Nance Jr., Jonathan Holmes
- Center: Roy Hibbert, Tarik Black, Robert Upshaw
Here’s what it will probably end up looking like:
- PG: Russell, Huertas
- SG: Clarkson, Williams, Nick Young
- SF: Bryant, World Peace, Brown
- PF: Randle, Bass, Nance Jr., Ryan Kelly
- C: Hibbert, Black, Robert Sacre
Who would you like to see in Purple and Gold on opening night?
Let us know in the comments below.
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