Lakers 2009/2010: 45-15 Comeback Against Nuggets

[m2k989]

Interesting note from the LA Times: To save money, the Lakers intend to carry 13 players (the league minimum next season). The Lakers had 14 players last season, and now hold the rights to Elonu. Let's break it down:

8 guys under contract for next season: Bryant, Gasol, Bynum, Fisher, Walton, Vujacic, Farmar, Morrison.

1 team option: Sun Yue

5 UFAs: Odom, Ariza, Shannon Brown, Powell, Mbenga

1 draftee: Elonu

Odom, Ariza and Brown are all priorities. If we assume they come back we're at 11. That would leave 5 guards, 5 forwards (including Gasol) and Bynum. For balance, I'd say you could take the option on Yue and then see if Elonu's good enough for the team, since he'd be cheaper than the others. Otherwise, bring Powell back. Mbenga will probably be around if there's an injury.

[jeraldyb01621]

I love the Lakers..Go Lakers!!!..Keep it up!..God Bless guys..

[Deftoner]

Wow, what a shocker. ESPN really went out on a limb here.

Updated: June 30, 2009, 6:21 PM ET

Sources: Kobe returning to Lakers

ESPN.com news services




It wasn't long ago that Kobe Bryant reportedly wanted out of Los Angeles. He's not going anywhere now.



Fresh off winning the championship, the Lakers guard decided not to exercise an early termination option in his contract and will return for the 2009-10 season, a league source told ESPN.com's Chad Ford.


Bryant is scheduled to make $23 million next season by not opting out. He also has a player option to opt out of his contract in the 2010-11 season. The Lakers will work with Bryant over the summer and fall to hammer out a new, long-term extension, according to the source.


After two straight first-round exits from the playoffs, Bryant requested a trade in the spring of 2007, saying that he didn't like the direction the team's rebuilding was going.


The Lakers then went out and traded for big man Pau Gasol. Los Angeles increased its win total from 42 games to 57 and went to the NBA Finals, eventually losing to the Boston Celtics. The Lakers bounced back with a 65-win season in 2008-09, made it back to the Finals and beat the Orlando Magic for the title. Bryant distinguished himself by winning his first championship without Shaquille O'Neal. The duo won three from 2000-02.

[m2k989]

Originally Posted by Deftoner

Wow, what a shocker. ESPN really went out on a limb here.

To be fair, Kobe could've exercised his ETO and negotiated a new deal with the Lakers now, which he chose not to do. Even though there was some small chance he'dve taken less money to help us bring back Odom and Ariza, I'm glad we can move past Kobe now and figure out those other guys.

[m2k989]

According to the salary numbers on Hoopshype, Powell and Mbenga are back and making identical salaries of $959,111 next year. An option on Yue has also been exercised. I seriously doubt Elonu wears a Laker uniform next year.

[Deftoner]

According to ESPN:

Trevor Ariza's short but sweet stay in Los Angeles might be coming to an end.



The 24-year-old swingman, who played a key role in the Lakers' run to their 15th NBA championship, is on the verge of leaving the club, sources close to the situation said on Wednesday.


With at least five teams pursuing Ariza, the Lakers are currently unwilling to pay him more than the $5.6 million mid-level exception.


"They're letting him go," one of the sources said.


Cleveland is making a hard push for Ariza, and the Cavaliers' coaching staff was speaking with him on Wednesday. While Cleveland can only offer the mid-level as well, Ariza's disappointment with the Lakers' stance has moved other suitors ahead of his current team.


The Rockets, Clippers, Raptors and Blazers are also showing interest in Ariza. Portland and Toronto could each offer more than the mid-level exception.


If the Lakers refuse to increase their offer, it's a clear indication that they are choosing their other big free agent forward, Lamar Odom, over the younger Ariza.


Ariza averaged 8.9 points and 4.3 rebounds in the regular season for the Lakers last season. He increased his scoring to 11.3 points and had 4.2 rebounds per game in the playoffs. He had 16 points and 15 points in the last two Lakers victories in the Finals.


Those numbers were a jump over his career averages of 6.9 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. Ariza has played for three teams in his five-year career.

Chris Broussard covers the NBA for ESPN The Magazine.

[_illapeeno]

Artest To Sign With Lakers

Ron Artest has told Ken Berger of CBSSports.com that he will sign with the Los Angeles Lakers. "I'm definitely going to L.A. -- to sign, yeah," Artest said in a phone interview. "Lakers, Lakers, Lakers. I'm in L.A. right now."
Artest said he met with Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss Thursday and previously had spoken with Lakers coach Phil Jackson. He was en route to his financial manager's office, where he planned to huddle on the phone with his agent, David Bauman, to finalize details.
The parameters of the deal still need to be agreed upon, however.
"I don't really care about the money," Artest said. "I'll play there for nothing. ... L.A. was very interested in me, and they got me."

Depending on how much Artest signs for either Ariza or Odom or both are gone.

[m2k989]

I can't imagine the Lakers offered Artest more than the MLE, and I don't think they even could, since they're over the cap and he's not our free agent. That means there's room for one more signing, which probably means Odom stays and Ariza walks. Overall I think Ariza was a better fit, but given the noises he's been making, it's hard to argue with the wisdom of signing Artest when given the chance. He's gonna have to understand his role on the team, but there's no reason he can't help us win another championship.

[_illapeeno]

Artest said he would play for nothing lol veterans minimum? I don't know why but the Artest signing could possible mean Kidd could come to LA and try and win a championship. There was a reason why Kidd didn't want to sign right away to see what the contenders would look like after the free agent period.

[_illapeeno]

Artest says he's leaving Rockets for LA




By Marc Stein
ESPN.com


Free-agent forward Ron Artest says he's leaving the Houston Rockets to join the Los Angeles Lakers.



In a text message to ESPN.com on Thursday night, Artest wrote: "I am happy to say I am goin' to L.A."
ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard reports that Artest and the Lakers have reached a verbal agreement on what is believed to be a three-year contract worth an estimated $18 million. Wednesday is the first day free agents are permitted to sign new deals.
Artest's decision was first reported by CBSSports.com. The mercurial swingman was initially courted by the Cleveland Cavaliers.
In his text message, Artest said that he met Thursday with Lakers owner Jerry Buss and had spoken to coach Phil Jackson about the move to Los Angeles, where Artest has been spending his offseasons.
Artest's forthcoming arrival strongly suggests that unrestricted free agent Trevor Ariza -- who played such a pivotal run in the Lakers' championship run -- is bound to leave the team. Broussard reported Wednesday that, according to sources with knowledge of the negotiations, Ariza was likely to leave the Lakers for a new team because L.A. was reluctant to sign him to a contract starting above the league's $5.6 million mid-level exception, even after Ariza's postseason success.
Ariza has been courted by numerous teams, including Cleveland, and met Thursday in Las Vegas with Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey to possibly swap spots with Artest.

6 Million isn't bad for Artest it's slightly above the MLE but not by much.

[m2k989]

I'm guessing the deal is backloaded and he's making the exact MLE next season. Since that's not going to be announced officially until July 8th anyway, I don't think they could have exact figures yet.

[_illapeeno]

After getting Artest I'd rather keep Odom than Ariza. Artest and Ariza are essentially similar on the offense neither can create for others but both are solid 3 point shooters when open and are good defenders. Odom can create off the dribble and cause more matchup problems for opposing teams. The Lakers got another enforcer in Artest, I don't think the Celtics can even intimidate these Lakers. Jackson is also the perfect coach for Artest he won't take crap from him and will know how to push his buttons. The man did coach Rodman.

[ACC Rulez]

Originally Posted by _illapeeno

6 Million isn't bad for Artest it's slightly above the MLE but not by much.

It's basically the MLE for 3 years with raises.

The Lakers are WAY OVER the cap, they can only offer the MLE, except on a sign and trade.

[ACC Rulez]

Originally Posted by m2k989

I'm guessing the deal is backloaded and he's making the exact MLE next season. Since that's not going to be announced officially until July 8th anyway, I don't think they could have exact figures yet.

You cannot backload deals...do you know how many superstars the big teams would have?

Let's say the MLE is 5.5, you are allowed 10% raises each year

Year 1 - 5.5 Mil
Year 2 - 6.05 Mil (5.5 + .55)
Year 3 - 6.66 Mil (6.05 + .605)
--------------------
Equals - 18.2 Mil

like you said, final number cannot be calculated until the MLE (as well as the other numbers Sal Cap/Lux Tax) are released on july 8th.

[Deftoner]

Originally Posted by ACC Rulez

You cannot backload deals...do you know how many superstars the big teams would have?

Let's say the MLE is 5.5, you are allowed 10% raises each year

Year 1 - 5.5 Mil
Year 2 - 6.05 Mil (5.5 + .55)
Year 3 - 6.66 Mil (6.05 + .605)
--------------------
Equals - 18.2 Mil

like you said, final number cannot be calculated until the MLE (as well as the other numbers Sal Cap/Lux Tax) are released on july 8th.

LA Times says:

Artest will likely want the full mid-level exception from the Lakers, which will work out to five years and about $32 million. (The NBA will soon announce the actual cost of a mid-level contract for next season.)

[kobethebestlaker]

I was thinking at first I would rather have Ariza, but fuck it now that Ariza all of a sudden overpriced himself. Artest is a proven product, Ariza had one good year and may have caught "Vujacic" fever.

[_illapeeno]

Originally Posted by kobethebestlaker

I was thinking at first I would rather have Ariza, but fuck it now that Ariza all of a sudden overpriced himself. Artest is a proven product, Ariza had one good year and may have caught "Vujacic" fever.

Or the "Turiaf" pay day. Ariza was a key part to the championship but if anybody is going to pay him 10 million a year good luck to him and he'd be stupid not to take the money.

[_illapeeno]

Ariza verbally commits to Houston


Trevor Ariza has made a verbal commitment to sign with the Houston Rockets, according to sources close to the process.
The 6-foot-8 Ariza averaged 8.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists for the Lakers last season, which ended with the NBA championship.
With at least five teams pursuing Ariza, the Lakers appeared unwilling to pay him more than the $5.6 million mid-level exception.
Marc Stein is a senior NBA writer for ESPN.com.

Now all the attention can be focused on resigning Odom.

[m2k989]

Originally Posted by ACC Rulez

You cannot backload deals...do you know how many superstars the big teams would have?

Let's say the MLE is 5.5, you are allowed 10% raises each year

Year 1 - 5.5 Mil
Year 2 - 6.05 Mil (5.5 + .55)
Year 3 - 6.66 Mil (6.05 + .605)
--------------------
Equals - 18.2 Mil

like you said, final number cannot be calculated until the MLE (as well as the other numbers Sal Cap/Lux Tax) are released on july 8th.

My bad, that's actually what I meant by backload. I hadn't realized there's a percentage that applies. Good to know.

[trainwreck]

Nice. Hope we can bring back Brown with Odom too. Need a point guard. Fisher getting old and losing it. Farmar does not fit triangle at all.