This Summer

[The Artesticle]

This team has issues, we overcame them last year to win the championship, I don't know if we can do it again.

 

I don't care what happens this year, win or lose, this roster needs to be shaken up.

 

Everyone knows this by now, except maybe Phil and the management, but it's obvious that this offseason we must get a point guard, or two. Erek "no D" Fisher is done. Farmar is a piece of [expletive]. Shannon is not a point guard, period. We have the worst point guard rotation in the entire league.

 

Getting another swingman who can play basketball would help as well. Kobe and Ron do their jobs, we have nobody else off the bench who can perform consistently. Shannon has been pretty ho-hum this year, I like him, but wouldn't lose any sleep if he goes elsewhere. Luke Walton would be good have right now, except he's never healthy. We need another SF.

 

We have nearly 15 million coming off the books in the summer (Fish, Morrison, Farmar), plus Sasha's expiring contract, so we gotta be active and make some moves, unlike this year.

 

- get a starting PG

 

- get a backup PG (Fish may take this role, I don't really mind as long as we get our starter)

 

- get a backup SF/SG

[The Regime]

Getting a pg is the biggest priority this offseason without a doubt. A couple options include Chris Duhon, Luke Ridnour, and Raymond Felton. Felton is a legit starter and Luke also has some experience as a starter so either guy would suffice. Realistically we probably wont get Felton but there is always a chance.

 

I like Shannon as a backup sg, but I think we do need another sf. A couple free agents are Tracy McGrady (a good situation for T Mac and the Lakers) or Ronnie Brewer. T Mac has already expressed interest in playing for the Lakers, it really would come down his willingness to come off the bench. I really love Brewer, our bench could use a good defender like him. Either guy would satisfy me.

[Real Deal]

1) Do everything possible to get a defensive-minded point that can knock down shots. Kirk Hinrich. He's the one. Wade is going to Chicago, Hinrich is coming here. Perfect world.

 

2) Trade Sasha Vujacic. Doesn't matter for what or for who. If we get rid of him, Buss will be more inclined to take on Hinrich's contract (or someone else making $5-10 million a year).

 

3) Bench Bynum, if we don't trade him. Bring him off the bench with Derek Fisher, Luke Walton, Shannon Brown and Josh Powell in the second unit. Give Bynum the ball, and let him go to work.

 

4) Teach Bynum how to pass out of the post.

 

5) Make sure you get the defensive-minded point guard that can shoot the open jumpers.

[The Artesticle]

Getting a pg is the biggest priority this offseason without a doubt. A couple options include Chris Duhon, Luke Ridnour, and Raymond Felton. Felton is a legit starter and Luke also has some experience as a starter so either guy would suffice. Realistically we probably wont get Felton but there is always a chance.

 

Chris Duhon is terrible, I don't want him. He's shooting 34% from the field this year, and 32% from threes. He's shooting even worse than Fisher and Farmar, who seem to clank shots routinely. Defensively, he'd be an obvious upgrade, but who wouldn't. I know Duhon has a reputation of being a solid defender, but he's overrated in that aspect. I remember seeing a stat somewhere when he was starting, him and Fish were amongst the league leaders in worst output for a starter.

 

I wouldn't mind splitting the MLE, getting someone like Steve Blake. He can run the offense, hit shots when left open (we need someone to do that besides Kobe), and is an upgrade defensively. Someone like Blake wouldn't cost too much, so it would make sense financially. Felton would be awesome, but his price tag may be too high. I like Ridnour, he'd fit well besides Kobe/Gasol and he'd be able to knock down shots. He's not at the top of the list, but I would welcome him.

 

As for Fish, if Phil is returning, that pretty much guarantees him a roster spot and playing time. I could live with Fish getting minutes as a backup if it means having a starter who can actually contribute and help this team.

 

Getting an actual point guard on this team would do WONDERS for us. Instead of playing 4 on 5 all the time, we can actually matchup and play 5 on 5.