24 Mar 2017 23:14:05
I think the Lakers are in a position to land at least 1 superstar free agent in the next 4 years. Our franchise has accumulated talent on rookie scale contracts and have started to take the right steps towards a installing a new culture. The Lakers sell more jerseys around the world than all other 29 teams combined. I'm hoping we can land at least 1 of the following via free agency: Blake Griffin in 2017, Paul George or Demarcus Cousins in 2018, Russell Westbrook in 2019, Anthony Davis in 2020.

If we keep our top 3 draft pick, we should either get Markelle Fultz, Lonzo Ball, or Josh Jackson, or trade it in a package with Mozgov. Based on our current standings, it's likely we will have the 2nd pick and Lonzo Ball will still be on the board.

Lakers lineup heading into this upcoming free agency would be:
Ball - Clarkson - Nwaba
Russell - Brewer
Ingram - Deng
Randle - Nance Jr.
Zubac - Mozgov

It's pretty obvious that the Mozgov and Deng's contracts are the most important obstacles to overcome to land a pair of superstars. Young talent will have to be attached to any trade that allows us to shed their contracts. I understand that trading both are wishful thinking, but for the purpose of the post I'll try to post a reasonable trade for both players. (Please post your additional potential trade packages in the comments)

Trade Clarkson, Houston's 27th pick, and a 2nd rounder to the 76ers for their 1st rounder this year. I know many people will argue to offer Russell instead, but this would clear up Clarkson's $12 million salary cap hit and I think Russell can pair very well with Lonzo Ball. 76ers currently have the 5th worst record, which could give us a top 5 pick to pair with Mozgov to anyone willing to take on the salary.

The next nearly impossible to move contract is Deng's. The only plausible trade I can think of would be a reunion with Tom Thibodeau. Trade Deng & Randle for Pekovic. The Timberwolves have one of the lowest salary caps in the league and could easily take on Deng's $17 million to replace Pekovic's $12 million to form the league's most dangerous young starting 5 in a LONG time with Rubio (or Dunn), Lavine, Wiggins, Randle, and Towns. The Lakers lose Randle in a salary dump trade that frees up about $22 million off the salary cap.

This gives us a depth chart going into 2017 Free Agency of:
Lonzo Ball
D'Angelo Russell - David Nwaba
Brandon Ingram - Corey Brewer
Larry Nance Jr.
Ivica Zubac

Those players' contracts combined total $27,553,706. With the salary cap expected to be about $103 million, we would have $70,552,604 to spend after accounting for $815,615 per open roster spot up to 13 players. The expected max contract offers for players with 6 years or less of experience is $25.8 million, $30.1 million for those with 7-9 years, and $36.1 million for those with 10+ years.

Please post comments on how you think the Lakers should utilize the potential $70.5 million in cap space this summer.I'd personally love to see Blake Griffin and Paul George become our next superstar tandem. A starting lineup of Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Paul George, Blake Griffin, and Nerlens Noel with D'Angelo Russell, Ivica Zubac, and Larry Nance Jr. off the bench could become a championship contender within 2-3 years.

1.) 25 Mar 2017
25 Mar 2017 00:22:58
Lakers don't have $70 in cap space. They have $25M now, $6M more if they decline Black's contract and $5.5M more when Nick Young declines his option. Roughly $35M in cap space when all said and done. The Lakers are in good position cap wise to hold onto Deng and Mozgov cause chances are no top free agent is signing here this summer. Trading Deng and Randle for Pekovic makes zero sense. Why trade Clarkson for #5 pick then dump it with Mozgov? Lakers aren't going to spend the saving this summer anyway.

2.) 25 Mar 2017
25 Mar 2017 06:56:54
No point in dumping the salaries. No top free agent wants to sign with the second worst team. I believe our best bet is not to spend this summer and play the young guys next year. Give the experience and I think next summer we will have a better chance to trade Mozgov and Deng. ( hopefully they have better seasons, plus they will only have 2 years left not 3. Also I think Cousins, Westbrook and George will be free agents and I think they are our most likely chance.
Also I wouldn't trade for Pec to save $5 mil. And lose Randle too.

3.) 25 Mar 2017
25 Mar 2017 12:59:56
Citydude and Toolguy, I completely understand that it is more likely than not that we won't be able to sign an all star talent in free agency this summer. With that being said, the post was regarding how to expedite the rebuild process by increasing the chances of signing an all star via clearing cap space to allow multiple all star level talents join forces in the best basketball market in the world, all while keeping the majority of our young core together. I agree that Deng and Mozgov will be easier to trade after next season, but once again this post is related to expediting the rebuild process starting this offseason.

Citydude, the post clearly states how the Lakers could have $70 million to spend in free agency after the 2 trades listed. The main reasons behind including Randle is the position of need for the Timberwolves, if Blake Griffin is signed Randles value will immediately diminish, and he will be the next one of our young core to sign a huge contract after next season. Pekovic is retiring before the start of next season, allowing us to clear $22 million for next season and significantly more for years to come. Clarkson is traded away with Mozgov because in this scenario we would have already drafted Lonzo Ball, therefore we would be trading away 2 bench players to clear up $85.5 million in salary over the next 3 years which is about as good as it gets in a salary dump trade.

Toolguy, I agree that our best bet would be trading Mozgov and Deng after another year of development for our young core, but once again the post is regarding an expedited rebuild starting this offseason. Pekovic plans to retire before next season starts so the trade would immediately save us $22 million not $5 million, not to mention the 3 remaining years on Deng's contract, and we wouldn't have to give Randle a big contract extension after next season. I personally believe that George, Westbrook, and Cousins are our best bet for signing all star free agents, although there has been a lot of reports as of the past few days stating Blake Griffin could be poised to join the Lakers if the Clippers team gets blown up after another early playoff exit. I think the possibility of Chris Paul being recruited back to where he started in New Orleans to join Anthony Davis and Demarcus Cousins would increase those chances.

Thank you for the feedback. Please let me know if I didn't answer something clear enough.

4.) 25 Mar 2017
25 Mar 2017 15:05:38
I understand what your saying but I wouldn't give up Clarkson and Randle just to dump Mozgov's and Deng's salaries without getting an allstar player in return for each of them. Randle and Clarkson are good players developing fine. Your wanting to unload them to get Griffin? Griffin isn't going to make the Lakers into champions. Maybe a one and done in the playoffs but Lakers fans are wanting more than that. Yes Griffin is an allstar player that can provide better defense than Randle but can you see Griffin playing the same way without CP3? I don't. Griffin will not come cheap either. I agree with you to sign Paul George but I am not seeing George and Griffin + Noel good enough to compete for a championship.

5.) 25 Mar 2017
25 Mar 2017 19:40:15
I just don't see the point to jump the gun. Yes one more season of losing will suck but waiting one more year we are more likely to land one of those 3 players. And I also would trade our young core until we sign someone. How far back would that set us if we did the trades and no all star players signed with us? Are you ready for a decade more of losing?

6.) 25 Mar 2017
25 Mar 2017 19:52:14
City dude: you think Randle and Clarkson are worth all star players? They are not. Russell, Ingram, the pick will get you all star players on a good day. Clarkson and Randle are pieces you add to the main package. AND Griffin was playing well without Chris Paul. I watched Clippers games when they were a non playoff team and Blake was playing well. When Paul was injured a couple of years ago, people were saying Blake for MVP. So your statement discrediting Blake is not entirely true. He would help tremendously and a playoff team is better than a lottery bound team. But by your logic, it appears you rather be a lottery team or championship team, than a playoff team. There has to be an in between. Please take a look at the Warriors prior to their championship run: they were a lotto team, added pieces, became a playoff team, now are contenders year in and out. OKC w/ Durant, same thing. Rebuild to playoffs to contenders at one point. I don't see Blake as a possibility but I won't pretend he isn't going to help as you are insinuating.

7.) 26 Mar 2017
25 Mar 2017 22:22:09
All 3 of you have valid opinions and I appreciate the constructive conversation, because we all want the same thing which is the Lakers to be contending for championships.

Citydude, you are absolutely correct that Blake Griffin alone won't turn us into champions. But the one thing you didn't consider is that Allstars want to play with proven Allstars. Signing Blake could be the difference in signing Paul George the following summer. I know free agency is always a gamble, but consider this: Would you trade Clarkson and Randle for Blake Griffin (keep in mind we'd still have D-lo and Lonzo Ball) if he agreed to sign an extension? If you aren't guarenteed you wouldn't, then remember my trades would also get rid of Deng and Mozgov without taking on any salary in exchange and it almost becomes a no brainer (I know signing Griffin is no sure thing) . Paul George, Blake Griffin, and Nerlens Noel could be the league's best front court (in 2 years after signing George) paired with potentitally the league's future most up and coming young back court of Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram with possibly future 6th man of the year D'Angelo Russell (Larry Nance Jr. and Ivica Zubac would be helping him on the bench) could be in the Western Conference Finals every season.

Toolguy, I agree that trading Clarkson and Randle to free cap space in attempt to sign allstars is a risk, but teams don't win championships without taking risks. I think Blake Griffin would be more interested in signing due to all of the possibilities with the Lakers' cap space rather than playing with Clarkson, Randle, Mozgov and Deng. I understand waiting a year to develop our young core, but remember we don't have our draft pick next year and Randle would be a restricted free agent, so this summer is actually the most ideal to make big strides if possible.

GMdeNBA, you are completely correct. BLake Griffin is a stud and has been consistently ranked the second best PF in the league (behind Anthony Davis) and has recently entered his prime. He dominated without Chris Paul (who people need to remember turns 32 before the end of the regular season) . LeBron left an aging Wade and Bosh after going to the finals 4 straight years to join a team in a city he's comfortable in, had the most cap space in the league, and was full of 5 different top 4 picks (including 3 first picks, most notably Irving) . Why wouldn't Blake Griffin do something slightly similar if he's never made it out of the second round, the Lakers (in this scenario) would have three intriguing 2nd picks in Russell, Ingram, and Ball (Larry Nance Jr. and Ivica Zubac is a good start on the bench), wouldn't even have to move or change his lifestyle, and could recruit another Allstar to join him at the same time and in the upcoming future?

8.) 26 Mar 2017
25 Mar 2017 22:35:38
GM: Quick fixes don't work. Lakers tried it before and got bounced out of the first round. The Lakers need to develop and I find it funny you bright up the Warriors. When Stephen Curry came to the team the Warriors didn't make the playoffs for 3 seasons. We are in year 2 of the Russell and Randle era. Yes Blake Griffin is a good player but Magic Johnson isn't here to build a one and done team he is here to build a championship team. Blake Griffin would improve the team however if a team of Griffin, Paul and Jordan with Redick can't make it out of the first round how in the world do you think adding Griffin will improve the Lakers odds? I don't see it sorry. I am not rooting for the Lakers to be in the lottery at all. I show patience cause I know what happens if you have none it just gets you out of the first round or just missing the playoffs. Look at a Paul George lead Pacers team. Barely in the playoffs, Look at a Bulls team with Butler, Wade and Rondo. Not in the playoffs. Look at Carmelo Anthony with the Knicks. Not in the playoffs and lost to more under .350 teams than anybody.

9.) 26 Mar 2017
26 Mar 2017 08:34:25
griffin should really be the priority this off season and we should really see if a trade for pg13 could take place aswell because he will be traded, the pacers won't let him be a FA so we should trade for him but still somehow have this first five LONZO RUSSELL GEORGE GRIFFIN ZUBAC.

10.) 26 Mar 2017
26 Mar 2017 18:19:55
Eglago: I won't get my hopes up for Blake. I would love for him to come to LA. I've been watching him since his OK days and to LAC. I say if the Lakers can get him, they should take that opportunity. Good comparison with Lebron and CLE but I would see that more of Lebron going home to his team that just so happened to be rebuilding. If Blake were to do something similar, I'd keep an eye out for him joining Westbrook.

11.) 27 Mar 2017
27 Mar 2017 00:04:33
GMdeNBA, I had the exact same thought on Griffin until I read Bleacher Report's Kevin Ding's interesting article (link posted at the bottom) regarding his chances of going to the Lakers. LeBron used the going home storyline to further his legacy, but it's mostly bull.

He's the smartest player in the NBA, in reality he left for a basketball team with a better future and more assets. He knew his time in Miami had a shelf life and when he went to Cleveland he immediately created the team he wanted to retire with (trading Wiggins and Bennet for Kevin Love and Dion Waiters for J. R Smith and Iman Shumpert) . As for Blake Griffin joining OKC, here's what Kevin Ding's report mentioned:

"The most intriguing fit might be if he were to go home to Oklahoma to join Russell Westbrook and the Thunder, but his interests in the entertainment industry make staying in Los Angeles a priority. "

goo.gl/sVnlLm

12.) 27 Mar 2017
27 Mar 2017 01:07:10
Sorry but I'm not going to risk trading them this off season. Eglago It's funny you brought up the Warriors. Let's see the drafted Curry, Thompson, Green, Barns and I think the drafted Ellis. Yes they traded him but got something worth wild in return. You are reading them for nothing except cap space. I'm ok with trading them if we get someone good back not just to get cap space. The last couple of years we have had cap space and what did that get us? Our "biggest" signing were Deng and Mozgov. If the Lakers do what you suggest and get nobody, fans would be calling for heads to roll.

13.) 27 Mar 2017
27 Mar 2017 02:23:24
Toolguy, I never once mentioned the Warriors. I think you're referring to GMdeNBA, but regardless you're forgetting that they had to tank to save their top 7 draft pick to get Harrison Barnes, signed Curry for cheap due to constant ankle injuries, traded Ellis for a defensive center in Bogut who was on a cheaper salary, signed an all star in Iguodala and used the extra cap space to fill out their bench. They didn't need to clear cap space, because they didn't have any bad contracts so you can't compare the situations. We don't have our draft pick next year, so being bad has only negative effects. We can still develop the main members of our young core whike competing for a playoff spot. Paul George is more likely to join a young team fighting for a playoff spot with cap space than a cap strapped one (for the next 3 years) who's a bottom 5 team in the league.

14.) 28 Mar 2017
28 Mar 2017 06:48:02
I understand your point. I know this is not going to be popular but what I am suggesting is to run with the young core and try to add to them I know it won't be as quick but it is not as risky. My point was that the Warriors got most of the key guys by drafting. Then added around them. I could be wrong but I believe we will still have room to add a max free agent. How are we strapped for 3 years? Next year we are at about $81m cap is around $100m I believe. But the year after we are at $48m. We can sign at least one max possibility 2 depending on years in the league. Now I don't know when the bird rights kick but I think we can go over the salary cap to resign Randle. Then we would also have the 2019 first, so we could get rid of Deng or Mozgov and the 1st in a salary dump. Then we would still have Russell, Randle, Clarkson, Ingram, Zubac and this years pick and any free agent we got. This is assuming we draft Ball and get George next year.
Ball/ Clarkson/ Ennis
Russell / Nwaba
George/ Ingram
Randle/ Nance/ Robinson
Zubac/ Mozgov/ Black
Plus we still have the Houston pick. Either another point or a sf. Then we would have Ingram, Clarkson, Russell that can play different positions. Yes they will have to learn to play better defense. But with the open spots get some defensive minded players.
Like I said I know this won't be popular but to me it's a safer route as we have been burned to much by free agents. Not to mention not even getting meetings with some. So I see getting a top free agent as doubtful but I hope I am wrong.

15.) 28 Mar 2017
28 Mar 2017 21:10:20
I think that you're plan is the most realistic and is by far the safest route in a rebuild. What I meant by cap strapped is that we are using over $46 million each season on only 3 bench players. The only thing that would mess up your slow rebuild plan is if we don't get Paul George next summer. If that's the case then we essentially just wasted a year (minus player development), due to not having a draft pick and we're back to where we are now buy our young guys have 1 less year on their rookie contract and Randle gets an extension. You are correct that we can go over the cap to sign Randle as a restricted free agent, but keeping him limits our chances to give out max contracts to 2017 and 2018 summer. If we can get Paul George in 2017 and Cousins in 2018 then this would definitely be the best way to go. But if we don't get Paul George in 2017 because we aren't competitive (he's consistently stated he just wants to win), then 2018 is our only chance to sign all Stars until Deng, Mozgov, and Clarkson's contracts end in 2020. It all comes down to signing Paul George next summer, but I'd love to see a powerhouse lineup of:
Ball - Clarkson
Ingram - Russell
George - Deng
Randle - Nance Jr
Cousins - Zubac.