Off-Season Game Plan: Lakers
The return of Phil Jackson made the Lakers relevant again and, though there were a few bumps in the road this year, they are in position to make further progress next season.
Jackson, of course, has to deal with a strange team dynamic in which Kobe Bryant dominates everything at all times, and then can go curiously silent in the second half of an elimination playoff game. Massaging Kobe's ego and trying to fit it into something resembling a team concept is why Jackson gets an eight-figure salary and a reputation as the Zen Master; it's not an easy job.
At the same time, teams would be lined up to have a talent like Kobe. He's among the elite players in the game and can take over games. If the Lakers are going to have success, it's going to have to come with Kobe as an integral component.
What the Lakers need is an interior presence to help ease the load on Bryant. (Hmm, didn't they have one of those before?) While Lamar Odom is versatile and talented, he doesn't command double-teams or dominate in the paint and he can get ignored offensively, so there is some reason to think that he might be better off somewhere else.
With Odom as the bait, the Lakers could go shopping for some of the premier big men in the league. Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal, for instance, would provide that low-post presence and a package of Odom and Chris Mihm or even Andrew Bynum could get discussions moving in the right direction.
Barring that kind of blockbuster move, the Lakers have an adequate lineup. Kwame Brown showed, late in the season, that he might be coming around (averaging 9.3 points and 7.4 rebounds after the All-Star break). While he's no star, Brown does have the size and skill to be an effective complementary player, and his development does make it easier for the Lakers to deal one of their other big men, whether it's Mihm or Bynum.
The forward spots are held down by Odom and Luke Walton. Odom is a little lean to play the four, particularly in the halfcourt defense, but in an up-tempo game he fits well at the position. Walton doesn't put up big numbers, but he's a facilitator -- a guy that just helps the offense run smoothly -- with his court sense and passing. Bringing in a veteran small forward would be helpful since there isn't much depth on the wings and there are times when a more athletic option than Walton would be helpful in the match-up game.
Needing the biggest upgrade on the Lakers roster, though, is the point guard spot. Even though the traditional point guard doesn't play a huge role in Jackson's triangle offense, that's no reason for the Lakers to be shooting for an NBA title with Smush Parker running the point.
With their late first-round draft position, the Lakers can address the point guard spot. If a tough defender like Villanova's Kyle Lowry was still on the board, that could be an ideal fit. A free agent like Speedy Claxton, or even Marcus Banks or Jeff McInnis, could also have some appeal.
So, the Lakers have a decent team and can go into next season as a decent team, fighting for a playoff spot, or they can get proactive and make a blockbuster deal this summer, finding the right NBA star who is willing to be Kobe's number two guy, and possibly contend with the best in the Western Conference. When the summer ends, you'll know which way the team is headed.
GM/COACH
Mitch Kupchak/Phil Jackson
CENTERS
Returning: Kwame Brown, Chris Mihm, Andrew Bynum. Free Agents: None
FORWARDS
Returning: Lamar Odom, Luke Walton, Brian Cook, Ronny Turiaf. Free Agents: Devean George (UFA), Jim Jackson (UFA)
GUARDS
Returning: Smush Parker, Kobe Bryant, Sasha Vujacic, Aaron McKie, Von Wafer. Free Agents: Devin Green (RFA)
DRAFT
26th - Jordan Farmar, Kyle Lowry, Mardy Collins, Quincy Douby, Hassan Adams
51st
FREE AGENCY
Payroll: $67M
TRADE MARKET
Mihm (one year, $4.2M), Odom (three years, $40.5M), Bynum (one year, $2M)
