Divac to the Lakers?

[Dave64]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=stein_marc&id=1842289

If this is true, then anyone bites the dust. We better get Q because if we don't, then tying our own hands has really hurt us. I am not saying Divac was anything close to the answer for us, but it is very frustrating to see the Suns do nothing because they put all their cards on a RFA.

 

[George O'Brien]

All the article really says for sure is that he won't be staying in Sacramento. This is surprising, but apparently they are just not willing to get into luxury tax area this year.

If the Lakers are willing to throw their entire MLE into Divac, then I'm sure they'll get him. However, they may not be able to afford to do that if they also need to pick up a backup point guard.

 

[fordronken]

The Lakers are idiots and should stop trying to win this year. They won't win a title this even if Malone and Divac come. Kupchak has no clue what he's doing.

 

[George O'Brien]

The Lakers are idiots and should stop trying to win this year. They won't win a title this even if Malone and Divac come. Kupchak has no clue what he's doing.

Kupchak is not an owner, he is a GM for a franchise that has always been a winner. If the Lakers really suck this year, he is likely to be fired. Adding Divac would mean they could move Grant to PF where he belongs, move Odom to SF, and bring Butler off the bench. It would give them a team that should make the playoffs and help Kupchak keep his job.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Kupchak is not an owner, he is a GM for a franchise that has always been a winner. If the Lakers really suck this year, he is likely to be fired. Adding Divac would mean they could move Grant to PF where he belongs, move Odom to SF, and bring Butler off the bench. It would give them a team that should make the playoffs and help Kupchak keep his job.

that team should not only make the playoffs - but depending on how good Kobe actually is - independent of Shaq - could be a serious force in the West - Vlade allows them to actually be a relatively big team - 6'4, 6'6', 6'10, 6'9, 7'0 - even though Vlade's not what he once was - he's still got at least a year or two left in him and as a passer and outside shooter, could draw out either Duncan or Nesterovich - at least one of those guys would have to come out of the paint maiking it easier for Kobe to penetrate.

And fodronken - if the Lakers have the money - why the hell not make these moves - it's not like if they sign those guys to 1 or 2 year deals that they'll be cap-strapping themselves - hell they're already over the cap - and these will be uses of their exemptions. Why not do that? Personally - I hope they don't get Divac - to me - he makes that team better than us at this point simply because Odom and Grant will be able to play their respective positions instead of being undersized PFs and Cs.

 

[George O'Brien]

Actually the West will be wide open this season. I think the Spurs are the clear favorites, but I don't see them as being unbeatable. The Wolves are very good, but they have a lot over older guys who are vulnerable to injury. The Kings seem likely to lose Divac and Webber has injury issues.

There are a lot of teams that have improved over the offseason and only the Warriors and Sonics appear to be materially worse. Dallas is weaker, but still probably a playoff team. Of course, if the Clippers re-sign Q, they will return the same lineup that won 28 games, if not...

Otherwise, the rest of the teams look stronger: Utah, Denver, Memphis, and Phoenix are all stronger. The Rockets on paper are stronger and the West has added New Orleans. Portland made most of their moves late in last season, so it is reasonable that they will continue their surge next season.

In this context, the Lakers could easily be in the mix, but could just as easily fall out of the playoffs. It will be a very intensely competative year.

 

[easye]

Vlade Divac could potentially wreak havoc. While vlade has not been performing as well as in the past i think this is his year to break through. with the lakers line up he could very well dominate and potentiall be competing in the slam dunk competition if all goes well Vlade deserves a championship and now is crunch time for him to get his long deserved ring.