Jeffrey Arnold of the Oregonian: GP won't be back in LA!

[Yuma]

This isn't that big a prediction or scoop, but Jeffrey Arnold of The Oregonian, says Laker insiders have told them that no matter what happens in the playoffs this year, Gary Payton will not be back with the Lakers next year. The Lakers apparently aren't interested in resigning The Mitten!

What I think may be a possible scenario for the Lakers, is if they lose Kobe, or even if they don't, I wouldn't be surprised to see Steve Nash end up on the Laker roster. I bet he would give Shaq the damn ball!

 

[Chaplin]

This isn't that big a prediction or scoop, but Jeffrey Arnold of The Oregonian, says Laker insiders have told them that no matter what happens in the playoffs this year, Gary Payton will not be back with the Lakers next year. The Lakers apparently aren't interested in resigning The Mitten!

What I think may be a possible scenario for the Lakers, is if they lose Kobe, or even if they don't, I wouldn't be surprised to see Steve Nash end up on the Laker roster. I bet he would give Shaq the damn ball!

A couple things wrong here.

1) Gary Payton I thought had a 2-year deal, not a 1-year. What would happen is Payton would have to opt out, I believe. Maybe someone can confirm that.

2) ESPECIALLY if they keep Kobe, they won't be able to afford Nash at all. Possibly if they let him walk, but definitely if they either keep him or trade him, there's no way they'll afford Steve Nash.

 

[Yuma]

A couple things wrong here.

1) Gary Payton I thought had a 2-year deal, not a 1-year. What would happen is Payton would have to opt out, I believe. Maybe someone can confirm that.

Like I said, I am just reporting what was said to a reporter. There must be an option on the final year if this is true.

2) ESPECIALLY if they keep Kobe, they won't be able to afford Nash at all. Possibly if they let him walk, but definitely if they either keep him or trade him, there's no way they'll afford Steve Nash.

Well, GP and Malone took less to play for LA to get a ring, so why is it impossible for Nash to do the same? In theory there was NO WAY the Lakers could get a Gary Payton and Karl Malone this year under the cap!! What this year's signings by the Lakers showed, is there is never an absolute no way on any player in the NBA! If GP, as reported is gone, and Malone only signed for a year, plus I believe other FAs are coming up on the Lakers, they will have some cap space this year. Probably not as much as the Mavs, or Phoenix, but if LA wins the title again this year, you have to factor in the Championship factor into the equation as to settling for less salary. Plus Nash signing in LA opens him up to a lot more off court money!!

 

[elindholm]

There's no realistic way the Lakers could get under the cap unless they lose (or renounce) Bryant. The most they could offer Nash is the MLE. I agree that he might conceivably play for that to try to get a ring, but it's much more likely that he'll stay with Dallas.

And, as Chaplin said, Payton's second year is a player option.

 

[George O'Brien]

The Lakers could offer Nash a six year deal starting at the MLE for about $40 million over six years.