July 11th, 2013
Are the Lakers bringing back their championship roster from a couple of years ago? Well, maybe not entirely, but it’s looking more and more like it. The Lake Show signed guard Nick Young to a one year deal for the veterans minimum deal today. Earlier in the week, they also reach agreements with former Laker guard Jordan Farmar, and center Chris Kaman on veterans minimum deals as well.
The Lakers have about as much money to spend in free agency as Frank McCourt had to spend on the Dodgers. However, Mitch Kupchak has been resourceful. Young is a former USC Trojan, and has been in the league for 5 years with career averages of 11.3 ppg and 37% three point shooting. Kaman is a former Clipper, and averaged 10 points and 5 rebounds in 66 games for the Mavericks last year. Meanwhile, Farmar played in the Turkish League last season, and LA spent $500,000 to buy him out of his contract. Last time he played in the NBA in 2011-2012, he averaged 10.4 points per game on 46% shooting.
By adding the former UCLA Bruin Farmar, and potentially Lamar Odom, the Lakers would be bringing back two key members of their rotation from the 2009 and 2010 championship teams. The Lakers roster lacks youth, athleticism, shooting, chemistry, and coaching. That’s a lot of missing pieces to make up with the limited resources LA has. Farmar and Young may not be elite NBA players, but they are serviceable role players that improve the Lakers shooting, youth, athleticism, and come at a bargain.
As for chemistry, even though Lamar Odom came into camp fatter than Miss Piggy last season, he could very well be motivated to get back into a shape and have a solid year with a team he’s comfortable with in the Lakers. Frankly, I’m not even sure what he’s waiting for. It’s obvious that Khloe will not allow Lamar to leave LA, nor does he have any desire to. Both the Clippers and the Lakers are offering $1.3 million salaries for one year, however, the Lakers can offer Odom a chance to start, whereas, Odom will be a towel boy with the Clippers.
There’s something to be said for having chemistry, which the Lakers had none of last year. But bringing back Odom and Farmar to a group with Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol will fit together more perfectly than a Kate Upton Bikini. I would even take it a step further if I were the Lakers, and trade Steve Blake and Jordan Hill to the Wizards for Trevor Ariza, which would further enhance the Lakers chemistry and athleticism.
Unfortunately, there’s no immediate solution to the teams coaching problem. Well, other than hiring that Phil Jackson guy.