The celebrations, riots and parade have ended but Lakers nation is aiming for an upgraded lineup for next season. They hold the 43rd and 58th picks in today's draft but those choices would eventually land on their farm team at the D-League. The real wheeling and dealing will be in the free agency market.
First on the agenda is coach Phil Jackson. Will he be returning as coach next season? If his daughter Chelsea is to be taken seriously, the Zen Master has probably coached his last game. Jackson has surpassed Red Auerbach's 9 NBA titles last year and with his 11th ring, he felt it's time to lead a quite life. What's wrong with a 12th ring anyway? Maybe a cut from his $12 million annual salary didn't sit well with him? Whatever, we will know of Jackson's decision next week.
Derek Fisher, Jordan Farmar, Shannon Brown, DJ Mbenga, Josh Powell and Adam Morrison will be free agents beginning July 1 and among them, Fisher has the biggest chance of being re-signed, mainly as part of the team's strong six counting Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Ron Artest and Andrew Bynum.
Farmar most likely won't be back. The 26th pick of the 2006 NBA Draft spent his entire career with the Lakers serving as back-up point guard. His role during practice sessions as starting point guards of opposing teams for the Lakers starting unit fueled his desire to seek more playing time. Though he had limited minutes, Farmar has been successful in his 4-year NBA career winning two titles.
Los Angeles needs help in the point guard position and maybe a little in the middle. They should keep the Big Six and then analyze who they will be willing to part ways with. There are point guards and power forwards in the market who could be potential Lakers and would be good fits in the team's system. They could be the final pieces to the dynasty-in-the-making.
Javaris Crittenton. Oh we know him well. The Wizards won't be renewing his contract with that stupid gun showdown with Gilbert Arenas. Critentton was originally drafted by Los Angeles in 2007 but was traded to Memphis for Gasol. He was in fact invited to join the Laker's summer league team.
Shaun Livingston is a 6-7 point guard who is very ideal for the triangle offense. The 2004 4th overall draft pick became expendable when the Wizards won the draft lottery and the rights to John Wall. Another Wizard worth considering is Mike Miller. A streak shooter with a 48% accuracy from beyond the arc, he could be a Laker if he agrees to a pay cut to play for a championship contender.
Portland's Steve Blake is another option. A defensive player who can play both guard position and has a more than decent success rate at the three point area. He can be a Kobe reliever thus giving the Laker prima dona ample rest periods.
The biggest possible name as far as big men are concerned to be in a Laker uniform could be Chris Bosh. He most likely will change allegiance than the other big-name free agents in LeBron James and Dwayne Wade. The question is will he settle for less money? It's only the Lakers who can offer the Raptors something of substance if a sign-and-trade deal is agreed. I have seen Bosh in the stands during the championship series or is was it someone who looks like him?
If Los Angeles drops Josh Powell or DJ Mbenga, Louis Amundson will be a perfect replacement. Forget about the stats. He brings instant energy every time he steps on the court. He irritates opponents with his determined effort and hustle. Read Anderson Varejao and Joachim Noah, with a lesser offensive punch. Any team for that matter can use him.
Of course, there's Shaquille O'Neal. But at this time, who needs him?
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I am in Kalibo as I write this. I always hop on the chance to visit my ancestry and bond with the few remaining seniors of our tribe. Of course, there's my niece Denise's son, Enzo, which make me a lolo, for crying out loud. They say he's a mini-me. Nice job, Jake and Denise.
E-mail me at bobbytoohotty@lycos.com