Lakers are tanking

[LarBrd33]

The Lakers are clearly tanking.  How do you feel about that?

They currently have a Top 10 pick with a 13-18 record.  That will get even higher as they continue to tank.  They are 5 games out of the playoffs.   Kobe is out for 5 weeks, but I bet they shut him down for the season.   Now comes word that the Lakers offered Gasol for Bynum (who they would cut to save some cash).   This is a team who is mailing in the season.

But man... heading forward they will be in an interesting position.  Whether they trade Gasol or not, he comes off the books at the end of the year.  That leaves the Lakers with enough cap room to sign a max contract player next to Kobe.  ALl they have on the books next year is Kobe and Steve Nash. if Nash retires, they're looking at possibly having enough cap space to sign two big free agents next to Kobe.   Rumor has it that Melo is interested in fleeing NYC for La-La land.   And what if the Lakers land one of the 7 studs in this draft?  It's looking more and more like that will happen.   They could bounce back from this quickly.

[LarBrd33]

Calling it now...

Kobe sits out the season.

Lakers tank to a top 8 pick. 

They let Gasol walk.  Lakers sign LeBron with their cap space.

Lakers trade Top 8 Pick + Nash's expiring + a couple filler deals for Kevin Love.  Love is a life-long Laker fan.  Born and raised.  His family is the Beach Boys... and Minny wants no part of a sitting duck season where Love can flee (free agent in 2015).   Top 8 pick and an expiring contract gets it done.

LeBron, Kobe and Love win 3 titles in a row.

Hell freezes over.

[barefacedmonk]

I have a hard time believing Kobe will sit out the season. He will play as soon as he can...no one in that organization can stop him from doing so. He just has that mentality.

When was the last time Lakers actually made a clear attempt to tank?

[Kane3387]

Lol I think they will get one of the top 7 guys. I really do. That's how their fortune works. I don't think they get Lebron. Melo? I don't know but I don't think he matters too much. He and Kobe won't have enough shots and he's about to exit his prime anyways. He's overrated as a franchise guy.

[barefacedmonk]

Lol I think they will get one of the top 7 guys. I really do. That's how their fortune works.

Grrrr....curses!!

[freshinthehouse]

I would bet every dollar I have that Kobe will be back.  He is not going to sit out.  That isn't his style.

[LakersFan_33]

You guys don't have to worry - We're not doing anything for a long time, as long as Jim Buss is in charge, and Mike D'Antoni is the coach.

When we had our swag with Jerry Buss and Mitch, and before that, Jerry West, there was no need to tank, because they would just trade for, or sign outright, the best free agents. Now, no one respects Jim Buss...They DO respect Kupchak, but he has to follow Jim Buss's incompetent orders.

I doubt we get more than an average player in the draft, even with a good pick. Meh, it is what it is...

[barefacedmonk]

Now, no one respects Jim Buss

I get it...its kinda hard to 

[gpap]

If they want to unload Gasol, I'd be happy to take him on the Celts.

I am getting sick and tired of seeing us blow large leads in games.

[Who]

I think the Lakers have been overachieving this season and should be commended for the effort they have put in. To be doing as well as they have done with the roster they have is fantastic. That is not tanking.

If they do trade Pau for A.Bynum (salary dump), that would be tanking move. But until then, no tanking there.

[LarBrd33]

If they want to unload Gasol, I'd be happy to take him on the Celts.

I am getting sick and tired of seeing us blow large leads in games.

Would you trade Wallace + Humph + our two 2014 1st rounders (currently projected #15 and #20) for Gasol?

[BballTim]

If they want to unload Gasol, I'd be happy to take him on the Celts.

I am getting sick and tired of seeing us blow large leads in games.

Would you trade Wallace + Humph + our two 2014 1st rounders (currently projected #15 and #20) for Gasol?

  He might, but it would be quite a surprise if Danny would.

[freshinthehouse]

You guys don't have to worry - We're not doing anything for a long time, as long as Jim Buss is in charge, and Mike D'Antoni is the coach.

When we had our swag with Jerry Buss and Mitch, and before that, Jerry West, there was no need to tank, because they would just trade for, or sign outright, the best free agents. Now, no one respects Jim Buss...They DO respect Kupchak, but he has to follow Jim Buss's incompetent orders.

I doubt we get more than an average player in the draft, even with a good pick. Meh, it is what it is...

Didn't Dr. Buss have a daughter that was a pretty big part of the Lakers' brass?  Does she still have a say in the direction of the team?

[Depalma2002]

Would you trade Wallace + Humph + our two 2014 1st rounders (currently projected #15 and #20) for Gasol?
[/quote]

That's the best Billy King impersonation I've seen.

[gpap]

If they want to unload Gasol, I'd be happy to take him on the Celts.

I am getting sick and tired of seeing us blow large leads in games.

Would you trade Wallace + Humph + our two 2014 1st rounders (currently projected #15 and #20) for Gasol?

  He might, but it would be quite a surprise if Danny would.

Lol! Exactly!