**LA LAKERS THREAD** Sitting on 17! 2023-2024 offseason begins

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For those that don't have access to The Athletic:

Amid a suspension of nearly five months due to the coronavirus pandemic and social injustice unrest in America, the NBA crowned a champion: The Los Angeles Lakers over the Miami Heat in six games. Now, league officials, owners, teams, executives and players are all looking toward what is next. The NBA will conduct an audit of the basketball-related income (BRI) and continue discussions with the National Basketball Players Association about the future in terms of salary cap and luxury tax thresholds, free agency and the 2020-21 season.

NBPA executive director Michele Roberts told The Athletic last week she expects a resolution soon on the salary cap and tax levels and that free agency is expected no later than Dec. 1, with the cap not expected to deviate too much from $115 million. Both the NBA and NBPA continue to desire a full 82-game season in 2021, in-market competition, reduced travel and a set amount of fans, beginning in January or February. The 2020 Draft is scheduled for Nov. 18.

For the two teams who completed the Finals — along with the 28 other franchises — the attention has turned to offseason planning. There is still a freeze on roster moves such as trades, player and team options, and waivers. But teams continue to look ahead.

First, let’s take a look at the Lakers. LeBron James won his fourth title and fourth Finals MVP. Anthony Davis and Dwight Howard won their first title. Guard Rajon Rondo won his second. The franchise won its 17th ring. Still, these Lakers have 10 free agents this offseason and there will be decisions to make. Lakers Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka built a championship team, plugging in the proper pieces over the course of last summer and this season, and will strive to continue to better the roster.

— Davis plans to opt out of his $28.7 million player option and re-sign with the Lakers, sources tell The Athletic. Davis and his agent, Rich Paul, will hold meetings in the coming weeks to discuss the situation and the contract term that is most sensible for Davis. Among the expected deal possibilities for Davis this offseason (projected numbers based on salary cap of $109,140,000):

• Two years, $68,103,360: One-plus-one, player option in year two.

• Three years, $106,084,080: Two-plus-one, player option in year three. This deal would bring Davis to 10 years of service before 2022 free agency and thus make him eligible for the 35 percent max contract. Using a $125 million cap projection in 2022, Davis’ max deal would be worth $253.75 million over five years, or $196 million over four years.

• Four years, $146,684,160: Three-plus-one, player option in year four. Using a potential $131.25 million cap in 2023, Davis would be in line for a $266.4 million max over five years or $205.8 million over four years.

— Lakers swingman Kentavious Caldwell-Pope emerged as a crucial starter in the NBA restart, averaging 10.7 points, 2.1 rebounds and shooting 37.8 percent from 3-point range overall and scoring 48 points in the last three Finals games. After establishing himself as a key player heading into next season, Caldwell-Pope is expected to decline his $8.5 million player option, sources said. There’s significant mutual interest between Caldwell-Pope and the Lakers, but there will be some external suitors. A team such as Atlanta — searching for productive veterans around All-Star Trae Young — could emerge with interest.

The Lakers have full Bird Rights on Caldwell-Pope, meaning they can sign him for any salary up to his max without having to use a different exception.

— Three other notable player options: Rondo ($2.7 million), Avery Bradley ($5 million) and JaVale McGee ($4.2 million). Rondo cemented his role as a leader for the Lakers in the bubble, serving as something of a player/coach and providing guidance across the roster. Sources said Rondo is expected to decline his option, and he will have interest from the Lakers and others believing he is a piece to build on a championship roster.

For Bradley, the Lakers still represent a team with a defined role for him next season: a rotation spot in the backcourt, a secondary ball-handler next to James and a fierce defender on the wing.

— Dwight Howard, who was a pillar to the frontcourt this season, and the Lakers have mutual interest in a deal. Among the contenders also expected to have interest in Howard, sources say: The Golden State Warriors.

— After averaging 18.7 points a season ago, Kyle Kuzma adapted to a new role on these championship Lakers. He served as a scorer off the bench and flashed signs of his continued upside. Kuzma will be eligible for his rookie extension this offseason, and could discuss a new deal with the Lakers. The 25-year-old also could bypass an extension and use next season to continue elevating his value prior to restricted free agency. And then there is the option of a trade suitor with several interested clubs.

— The Lakers will hold the No. 28 pick in the Draft, and under assistant GM Jesse Buss, for whom the draft is a specific area of focus, the organization has had tremendous success in the draft over the past seven years.
 
MVP said:
Click to expand...


Amid a suspension of nearly five months due to the coronavirus pandemic and social injustice unrest in America, the NBA crowned a champion: The Los Angeles Lakers over the Miami Heat in six games. Now, league officials, owners, teams, executives and players are all looking toward what is next. The NBA will conduct an audit of the basketball-related income (BRI) and continue discussions with the National Basketball Players Association about the future in terms of salary cap and luxury tax thresholds, free agency and the 2020-21 season.

NBPA executive director Michele Roberts told The Athletic last week she expects a resolution soon on the salary cap and tax levels and that free agency is expected no later than Dec. 1, with the cap not expected to deviate too much from $115 million. Both the NBA and NBPA continue to desire a full 82-game season in 2021, in-market competition, reduced travel and a set amount of fans, beginning in January or February. The 2020 Draft is scheduled for Nov. 18.

For the two teams who completed the Finals — along with the 28 other franchises — the attention has turned to offseason planning. There is still a freeze on roster moves such as trades, player and team options, and waivers. But teams continue to look ahead.

First, let’s take a look at the Lakers. LeBron James won his fourth title and fourth Finals MVP. Anthony Davis and Dwight Howard won their first title. Guard Rajon Rondo won his second. The franchise won its 17th ring. Still, these Lakers have 10 free agents this offseason and there will be decisions to make. Lakers Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka built a championship team, plugging in the proper pieces over the course of last summer and this season, and will strive to continue to better the roster.

— Davis plans to opt out of his $28.7 million player option and re-sign with the Lakers, sources tell The Athletic. Davis and his agent, Rich Paul, will hold meetings in the coming weeks to discuss the situation and the contract term that is most sensible for Davis. Among the expected deal possibilities for Davis this offseason (projected numbers based on salary cap of $109,140,000):

• Two years, $68,103,360: One-plus-one, player option in year two.

• Three years, $106,084,080: Two-plus-one, player option in year three. This deal would bring Davis to 10 years of service before 2022 free agency and thus make him eligible for the 35 percent max contract. Using a $125 million cap projection in 2022, Davis’ max deal would be worth $253.75 million over five years, or $196 million over four years.

• Four years, $146,684,160: Three-plus-one, player option in year four. Using a potential $131.25 million cap in 2023, Davis would be in line for a $266.4 million max over five years or $205.8 million over four years.

— Lakers swingman Kentavious Caldwell-Pope emerged as a crucial starter in the NBA restart, averaging 10.7 points, 2.1 rebounds and shooting 37.8 percent from 3-point range overall and scoring 48 points in the last three Finals games. After establishing himself as a key player heading into next season, Caldwell-Pope is expected to decline his $8.5 million player option, sources said. There’s significant mutual interest between Caldwell-Pope and the Lakers, but there will be some external suitors. A team such as Atlanta — searching for productive veterans around All-Star Trae Young — could emerge with interest.

The Lakers have full Bird Rights on Caldwell-Pope, meaning they can sign him for any salary up to his max without having to use a different exception.

— Three other notable player options: Rondo ($2.7 million), Avery Bradley ($5 million) and JaVale McGee ($4.2 million). Rondo cemented his role as a leader for the Lakers in the bubble, serving as something of a player/coach and providing guidance across the roster. Sources said Rondo is expected to decline his option, and he will have interest from the Lakers and others believing he is a piece to build on a championship roster.

For Bradley, the Lakers still represent a team with a defined role for him next season: a rotation spot in the backcourt, a secondary ball-handler next to James and a fierce defender on the wing.

— Dwight Howard, who was a pillar to the frontcourt this season, and the Lakers have mutual interest in a deal. Among the contenders also expected to have interest in Howard, sources say: The Golden State Warriors.

— After averaging 18.7 points a season ago, Kyle Kuzma adapted to a new role on these championship Lakers. He served as a scorer off the bench and flashed signs of his continued upside. Kuzma will be eligible for his rookie extension this offseason, and could discuss a new deal with the Lakers. The 25-year-old also could bypass an extension and use next season to continue elevating his value prior to restricted free agency. And then there is the option of a trade suitor with several interested clubs.

— The Lakers will hold the No. 28 pick in the Draft, and under assistant GM Jesse Buss, for whom the draft is a specific area of focus, the organization has had tremendous success in the draft over the past seven years.
 
I think the Lakers have to give KCP a one year max or close to it because I'm positive he's going to get substantial multi-year offers from other teams.
 
That's not gonna happen. We might I have to let one of Rondo/KCP walk though, unless everyone is taking one year deals.
 
If we traded Green/Kuz plus a pick for Zach

we’d be ~20 million short of a max in 2021, right?
 
moonman818 said:
That's not gonna happen. We might I have to let one of Rondo/KCP walk though, unless everyone is taking one year deals.
Click to expand...
I think KCP would be worth $13-15M per in a normal off-season. With his full Bird Rights and this team competing next year, I'm comfortable with giving him a balloon contract for a season.

Rondo is tricky. Re-signing him is like burning money in the regular season and hoping he can recapture Playoff Rondo magic again. Sounds risky. But two years-$10M, with the second year being non-guaranteed is okay in my book.
 
I’m mentally prepared to see rondo and Kcp go. Teams love them a recent champion that got hot. Most GMs only get baited with decency bias and not the entire years worth of a player. If they give rondo more then 3 mill then LOL to them. Let’s not forget he’s awful for 82 games a year
 
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