Lakers...day before the Frenzy starts

It is the last day before the crazy "offseason" of the NBA begins. Rumors are still flying around the league about what free agents are going where and what blockbuster trades are going to take place before the season kick off on Christmas day. As per every other season, the Lakers are on the forefront of the rumors.

The Chris Paul and Dwight Howard to California talk is still going strong. As of this morning, the Lakers and Celtics are leading the pack for CP3, at least according to ESPN. CP3 has said that he would not sign a contract extension with the Boston Green and White, which would not worth the time for the Celtics. They have an All-Star point guard with Rajon Rondo who wants to be the Celts, even after all the trade talk about shipping him off for CP3. Rondo is a triple threat when it comes to his game. He is a premier passer, a good defender and an effective rebounder. His one big fault is his shooting touch, something that CP3 has down, along with all the qualities listed about Rondo. But if CP3 is going to pull a one and done deal, like the current trend with college stars, then Boston is better off to build around Rondo and Jeff Green, their only other young piece that is also a proven player from his days with the Thunder. ESPN even has a poll for fans to answer, asking whether or not Boston should trade Green, Rondo and draft picks for Chris Paul without assurance Paul would stay around. As of 9:41 a.m., the poll had 5,255 votes, with 79% saying no.

Chris Paul. Photo courtesy of
blogs.hoopshype.com

That leaves the Lakers as the destination for the the all star point guard Paul. The Lakers also have quality pieces that would help the Hornets. Bynum for CP3, straight up, would be ideal. The Lakers wouldn't empty their team for one player, like the Celtics did when they traded for Kevin Garnett. But if Bynum winds up with  the Hornets, then Emeka Okafor, who is in line to make close to $40 million over the next three seasons, is on the outs. Okafor wouldn't be a good fit with the Lakers and his contract would be too big to take on for them. So a third team would have to be brought in so the Hornets could dump Okafor and maybe even get a few more extra pieces to add to their team.

If the Lakers have to use Bynum and/or Gasol and Odom in any form of two for one, or even all three to get just CP3 and filler, then the Lakers are crazy. If the Lakers keep all three big men, then they will still have one of the biggest lineups with all three of them are at or close to the seven foot mark (Odom is listed at 6'10" and he can play all five positions without a problem). If they could pull some sort of straight up deal and maybe even bring a third team in to help both sides, then the Lakers should go for it. But if they can't, then they should keep with the team they have and go from their. Any team with a combo of three seven footers and Kobe Bryant, should be a contender for the title. Plus they are all healthy and rested up, something they haven't been at the beginning of the season in the last three years.

The only other news from the Lakers camp is that, according to both Yahoo Sports and ESPN, Jason Kapono will be a Laker this coming season. Will he be the answer to all the Lakers' problems with their weak bench? No. Will he fill the void left by Shannon Brown, who looks to be leaving? No. But he does bring three point shooting, something the Lakers lacked last season. He can give Bryant some rest, which he will need with the hectic game schedule, and he can even help in crunch time. It was stated by a fan on a forum on ESPN that Kapono is one in the same with Luke Walton. Walton, who has been hampered by injuries the last couple of seasons, is much more of a point forward. He can read an offense when he is playing and has been a great passer since he camp into the league. Walton can also be considered a spot up shooter, but he doesn't score much, as he is much more of a facilitator. Both of them could have spots on the roster, as both bring different attributes to the team.

Darius Morris. Photo courtesy of Michiganreview.com

If or when Shannon Brown leaves for greener pastures, the Lakers need to look into a backup point guard who can offer what Brown did, that spark off the bench. Also a player that can distribute the ball while at the point would be ideal for the Lakers' second unit. They have been linked to Jose Juan Barea, the Dallas Maverick's guard that took the cheap shot from Bynum in Game 4 of last years playoffs. Do the Lakers have enough money for him, probably not, but they do have their "mini" mid-level exception, which would be worth  about $9 million over three years. Would a player like Barea be worth that contract on a team like the Lakers, when the Lakers also need to fill the void of a back up center. The Lakers did draft two guards, Darius Morris, a 6'4" Michigan product, and Andrew Goudelock, a 6'3" Charleston product. Both come cheaper and easier than selling a guy on joining the Lakers. Morris could be a good point guard, espicially with Derek Fisher as a mentor. Morris averaged 6.7 assists while he played at Michigan and he can shoot. If given his chance he could blossom into a point guard that fills the point guard position. He may even challenge Fisher for the starting position or even started minutes, depending on the situations in the game.

With all that said, tomorrow will be a day all Laker fan's have been waiting for since the blowout last season. Questions should start to be answered and things should start to fall into place for the Lakers. Until then, fans will keep playing different scenarios in their heads trying to make the best team they can to win the title this year.