It’s hard to predict just how vested the Lakers will be in the 2011-12 free agent sweepstakes. There’s not very much money to sign anyone particularly great, nor is there anyone particularly great to salivate over. While the 2011-12 class of free agent pales in comparison to last year’s group, there are still a few players that could provide depth for the Lakers where they need it the most—at the point.
The question is how much are the Lakers willing to go over the salary cap and delve deeper into the luxury tax to acquire these missing pieces? Then there’s the fact that although these players become free agents on June 30 and could be available for purchase eight days later, the lockout prevents them from being signed with any potential teams for an undetermined period of time.
Whether you like it or not, it’s a point guard’s league and the Lakers have been lacking in that department for quite some time. Now a lot of what determines which way the Lakers will sway in choosing a new point guard is based on who the Lakers decide to takeover coaching duties. I don’t believe the Lakers can decide on any free agents until they know what direction they’re going in coaching philosophies.
Setting that aside for a second, assume that what the Lakers need is a burst of youth, a guy with speed and athleticism who’s smart and innovative enough to only need a quick snapshot of the floor to determine how to orchestrate the offense. Oh and when the going gets tough, can put up a last second shot. Sadly, Chris Paul isn’t going to be available this off-season. (Not that I’m entirely sure the Lakers could land him having already two players with max contracts through 2014, but moving on…) For the sake of argument, the next three point guards could provide a spark either off the bench or potentially even in the starting lineup.
Next: A quick guard who’s effective in transition
Aaron Brooks
Last season Brooks averaged 10.7 points and 3.9 assists per game. Not exactly breathe taking numbers by any stretch, but he’s by far the most effective point guard qualifying for free agency in 2011. Another hurdle is that he’s a restricted free agent, meaning any numbers a team offers him can be matched by his current team, the Phoenix Suns. The Lakers don’t need a point guard who necessarily puts up 20 points a night. While that’s nice, Kobe Bryant has already made the offensive pecking order clear in his exit interview by stating he came first, Pau Gasol second and then everyone else would just naturally fall after that. If you believe Bryant, and you should, that means what the Lakers need is a good ball-handler, who can create opportunities for others, step back and his a long-range shot if needed and be selfless enough to know the fourth quarter in Lakerland means Kobe Time.
For the most part, Brooks fits that category. While he has tended to over-dribble the ball and it doesn’t appear that his assist ratio is up to par with the other elite point guards in the league, he’s quick, can get into the seams of a defense and let’s face it, is a lot better option than the Lakers have now. Especially considering the guys Brooks used to have to dish the ball to it’s highly unlikely he’ll go around ignoring Gasol, Andrew Bynum or Lamar Odom in the paint.
Next: Good things could come in smaller packages for the Lakers
JJ Barea
Now I know that Laker fans haven’t forgotten this alleged 6-foot, Puerto Rican dynamo of a back-up guard and it’s safe to say until championship banner No. 17 is hoisted in the rafters, they may never forget. Setting aside what he did and is currently doing during the post-season, during the regular season Barea averaged 9.5 points and 3.9 assists per game while shooting 43.9-percent from the field and 34.9-percent from beyond the arc. He’s small but fast and is a good paint-penetrator who’s willing to make the extra pass. Then there’s also the added frustration on all the other guards trying to stay in front of him and the big men trying to keep him out of the paint. At least so long as he’s in a Lakers uniform, there’s no threat of Bynum or the rest of the Lakers players being out-played by him. It wouldn’t be the first, or I’m betting the last, the Lakers would consider a player based on how he performed against them. (See Steve Blake)
Ronnie Price
Okay, so obviously we’re digging deep into the free agent market with Price, but he does offer some skills that the Lakers could use if youth and athleticism is what they are aiming for this offseason. With the Utah Jazz he averaged 3.3 points and 1 assist per game, and if those numbers seem low, they are, but remember who he played most of the year alongside — Deron Williams. If given some time, coaching and surrounding him with the right unit, he could realize his potential — even if it isn’t that great.
The reality is, the Lakers don’t have a whole lot of wiggle room to employ a guard that fits the bill. Considering they signed Blake to a long contract and it’s doubtful his play last year inspired little to motivate other general managers to call Mitch Kupchak regarding his trade-potential, the Lakers may want to take their chances and see how Blake might improve or flourish not having to run the triangle. There’s a reason he was attractive to the Lakers in the first place and if the new coach utilizes a system that Blake feels more comfortable playing in, it may be the way to go at least for the time being.
While guys like Williams and Paul seem like the way the Lakers should go if they want to get back to “Showtime,” it’s not looking like it’s at all plausible even when they reach their free agency in 2012. The Lakers aren’t poor by any stretch, but their financial commitments through 2014 certainly have them hand-cuffed to either retaining the guys they have now or get someone at a bargain. The problem with most bargains are you often get what you paid for.