Back to the motherland? Or at least the mother continent?

This is what happens when you pay up on Luke Walton. Everyone thinks they should get same.

Though in this case, Sasha really should. Coz he's better than Luke. Yeah I said it lol.

I don't like the manner at which they went about this, but it seems like (from the article), they already went down a mil on their hoped price.

At the end of the day, I love Sasha but if the teams deems it so we can't afford him...all I can say is we can't afford to lose him. lol.

Go Lakers!

Sasha, listen to me.

If you don't like the price, go for 3 years and a 4th year player option.

Learn what's its like to be a champion. Showcase your talents, then when you become a FA, everyone will desire Sasha, you'll be able to command good money from lots of teams (see Posey)

Don't go to Europe. Don't listen to Kobe. Take the Lakers offer.

Sasha has a competitive nature that sets him apart from many NBA players. Its vital that we sign him. Sasha has so much upside, and he can develop it to the benefit of the team.

We all know Sasha can't put the ball on the floor, but I think he will get better as his career progress, much like Brent Barry. Defense is an area Sasha has a chance to improve vastly, because he cares about defense.

And I will not forget Sasha smacking that chair and tearing up when Allen zipped past him in the finals. That should fire right there. We can't lose that. Countless of players on this team are mentally weak, Sasha is not one of them. Pay the man.

If Luke Walton can get 4+ million and and Vlad Radmanovic get 5+ million a year Sasha Vujacic should get 5 MILLION a year without a problem , he is the best player of the three and he is a perfect fit for the triangle offense . He has been coached by Phil Jackson for a few years now and he knows his role. We all know Kobe loves him.

We need to sign him , So Mitch do your job and sign Sasha. Later work on way to lower salary but Sasha needs to be in a Laker uniform next year.

I'm going to be sick.
If the Lakers lose both Ronny and Sasha, I will blame
the following three players:
Lamar (14 mil this season)
Luke (30 mil contract)
VladRad (30 mil contract)
Say what you will about Ronny.
However, at 6'10" and 24 years of age, he has upside.
No need to speak on Sasha.
If the Lakers lose 2 young bench players-and keep 3 over paid soft players-I bet Kobe will leave.
All the good the Lakers management has done in drafting Andrew and stealing Pau will be un-done with the 3 over paid softies (Lamar/Luke/VladRad) and losing 2 young players who could be a part of the team for the next 10 years.
Lose Ronny and Sasha: you lose me as a fan.

we need to resignature this guy to a contract lakers. brothers if you need me to call in los angeles lakers let me know. i will have time to do this friday after lunch hour buffet. i agree with you to pony up right now or he will leave usa like a mustang horse. i came to usa and love here. what is majority opinion of los angeles lakers blog should sascha stay or let go. ok let me know.

ding how in prattville

Here's the OC register link.

http://tinyurl.com/56j7ne

Lakers should definitely keep Sasha. He is an important factor in their offense and sometimes does wonders on defense.

He's getting better each year too.

Lakers offer to him is definitely too low. Pony up a little more Kupchak. Or will you do it to us AGAIN?

And one more thing:
Lakers team chemistry will be horrible next year if they get off to a horrible start.
Some current players will look at Lamar/Luke/VladRad and say to themselves:
Why are we paying these 3 soft gummy bears all that money and they won't show up yet we lose two young players that would have played with intensity and who would have cost us 9 mil combined?
This. Is. Sad.

Sasha took a paycut when he came to the NBA. I'm sure he figures that it's time for a substantial raise. Somewhere there's a number that's gonna work to keep him here - Mitch and his guys are experienced negotiators - same obviously goes for Rob Perlinka. I'd be stunned if a deal wasn't reached, very soon.

There's no way the Lakers are upping their offer. Mitch said the market is dictating what's going on. The Lakers, I don't think, will offer more than 3 million. Sasha might look at that as an insult. But really, the Lakers aren't in position to offer more than that without damaging what they intend to do.

The Lakers are going defense next year. There's no way they can do that by signing Turiaf and Sasha and still having Mihm, Walton and Rad on the roster. And since Mihm, Walton and Rad are on the roster then there's no room for Turaif and Sasha if the Lakers are intending to change to a defensive philosophy.

There's no way they can do that with Mihm, Walton, Rad, Sasha and Turiaf on the roster and that's not to mention Farmar and Karl, too. It doesn't make sense.

Changes are coming!

mike t.

MY BOY HAS EARNED EVERY PENNY HE HAS BEEN PAID, WITH HIS REBOUNDING SKILLS, AND BANK SHOT SHOOTING, IF I COULD ONLY GET HIM TO WEAR A HEADBAND ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! AND BEARD

The Lakers better not screw this up. Sasha was huge for us this year.

And yes Faith, Sasha is better than Luke. I don't think anyone denies that.

Give Sasha his money.

Sign Sasha and trade Mike T to the CelticsBlog

Mike, is this like when you said the Grizzlies were looking to get more defensive by trading for Kwame?

You need to know more about free agency and the salary cap before you make claims like this. All the Lakers would have to offer players if they let Sasha walk is the mid-level. So who exactly are they bringing in to make these changes and how are they going to do it, with two less trade chips? If they were really trying to make wholesale changes they'd have matched Ronny's offer sheet and package him with LO's expiring deal or something like that.

Sign Sasha and trade Mike T to the CelticsBlog

I can't stand Lamar/Luke/Vladimir.
However, I will feel for them if Ronny and Sasha leave.
Man, the pressure the felt during the play-off will be nothing compare to the scrutiny they will feel if they play like the softies they are.
Wow.
I can not believe the Lakers are even entertaining the thought of not signing Sasha.
His signing should have been automatic.
A message to Lamar/Luke/Vladimir:
Play like all-stars or get ready for pain from Lakers fan that will make the embarassment you three dis-played against Boston look and feel like a walk in the park.
Play like garbage and Lakers fans will remind you while you 3 wear the Purple and Gold you are to blame for losing both The Predator and The Machine if the aforementioned comes to pass with Sasha going over seas.
Luke: 30 mil. contract.
Vladimir: 30 mil. contract.
Lamar: 14 mil this year.
And we can't keep Ronny and Sasha for a combine 9 mil?
Two players who are young and who have heart?
Again: wow.

BK,

Lakers will have to give in here. Sasha is worth that to the Lakers because he is the best 3-point shooter on the team. If we want to play big, we need the shooting that Sasha brings. Even if it means $30K over 6 years.

Tom

giantsquid,

I concur!

He will not go back to Slovenia but to Khimki Moscow and join the rest of ex NBA players Childress, Nachbar, Garbajosa, Calderon, Navarro and very soon Vujacic. It is all about the power of Euro, it 40% higher than the dollar. The euro team are not bound by the CBA Rules so once Sasha decides to go to Europe, do we have a replacement?

This is three-in-a-row of getting busted in black jack game

- lost the Finals
- lost Turiaf
- got a useless joker rumor, Kwame and his peon Mike T.
- may lose Sasha soon

What's next? Mitch Cupcake, make the deal please.

Mike,

>>>>>There's no way the Lakers are upping their offer.
>>>>>Mitch said the market is dictating what's going on.
>>>>>The Lakers, I don't think, will offer more than 3 million.
>>>>>Sasha might look at that as an insult.
>>>>>But really, the Lakers aren't in position to offer more than
>>>>>that without damaging what they intend to do.

$3M per year? You would insult Sasha. What are you going to say when the Lakers sign him for 5 or 6 years at $5M? That’s what’s going to happen. Wait and see.

Tom

Dr. "Billionaire I'm Not Going To Live Very Long" Jerry Buss needs to man up.

Has anyone seen "Citizen Kane" where Kane is told he's losing a million dollars a year? And he says, "But I'm worth a hundred million dollars."

Exactly.

Winning is a lot more important than profit.

When we die what is more important? Our victories or our profit?

We need to win. We are the Lakers.

Drop this nonsense.

GO LAKERS!

I really dont think we lose Sasha unless there is some other trade they are working on. While I loved Ronny, with Drew coming back he wasnt vital to the team. With Sasha however, we really do not have anyone in place that can fill his role. I Believe he will get his 5 mil or close to it.

MH

ding how my brother - please call the front office after buffet tomorrow. resignature is definitely in order.

p.s. - what happened with the color scheme - did the k-bros kill it? I would have suggested sweet and sour red but i guess it's a moot point now.

You draft well.

Ronny and Sasha. You develop them, they learn the system, and they are turning into solid players. Then you let them go with nothing in return.

So what do you do next? We are now looking for someone who can fill the role, but has no experience in the triangle, and hoping to do it on the cheap. If we are lucky, we find someone, but more than likely, they won't do it better.

Especially if we are talking team chemistry.

So why draft in the first place, develop the player, if you don't plan on keeping the good player. I can see if they don't work out, you at least make a trade, but to just give them away? Don't get it.

If this was the plan, then next time trade the pick, and get the cheap vet when available. 2-3 years of developing our guys, then dumping? Doesn't make sense.

Okay, let's say Dr. Jerry Buss "loves" his family.

In all realism, loving your children does not involve spoiling/ruining them.

If I was a billionaire, I would leave each of my children a million dollars and the tools to build wealth, so they could have the personal pride in building their own fortune.

I would not cripple my children by giving them everything I had earned.

I would have faith in them.

Dr. Jerry Buss, to me you are like family, like an uncle, not an immediate uncle, but still family.

We really care about you and the Lakers. Please recognize that.

It's not all about business decisions.

For millions of people it is about something deeper that is hard to explain.

GO LAKERS!

dave,

>>>>>ding how my brother - please call the front office after buffet tomorrow.
>>>>>resignature is definitely in order.

Dang it, dave. LMAO. You are probably also ding how but it’s so damn funny that I don’t care. You’ve created a unforgettable character, as freaking real as Mike T. LOL. Sort of a combination of Charley Chan and Hop Sing. Chop suey, LOL.

Tom

The market isn't dictating that Sasha is going to get 5 million from anyone and now the Lakers are supposed to pay him that much?

The Lakres, with Sasha's qualifing offer, are 4 million in luxuary taxes. Now you say add another 2.5 million to that total and bring up the luxuary tax to 6 million?And to top it off that's 6 million in luxuary taxes for 11 players. And that without addressing their defensive needs.

None of this makes sense. Changes are coming. Philosophical changes.

mike t.

Trade for Luther Head. Buh bye, Sasha.

Coby Karl can make the team ONLY if he offers to massage Kwame's calves after practice. Plus, with no real rookies, we'll need somebody to carry everybody's bags.

What's Bonzi Wells up to? Does he have anything left in the tank?

If we're keeping Odom then Radmanovic should be traded. Surely some Eastern, fun and gun team could use him?

The only way the can justify the insanity of losing both Sasha and Ronny:
I trade is in the works.
If not:
The Lakers will not win a championship with this team.
Who comes off the bench and scores 15 points and plays defense?
Not Jordan or Kobi Carl.
Mark my words:
Kobe will do a Kevin Garnett move and head to the East and play with 2 all-star type players in Philly: EB and AI.
Kobe is about winning championships.
If the Lakers do not win a championship next year, Kobe will keep quiet (like he is doing this summer).
However, behind the scence, I bet he will believe Sasha and Ronny would have made the difference if they do not win it all next season.
Just you watch.
Sasha will be the next Ginobili.
He will play well overseas for 3 years and return to the NBA in his prime at the age of 29 (and looking for more than 5 mil a season).
Better pay up Dr. Buss.
Or lose The Mamba to his home town of Philly after next season where he will lead the Sixers to the finals.
I'm going to bed (I'm too depressed at the thought of possibly losing 2 of our toughest and youngest players while still stuck with 3 soft players-Lamar/Luke/VladRad-who are all head cases).

I don't think that Lakers will be as good as they were this year if they lose Sasha as well. I hope they give him a strong offer.

I really love this team and I hope that our administration does the right thing.

Yes, it is a business, but there are more important things in life than profit.

GO LAKERS!

Actually, I'm hearing he's gonna get 4.5 per year and a pilot deal at ABC/Disney.

Okay, I'll duck now.

passionate lakers fan,

If we lose BOTH Ronny and Sasha I will have a fricken heart attack.

Spend the damn money!

Don't they want to win?

GO LAKERS!

Tom - haha - I wish I was that sublime. My money's actually on Charles.

Ronny and Sasha don't address the Lakers defensive needs. If the Lakers didn't have Mihm, Walton, Rad and Farmar taking up roster spots then we could sign these guys. But, in theory, a roster with Mihm, Walton, Rad, Farmar, Turiaf and Sasha on the roster...that too many roster spots that are defensively weak. That's half the roster spots.

Mihm, Walton, Rad, Farmar and Sasha, right now, take up almost 17 million in contracts. And that pushes the Lakers 4 million into the luxuary tax.

Again, that's half the roster that can't play defense. Then you add Gasol to the mix and where is the defense? That's another 15 million. That's a total of 32 million on players who can't play defense.

No, the Lakers can't afford what Sasha does and still address their defensive needs.

The dollars and players that make up this squad don't add up to a sound defensive squad.

mike t.

I've got an idea, to decongest the tight salaries of the Lakers, Vlade Divac should have a new job.

Sell/Trade/Find a team for Walton and RadMan to the Euro League, Dubai League, Red China League then Lakers will have less headaches as they leave the team amicably. Right now they're adding luxury taxes and causing problems gamewise and moneywise.

After 2 years, I think, the Lakers are going to Rad for their outside shooting and let Sasha walk. The Lakers can't keep Mihm, Walton, Rad and Sasha. Two are slow footed and two can shoot. Or is that: 4 are slow footed and two can shoot.

We could only keep one of the shooters at the 5 million mark. To pay two shooter the same amount is nuts. It's bad enough that the Lakers are paying two players, Walton and Rad, about the same money for a roster spot that they share and that Odom is going to be taking over.

It doesn't make sense.

mike t.

Michael Teniete,

I am mucking tired of you blindly hating on white people and generally masquerating as a Lakers fan!

While I respect your intelligence, your dedication, and your passion, Mike, you've got to get stuff in perspective.

It's not just about your opion!

Be a member of Laker Nation! Drop your insane biases!

(By the way, I truly believe that resigning Kwame Brown is important to te future success of the Lakers.)

GO LAKERS!

Pay 2 shooters is one thing. But unlike both Vlad and Luke...Sasha actually plays D.

We need D. Keep the man. Lose the stiffs.

Another idea is to take the Bulls trade offer of Hinrich and Nacione for Odom and Farmar. Whatever savings derived there, pay Sasha. Bring in the three new PG's Sun Yue, Coby Karl and Joe Crawford, I'm sure D'Fish will be able to train one of them as his future replacement. With the presence of sasha, hinrich and nacione, the Lakers will be a good perimeter team with Vlad, Pau and Gasol as well as Mihm manning the posts. Kobe can handle those changes, we don't compromise much but bring new players to the mix. Our enforcer will be DJ Mbenga and Ariza. Luke will be the Lakers new Towel boy and Cheer leader. lol!

brian and andy kemetskis never contacted me feedback on colors los angeles lakers blog background. i feel any colors would be best then bright white. im still working but i need feedback from brothers. also i would like to add picture of blog people to see brothers sisters together. kemetskis brothers how long before i get feedback on colors background. as spokeperson for los angeles times lakers blog l can make phone call on friday after lunch hour. we are in what they call central time zone. when i call at 1pm prattville time it will be 11 in morning los angeles time. we need to keep sascha vejacic for some years. sweet and sour red is better then bright white. ok goodnight.

ding how in prattville

Mike T says paying two shooters 5 mil each is nuts.

Yeah, it's definitely a lot nuttiler than paying one brick-handed stiff 9.1 mil.

Now that Golden State has signed Turiaf, re-signed Ellis and Azubuicke and is looking to re-sign Biedrins, they have opened up a perfect play for Kupchak.

Instead of being held hostage by Sasha Vujacic and his agent, Rob Pelinka, (also Kobe Bryant’s agent), Kupchak should immediately go after Evans with the Lakers mid-level exemption.

Evans averaged 9.3 points and 3.1 rebounds in 68 games for the Magic compared to Vujacic’s 8.8 points and 2.1 rebounds. Their three-point percentage is also very close. Evans averaged 40 percent while Vujacic averaged 43.7 percent.

Although it would seem like an even exchange, Evans is a much better defender than Vujacic. The Lakers have offered Vujacic $2.6-million. Evans could be had for the same figure or possibly less per year over 3 years..

If Kupchak could land Evans, it would essentially mean that the Lakers obtained Trevor Ariza for Brian Cook.

But, as usual, I expect Kupchak to sit and wait silently on Vujacic and Pelinka and drop the ball on bringing Maurice Evans back into the Lakers fold.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/
40771-lakers-mitch-kupchak-about-to-commit-a-double-dribble

BYE-BYE Sasha VUJACIC!!!!

I can see Sasha being the MVP in the Eurolegue. He is just going to get better in that league.

This is what happens when we have Luke AND Rad.

Like what I said, ANDREW BYNUM is what counts> with BYNUM we get a ring whoever plays with him.

Without a healthy BYNUM, NO PEACE!!!!

Bynum
Gasol
Odom
Bryant
Fisher

WINS A NBA RING!!!! We all know these.

I luv Sasha n Ronny, but can't have them Luke and Vlad already have their contracts..

Sign Mata Real and Sun Yue and let's move on.

Bynum/Mihm/Mbenga
Gasol/Mata Real
Odom/Vlad/Walton
Kobe/Ariza/Karl
Fisher/Farmar/Sun
\
That's all the Lakers can afford.

Initially I was going to write something negative about the current management.

Then I read a little further. This sounds to me like a tough negotiation more than anything.

Sasha called Kupchak's bluff that the Lakers will not pay him more than 4M a year. The league called Sasha's bluff that he was worth a full MLE. Now they have to work something out.

I'll be patient on this one. I think we get Sasha back.

If Evans was really a bad influence on Bynum, I absolutely don't want him back. I like the guy, but Bynum is going to be our second biggest investment in the near future. We need to get the best out of him.

We were willing to lose Evans once, but we did have Sasha as a back-up (who did a nice job of filling the vacuum). If we lose Sasha, what then?

I prefer Sasha strongly over Evans. We need that outside shooting.

Lest we forget Sasha won a game for us in the FINALS.

One.

How much is that worth?

Sasha is not a $10 millon player. But the question is whether his presence is worth $10 million to the Lakers in 08-09. By a very narrow margin, I say yes. We will not replace his shooting or his defense, and without them, we are much thinner and vulnerable. I don't like the contract, I think they can probably get him down from 5 years @ $5 mil/yr, but if not, they should meet his price.

When you feel that your team can win without adding anything, then you must keep your important players.

Benjamin - I totally agree. I think we'll get Sasha back, there's a middle-ground number that will work - the sides aren't that far apart. As for those that are talking luxury tax, Buss knew full well what the numbers were when he signed Pau. The season paid off with a trip to the finals. He knew he'd be well into the tax this season - he'll take a little hit with Sasha but I'd lay money that he won't use the MLE.

i enjoy watch Sasha but not at what he wants. Sasha needs to remember there are hungry talented player out there waiting for a shot. Sasha is a key role player...the word being ROLE... a good energy off the bench player but not one consistently produce. Yes he will get better but so will others. If he is after the big bucks Europe is the answer. What he should take is a shorter contract..prove himself...and get the big nba $$$$$

comparison to Luke and Vlade,,,yes Sasha is better ...no arguement to that....but does the lakers want to make the same kind of mistake. Luke had promise and a good year prior to his contact.... Vlade did well in a different system. Sasha needs to put back to back to back good years and he will command the bigger $$$$$

This lack of news until today is like the sinking feeling an attorney gets when the jury is out too long.

Frankly, if the Lakers fail to re-sign Sasha, I am going to be one extremely angry fan. We've seen far too often that players are not interchangeable parts. You can't just replace Sasha with another guard and expect the same results.

Mitch Kupchak assured us after the Finals that very few changes were needed or contemplated going into next season. As fans, we need to hold Kupchak's feet to the fire and demand that the Sasha deal gets done. As I've said previously, if money is an issue, just start the season with 14 players on the roster.

After investing in Sasha all the seasons he was an 11 am shooter only, that investment has now paid off. What do you do, just kiss it goodbye?

As has already been expressed by so many of you, money is being wasted on Luke and Vlad as the result of poor Front Office decision making. So now, the fans must be victimized by another poor Front Office decision that it can't afford Sasha? I say, that's ridiculous.

Mitch: Give Sasha the money. Maybe the players can't take a pay cut, but the GM can. Take it out of your pocket, Mitch. Give Sasha the money.

just to clear up my last post - i'm betting that a deal gets made for sasha but that the MLE doesn't get used on another player(s). we'll probably have a 14-man roster to start the year (including Coby and Sun Yue)... unless we pick up a 15th player at minimum, not fully guaranteed for the year.

"considering the Lakers aren’t offering him more than a qualifying one-year deal worth $2.6 million."

What a stinky offer! No wonder Sasha's pissed. 4 years, $15 million would be more like it. He's young, there's no reason to only offer him a one-year deal, unless it's to try and stay under the cap for one year while Lamar's contract is still bloated. But then you have to negotiate again in a year, so what's the point?

Hey,
It was me who googled Ding How, and found out that according to google there is a Ding How in Prattville, and I even gave the address....

Let's keep it civil here, I told him to watch his grammar and spelling and I think he's doing a pretty good job. As far as I know and am concerned, I don't want this guy to be stereotyped on this blog as "Hop Sing", which isn't all that funny from my angle (also Asian, not Oriental, cuz that would be a "rug").....

Is it just me, or does this blog sometimes jumble what you type in, then you post it, the you look like "Let's go c's", BTW, congratulations for coming out of the closet. It did make sense, what that post said about him.....he's a closet Laker fan...and probably more...

Mike.

Let’s see, your theory is that the Lakers are going to get rid of several existing players because they can’t play defense, including Sasha, Mihm, Walton, and Radmanovic – oh, hell, let’s just say every white guy on the team – in order to completely remake the roster into a defensive oriented roster headed by Kwame Brown, whom you claim is a superior defensive player who can seal-the-lane, which must mean sticking to your man like glue while letting everybody else’s man drive to the rim for uncontested layups.

Is that about right? We were 2 games from an NBA championship and you’re going to remake the roster and build it around a guy that nobody else in the entire NBA is willing to even offer the veteran’s minimum? And this is the secret plan of the Lakers front office that has just been discovered by you personally, all based on a single paragraph in Bill Ingram’s HoopsWorld article. Wow, what a revelation, Mike. What a wet dream!

Oh, and I forgot now Phil Jackson is really great and you were misled before when you published 486 editions of the Jackson Journal condemning what a terrible coach Phil was. Do I have that all about right now, Mike. I think so. And I rest my case.

Tom

they can't let him go now, especially after all those potential cheerleaders learned how to spell his name =P

Looks like the Lakers that were once thought to be destined for a certain dynasty will have trouble making third place in the Pacific next season.

Yes, the SUNS are indeed having the more successful post-Finals season.

7-foot Robin Lopez played vs the US Men's National team as part of the elite summer league stars, and dominated the veteran bigs such as D-How and Booze Drinker.

Alando Tucker, Big 10 Playa of Tha Year chosen ahead of Greg Oden for that honor in 2007, will be getting more time, as will DJ Strawberry. That's two athletic 6'5" 215-pound guards the SUNS didn't use last season.

And then there's Matt Barnes, a long defensive wing who can finish and hit threes. Him and Grant Hill and Boris Diaw will man the SF position...compared to ragmanovich and walton and arriza.

And then, perhaps best of all, Goran Dragic will be the next great PG in the NBA. He'll learn under the greatest PG of all time STEVE GNASH and become a 6'5" version of him with the ability to dunk.

Maybe smush and kwame are good fits for the lakers...they know the system...and they're at the right price.

C'mon lakers, revert. You know you want to.

I think sasha is worth the money, his marked passion and drive is only going to become stronger.

sad that lakers would pass.

...then again Ding How just could be someone one step ahead of me...someone may have just grabbed the name, out of the air, after passing thru prattville....

Boy, we really got spun around with Mitch's words of "same team, seeya next year"....we may need programs to figure out who the players are, they should put the player's salary next to his stats, just kidding that would be cold. Matt Barnes would have been nice, what is it with this guy, whenever I've seen him play he looks like a player, then he's bouncing around, pretty soon he'll have that record of what 13-14 team???? I would take Barnes over Walton, and Walton's ability to "facilitate"....(that was the overused word a few months ago)....if the Lakers could have got him we could have taken picture of him standing next to Jordan Farmar, and called them brothers...they kind have some similar characteristcs/features....Jordan's a keeper in my opinion...he will keep improving, Sasha will keep improving, at an even faster rate, (the light bulb finally turned on last year)....I think he's going to be Mike Miller equivalent....but with defense...

2008-2009...."NO D, NO RINGS!!!"

Edwin Gueco,

>>>Another idea is to take the Bulls trade offer of Hinrich
>>>and Nacione for Odom and Farmar. Whatever savings
>>>derived there, pay Sasha.

Nice thinking. Except for the fact that Nocioni and Hinrich
make MORE than Odom and Farmar. A lot more. And for
a lot longer. And they haven't been key contributors of a team
that has made it to the NBA finals, as Odom and Farmar have.

Besides, Mike T would never buy into either Hinrich or
Nocioni because they're both white.

dave m,

Your count is a bit off. If the Lakers re-sign Sasha, that brings
the roster up to 12 players (including Karl, who's already signed).
If they add Sun Yue to that, that's 13.

13 is the league minimum, so they technically wouldn't have
to add anyone else, but I have a feeling they will try to get
one front court player who can back up both PF & C.

humanomaly,

I’m half-Chinese and I was the one who made the humorous Hop Sing comment, for which I apologize. Hell, most of the bloggers aren’t even old enough to know who he was or understand the reference.

At any rate, you obviously believe the ding how is a real poster and not a blog name? I am not sure, which is why I’ve never come out and accused anybody of any anti-Asian racism. I have a contest with dave m trying to figure out who is behind ding how.

There is a level of intelligence that has walked a very careful line not to give away whether the posts are naïve or real. Ding how is either a real nice but naïve guy who is a Lakers fan or a very funny parody on racism. And very Confucian in that you don’t really know what’s going on. In fact, ding how could be laughing at you right now.

At any rate, I chose to be entertained rather than offended but I will keep my comments and laughs to myself if it really bothers you. I think it’s all done in fun.

Anyway, that’s my take on ding how in prattville. Ding, if you’re there, please feel free to chime in. We’re all friends here in the Lakers Blog. Peace.

Tom

Why don't the Lakers backload the Sasha deal so as to avoid luxury taxes? Make it a 5 year deal with a backloaded so that in the first 3-4 years, he gets paid little and a lot at the end? By then, Luke and Vladdy's contracts could be over and we could avoid most of the penalty...

GO LAKERS!

I say we should get back Janero Pargo who hasn't yet signed with the hornets. He's looking or a little more over three years than the Lakers are offering Sasha. You can't sign all these role players to max money when players like Bynum are looking to max out as well. That's why the Spurs are always in it. They seem to find "team first players" and never seem to have moneyissues while staying competitive. Guys like Ronny and Sasha will crash and burn with other teams, because neither one can get their own shots. Sasha would just jack up shots without having Kobe and the triangle to give him room. Same for Luke and Vlad. The Lakers have too many players who cannot create which makes them ineffective when the outside shot isn't falling.

AK / BK,
I read in another article the Lakers are bringing in two players to work out today to possibly replace Sasha in case he decides to leave. Any idea who these two players are? I hope Sasha stays but if he gets offered the same kind of money Childress did, he will leave LA. Thanks.

Jerry Buss,

Pay some luxury tax to bring Sasha back. He's a Laker. Through thick and thin.

Do not let him go to Europe.

Go Lakers!

Put me on the "Pay Sasha" bandwagon.

I say , let Sasha go , take his money and re-distribute it between Vlad and Phil so they could do their jobs better.

Mike T, sorry to say this but you are a damn fool. You have spent the last week arguing that the Lakers should pay Kwame Brown $3 million a year, and now you say the Lakers should not up their offer to Sasha?

Your rationale about Sasha not getting other offers obviously applies in Kwame's case, but unlike Kwame Brown, Sasha has shown heart, passion, the ability to work on his game to improve, and the ability to actually show up in games.

Your opinion at this point appears to be a joke.

Humanomaly

Thanks, I posted that about Let's Go C's. I know what it's like when you have the burden of a secret. Like a school yard romance he's splashing mud on that which he loves most...the Lakers.

Really, who could blame him, they're cool, they win, they have the best player in the game.

But I see a more serious issue looming here:

My man Sasha. I've never been in a contract negotiation before, but I can imagine how frustrating it must be. You see yourself as being worth X, they say you're only worth Y. How do you bridge the gap?

I don't know, and I can understand where each side is coming from. The Lakers are over the Luxury tax limit. They want to lock up Bynum...maybe. So they need flexibility. Sasha sees this as one of two, maybe three, opportunities to make his bank. No problem there.

But he's the funniest guy on the court. His funny lil face and all that hair flapping everywhere...man he's hilarious. Teamed up with Gasol, Farmar, Vlad Rad and Walton and you have the all white team.

He proved that he has the ability this year. We've all watched that slick, quick release jumper that he's got. But I really think it's his defence that we'll miss more than anything else.

My Christmas wish is that the Lakers sign Sasha Vujacic to a 4 year/16 million deal by 2 PM today.

GO MITCH!!!!!

Here are some movements so people here would not be quoting names who have been signed with other teams. Evans was signed by the Warriors, Azubuike was also matched and Monta Ellis was resigned for a total of 66M. Hinrich might move to Suns, Biedrins to Europe and maybe together with Sasha.

OK, Turiaf is gone and Sasha may not be re-signed - the question paused to the F/O who are the replacements? You can't leave those positions open. This is a bummer we are getting back to the guessing game of what Cupcake is made of: pure sugar or plain wheat. They are again sitting on their a**es w/o any movements except rumors here and rumors there. C'mon Mitch ACTION, ACTION, ACTION! Don't sit on your laurels just b/c you got Gasol and went to the finals, got to be AGGRESSIVE and SHOW SOME FIRE!!!

Why is is that every summer our FO finds a way to **** everything up? Do they know something that we don't? Ronny? Gone. Sasha? Possibly. Defensive free agent? Nope. WTF?

I see no reason why they're lowballing a man who basically won us a game in the Finals, a man who is still in the very early stages of his career, someone who took a massive leap this year, both in offense and definitely in defense, and has the potential to be a starter for a number of teams, including ours in the future. I don't get it.

In my eyes, aside from AB and JF, he's the most important piece in the future of this organization, maybe even more than JF. Nobody showed more fire on the court than Sasha and Kobe, just look at when Ray-Ray drove past him in the Finals. How do you replace that? Evans? **** that, there's a reason we shipped his @$$ out.

Whatever, maybe the plan is to see how far we can push Kobe by leting the future walk out and go to other teams. It wouldn't surprise me if they took the same tactic with AB as well. The FO has to be careful here, they're playing a dangerous game, and as passionate Lakers fan said, Kobe staying isn't a guaranteed thing.

Re-sign him guys, I'm begging you.

-bozz-

Lakers will be stupid to offer Sasha more than 3M a year for 3 years...It's starting to look like the NBA team owners are beggining to understand that you need to make sure to keep your players accountable and not overpay role players such as Sasha... I mean I love Sahsa, but let's be realistic he played well for only 6 months out of his 4 year career...

In any battlefield, there are ups and downs you lose men but you gain strategic fronts and acquire territories. Same with the Lakers, if your fans have regained their faith and confidence with the team, don't take it for granted. Show some fire from your belly especially you lost the PR battle when Roland Lazenby released a snapshots of what's going with the Buss family, the Coach and their fascination of players. If Jerry Buss says he has no confidence with Farmar, why not trade him together with the expiring contract of LO with Hinrich and Nacione or Gordon - do something quick than letting other teams beat you on the race. If you wish to go for Artest and don't like Thomas, then make it happen with another player.

What makes it frustrating is that we are fighting against two fronts and eventually three. The first one, every NBA teams are watching the Laker moves and they compete on whatever their choices, eventually we lose the bidding war b/c we're over the luxury cap; The second front, the Euro teams are purchasing second rate players with their powerful Euros and less games played; And the third front will be the maintenance of our marquee players next year LO, Kobe and Mihm may be their last year, we can afford to lose two but not Kobe. I hope the Buss family realize these options. Non Action is just complete hopeless stance, it doesn't do anything but open newer fronts of competition.

An Open Letter to Dr. Jerry Buss:

Dr. Buss,

Here are my suggestions as to how you can improve this team for next year.

1. Resign Sasha
2. Sign Quinton Ross
3. Resign Kwame Brown
4. Retain Coby Karl
5. Improve the training staff.

Spend the money!

Dr. Buss, you can't continue to raise prices like you have and not spend the money! It could be argued that we lost Game Five in the Finals because ticket prices were SO fricken high that there weren't enough True Laker fans at the games to give support to our team. Instead there were a bunch of celebrities and socialites who don't even know who Vladamir Radmonovich and Derek Fisher are.

We will be satisfied with NOTHING but a Championship next year. That's it.

Fulfill your legacy. Get it done.

GO LAKERS!

Bringing back Sasha is a must. However, I'm pretty sure he's just bluffing. He loves playing in Los Angeles for the Lakers and doesn't want to leave. He just wants to get paid too. He's trying to get every extra penny out of the Lakers and deservedly so. I hope the Lakers just pony up the extra few mill. They're raising the ticket prices again next year so that should cover it haha.

What would happen if we were to lose Sasha? Would we sign someone else or go with someone within to organization? I'm assuming Sun Yue will be a Laker next year but would he get a significant amount of minutes with Sasha gone? Hard to say. Hopefully Lakers take care of business and re-sign Sasha.

Lamar = Laker for Life

GO LAKERS

Doc4Da LakeShow

I'm with you on Pargo, but PJ like big guards and Pargo doesn't fit that bill. Kobe Carl does though, so maybe you get the best of both worlds. The NBA is becoming a Moneyball type of sport, where you can have only a couple of superstars and need everyone else on the team to be paid at a bargain according to their value. Hence you have either young players that have good talent and raw ability with little polish, or you have veterans lacking that youthful athleticism but have a polished game, and come at a bargain.

I can't get over the constant state of fear and anxiety around here. I blew up at LakerTom earlier in the week because he's been lacking any new material lately, but at least his outlook is always good. Some of you cats have got to stop freaking out about role players like Sasha Vujacic. The Lakers will be fine.

Chill out.

Good morning CRUE!

I can't believe Cupcake (yes I called him that) hasn't locked Sasha up - even for a year (of course I believe it needs to be much longer). Cupcake - pay the man - we need him. Then maybe I'll stop calling you Cupcake again. How does Fruitcake sound? (With all this cake talk do you think Kwame - or the Kwaminus - are listening & taking notes? LOL!)

Sasha's camp is saying the Lakers best offer is 12 mil over 3 years.

They will bolt if the Lakers don't come to 5 mil per year.

Euro offers are real and considerably better than the Lakers. If the Lakers don't match, Sasha will be gone. Then the Lakers, I assume will look in the FA market for a replacement, since Coby Karl is not ready to take over Sasha's role.

Glancing at the list of available FA's Kareem Rush's name popped up. Has he signed yet? PJ liked him, he knows the triangle, and is a very good 3 pt shooter. Defense, not so good. But if you don't want to pay up , you can't expect to get everything.

LakerTom,

I completely agree with your observations on Ding How. Here is the problem, if you make comedic remarks on the blog and some people respond by entertaining everyone, it should not be interpreted in another way. Jokes and light banters should not be classified as racial attacks. If we do then it is just handcuffing free exchanges of comments and opinions. If there are pranksters among us by taking advanatage of our anonymity which is natural, then we should also follow the common courtesy of sportsmanship in our dealings. If you are a serious blogger but have handicaps in written communication, nothing wrong about that, just be frank and let everyone know about those handicaps. Our objective here is to communicate not to produce a literary piece. However, If you play the blog with a joke, then don't be surprised if other bloggers reciprocate you with another joke. That's the life of every Clown.

lakers playing hardball with sasha.

i like it.

sucks for sasha that the lakers got burned by luuuuke last season, or else he probably would have been offered 4-5 million per year.

but props to kupchak for not giving an outside shooter a bunch of money, when we are already paying another outside shooter 6 million per (radmanovic).

this summer, i would try out a different starting lineup. it's outside the box, but hear me out.

lamar (ballhandler)
kobe (scorer and driver)
vlad rad (outside threat)
gasol (big man distributor)
bynum (muscle down low)

this applies only lamar is still hanging around come september...

i think this lineup would cause some serious mismatches for the rest of the league.

anyhow...

i agree with mike t, it appears the lakers want players with defensive skills.

with the game and finals on the line, an elderly ray allen simply cruised by sasha for an easy layup to clinch the game and ultimately, the title.

don't get me wrong, sasha can heat up from outside...but sometimes he turns cold.

and just because he is active/hyper on the defensive end doesn't mean he's any good.

call sasha's bluff, if he wants to chase euros in europe - that is his perogative. the fact that nobody in the nba tried to match the lakers offer says a lot...probably not what sasha and pelinka wanted to hear...

lakers want him back, but on the lakers terms, not sasha's.

i guess we'll see how this plays out...

There's going to be a lot of freaking out if we lose Sasha and Ronny, but we bring Kwame Brown back.

It's important to keep this team together.

GO LAKERS!

Pig,

You're right, he is a role player, but just look at the impact that role players on Boston had this year, and considering that he's probably our best player coming off the bench, I could see how some people are freaking out about his current situation.

Who knows, he could be getting ready to sign as we type all this stuff, or maybe the Lakers are working on bringing someone else in, all I know is that he was a big part of our success this year and it only looks like he's getting better.

-bozz-

Faith,

Though I like Luke Walton, the "generosity" of his contract I think really did unrealistically raise the expectations of other players' agents.

GO LAKERS!

Javaris Crittenton is again available, Magic are trying to get him due to overload of PG's with Grizz' why not move into that direction.

Jennero Pargo is also available, he is fast and a 3 pt shooter as well, why not snatch him for lower price than Sasha.

JR Smith is also available, another shooting guard who is fast and good 3 pt shooter.

Luol Deng is completely frustrated with Bulls offer.

Ron-Bill Artest is edgy to move out of the Kings

I am mere blogger, a frustrated fan yet I was able to enumerate five players as possible substitute of our losses or possible trades. Our F/O is made of shrinking iceberg from Antartica, HOPELESS w/o any response, no action and waiting for another Kobe Volcano to erupt. Kobe already made some sarcastic remarks and still the Buss family and Mitch Cupcake don't get it.

Why Europe deals are attractive to mid-range NBA players?

One article brought out some really nice things Euro's offer that the NBA prohibits teams from doing. Made me think of the time when Mark Cuban offered his guest house to Rodman and the NBA had a total fit. "You can't do that!"

Free lavish city apartment and a country home, including maintainance.
Luxury cars for him and family, including drivers.
Private schools for children
Free 1st class plane tickets for visiting family from states.
Will pay taxes
Will pay agents fees

So when a player gets paid, he keeps everything.

As an example:

Childress salary is 10,000,000
Kobe is 20,000,000

Euro League schedule is only 25 games including playoffs
Last year for Kobe including playoffs over 100.

Estimates Per game:
Childress 400,000
Kobe 200,000

After taxes:
Childress 10,000,000
Kobe 12,000,000

After taxes per game:
Childress 400,000
Kobe 120,000

For players coming off rookie contracts, that is quite an enticement. Not saying big time players will split. Marketing deals are next to nothing in Euro League

enough of the quinton ross takes. the guy is clipper garbage, i do not understand the fascination...

AND CAN WE QUIT ASKING THE LAKERS TO PONY UP THE MONEY FOR ROLE PLAYERS?

kobe $21 mil
lamar $14 mil
gasol $15 mil
bynum $2.7 mil (most likely soon to be at least $10 mil)
vlad $6 mil (erroneously)
luke $4.4 mil (erroneously)
fish $4.7 mil (a bargain!)
ariza $3.1 mil (to be determined)

among those eight players, a total of $70.9 million

we made two mistakes with vlad and luke (a combined 10 million dollar mistake)...but damn we are paying our talented players pretty well.

so quit asking the lakers to pony up more for bench/role players when we are already over the cap.

we can't have it all...

role players on this roster know they will have to take what the lakers are offering if they wanna be a title contender for the next five seasons.

and kobe isn't going anywhere, as long as bynum and gasol are with the lakers. he might be an awkward egomaniac, but he isn't stupid...

"Lakers will be stupid to offer Sasha more than 3M a year for 3 years...It's starting to look like the NBA team owners are beggining to understand that you need to make sure to keep your players accountable and not overpay role players such as Sasha... I mean I love Sahsa, but let's be realistic he played well for only 6 months out of his 4 year career..."

Finally someone gets it! These owners are not going to pay full MLE to players like Kapono, Walton and Rad anymore. That's a serious waste of money and has led to having roster problems.

The Lakers would have one hell of a time moving Walton with 5 years left on his contract. I think all that free spending has caught up with NBA teams.

Before it was like if a guy had a strong playoff he was signed to a big deal. Now look at Phoenix with Diaw. Diaw got rewarded for playing in a system that played no defense. They never made the finals. And when the chips were on the line this year against San Antonio the Suns saw the truth.

Diaw was effective when the Suns were running. When Shaq came to town the Suns had to change their style. I watched the games. When Shaq first got to Phoenix the Suns were losing. But when the Suns got used to playing with him they started to win. But the suns had started to slow the game down a bit. Then it was like this: When Shaq was in the game he would do well with rebounding and blocking shot and just clogging the lane and the Suns were very competitive. But when he was out of the game and Diaw and Barbosa were in the game the Suns would revert to run and gun and would get killed.

Now the Suns have changed coaches and intend on going to a more structured brand of basketball. I assume it's defense. Where does that leave Diaw and Barbosa?

I think Barbosa can still be an effective back-up but Diaw? Diaw is owned 9 million for the next 4 seasons. Phoenix is trying to move him but can't get a taker. Why should anyone take Diaw at 9 million a year?

That was one of those contract that was just crazy. Phoenix got stuck. Just like the Lakers are stuck with Walton and Rad to a lesser degree.

These GMs and owners are starting to come to their senses and players like Sasha and Turiaf would be lucky to get contracts starting at 5 million and for a full MLE. That isn't going to happen.

Turiaf got lucky with his Golden State contract. But that tell you that the Lakers weren't willing to pay Turiaf 4 million a year. And the Lakers won't pay Sasha 5 million a year not even for 3 years.

mike t.

Wow. Butler is now using commas, periods, and capitalizing the first letter of a new sentence.

blog is heating up in late july, lovin it

nothing better than being a laker fan, i wish all the laker haters could experience the laker love/vibe for at least a day...

still got the olympic games in beijing...cannot wait...

I think the qualifying one-year deal is a move to put him in check so he can prove that this past season was not a fluke and that he can duplicate or even improve it to show he is worth every penny he is seeking. Although I do think it's a low ball offer for a guy who among others in the team is quite dependable behind the arc than what they estimate his value to be. The luxury tax factor just makes it more challenging to strke a deal and I expect the organization to look at avoiding past mistakes in overpaying guys who emerge during their "contract year."

I really enjoyed the Machine's passion and effort this past season - he had more dunks this season alone than his career total, but perhaps his inconsistency in the big stage drew concern with the front office (6-23 in the last three games after dropping 20 on 7-10 in game 3). Also, some mental mistakes in the postseason i.e. the late game Tech for yapping at Korver, the scissor kick to Allen as well as that defensive lapse letting him blow by for an uncontested lay-up in the closing minutes of that disastrous game 4 (but Pau should take half the blame for not collapsing) may have influence in their decisions.

I just hope the two parties will agree to something remotely reasonable soon because I think it would suck to have the team's chemistry compromised at the expense of a small dent to Dr. B''s pocketbook. And I certainly would not like to see Sasha shoot lights out against our team a la Butler, Pargo, Udoka and GSW Fisher.

LTLF - yeah, I was including D.J. in the (14) count and obviously the decision hasn't been made whether to bring him back or not.

Sasha

Since Sasha played the whole 4th quarter, when it counted, I consider him starter or near-starter quality.

So to pay him the mid level exception seems fair.

It's sickening to think of a couple of other contracts we signed at that level that didn't pan out well, but what are you going to do?

You have to give him 4 or 5 million for 4 or 5 years. Just like Posey wanted. That's why he left the Celtics.

John

Jon K.

I agree. Rony was a guy that we couldn't afford to over pay. Sasha is a guy that we HAVE to pay.

You can't take a team to the finals, then let it fall apart. Sasha must be retained.

On another note, i hope both LO and Kobe see how hard it is to keep a team together with the cap where it is. Both guys have an opportunity to spread and share the wealth with their teammates next summer. I'd like to think those two could take a pay cut to facilitate team success.

Don't misquote me... It's not their job to take a paycut. But, if you want good help around you, having money to afford it makes a difference.

The Machine played great last year, but it was his first good year. $5 million is asking a lot.

Still, we need to keep him.

GO LAKERS!

Edwin - I don't think the f/o is ignoring this one they're deep into negotiations with Perlinka. I'm sure the deal will get done. Each side will give a little.

This thread totally makes me laugh.

Last summer I was saying that I thought that Sasha would
have a breakout year and there were at least 4 or 5 bloggers
that were calling me an idiot and saying that VU-JA-WACK
would never amount to anything and the Lakers should just
waive his contract and sign someone else.

Now there's a frenzy that the world will end if Mitch doesn't
overpay him like he overpaid Luke and Rad.

Some of you are saying "Sasha won a game in the finals,
so that ought to be worth 10 million next season".

But you neglect the fact that with Lamar's re-signing and
Bynum's re-signing, it's probably 10 million per year for
the duration of the contract. Do you think Sasha is worth
that?

What you want is guys who win FOUR games in the finals,
not guys who win ONE game in the finals. Did you somehow
forget that Sasha shot 2-for-7 in game 1 (a loss), 1-for-9 in
game 4 (a 6 point loss) , and 2-for-10 in game 5. You could
argue that if Sasha had shot consistently well for the series,
the Lakers would have won it (or conversely that his INconsistency
lost the series).

James Posey, who got the full MLE, strongly helped in all
FOUR Celtic wins. He didn't have one good game and a
bunch of off games. He didn't score a ton of points, but he
played game-changing defense and hit a high percentage
of the shots he took.

Look. Sasha is a good role player, and I think he'll get even
better. But he's not irreplaceable.

Are you ready for this.

Brace yourself.

If Sasha signs in Europe for 5 million per or more, then
Coby Karl will step in and play almost as well as Sasha
did last season. I am 100% serious. He won't be as
harassing a defender, but he won't be as much of a
flopper either... a habit that got Sasha burned several
times in the finals.

You might want to start thinking of a nickname for Coby,
because if Sasha doesn't re-sign you'll pout and call Mitch
"Cup-cake" for awhile and then when Coby is averaging
40% 3-point shooting backing up Kobe, you'll dry your eyes
and adopt him.

Sasha was the 5th leading laker scorer in the playoffs. 6th during the season behind Jordan. So yes he deserves starter pay.

Still the question of PF/Center remains. If Kwame would sign for the veterans minimum why not sign him?

To go from 9M down to 1M? Even if it costs 2M?

He was a number one pick, and does play a little defense. And we're only talking about him sitting the bench unless someone gets injured.

John

2 questions:

How about Francisco Elson to replace Ronny? He not the energy player ronny was but he does have a decent jump shot and controls the paint pretty well

Can't the lakers front load the contract for sasha the way the warrios did with ronny? Give sasha 4.5 the first year and have it drop off after that, 4.2,4.1....

But I understand what the lakers are doing they are trying the let other teams set the market price for him and just match the offer. The lakers know that most of all the big money in the league had dried up (except in Memphis...but they need another guard there like they need another hole in the head) but sasha and his agent also knows that so the likelyhood that he would sign an offer sheet thats below his preceived value will not likely happen.

And like it not those owners in Europe are throwing big money at players, second teir players at that. Childress getting 10 Mill????? You gotta be kidding me they could have mode those type of offers to guys like Baron, Josh Smith. Okerfer. The NBA has a serious problem on their hands and they better try to nip it in the bud before guys like lebron, wade and anthony are offered crazy A-Rod type money overseas and cash in

Sasha's stroke was money at times during the playoffs but his D was mostly a liabiliy.

The other big liability that the Busses + Kupchark must contend with regarding any player "threatening" to play in Europe -- qualifying offers DO count against the salary cap.

In other words, LAL's cap would be dinged in the amount of *all* outstanding qualifying offers (i.e., an offer not accepted when an NBA RFA plays overseas, e.g. Childress) extended to any player for the immediate following season and for every season thereafter that said offer is extended to retain said player's NBA rights.

Mike T.

I've been thinking the same thing regarding some of the contracts that are being offered and the true WORTH of the players.
The entire league is clogged up with average players making more money than they should. Then there's kids like Sasha and Delonte West who can't even get a decent offer because teams aren't willing to pay (with the luxury tax) DOUBLE.

I'd blame some of it on mismanagement of payroll and GMs and Owners overpaying for talent, but it seems to be league wide. BAD teams everywhere have no money to spend. That doesn't seem right... But, think about the MLE. If we built an entire team with players making the MLE, our team would be over the cap, paying luxury tax and be nothing but AVERAGE.

I think the Salary cap and luxury tax have to be reviewed. Players are only worth what teams are paying. But, now with the Euro Effect, players worthes are being shot through the roof.
How can NBA owners, who have to pay dollar for dollar in tax, match (or even compete with) what some of these European teams are offering?

I don't want to bankrupt teams and owners, but we have to find a way so teams can loosen up check books without Such harsh penalty.

Long Time,
The log jam at SF decreases Sasha's value to the team: a healthy Walton and Ariza, with Ariza presumably improving from what he showed lat year before the injury, Vlad likely improving at least a little, and with Odom playing at least some SF. Less need for the Sasha at SG, Kobe at SF lineup; that will limit his minutes to backup for Kobe at SG, and there would not be a huge drop off putting Karl in that slot. So while it would be nice to have him, it's not a disaster if he doesn't re-sign.

>>>qualifying offers DO count against the salary cap.

Against the salary cap yes, but not against the luxury tax.

And the Lakers are so far over the salary cap that the 2.6 million
taken up by continually making a qualifying offer to Sasha won't
get them under the cap any time soon.

LTLF,

Sasha may not be irreplacable... But, we know what we get from him, and we DON'T know what Karl would offer.

I agree that Karl MIGHT be able to step in and do some of those things for cheaper. But, when management is paying Luke and Rad what they are making and doesn't offer something similar to Sasha... Ouch. that's all i can say.
They were hasty with our money one and two seasons ago. And now they want to be penny pinchers.
It just seems lopsided.

That said, I still have faith that they'll figure it out and the team will find a way to be successful.

Long Time,

You could say the same thing about Kobe, LO, Fish and essentially the whole team in the Finals. Like everyone else on our team, Sasha was suffocated by the Celtics defense.

the market for a shooter has already been set. Daniel gibson signed for four mil per year and Posey signed for six mil per. Offering Sasha less than Gibson is an insult.

Mitch, please just pay Sasha. Please. We already lost Turiaf, don't let Sasha go. Please.

You throw 5 years/25-30 million at Sasha and if he doesn't "improve"?!? We have another Luke/Vlad/Mihm terrible signing that we're stuck with. Obviously Sasha will have no trade value as no one wants him right now. I wouldn't throw the big $$$$ at him.

LTLF,

I completely agree that Coby Karl would be the stand in for Sasha should he leave. People remember Sasha for the strides he made this year (post Ariza deal) and can't seem to remember how horribly he sucked the rest of the time he was here.

I like Sasha, a lot, and would be sad to see him go, but Coby Karl is a better passer, as good of a shooter (give him some PT), is stronger, and is just as quick footed (check out his lane agility scores from the draft camp, he beat some impressive people). He's also shown an incredible work ethic and I he could be had for about $5 million less a year.

I think the roster still has holes, and some major questions to be answered financially going forward, but I'm not saying losing Sasha to Europe would take us out of the running for the title.

Pay him. His defense is a liability, but everyone's defense will be better when Bynum comes back. When you've got a solid shot blocker patrolling the lane, and a 7 foot power forward playing defense, the guards will invariably be better at controlling the perimeter.

And in all honesty, the kid just needs to be taught how to play defense. He's got the length and is decently quick. Lord knows he's got the fire in his belly. But guarding someone out at half-court is akin to gambling, even an aging Ray Allen. Control and corral is more important at that distance from the basket.

Turiaf= Can't afford.
Vujacic = Must afford.

Long Time Laker Fan,
I see you about Coby. Let's hope for the best.

Laker Tom - Dave M,
I do believe Ding How is a racial pundit. But how do you deal with it on this blog? I have fun with it.

Everybody!
Who was the person who brought up the Deng Gordon Trade? I know it wasn't the Heinrich (spelling) inclusion. It was for the two bulls. Would you guys work out a trade for Deng-Gordon for 2 laker players? If so who do you think are the prospects with the Purple and Gold?

Let the speculation begin!

The Clippers should make a run at Sasha now that they lost Azebuike. Sasha and Baron would make an excellent backcourt.

STOP THE MADNESS! Bringing Kwame Brown back would be an act of insanity. Same thing with Mo Evans, J-Crit, and any other former Laker.

Going backwards in time for any reason interferes with the team's ability to move forward. STOP THE MADNESS!

Long Time,

Right on. The Lakers know how to play the game. Coby with a C can stroke it from distance, and he has mad handles and passing ability unlike Sasha.

Cut bait with Sasha. One good season does not a MLE player make.

Out.

I think some of it is simply owners facing economic reality. The fall out from the real estate fiasco will most likely affect attendance next year. The Lakers will probably be fine but other teams should see a dropoff as people simply won't have the funny money they used to have from the insane refinancing binge everyone has been on the last few years. The interesting thing is if the Euro continues to go up and... I'll leave politics to the side here but... I'm not encouraged... put it that way... but if you look 2-3 years down the road with some real, high profile free agents coming up and one of those guys might actually jump to the Euro league... imagine Dwayne Wade going to the Euro league. Don't think it can happen?

The NBA has some hard choices to make in the next few years and it's looking like one very real possibility is cutting payroll here in the US as we enter a severe recession while at the same time trying to expand to eventually have a team in Europe as more stars jump over there at much better offers than they can get here in the states. Scheduling would be a nightmare, especially for West Coast teams and the Euro team...

Long Time,

Right on. The Lakers know how to play the game. Coby with a C can stroke it from distance, and he has mad handles and passing ability unlike Sasha.

Cut bait with Sasha. One good season does not a MLE player make.

Out.

LTLF -

You're crazy! Karl isn't ready to step into Sasha's role. You can't go from being a D-Leaguer to a huge contributer (the 6th man, in fact) in one season. It rarely happens over the course of a D-Leaguer's career. Mikki Moore, Birdman, Matt Carroll, Matt Barnes, Rafer Alston, Chuck Hayes, Ime Udoka, and Jamario Moon are exceptions, but even for them it took years of slaving away in the D-League or years of rotting on the bench before making it in the L.

As far as the Lakers' FO goes, apparently they think this is the MLB... Wake up guys! You don't get draft picks in return when a FA signs with another team!

Losing Sasha would hurt because there is nothing out there, no free agents, that would or could replace him. I hope these are just rumors started by Sasha's agent, and not based in reality.

On a different note, I see after I left yesterday the Kwame debate raged pretty wildly. Sorry I missed it LOL.

David Stern needs to increase the salary cap.

We're in a situation where the NBA has a small pool of highly paid players, and a large pool of 'low' paid players. Where's the middle class?

I'd like to think that Walton and Radmanovic are middle of the road type players who can play a role for a good team. In this type of system, Luke and Rad shouldn't be getting more than 2-3 million, if that.

Stern should raise the salary cap by about 10 million, so teams can hold on to their middle class role players. Raising the cap could slow the flow of players leaving for Europe too, if that is the goal.

Go Lakers!

LakerTom,

Oh, absolutely agreed, 100% Chinese here...and I guess he is a mystery until the season becomes a wash and then we'll have time to play detective.....have a great day, and all is good.

I think you guys are building Coby Karl up a little too much but hey... if that's what you want to do...

Sasha's a hometown favorite, perhaps we are building him up a little more than he really is?

Luke Walton says hi. He says he cashed in at the very top of the market, just like the people who sold their houses in the summer of 2007. Cha Ching! Now people want to get the same prices and contracts only... that's OVER now so they can either adapt or accept the new reality... if Sasha wants to be here, $4m/season sounds fair to me, obviously NOBODY ELSE is offering Sasha more than $4m/season so... does he want to play in Europe for a little more money or for the Lakers?

I know what Elton Brand would do. Then he would hold a press conference and try to accuse the Lakers of doing something dastardly...

Leo,

They offer him that amount because they have to in order to hold the right to match another offer. The offer is not binding and the Lakers will continue to hold those rights in perpetuity if Sasha leaves to play in Europe. I would guess that they've made other offers to him above that, but are also measuring his value in the market.

This is business.

Andrew Z,

I think Coby could eventually do what or even surpass what Sasha does for us if he develops nicely, but he's an unknown. Sasha finally pieced everything together and came up huge for us time after time this past season.

Do I want to pay him 5 million a year? No, but I don't think we want to lose him because Coby has yet to play a significant minute in his NBA career. We're trying to win a championship here, and I want to roll with the guy that helped get us to the Finals, not the guy that was dressed in suits.

Any news on Shaun Livingston? He could be useful pick up.

I think anyone who is predicting that Coby Karl will have break out year and contribute as much as Sasha did last year is deluding themselves.

What are you basing this on? His wind sprints? He didn't wow anyone with his D-league play, or his summer league play and I remeber going to the Long Beach Pyramid and watching Devean George dominate Bonzi Wells in a Summer League game.

I wouldn't touch Devean George with a 10 foot pole now.

It takes years for most players to even start to impact the NBA landscape, this is due to an adjustment in the length of the season, the physical nature of the NBA game and the fact that ref's make calls on a slide ruler (stars get calls, nobodies don't).

Sasha just entered into his "Gets some calls" phase of his NBA career. He has just adjusted to the length and physicallity of the NBA season. This is why Farmar struggled near the end of the year again, it seemed like Phil played him less towards the end of the regular season because he looked pretty wiped out.

That being said, Coby Karl will not have a break out year. I think if he played 10-15 mpg, he'd be lucky to shoot 40%, total. His defence will be a liability. He's never won at any level. Why does this make him a significant contributor to our team, potentially?

Anyone?

Re-sign Sasha and we contend.
Rebuild and watch the drama REALLY unfold next summer.

Imagine this scenario: We lose our free agents this year, finish 3-5th in the WC lose in the first two rounds.

Kobe opts out.
Lamar heads east.
Fish retires.
Farmar signs elsewhere.
Who does that leave us with?
As of now, Pau Gasol, and we saw how well a team built around him did.

Re-sign Sasha so that we stay competitive until we lock Kobe up for his career.

Or next summer wil be disastrous.

DON'T BLOW THIS MITCH!!

OFFER THE $$!

KEEP THE MACHINE!

ok.....Nice to see you Laker Family!

peace-

janaya

Rocky,

The salary cap (generally) does go up after every season based upon team and league revenues and things like that. I'd love to see the cap raised as well, but I doubt Stern has the power to do this on his own.

If Luke Walton returns close to the numbers he posted prior to his free agent year, then he is worth the contract the Lakers gave him. He averaged 13 5 5 or something close to that I believe and from what I remember from that year is that Walton was a very consistent three point shooter when he was left open and actually if you could believe it he was in the top 5 i think in three point percentage mid-way through the season. In addition, he had a very solid post-up game with his turnaround shot.

However, it appeared as though in one year, Walton completely fell apart. He could not shoot the ball consistently which is an understatement, he could not post up and score with consistency.

He unlike Vlad has the IQ to play on this team and his flaws can be fixed. Luke had a great series against Denver and a admirable one against the Jazz because he did not back down to Harping's and the Jazz's physicalness, but it went downhill from there. Vlad didn't have a single good series in the playoffs. The Lakers had the opportunity to terminate his contract when he went snowboarding and got hurt but they didn't, which was a mistake. I didn't like Luke that much this year, but I think he has a better chance of improving than Vlad.

LakerTom-Charles-DavidWhang-humanomaly ,

Do you find it disturbing that Ding How is posting? I mean this guy is making fun of the chinese culture with his imitations. He doesn't like one of you and is clowning.

LTLF - I think we'll have both Coby and Sasha so it'll all be good... there's a number that will work for both sides, somewhere between 4 and 5. True, the euro's strong but L.A.'s not without its perks.

Here's something interesting, which may be a reason why the Lakers are dealing with Bynum the way they are:

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStories.asp?hd=
20080725&lc=
NBA#STORY_10733

Pritchard in Trouble Over Miles Comments?

"The Trail Blazers, specifically General Manager Kevin Pritchard, may be in violation of federal regulations in regard to public comments about the medical condition of former player Darius Miles.

Miles underwent microfracture surgery on his right knee and has not played since April 15, 2006. After a long rehabilitation period, the team first ruled him unfit to play and then sought an independent physician’s examination of the knee. That physician ruled Miles’ injury was career ending — which was important to the Blazers on two fronts that have to do with finances.

“Two doctors said Darius had the worst microfracture injury they had ever seen,” Pritchard said on an Oregonlive.com blog this week. “They would never have him play basketball a