Assuming we dont make the playoffs what should our game plan be for the offseason?

Here's a list of Laker needs:

Defensive Starting PG- Atkins would be great for us off the bench, but he's no starter. If we use our MLE to sign someone along the lines of Earl Watson or Antonio Daniels we should be in pretty good shape. We don't need someone who can score, just someone who can defend and help set up the offense.

Backup SG- We need someone who can backup Kobe, and who could play alongside Kobe in the backcourt. A vetran would be ideal, and I think we could snag Kerry Kittles (provided he's healthy) or even Raja Bell for the LLE. One thing is for sure, Kobe is playing too many minutes, having someone off the bench to take the load off would be good.

Banger PF- Odom needs to be moved to SF. He excels when he has a mismatch, and at SF he would have a ton of those. It would also allow us to play him in the post for the triangle offense. That being said, Butler is the odd man out. Trading Butler and expirings (George and Vlade to be specific) for a PF like Boozer, who we were close to getting midseason, would definently help us out. Other options include a sign and trade for Shareef Abdur Rahim or Stromile Swift. Others are available, but those 3 are the most likely.

Backup C/PF- Util Mihm learns how to stay out of foul trouble we need someone off the bench to back him up. This is where our lottery pick would come in handy. Picking up a big man in the draft (either a PF or C) would put us in a great posistion.

Best-case scenario Lineup:

PG- Watson, Atkins, Vujacic
SG- Kobe, Kittles
SF- Odom, Walton, Jones
PF- Boozer, Cook, Slava
C- Mihm, Lottery pick, B Grant

Granted that is a best case scenario, but if the team comes together and plays well we could challenge for home court. A triple threat of Kobe, Odom, and Boozer gives us a balanced attack that can beat a team inside and outside.

Comments, Criticisms, ect are welcome and appreciated.

Sounds like a nice, realistic plan for the Lakers this offseason. There is one thing though, there aren't a whole lot of good big men in the draft unless you get in the top 10 or so. So the Lakers are going to have to fall if they want to grab a decent big man in the draft.

That's where you're wrong Mr. Riot. Charlie Villanueva, Wayne Simien, Hakim Warrick, and Ike Diogu are all projected going around 20. They are all excellent, mature players who would be perfectly fine with roles off the bench. And in time, any of them could become a star. They all have great potential.

NTW, that pretty much sums up the Lakers' needs perfectly. But it's basicly the same team with Boozer, without Butler, and with a little depth added. How is this team going to turn into a championship team? How are they going to make a championship team while Kobe is still playing? Can they?

lol I they need a big man. They have Lamar Odom why would they want Hakim Warrick? The dude is like 200lbs.

And Villanueva is more of a Lamar Odom-type player himself. You need a true banger and a true inside presence. And scouts have questions whether Wayne Simien's game is going to translate into the NBA game.

I dont know if the Lakers would try to get a projected 20 pick with a lottery pick. If nothing else they would probably go with best overall and trade down for a PF. Of course, we dont need someone who can contribute right away, just someone who can take the pressure off Mihm and whoever our PF is next year.

Forgot to mention this, but if the Lakers dont acquire a big name PF, trading Butler to the cross town Clippers for Chris Wilcox is definently an option (Simmons is a FA, Wilcox barely plays at all but has the talent, seems like a good trade for both teams). Then we could package our draft pick and expirings for a bigger name player, at just about any posistion except SG and SF.

Yes it's pretty much the same team, except it takes the pressure off the starters (Mihm, Atkins) and allows Odom to play at SF, which is a biggie. If we run the triangle next season he could act as an anchor in the post and with his passing ability he could become quite a potent player. That being said, this team still isnt ready to compete for a championship. It would take the right coach (Phil Jackson), and a season ot two to gel together and develope as a team to become a force in the league.

But at least the Lakers wont have gaping holes like they did all this season, if people can find their roles and play to their ability the team will become instantly better.

Like I said on the internet, NTW, Johan Petro seems like the best pick for the Lakers.

1) First thing's first...a coach. If Phil doesn't come back, call up two guys: Flip Saunders and Roy Williams. If neither want the job, keep an eye out for Larry Brown. If no Brown, we're stuck with Cooper...but he's a defensive coach, so it may work out (not as good as the other coaching options though).

2) Wait for Draft Day...and go after the following guys in this order:
First Round: Wayne Simien, Ronny Turiaf, John Gilchrist
Second Round: Nate Robinson, Lawrence Roberts, Andray Blatche

Just make sure you pick up a PF and PG. I would say Petro, but I don't want another project on our hands.

3) Make it a priority to keep Walton and Bobbitt. Tierre would be cut, and Bobbitt would back up Atkins until a trade is made.

4) Buy out Vlade. Grant is a better center...and I'm sure we aren't getting rid of Grant without picking up someone else like Divac.

Now to the trading/signings...

1) The following guys would be untouchable:
Kobe, Lamar, Mihm, Bobbitt, and Walton

2) Push to sign these guys to minimum salaries:
Yuta Tabuse, Matt Freije, and Jackie Butler

3) Guys to look at for trades:
Jason Williams, Ron Artest, Earl Boykins, Rafer Alston, Nick Collison, and Sammy Dalembert

4) Use the MLE and try to get Kwame Brown, if he's not going to stay in Washington. His value is dropping, and he knows it. He may want another chance, and LA would be a nice place to play the four (where he needs to play) instead of trying to get big against East centers such as Shaq and Big Ben. Otherwise, split the MLE and make sure you spend some of it on the man we should've chased this season: Eddie Griffin.

5) Bring Douthit back to the states and stick him in camp, let him play the preseason and see how tough he is.

I can't really give you a lineup, because I couldn't tell you what trades would or would not be accepted. But what we should look at is getting sufficient amount of backup for each spot on the court. Keeping arguably our best passer and team favorite (Luke) and our best defending PG (Bobbitt) will keep us strong on the bench if we pick up a shooting/rebounding backup PF (such as Collison or Griffin). I believe that if we get Griffin or Kwame, Odom can move down to the three...which is exactly what he needs.

Fact is, we have to keep the players AND the fans happy, but do it while making our team stronger. If we trade Caron, we need to get a PF out of the deal...no matter what. If we trade Atkins along with him, a strong PF and a decent PG would do, as long as we shift our signings and draft to getting a young, potential PG (not someone like Vujacic, who's a combo guard...we need a pure PG). If we trade Grant, it should be for two bench players...and obviously, they will more than likely be overpaid, but hopefully they'll have short contracts. Package Grant with Butler if necessary.

Finallly, start running the reverse triangle from the start of training camp. Don't wait...and put Kobe in the coach's position, because for one, he'll love the opportunity to teach the younger players the triangle.

Real Deal, Ima have to disagree with you on a couple things..

Phil Jackson is the obvious choice for coach, but If we dont get him I dont see the Lakers moving away from Hamblen. I'm pretty sure management is committed to it, but thats just my opinion.

I definently dont see Walton and Bobbit as untouchable. Walton is a fan favorite but if he can draw in some talent theres no reason why we shouldnt trade him, especially since he plays our most loaded posistion. Bobbit looked great in summer camp, but then again so did Tierre Brown. Give him a non guarenteed contract and see if he improves his ballhandling, if he does he could be a nice 15th man (him or Douhit).

Buying out Vlade may be the safest bet, but I think we could package his ending contract and get some talent.

We have no real need for Tabuse or Freije. We need vetrans with good decision making and that can play good team defense. Plus, better players will be available.

I would love to get Dalembert, just to put him at C, Mihm at PF and Odom at SF. Thatd be a pretty good defensive front court. Alston would be good too, but Boykins and Jwill are most effectice when they dominate the ball, and we allready have Kobe and Odom to do that. Artest is great on D, but we have so many SFs its not even funny. I just couldnt see us making a deal for him. I havent seen Collison play much, but if he's on the block cheap, it might not be bad to pick him up.

I think Phil Jackson is coming back next year to rejoin the LA Lakers.

NTW...the reason why I say that Luke is untouchable is because we won't get anything out of him. Hopefully, he doesn't walk after this season.

And Bobbitt needs to stay here. I've seen ALOT of Bobbitt in college, and he's all defense, but that is exactly what the Lakers are missing.

Also, nobody will want Vlade next season, so that's another reason we get rid of him. He won't be playing for anyone.

Tabuse would be there if we don't get a good PG, and Freije would also be for us in the situation that we forget that Brian Cook is our backup PF.

We make a deal for Artest by getting rid of Butler somehow...that's if we don't get the starting PF and Odom stays at the four.

All of these things are assuming that we don't make any other moves.