http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Ah3OSyEedQT7AJhgmhJ_JpOLvLYF?slug=ap-lakers-kelati&prov=ap&type=lgns

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Kelati

Don't know anything about his guy.  He's there to put pressure on Sasha for minutes, perhaps?  At 6'5" he might be a bit small to play at the 3.  Since TA left the Lakers have been looking for a 2/3 type.  Hopefully this guy works well enough to be more than just a 3rd stringer.  I guess this destroys the chances of any of the new training camp guys like Gelabale of making the team.

July 2, 2009

The Lakers agreed to sign Ron Artest and the Houston Rockets agreed to sign Trevor Ariza.

via www.latimes.com

Obviously, this was a shocking move from the Lakers management; one bound to have huge consequences.  How will this play out?  A dynasty for the Lakers?  A disaster?

This deal was probably a response to the blockbuster trades of San Antonio and the Cavaliers, as the Lakers felt pressured to improve their championship roster in the offseason.  However, Trevor Ariza was part of an effective championship core, and letting him walk may be seriously detrimental to the team chemistry.  Generally speaking, championship teams are built by keeping a strong core with inexpensive, interchangeable role-players. In my opinion, the Lakers would have done better by moving to fill their weakness at the point with an aging Derek Fisher and an uncertain heir.  As opposed to swapping out an already effective small forward for a potentially better but also possibly disastrpus small forward.

If Artest meshes well and keeps his temper under control, then we might as well plan for a 2010 parade.  Artest can give this "soft" offensive-minded team a jolt of physical defense.  This could be the makings of a legendary Laker dynasty with Kobe, Gasol, Artest, and Odom (hopefully, as of July 2).  However, Ariza was younger, had more upside, and has already proven he can flourish in the Lakers' system.

I think this was an extremely risky move.  We're going to have to wait until the season to see the results.

What are your opinions?

As the Rockets series has shown, the Lakers will have to make some adjustments at the point guard position.  As a huge Derek Fisher fan since the days of the three-peat, I was not surprised at all when Fisher hit those clutch 3's.  However, I think every Lakers fan acknowledges that Fisher cannot carry on for more than another season as the starting point guard.  Thus, I have a suggestion as to what moves the franchise should make to shore up the team's future at the point.

Trading for Kirk Hinrich

As many other analysts and Lakers scouts have observed for the last few years, Kirk Hinrich of the Chicago Bulls would be an enormous addition to the team. He's a good shooter, excellent passer, and most importantly, a great perimeter defender. Considering the fact that Chicago is expected to move him this coming season to allow the continuing development of Derrick Rose, I think that the Lakers should look into obtaining this feisty guy.

Where Amazing Happens - Rajon Rondo Plays Dirty (via zakthedj)

Unfortunately, the only feasible trade option would look like this:

Adam Morrison
Sasha Vujacic
Jordan Farmar

Now I'm not ruling out the possibility that Chicago would make this trade (remember Kwame and Javaris for Gasol, anyone?), but it is highly unlikely given the league-wide interest in Hinrich. Just take a look at other NBA teams' blogs to see what other teams can offer, and I think it is safe to say that Chicago probably isn't interested. The Bulls are looking for a low-post presence, something that the Lakers cannot offer, unless there is a sign-and-trade with Odom or they ship out Bynum (again, none of these are likely).

Developing Shannon Brown

Shannon Brown is a free agent this summer, but has really shown his worth this year for the Lakers. UPS not only defended well against Deron Williams, but also provided the defensive spark coming off the bench that really made the difference against Denver. The combo guard does everything that is required of him within the Lakers triangle offense: he defends and shoots. Throw in the fact that he's a monster athlete and a crowd-pleaser, and it would be really hard not to re-sign him. As many a sportswriter has said before, players need to be in the right system in order to flourish. Because of Shannon's lack of the abilities of a true point guard, Brown may not be in high demand by other teams. However, as the years of championships under the hand of Derek Fisher has shown, the Lakers do not need a true point guard to facilitate the offense. Therefore, re-signing Shannon and grooming him to be a starting point guard under the tutelage of Derek Fisher would be the economical option for the Lakers.

This guy gets up.  Lamar is 6'10" with a long wing span.

Jordan Farmar

While it is undeniable that Shannon Brown fits well within the system of the Lakers, I now make the argument that Jordan Farmar would actually be more valuable playing for another team. His role on the Lakers has been defined, as a tempo-pusher and facilitator for the young "Bench Mob" (which really did not come through this postseason for the Lakers). Farmar IS a true point guard, with great passing ability and knack for slipping into the paint a-la Tony Parker. While Farmar has been great for the Lakers these past few years, I think the Lakers would be better off trading him in a package. Sasha Vujacic has shown this season that he is completely expendable, but with his bad contract (two years, 10 million dollars for a shooter that can't shoot?), it will be difficult moving him. Farmar on the other hand, has a small expiring contract and is valuable as a backup and eventual starting point guard for another team that is shallow at the 1.

Farmar was the starting point guard at UCLA.  Can he do the same in the big leagues?

Sun Yue

With such sparse playing time this season, it is difficult for Lakers fans to evaluate this guy's potential. However, if his scouting description of "great ball handler and court-vision" hold true, then Sun Yue may have a bright future in LA. The Lakers have had a good track record of developing young players (Bynum, Farmar, Ariza), and hopefully they can do the same with this "Chinese Magic Johnson". If Sun Yue learns to use his size to create matchup problems, this guy could be great off the bench for the next few years.

So my final conclusion goes as follows: Try to trade for Kirk Hinrich. If not possible, then re-sign Shannon Brown and develop him and Sun Yue to eventually take up the reins from Derek Fisher. What do you think?