James In, Banks Out, KG Stays in MInnesota

by user The Beast

Free Agent PG, MIke James, just signed a 4 year 25 Mil contract to play in Minnesota.

James, the top rated free agent PG only commanded 6 Mil per year. He had quite a few teams competing for his services. His signing means that Marcus Bankswill not be returning to Minnesota, unless he is willing to sign for a song. And if he is going to sign for a song, he can do that in LA and get a likely starting PG role and get to play on the big stage with Kobe. Banks is a lifetime Laker fan anyway and wants to come here.

All of this makes one wonder how much Banks is worth in today's market. Banks showed great promise finally getting to start and playing substantial minutes last season, he just hasn't proven himself yet to the level of Mike James. Banks also has fewer interested teams. This devaluation of Banks makes it easier for the Lakers to sign him or possibly do a sign and trade deal for him.

Last season the guard rich Celtics traded him to Minnesota where he experienced his first taste of significant minutes. In 30 minutes he averaged 12 points, 5 assists, 1+ steals, while shooting a dazzling 48% from the field, 36% from the 3, and 78% from the free throw line. Projected over 40 minutes he would show us 16 points, 7 assists, and 2 steals.

At 6'2" Banks is not the prototypical tall point guard that Coach Jackson usually wants to have to run his triangle offense. But before the tradiing dealine last season the Lakers were working hard to bring in another point guard with experience. Banks is only a three year player but he may bring in something the Lakers are lacking at PG. Being very quick, he just might be able to defend other point guards who riddled the Lakers last season. In the playoffs against the Suns, Smush constantly struggled to fight through screens and Sasha actually guarded Steve Nash better than Smush did.

For those of us who would like to see KG come to the Lakers, and I am one of those, must now realize that the signing of James, makes it harder for KG to ask for a trade. His angle would be that Minnesota is trying to put a winner on the floor. Well, it at least looks like they are trying to fulfill his wishes. So, he probably stays. Let's see if Banks coming to LA rumors start to resurface once again.

Date

Wed 07/12/06, 2:42 pm EST