Kupchak Needs to Step up to the Plate
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by Zupaclypse
Since the end of the Shaq era in Los Angeles, Lakers general manager, Mitch Kupchak, has struggled to facilitate trades to better his ballclub. The primary reason, aside from the risk-averse climate in the NBA, is his team's serious lack of assets. This summer however, despiteLakers megastar, Kobe Bryant, demanding a trade out of Los Angeles, Kupchak is as equipped as ever to pull off a legitimate blockbuster. The question in Southern California is not just whether Laker ownership will finally empower their team's architect, but whether the much-maligned GM will display the shrewdness of his predecessor, the great Jerry West.
Unlike years past, the Los Angeles Lakers possess a nice mix of young talent and cap-friendly contracts to intrigue opposing teams. Most GMs covet Andrew Bynum, an athletic, long, and mobile back-to-the-basket 7-footer with developing offensive skills on a rookie contract. Players of this caliber usually garner major dollars on the open market. After centers, point guard is the hardest position to fill in the NBA. TheLakers possess two up-and-coming players at that position in Jordan Farmar and Javaris Crittenton . Farmer possesses a fearlessness and basketball IQ that earned him a starting role in last years playoffs. He also played exceptional well in the NCAA tournament. Crittenton , who was a potential lottery pick in this year's extremely deep draft, is a larger and more athletic pg. He demonstrated play-making ability and mental toughness in the summer league. Combining any of these young talents (on rookie salaries) with Kwame Brown's expiring 9 million dollar deal could render the Lakers a two solid veteran starters or a borderline all-star to pair with Kobe and Lamar Odom. Maurice Evans, a consistent and athletic 2-guard off the bench, is also in the last year of his deal and holds value when combined with other contracts. If the right player is available, theLakers could also include Lamar Odom in a deal. He is an extremely versatile point forward with great rebounding and defensive skills. A borderline all-star, Odom played injured for part of last season, demonstrating his will-power. A player with his skill set, size, and toughness is particular valuable with the increased pace in today's game. TheLakers have young low-salaried talents at critical positions and independent expiring contracts to make transactions more feasible, but it is up toKupchak to find the right pieces to the Lakers puzzle. He also has to convince management that trading some of their assets is worth the price.
Despite the luxury tax imposing heavy financial consequences to overspending, certain franchises have improved by making the right trades. Within the last year, the Golden State Warriors and Seattle Supersonics made smart financial maneuvers, acquiring assets at a low price. SamPresti , the newly hired Sonics GM, traded an aging 32 year old two-guard with a max contract in Ray Allen for the #5 pick in this years draft. He also traded his over-valued all-star forward,Rashard Lewis, gaining a giant $9.5 million trade exception for future acquisitions. Similarly, Warriors GM, Chris Mullin, unloaded the bloated contracts of Troy Murphy and Mike Dunleavy, bringing in troopers that helped the eighth seeded Warriors upset the 67 win Dallas Mavericks in last year's playoffs. He also traded Jason Richardson and his mammoth deal for probably the third best player in this year's draft inBrandan Wright. The move places the Warriors at the forefront of the Kevin Garnett sweepstakes. Mitch Kupchak needs to learn from opposing GMs on how to extract the maximum possible value from his assets. One advantage the Lakers have is an owner who is willing to pay the luxury tax for a contending squad. This makes Kupchak's job a little bit easier, allowing him to inquire about heavily priced personnel.
Unfortunately, Kupchak's past history forecasts another long summer for Laker fans. Despite learning from the greatest architect in NBA history in Jerry West, Kupchak has failed to live up to his mentor's success. He traded an all-star in Caron Butler for a major flop in Kwame Brown. Although Los Angeles needed a beefy big man at the time, relinquishing an asset for nothing is inexcusable. To make matters worse, he threw in a sweet-shooting veteran point guard inChucky Atkins (who just earned a generous contract from the Denver Nuggets) to make the salaries work. Clearly Kupchak's patience and negotiating power leaves much to be desired. He also failed to acquire enough young talent for Shaquille O'Neal, the game's best center at the time. Shaq eventually gave his new team an NBA championship while the Lakers struggled to get past the first round of the post-season. In addition, Brian Grant's contract, acquired in the Shaq trade, hamstrung the Lakers financial situation for two additional years, preventing them from acquiring a big name. Kupchak should have settled for nothing less than young talent and expiring salaries for his All-NBA center. Instead of drafting a relative unknown in AndrewBynum with the 10th pick in the 2005 draft, the Lakers could have traded down to get their target, acquiring an asset in the process. Kupchak shocked many by stating he would not listen to phone calls on the biggest trading day of the year. This move signifies his lack of expertise. Finally, inKupchak's tenure, the Lakers signed free agent forward, Vladamir Radmanovic , to a full length mid-level exception contract when they had a player of similar quality in Brian Cook at about half the price and contract length. Now,Radmanovic is an untradeable cap-eater.
With the Lakers winning potential maximized with the current personnel, this summer is Mitch Kupchak's most important one. The team has raised ticket prices steadily mostly due to the marketability of Kobe Bryant. With Kobe's future in LA in question,Kupchak has to hit a home-run, not only to re-establish a contending franchise out West, but also to convince his megastar to suit up next season. This time, the pressure is really on.
