Final Tweaks To Lakers Lineup

                                                             

The Lakers’ have had an offseason as productive as just about any team in the league and their changes have thrust themselves back into championship contention.  Apparently the Lakers are on the verge of getting the defensive-minded Jermaine O’Neal. I have read opinions suggesting that this is a good move and others that say it would be a major mistake. I’m firmly in the mindset that Jermaine O’Neal would not add much if anything to the Lakers and is not worth looking into. Jermaine is not at all the player he once was and there is a major reason why the Celtics have no interest in keeping him. He is old, slow, and delusional about his capabilities. According to one source, O’Neal was frustrated with the role and playing time that he received in Boston, who has a much thinner front court than the Lakers.

O’Neal should be the 5^th frontcourt player behind Bynum, Gasol, Jamison, and Hill and as ludicrous as it may sound, how much better is O’Neal than McRoberts. McRoberts can bring more energy and is quicker on his feet, not to mention that he isn’t going to complain about his role which apparently is a problem with Jermaine. Even at the veteran’s minimum, O’Neal doesn’t seem worth it as he would ride the pine and probably complain.

For many of the same reasons, Kenyon Martin is another player that the Lakers should avoid. Although he would probably be a positive locker room influence, this is a team full of veterans that doesn’t need someone like that. As far as his playing ability, Martin is declining and despite decent defense and rebounding, he would be the 5^th option.

Although it is unlikely that the Lakers could acquire Brandon Rush or Leandro Barbosa, those are two players that are worth considering. Acquiring Barbosa would be huge for bench scoring although his defensive would be a major issue. Barbosa is an excellent outside shooter and has also played with Nash in Phoenix. The only way they could get Barbosa would be if he decided to take a major pay cut, not out of the question, but very unlikely. As far as Brandon Rush goes, he is a more complete player and younger than Barbosa, however he is a restricted FA and the Warriors have said that they will match any offer he receives as long as it isn’t obscene. With the Lakers’ cap restrictions, this means that getting him is probably not in the cards.

Two players that the Lakers should look into are Terrence Williams and Jodie Meeks. Meeks is a deadly outside shooter who could back up Bryant and make a major impact playing an inside out game with Bynum and Gasol. Terrence Williams is the athletic wing player that the Lakers desperately need to fill out the roster. As great and productive as the offseason has been, there are still a few couple tweaks that the front office needs to make before this team is ready to compete for a title.