2011-2012 Finish: 41-25

Season Highlight

The Lakers continued to play strong ball under GM Greenmig, whose second run in the NLL proved that a good GM can turn a crappy team into contenders in no time. Proving last season was no fluke, Greenmig guided the Lakers to the playoffs for the second year in a row, erasing any memory of prior GMs Didizao (who destroyed the team) and WizKid (who couldn’t quite bring the Lakers back from the dead). Good on ya, Greeny!

Season Lowlight

Well, the season looked good, but damn, the Lakers stunk it up in the playoffs, getting beat down 4-2 in the first round by the underdog Minnesota Timberwolves. The injury to star David Lee, a season-ender, also brought an early end to the Lakers’ year. Glen Davis just couldn’t get it done and Jimmer Fredette and David West totally dominated.

Best Trade
The Indiana Pacers send Nick Young to the LA Lakers. The LA Lakers send Shannon Brown to the Indiana Pacers.

The Lakers made a lot of good trades last season, but this one was probably the best. Young scored a dominating 23.9 ppg on 48% shooting for the Lakers while Brown stunk it up for the hapless Pacers. The only downside here is that Young will likely test the FA market, but considering Greenmig once spent 50 Gm pts on Steve Blake….


Worst Trade

The LA Lakers send BJ Mullens to the San Antonio Spurs. The San Antonio Spurs send Mike Bibby to the LA Lakers.

We can forgive the Lakers since we all thought Mullens was a bust, but in hindsight, Mullens is an up-and-coming big man in the league while Bibby will struggle to find a team this coming season.


Other Notable Trades

The LA Lakers send Tyson Chandler to the Miami Heat. The Miami Heat send David Lee to the LA Lakers.

The LA Lakers trade -5 GM points.The Miami Heat receive 5 GM points.
In an epic big man swap, Greenmig sent defensive specialist Chandler to the Heat for a more complete player in David Lee. A push, but Lee’s injury ruined the season for the Lakers.


The LA Lakers send Richard Jefferson to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Memphis Grizzlies send Jameer Nelson to the LA Lakers. The Memphis Grizzlies send Brendan Haywood to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Oklahoma City Thunder send Matt Barnes to the LA Lakers. The Oklahoma City Thunder send Ben Gordon to the Memphis Grizzlies. The LA Lakers send a 2nd-Rounder (LAL) to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

In this doozie, the Lakers shed RJ’s salary and grab a starting PG in Jameer Nelson and journeyman Matt Barnes. RJ is clearly on the decline and in Nelson, the Lakers get that starting PG they have been missing for such a long time.


The LA Lakers send Mike Bibby, John Salmons and DeAndre Jordan to the Utah Jazz. The Utah Jazz send Kevin Garnett to the LA Lakers. The Utah Jazz send a 2nd-Rounder (Mia) to the LA Lakers. The LA Lakers receive 3 GM points. The Utah Jazz trade -3 GM points.

The Lakers get a bonafide star in this deal for spare parts Bibby and Salmons. DeAndre Jordan has a lot of potential, but isn’t worth his huge salary. KG is one of those rare NLL players who never seem to age and can do it all. Another nice move by Greenmig!

Best FA Signing

Alonzo Gee –F/G – The Lakers wrest Gee away from the former champs in Washington. Dollar for dollar, Gee is one heck of a value. Last season he made less than $1 million but scored 11.9ppg on 55% shooting for the Lakers.

Worst FA Signing

The Lakers signed a bunch of scrubs and benchies but none of them really cost Greenmig much and therefore don’t qualify here.


Star

Kevin Garnett – C – Garnett was an absolute beast for the Lakers at the five. While many of the other big men around the league struggled, KG averaged 17.6 ppg for the Lakers and hauled in 8.1 rpg. The Jazz really shouldn’t have given him up!

Surprise

Isaiah Thomas – G – Most players drafted 56th don’t even sign with an NLL> Ever. Not true for Isaiah Thomas, who appeared 51 games for the Lakers, even starting in four of them. Thomas scored a respectable 5.2 ppg in 11.6 mpg 2.4 apg. Not bad for a guy no one thought would even make the team!

Goat

Darko Milicic – C – Poor Darko has been here before and after a ray of light last season, he is back to his crappy ways. Milicic appeared in only 31 games for the Lakers and averaged less than 10 minutes of run time I don’t blame Greenmig as Darko averaged 2.0ppg and 1.8 rpg. Ew.

Draft Report Card

The Lakers did well in the draft this year, grabbing North Carolina center Tyler Zeller with pick #24. The Lakers are lucky the ACC player fell to them. He is an offensive big man that can really score. If he develops he can make Lee or KG a tradable asset. With pick #49, Greenmig selected Tennessee Tech guard Kevin Murphy. More offense, but the guy did have a 50 point game last season while in college.

Looking to the Future

Assuming KG and Gee return, the Lakers have four of their five starting positions handled. However, if Nick Young flies the coop, Greenmig is going to have to do some work finding a starting SGm especially when he has none of his roster (unless they decide to sign Murphy). Unfortunately, shooting guard is the hardest position to come by right now in the NLL and without an elite one, the Lakers fall back a bit in the pack. Jameer Nelson can play there in a pinch, but otherwise, it’s time for the big ol’ Aussie to go shopping!

Looking at the bench, the combo of Zeller and Lavoy Allen make a nice backing front court. I would trade Glen Davis for a wing or shooting guard, for sure. Isaiah Thomas also makes Steve Blake a little redundant, but it may be good to hang onto Blake to make sure Thomas’ rookie season wasn’t a fluke. Milicic will take a salary reduction but with all the other bigs on the roster, it’s time for him to be traded or waived.

Upcoming Free Agents

Kevin Garnett- KG has given Greenmig a verbal agreement and he will definitely be back in purple and gold. At least for the start of the season…..

Nick Young- Young wants out. The Lakers NEED him. If Greenming is going to dump 50 GM points on another player, it’s gotta be this guy. Retaining Young’s services locks up a great starting five. Don’t let him leave!!

Alonzo Gee- Gee is restricted but has also expressed his desire to return to Los Angeles. He should finally get a chance to start an entire season.

Troy Murphy- Time to let ol’ Troy walk. His size will help him latch onto another team, but his days of $10 million contracts are over.

Willie Green- Green isn’t as good as he used to be, but if Young bolts, he will suddenly be the best shooting guard on Sacramento. Too bad he’s a sign and trade player, meaning he will need to find another home.

Matt Barnes- Barnes doesn’t like to play for the same team two years in a row. Always a great value, don’t expect Barnes to break his trend for Greenmig and the Lakers.

Reggie Evans- Evans will also need to be moved under the league’s sign and trade rule.

Michael Redd- Redd WANTS to return to the Lakers AND he’s a SHOOTING GUARD. Let’s hope he isn’t the default starter when the season begins. He can contribute a little off the bench, but he is no longer a star. Hmmm….maybe LAL will sign Brandon Roy!