How deep are Vivek's pockets?

[Nikolizzle]

Because, while it may seem like a fool's gold dream, Dwight Howard is looking at FA options.

There are a lot of Pros that could be pitched to Superman to playing for the Kings, just sayin'.

A starting frontcourt with DMC, for one...

 

[Dime Dropper]

There's no way that's happening so no point even giving it a second thought. And anyway, I'm not sure it's the smartest thing to go throwing a max contract at him given his injury problems and distinct lack of impact as of late, despite the numbers. Not saying he's not a very good player, but I don't really believe he's a winner. He's a star player for sure, but should be better than he is. He doesn't have the attitude of the great players.

 

[Gary]

It would be like going out and getting Carmello Anthony or something. He's individually a good player but I am not sure what he can do for a team at this point. I know he would help Sac but how much? Is it worth it? That Laker team was a disaster from the get-go. I knew those players didn't match the time I saw them put together..

As for Vivek's pockets, our whole ownership group has the money to do it, but we do need to see what we can get for some of the players we have on our roster right now.

Say for instance if we could get a Nene for Evans and perhaps a Calderon for MT (I have not really thought out these trades so don't take them as what I really want. It's just an example). After we figure out the veterans we could get via trade THEN we should start going after free agents to fill in the gaps. It might take a year or two but it will be worth it! We have too many guards and our most valuable guards are Evans and Thornton.

 

[Fear the Putin]

I don't want glass jaw Dwight anywhere near this team. I rather have Cousins eat him up during their match-ups than have his overrated self on this team.

 

[Spike]

His pockets run deep,
so deep...

 

[Dreadnought]

I'm going to come out and say despite all of Dwight Howard's baby attitude, he is one of the top players in the NBA. Arguably top 5 and the best at his position.

It's a pipe dream, but I'd welcome Dwight with open arms. What's another big man with off court issues when you already have one?

 

[Sac.1989]

Bring dalembert back and beno. Playoffs 2014. Simple achievable

 

[VF21]

Because, while it may seem like a fool's gold dream, Dwight Howard is looking at FA options.

There are a lot of Pros that could be pitched to Superman to playing for the Kings, just sayin'.

A starting frontcourt with DMC, for one...

If Vivek is going to be building a TEAM, we don't need to be chasing after Howard. We can get an assemblage of good players for the same price we'd have to pay for him. And I agree with Dime Dropper. Howard doesn't have the great player mentality. He had the opportunity to step up and LEAD the Lakers and he failed miserably.

 

[Kingsguy881]

Viveck is not stupid for one. as currentl constructed there is a plethora of on court talent here being misused in the worst way. First thing is to bring in a coach and front office with some vision, a plan for the future. Next is to eliminate on court redundancy. Fill in the gaps and watch them mature. Boom!

 

[ESP47]

Bring dalembert back and beno. Playoffs 2014. Simple achievable

Dalembert is a few years older and Beno is a backup for a reason. I'd still take on Dalembert but we need to upgrade over someone like Beno.

I'd take Howard if we could get him. We saw how well the team played with the two towers in Cousins and Dalembert. Just think of how unstoppable our bigs would be if we had Howard and Cousins? Howard does everything better than Dalembert other than shoot FT's. We'd have two top 10 rebounders, two great post players, two good passers and one elite shot blocker.

While Howard acted like a coward this last year, he still put up monster numbers. Who's to say that we know what went on behind the scenes with him and Kobe most the year? Webber was considered a cancer before we got him and look how that turned out? Sometimes it just takes one elite player to open the flood gates for free agency. We aren't going to bring in 2 or 3 solid Iggy type players in free agency. Our best shot is to bring in one great player who is willing to take a chance on us so we can open the door to other solid role players.

With that said, coaching should be our #1 priority. A competent coach gets us 7-10 more wins automatically.

This draft pick is super important. No more Robinsons, Jimmers, Hawes, Doubys, and Garcias. We absolutely blew it last year with Robinson. Size alone should have told us to skip out on picking him. Complete waste of picks like that can set a franchise back a couple years. Instead of getting an elite or solid player, we ended up with a Patterson, Douglas and Aldrich. Hardly worthy of a 5th pick. I have confidence in this regime to actually put some work and scouting into this years draft, even on short notice.

 

[HereWeBoogie]

hate Howard

 

[VF21]

Dalembert is a few years older and Beno is a backup for a reason. I'd still take on Dalembert but we need to upgrade over someone like Beno.

I'd take Howard if we could get him. We saw how well the team played with the two towers in Cousins and Dalembert. Just think of how unstoppable our bigs would be if we had Howard and Cousins? Howard does everything better than Dalembert other than shoot FT's. We'd have two top 10 rebounders, two great post players, two good passers and one elite shot blocker.

While Howard acted like a coward this last year, he still put up monster numbers. Who's to say that we know what went on behind the scenes with him and Kobe most the year? Webber was considered a cancer before we got him and look how that turned out? Sometimes it just takes one elite player to open the flood gates for free agency. We aren't going to bring in 2 or 3 solid Iggy type players in free agency. Our best shot is to bring in one great player who is willing to take a chance on us so we can open the door to other solid role players.

With that said, coaching should be our #1 priority. A competent coach gets us 7-10 more wins automatically.

This draft pick is super important. No more Robinsons, Jimmers, Hawes, Doubys, and Garcias. We absolutely blew it last year with Robinson. Size alone should have told us to skip out on picking him. Complete waste of picks like that can set a franchise back a couple years. Instead of getting an elite or solid player, we ended up with a Patterson, Douglas and Aldrich. Hardly worthy of a 5th pick. I have confidence in this regime to actually put some work and scouting into this years draft, even on short notice.

I'm not picking on you specifically, but merely the comment you made that is so often brought up whenever there's a player with a problem, potential problem, possible problem, etc.

You cannot use Webb as an example unless you do so in context, recognizing that we had an amazing coach in Rick Adelman and an incredible guy named Vlade Divac who got Webb to see the light, to buy into Sacramento, etc. If either or both of those men had not been here, there's no way to predict what Webber's career with us would have been like.

I think Dwight Howard is going to require way too much money for what he'll bring to the team. As you pointed out, his FT shooting is about 15 points south of abysmal and he doesn't seem to be too concerned about improving it. He seems to be wrapped up in the idea that he's Dwight Howard and he doesn't have to work on his game. Yes, he has a ton of God-given talent, but he doesn't seem to have the hunger. He's not going to come to Sacramento; he's going to head to Miami or somewhere else where he thinks he can get the jewelry.

And yeah, he put up monster numbers. But it don't mean a thing if you don't get the bling.

 

[Heuge]

Cuz and Howard on the frontline...I can think of worse things to happen to a franchise.

 

[The_Jamal]

Are some of you joking? Not saying Howard would ever consider Sacto, but if he did, we'd be insane not to scoop him up. He's been a top 5 player the last 5-6 years, a top 3 defensive player, and has carried some horrendous MAgic teams. Even despite his "down year" this season, he was still a top 15 player this year on a disaster of a Laker squad.

 

[KingsCitizen]

Are some of you joking? Not saying Howard would ever consider Sacto, but if he did, we'd be insane not to scoop him up. He's been a top 5 player the last 5-6 years, a top 3 defensive player, and has carried some horrendous MAgic teams. Even despite his "down year" this season, he was still a top 15 player this year on a disaster of a Laker squad.

If Howard comes here, better lock him up for the long term.
Coz DMC/D12 frontline is sure to get a ring or 2 in 5 years.

Just surround these 2 with perimeter threats and that's instant playoffs.
Add 1 more star to that and that's all you need for the finals.

But I think, chances are Dwight ain't gonna come here.
So we better get hold of likes of Cole Aldrich, who I started to like seeing in our frontline.
Then draft a quick and defense playing young kid. Nerlens Noel would be nice, Gorgui's measurement also turned out good, and other guy would be Gobert(if he ain't got an IQ of Whiteside).

Other than MIAMI, the finals is turning into a big guy's game again. So better load it up there.

Unload JT and Chuck for probably a package with MT. These are the guys we signed for mid-level in successive years.
And pray that someone unloads a useful SF with that package.

Hell, Metta World Peace would even be something of a nice pick-up for that spot. He can bring more character to Sac. LOL. And probably enlightenment for DMC.

PG - Toney D
SG - Reke
SF - Metta
PF - Patterson/Noel
C - DMC/Aldrich

That line-up can box against any team. But Metta is gonna get all the shots. LOL.

Nah, I'm just a happy kingsfan. Nice to finally get new ownership and dream of lucrative trades and pick-ups again!

 

[ESP47]

I'm not picking on you specifically, but merely the comment you made that is so often brought up whenever there's a player with a problem, potential problem, possible problem, etc.

You cannot use Webb as an example unless you do so in context, recognizing that we had an amazing coach in Rick Adelman and an incredible guy named Vlade Divac who got Webb to see the light, to buy into Sacramento, etc. If either or both of those men had not been here, there's no way to predict what Webber's career with us would have been like.

I think Dwight Howard is going to require way too much money for what he'll bring to the team. As you pointed out, his FT shooting is about 15 points south of abysmal and he doesn't seem to be too concerned about improving it. He seems to be wrapped up in the idea that he's Dwight Howard and he doesn't have to work on his game. Yes, he has a ton of God-given talent, but he doesn't seem to have the hunger. He's not going to come to Sacramento; he's going to head to Miami or somewhere else where he thinks he can get the jewelry.

And yeah, he put up monster numbers. But it don't mean a thing if you don't get the bling.

I get what you're saying but there are cases other than Webber. He's just the one that everyone knows about. Even though it was a small sample size, Terrence Williams was another cancer that came here and looked like a great teammate on court and on the bench.

I'm in agreement that there is about a 1% chance that Howard would even consider coming here, but I'm just surprised as hell that people would say no if presented the opportunity.

As if our team is too good for a guy like Howard? I think we all have forgotten that we've been a losing team for the last 7 years or so. People act like Sacramento is above a guy like Howard who isn't capable of single handily taking his team to the finals. Well neither was Richmond, Webber, Vlade or Peja. None of those guys could take their team to the finals on their back or paired up with each other.

If (and a very small if) we got the opportunity to sign a guy like Howard, you don't say no because he can't shoot FT's. At that point were just nitpicking to justify our off court reasoning because we don't like him as a person. I'm not aware of any nearly perfect players other than James right now. If we can bring in anyone better than the Chuck Hayes' of the world, we need to give them a good look.

 

[Hadlowe]

I get what you're saying but there are cases other than Webber. He's just the one that everyone knows about. Even though it was a small sample size, Terrence Williams was another cancer that came here and looked like a great teammate on court and on the bench.

I'm in agreement that there is about a 1% chance that Howard would even consider coming here, but I'm just surprised as hell that people would say no if presented the opportunity.

As if our team is too good for a guy like Howard? I think we all have forgotten that we've been a losing team for the last 7 years or so. People act like Sacramento is above a guy like Howard who isn't capable of single handily taking his team to the finals. Well neither was Richmond, Webber, Vlade or Peja. None of those guys could take their team to the finals on their back or paired up with each other.

If (and a very small if) we got the opportunity to sign a guy like Howard, you don't say no because he can't shoot FT's. At that point were just nitpicking to justify our off court reasoning because we don't like him as a person. I'm not aware of any nearly perfect players other than James right now. If we can bring in anyone better than the Chuck Hayes' of the world, we need to give them a good look.

As a sidenote, I think the "hack-a-shaq/howard" strategy is headed for the dustbin. After watching several Lakers games this season, it became increasingly obvious that, even when the Lakers were playing away games, the crowd started turning against the team whenever they started fouling Dwight away from the ball. It may be sound strategy, but it's bad for the game in a larger sense to break up the gameplay this way.

 

[kingjatt]

Rumors have DH looking at LA, Hou, Dal and even Golden State is in the mix but in all likelihood he is going to take the extra 30 mil and stay in LA.

No big name/semi big name will look to come here at the right price until we look like an up and coming team with a direction, the new ESC will help too.

 

[Padrino]

Are some of you joking? Not saying Howard would ever consider Sacto, but if he did, we'd be insane not to scoop him up. He's been a top 5 player the last 5-6 years, a top 3 defensive player, and has carried some horrendous MAgic teams. Even despite his "down year" this season, he was still a top 15 player this year on a disaster of a Laker squad.

at this point in dwight howard's career, there is definite reason for pause. he's got a penchant for petulance, and likes to point fingers before first considering how he himself might be the problem, might improve on his deficiencies. he says he wants to lead a team to a championship, yet he shrinks away from the responsibilities that come with the territory of leadership. he may not be as demonstrative as our own demarcus cousins, but he does suffer from many of the same issues of immaturity. howard has an unnerving need to be liked, and it causes him to hedge his bets, both with the media and on the court. playing with kobe bryant has only provided further contrast. on the one hand, kobe bryant does not give a **** what anybody thinks. he just gets results. without him, the lakers floundered in the playoffs. then there's dwight, who cares far too much what everyone thinks, and is unable to lift a team on his back when they need him most...

then there's the fact that howard had the gall to proclaim himself superman--a nickname previously owned by shaq--long before establishing himself as a dominant force on the offensive side of the ball. he remains mostly reliant on his fading athleticism to score, and still hasn't fully developed the footwork necessary to become a true back-to-the-basket center. demarcus is already further along, in that respect. of course, howard has always had a feel for weakside shot-blocking. when he's at 100%, he's a rim protector of the highest order, but he's never taken that next step to legendary status, the step that shaq was able to take much earlier on in his career. it's confounding as an nba fan, to watch dwight howard flirt with greatness but fail to grasp it time and again. not to mention bigs take a lot of punishment down low (particularly given the hack-a-howard strategy), and i'd be seriously concerned about how dwight's back will hold up as he ages, as his athleticism continues to dissipate...

if you're a gm, you must do the diligence, and give dwight howard a fair look in free agency. i mean, his ability to change the entire course of a game from the defensive side of the ball is so very tempting, especially given the kings' well-chronicled deficiencies on defense. but, considering what it would cost to lock him up long-term (with no guarantee that he wouldn't just abandon ship like he did with orlando, and like he would be doing with LA if he theoretically signed with the kings or anybody else), i'd be more inclined to pass, and invest my energy in demarcus cousins, who has a tremendous ceiling, and the kind of fiery competitive streak that dwight has always lacked...

 

[Capt. Factorial]

Rumors have DH looking at LA, Hou, Dal and even Golden State is in the mix but in all likelihood he is going to take the extra 30 mil and stay in LA.

If the Lakers want to re-sign Dwight, they absolutely have to amnesty Kobe. With the escalating Luxury Tax now in place, and the fact that signing Dwight would put the entirety of Kobe's contract into the tax level, the Lakers will save $85M by amnestying him. Considering that he's got a torn ACL, that's a done deal no matter how bad the PR looks.

 

[Glenn]

I want Howard, warts and all. He seems immature (where have I hear this before) and has an over inflated view of himself. However, he IS Dwight Howard.

Perhaps this is off the road a bit but we have a guy named Vivek running this team. I would sit Howard down with Vivek and let the decision be made at that level. Vivek obviously would have his GM as a consultant or however he wantsa to use him. Sure this is playing favorites but Dwight is unique. So is Vivek. Let the decision be made between the two of them. Let us not undersell the value of being a King. I am guessing that the value of being a Kings has gone up. If i wee Dwight, I would consider the possibility of playing next to Cuz with interest. They are both elite (or will be elite) but in complimentary ways. If a one on one negotiation comes up with nothing, so be it. If it lands Howard, so be it also. Our strength right now is in a guy named Vivek who I think is clever enough to deal with any player and also clever enough to make big decisions like this. Heck, it's his money and it is his team. He is somewhat of an unknown quantity but what I see is great.

You don't let the possibility of getting a Howard pass by with excuses about this and that without letting the owner have input. I know Howard can be a problem but it's a different kind of problem than Cuz. Howard is spoiled but seems to be a very nice guy. I'd love to see he and Cuz giggling together on the same team. I will defer to my superiors on this but really, is there a better match to Cuz?

I saw the rumors of where Dwight would like to go. Sacramento was not on the short list. Let's let him know that a Maloof owned Kings is different than a Vivek owned Kings.

Lakers can't afford him.

 

[VF21]

If the Lakers want to re-sign Dwight, they absolutely have to amnesty Kobe. With the escalating Luxury Tax now in place, and the fact that signing Dwight would put the entirety of Kobe's contract into the tax level, the Lakers will save $85M by amnestying him. Considering that he's got a torn ACL, that's a done deal no matter how bad the PR looks.

I still don't think you amnesty the guy who's been the face of your franchise, is one of the very best to ever play the game, etc. Kobe Bryant deserves to end his career as a Laker, should he so choose. Let him retire and unretire if necessary, but you don't kick him to the curb. Laker fans would never agree, especially if it was to keep Howard. He's the outsider, Kobe is their guy.

 

[funkykingston]

I still don't think you amnesty the guy who's been the face of your franchise, is one of the very best to ever play the game, etc. Kobe Bryant deserves to end his career as a Laker, should he so choose. Let him retire and unretire if necessary, but you don't kick him to the curb. Laker fans would never agree, especially if it was to keep Howard. He's the outsider, Kobe is their guy.

Using the amnesty on Kobe would be a shrewd and prudent business move. There is absolutely NO way that he will be able play to a level that dictates a $27 million dollar salary, especially given that he'll likely miss half the year anyway. That said, I don't think it happens. From a PR perspective, from a loyalty perspective I can't see it. But it puts the Lakers in a horrible position. Kobe & Pau are due $46 million next year and $49 million the year after that. Gasol might still be tradable but not for quality pieces I don't think. Dwight may resign for the money and the allure of LA but it certainly won't be for basketball reasons. The Lakers will flounder next year. As a Kings fan, I'll be happy to watch it.

 

[kingjatt]

If the Lakers want to re-sign Dwight, they absolutely have to amnesty Kobe. With the escalating Luxury Tax now in place, and the fact that signing Dwight would put the entirety of Kobe's contract into the tax level, the Lakers will save $85M by amnestying him. Considering that he's got a torn ACL, that's a done deal no matter how bad the PR looks.

He has made more for the lakers over the course of his career than the 85m it would cost to keep him, not to mention the fans would outright riot outside of staples if he is indeed amnestied. the lakers operate on a different level revenue wise than any other team and although it would be a big hit if any team can take it is them. fans being upset and not spending money on the team could figure the net gain of cutting kobe to be vary small. the 2 billion dollar TV deal they signed with TWC is no joke they will find a way to pay him, even though like the maloofs the Buss's only money making asset is now the lakers. and he tore is achilles, an injury that is said to be harder to come back from than an ACL.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

Kobe & Pau are due $46 million next year and $49 million the year after that.

I think you're looking at the wrong year. Kobe and Pau are due $40M this upcoming year, and then are both free agents after that.

 

[Dime Dropper]

I want Howard, warts and all. He seems immature (where have I hear this before) and has an over inflated view of himself. However, he IS Dwight Howard.

Perhaps this is off the road a bit but we have a guy named Vivek running this team. I would sit Howard down with Vivek and let the decision be made at that level. Vivek obviously would have his GM as a consultant or however he wantsa to use him. Sure this is playing favorites but Dwight is unique. So is Vivek. Let the decision be made between the two of them. Let us not undersell the value of being a King. I am guessing that the value of being a Kings has gone up. If i wee Dwight, I would consider the possibility of playing next to Cuz with interest. They are both elite (or will be elite) but in complimentary ways. If a one on one negotiation comes up with nothing, so be it. If it lands Howard, so be it also. Our strength right now is in a guy named Vivek who I think is clever enough to deal with any player and also clever enough to make big decisions like this. Heck, it's his money and it is his team. He is somewhat of an unknown quantity but what I see is great.

You don't let the possibility of getting a Howard pass by with excuses about this and that without letting the owner have input. I know Howard can be a problem but it's a different kind of problem than Cuz. Howard is spoiled but seems to be a very nice guy. I'd love to see he and Cuz giggling together on the same team. I will defer to my superiors on this but really, is there a better match to Cuz?

I saw the rumors of where Dwight would like to go. Sacramento was not on the short list. Let's let him know that a Maloof owned Kings is different than a Vivek owned Kings.

Lakers can't afford him.

I applaud your enthusiasm Glenn, but there really is no chance that Dwight considers the Kings as a possibility, Vivek or no Vivek. Dwight probably has never even heard of him. He'd laugh at the thought of joining us - we're still in a mess roster wise, coach wise. There's a lot of work to be done before we're looked at as a possible team for big FAs regardless of new ownership.

My initial post wasn't saying Howard isn't good enough for us. He's obviously still a top player, but he's not at the elite level. And even though he'll get a huge contract, as his play deserves, it could end up biting the team in the a** a few years down the road, and that's my point. My thoughts are in line with padrino's (as usual).

 

[Section 101]

CP3 would be a better target for a max contract.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

I still don't think you amnesty the guy who's been the face of your franchise, is one of the very best to ever play the game, etc. Kobe Bryant deserves to end his career as a Laker, should he so choose. Let him retire and unretire if necessary, but you don't kick him to the curb. Laker fans would never agree, especially if it was to keep Howard. He's the outsider, Kobe is their guy.

85 Million Dollars.

This is higher than the entire payroll of most teams in the NBA, and the Lakers would be paying it out not to Kobe but to every other team in the league (~$3M each - only to non-taxpayers) for the privilege of having Kobe sit behind their bench in a fancy suit.

Yes, the amnesty would be bad PR, and they would run the risk of another team picking him up on the cheap (not that he's actually going to play), but for $85M...let me just tell you that I could find a PR way to appease the Lakers fans for a heck of a lot less than $85M.

Furthermore, Kobe can't help them out by retiring. The full details are here (link) but in short even if he retires his money can't come off the cap for a year after his injury (so they'd still have to pay the luxury tax on almost 100% of his salary), and even if they were to get the nearly-useless medical retirement exemption, if it were granted he could never return to the Lakers, ever. If they amnesty him, he can return once his amnestied contract is over - which would be next year.

 

[funkykingston]

I think you're looking at the wrong year. Kobe and Pau are due $40M this upcoming year, and then are both free agents after that.

You are both correct and wrong, as was I!

Yes, this is the last year of both Kobe's and Pau's contracts (I was looking at this year and next thinking it was the next two years) but no, NOT $40 million. According to Hoopshype, Kobe is slated to make $30,453,000 and Gasol $19,285,850 for a total of nearly $50 million!

 

[bajaden]

If the Lakers want to re-sign Dwight, they absolutely have to amnesty Kobe. With the escalating Luxury Tax now in place, and the fact that signing Dwight would put the entirety of Kobe's contract into the tax level, the Lakers will save $85M by amnestying him. Considering that he's got a torn ACL, that's a done deal no matter how bad the PR looks.

Let me add a little prespective to what you said. The Lakers have only 5 guaranteed contracts and Meta World Peace, who has a player option, which he'll probably pick up. If you just add up the three salaries of Kobe, Gasol, and Nash, all guaranteed for at least one more year, they add up to $59,013,155.00. Which is more than the total salaries of the entire Kings team last season. If you add in the guaranteed salaries of Blake and Hill, it takes the total up to $66,576,755.00, and into the luxury tax. If Meta picks up his option it goes up to $74,304,035.00. And all thats before they negotiate a new contract with Howard. Right now, the Lakers have a ton of money tied up in aging players. Something has to give for them to move forward.

Either that, or they let Howard walk, and let the salaries of Kobe and Gasol play out and start anew.