Draft or Free Agency? 01/29/14

Anyone still hoping for the Lakers to make the playoffs this year is going to be very disappointed.

For the rest of us fans that leaves us pondering the question: should the Lakers rebuild through the draft or free agency?

It's been the hot topic this week on ESPN radio and other sports outlets. The Lakers own announcer John Ireland is a strong advocate for building through free agency. He states that historically that's what has won the Lakers championships.  Many fans are arguing to build through the draft since the 2014 draft class is highly regarded.  My answer is simple: do both.

Ireland is inaccurate when he says free agency is what the Lakers have always done. He lists Kareem, Shaq, and Gasol and examples of players they got through free agency/trades. Well what about Magic Johnson, James Worthy, and Kobe Bryant? All drafted by LA. (Kobe was technically traded for, but the Lakers traded for the number 13 pick, they told charlotte to pick Kobe.)

The truth is there's no advantage to limiting yourself to only using one method to build a team. Especially with the new collective bargaining agreement. The Lakers can't build a team by collecting a bunch of stars anymore. The most that teams can afford before they have to fill the roster with role players is two. That is why players on rookie pay scale contracts who can make an impact are so valuable. They perform well but they're cheap and allow you put good players around them. How do you get those players? By drafting them. It's essentially the only way since no team will trade them because of their value.

Here are the steps the Lakers can take to get back into contention:

-Get a top 5 draft pick (then develop them)
-Sign a top free agent next offseason when K love is available. Unless for some miracle they get a shot at LeBronze then you take that. Pass on Melo because he costs too much. At $17M and under then sign him.
-Have a cohesive plan and direction for the organization. Everyone from the front office, to the coaching staff, to the players need to be on the same page. They need to have an identity. We can't have players not buying into the system or coaches throwing players under the bus. We need chemistry AND talent to win another championship.

Next I'll be covering the top 7 or so draft picks. The draft is always a crapshoot, but there sure are some intriguing players!! Until next time. GO LAKERS!!!