Aside from convincing LeBron James to re-resign, a decision spurred in part by Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, the Los Angeles Lakers haven’t had the most successful offseason.
They hired JJ Redick, a potential diamond in the rough, as their newest head coach. Yet, it came after they were turned down by UConn men’s basketball head coach Dan Hurley. They drafted two intriguing prospects in Dalton Knecht and Bronny James. Yet, they double-dipped on the wing and didn’t address their weaknesses elsewhere. Then, the Lakers struck out on several stars in free agency and on the trade market.
Conflicting Reports Coming Out Of Lakers Camp
The most recent news coming out of L.A. is that veteran center Christian Wood will be out for at least the next eight weeks. Now, the Lakers are down two big men, including Jarred Vanderbilt. This makes their choice not to draft prospects like Kyle Filipowski or Yves Missi, as well as their inability to trade for pivots like Brook Lopez or Jonas Valanciunas, even more problematic.
So, when reports from Europe stated that Cedi Osman had rejected a training camp invite from the Lakers, it raised eyebrows.
The mystique of the historic franchise has long been its biggest selling point. James being likely to retire within the next two years yet still playing at an All-Star level is supposed to be attractive to free agents as well. Even with L.A. being on a budget, players are known to accept discounted rates for the right team.
Had the Lakers and James lost some of their glamour due to drama and playoff failures?
The other question is just about basketball. Right now, Osman is a better player than Cam Reddish and Maxwell Lewis at this point of his career. Yet, instead of moving or releasing one of them to accommodate Osman, the Lakers sat on their hands. A Finals will likely doesn’t rest upon Osman’s shoulders. However, a shrewd front office would maximize their talent.
Why aren’t Jeanie Buss and Rob Pelinka?
Cedi Osman Never Received Offer?
To the Lakers’ benefit, NBA insider Marc Stein reports that Osman never received a training camp invite.
It has been reported in Europe that Turkish swingman Cedi Osman turned down a training camp invite from the Lakers before signing with Panathinaikos in Greece, but sources close to the situation told The Stein Line that no such offer was extended by L.A. despite LeBron James’ well-known fondness for Osman dating to their days as Cavaliers teammates.
If taking the rumors as at face value, Osman wasn’t given an offer because the Lakers had 15 players on standard contracts. They also filled up all their two-way spots. With no open spots, how could they extend an invite?
Stein notes this as well, while also pointing out Los Angeles is just outside the second apron luxury tax.
The Lakers have 15 guaranteed contracts and are less than $50,000 away from crossing into second apron luxury tax territory, so there would be no reasonable pathway to add Osman to the team even had he come to camp and played well.
With all of that being said, it doesn’t seem to really excuse the front office for negligent roster-building. The Lakers have seen guys walk away from them all summer. Osman, a rotation-caliber player, was presumably willing to sign a minimum contract.
The Lakers’ front office was unimaginative at best and ineffective at worst.
