The team has just one big under a guaranteed contract—its ever-willing backup center, Robert Sacre. Management can also make a qualifying offer to Ryan Kelly, a rookie stretch 4.
It’s worth noting that Sacre was the last man picked in the 2012 draft, while Kelly was picked No. 48 last year. And while these two have certainly shown their proclivity for hard work, they probably wouldn’t be in the NBA if not for the Lakers.
Meanwhile, Pau Gasol, Jordan Hill and Chris Kaman are all free agents and long shots to return next season.
Each has expressed differences with D’Antoni and the Lakers’ current methodology.
Per Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times, Gasol questioned how he was being used:
"When I'm not getting the ball where I want to, where I'm most effective, where I can bang guys and utilize my skill, that affects my aggressiveness and overall intensity."
Hill commented, via Dave McMenamin of ESPN Los Angeles, about a possible role elsewhere:
"I think I fit in anybody's system. Everybody needs an energy guy.”
And finally, Chris Kaman was the most blunt of of all, as relayed by Ramona Shelburne for ESPN Los Angeles:
"Never did I think I would come here and not play, otherwise I probably wouldn't have come.”
The lack of minutes have been enough to send the 7-footer into a state of somnambulism.
Kaman and Hill haven’t seen much playing time recently—D’Antoni is instead electing to go with Sacre and/or Kelly as well as giving the willowy 6’7” Wesley Johnson a starting role at the power forward position.
Gasol, despite his long-running d...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Lakers
