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I'm not a LMA fan, but I have to say that in the last games he's trying to do his best and growing up his winning mentality...I really like that.
Actually, he's the best (playing, see Deadmon) play off big we have on the court...considering that Gasol plays defense only sporadically.
One thing is for sure: as currently builded, the team has them both like starters...but Pop has realized that play them together is difficult not only with the small ball teams (that can exploit their weaknesses with pick and roll strategy) but also with the remaining "two bigs" team (se what happened with Memphis).
As I wrote at the begining of the season, the real strenght of this team was to have a very big amount of playable players...in fact quite everybody has had a role during the regular season, and our record is the evidence that everybody has given his brick for building the wall of our very good regular season.
Well, as for now, the same is happening in the play offs.
So, speaking of what to do next season our main questions are about what to do with LMA, Mills, Simmons, Manu, Deadmon and the "youth movement"...
See before my opinion on LMA.
Simmons is playing well this series. But was one of the worst players in regular season and has not shined against Memphis.
Mills is playing well but it's obvious that he does not have the ball handling and passing ability to play a play maker role or a point guard role...and needs a passing guard next to him. However, he's definitely a reliable weapon at a le level in a role like shooting guard for instant offense.
Manu has been a God this last game, but he can't be considered our star of the future...if not from the bench (like assistent coach) tahnks to his charisma and knowledge of the team.
The youth movement (Murray, Bertans, K. Anderson, Forbes, possibly Deadmon) has quality but needs time and playing chances to develop adequately.
So, in conclusion:
1) I would not trade LMA if not for a piece (or a draft choice) that could be considered from day one an important part of our future (i mean a Paul George tipe or a 1-5 draft choice);
2)I would try to stay with most of the same group.
Parker, Green, Leonard, LMA, KA, Bertans, Murray are under contract; In the Parker case, it's to be evelued if he can can back next season...and in case of negative answer, if we can have an exception for signing a veteran play maker (my favourite name would be Livingston); Pau has a player option and is probably going to opt in. Lee and Deadmon have player options...considering their limited (Lee) or very limited (Deadmon) play off role, is clear they don't rapresent, yill this very moment, a play off strenght if not for the chance of using them as role players when the right moment came...so I will try to convince them to exercise their option at the current price if they liked to stay in a winning environment (with the chance for Deadon to have a big payday in case he develops on offense next year).
As for the other 5 players, I'll try to offer a decent contract to two of them (Mills and Simmons) considering they've been tested with positive results in play off cir stances...but not a break the bank contract (I mean a 7/10 million contract to Mills; a 3/5 million contract to Simmons. Just to clarify, i think the limit for Mills could be a 6th man of the year award more than a starting play making role in any nba team).
For Manu, I'll try to convince him to take a one/two year minimum contract in perspective to be assistent coach next year or the year after.
For Forbes, I would exercise the team option.
For Anthony, his place is gonna be taken from our draft choice.
Obviously, this strategy means that that the best way to win next season, imho, is staying pat and develop our young players...I see star potential in Murray, and good potential (from starters to at least 7/8 man) in both three of KA, Bertans, Simmons (I was extremely skeptical on Simmons, before his play offs performances against Houston).
I see a big potential in Deadmon too, if he accepts another learning year.
For Forbes, I really think he just needs playing time and confidence; his main (maybe only, not he has shown flashes of a player better than Mills as a play maker) skill is nowadays the more appreciated as a nba playing style. And his mechanic is very, very good.
So this is my thoughts...but they can change by the moment for any reason (injuries, player's decisions, anavoidable market opportunities...and, obviously, listen or read a better wiew than the one I have written above).
