Lakers waive Brian Grant

[westkoast]

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Aug. 10 -- The Los Angeles Lakers have waived forward Brian Grant, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak. The team also announced that Grant will be designated as the team’s amnesty player as allowed in the new collective bargaining agreement.
Grant, acquired July 14, 2004 from the Miami Heat along with Lamar Odom, Caron Butler and a future first round draft pick in exchange for Shaquille O’Neal, has averaged 10.7 points, 7.6 rebounds and 28.8 minutes over 735 games in his 11 season career.

“The amnesty rule was not in place and thus not a factor when we made the trade which included Brian,” said Kupchak. “However, this is a one-time opportunity to take advantage of this situation, and exercising this will give us greater roster flexibility and the ability to improve our team. We’re grateful to Brian for his professionalism and contributions to our team last season and wish him the best of luck with the rest of his career.”

 

[SPURSX3]

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Aug. 10 -- The Los Angeles Lakers have waived forward Brian Grant, it was announced today by General Manager Mitch Kupchak. The team also announced that Grant will be designated as the team’s amnesty player as allowed in the new collective bargaining agreement.
Grant, acquired July 14, 2004 from the Miami Heat along with Lamar Odom, Caron Butler and a future first round draft pick in exchange for Shaquille O’Neal, has averaged 10.7 points, 7.6 rebounds and 28.8 minutes over 735 games in his 11 season career.

“The amnesty rule was not in place and thus not a factor when we made the trade which included Brian,” said Kupchak. “However, this is a one-time opportunity to take advantage of this situation, and exercising this will give us greater roster flexibility and the ability to improve our team. We’re grateful to Brian for his professionalism and contributions to our team last season and wish him the best of luck with the rest of his career.”

I read where this will save the lakers 30 mill.....does that mean Kobe gets a pay increase?  j/k.  Are they going to use some of this money to sign derek anderson?

[Guest_Randy]

My understanding of the "amnesty" deal is that it's not going to save the Lakers any money.  The Lakers still have to pay Brian Grant's full salary for the next two years and it will count against the cap (which means the Lakers are still over the cap) -- this is simply a move to keep the Lakers from paying any luxury tax.  I think the Lakers still have a midlevel exception left -- although why they would use it for Derek Anderson (who did work out with the Lakers before traveling on to Cleveland and some other town), I am clueless -- esp. since we are in DESPERATE need of a PG (here's hoping they aren't going to try and put Kobe at the point).  

[Joe Vancil]

What a stupid move.

Let's see...this leaves the Lakers with the rebounding of Chris Mihm, Lamar Odom, Kwame Brown, and Andrew Bynum up front.   Oooh....scary.

And given the fact that the double-dipping provision didn't go through, Grant can essentially go to any team for the veteran's minimum.

Think a team like Houston would mind picking up Grant?  Think Garnett could use some help up in Minnesota?  And let the Lakers pay for that help?  

When the team needs rebounding, you don't cut a good-rebounding power forward/center.  And you *ALWAYS* need rebounding.  *ALWAYS*.

Hey, Kupchak - how'd you get your rings?  Oh.  That's right.  You REBOUNDED and provided a BIG BODY.

"But the Lakers saved a lot of money."  Something like $30 million in luxury tax?  Well, not actually.  They were getting $1 million of it back just on the distribution.  And is it about money, or is it about improving the team?  If you're one of the top franchises, you don't degrade the team and improve an opponent to save money.

The Lakers are a PROFITABLE franchise.  They could have afforded all of this "luxury tax" to keep a player of Grant's quality.  It's not like we're talking a clubhouse cancer, here.

Absolutely stupid.
 

[westkoast]

Joe,

Brian Grant's rebounding wasnt all that last year.  His lift off the ground has diminished quite a bit and you could see it last year in his game.  Rebounds he normally would have grabbed seemed to just be a fingers length away.  While I agree they should have kept him you are making it sound like the Lakers had the same Brian Grant Portland did in 2001.

Normally Grant is a good rebounder.  Last year he was an average rebounder.  Yet he still is a better rebounder than Chris Mihm, go figure.  As for the knock on Odom, he was the leading rebounder on the team last year and I think in the top 10 in the league.  Rebounding is the only thing Odom did very well last year.

[JoMal]

All those games that Brian Grant had to play center in Miami because Mourning was sick took their toll on his body. He is just a shell of his former self. No part of him does not hurt.

This is a guy who played undersized against much taller opponents every night and did a workmanlike job.

But the Lakers made the right move. His abilities have eroded and he is not going to be the rebounder Joe thinks he is any longer, but some team who needs a guy to give them 15 hard minutes a game can use him.

He would be welcome back to the Kings, for one, who drafted him back in 1994.  

[Skandery]

He would be welcome back to the Kings, for one, who drafted him back in 1994.

at number 8 in the lottery.  You know he's had a number of productive years, but he never became the force on the block at PF I had envisioned coming out of Xavier.  I think the injury bug hitting him early in his career really stifled his offensive development.

[Joe Vancil]

I think Grant showed signs of becoming that force in Portland.  But I agree that when he was forced to play center in Portland behind Wallace at power forward, and then went to Miami, presumably to play power forward, but was forced into service as a center, that that pounding exacted a physical toll on Grant, and we're seeing the effects of it.  However, this is still a big-body with good rebounding technique...the kind of person who, if he doesn't get the ball, does the work that allows teammates to get the ball.  That's valuable - especially when you've got undersized power forwards (Lamar Odom) around.  The pounding Grant takes means that much pounding that Odom DOESN'T have to take to get the ball.

Find a team willing to play Grant at power forward and they'll be picking up a steal.


 

[westkoast]

I think Grant showed signs of becoming that force in Portland.  But I agree that when he was forced to play center in Portland behind Wallace at power forward, and then went to Miami, presumably to play power forward, but was forced into service as a center, that that pounding exacted a physical toll on Grant, and we're seeing the effects of it.  However, this is still a big-body with good rebounding technique...the kind of person who, if he doesn't get the ball, does the work that allows teammates to get the ball.  That's valuable - especially when you've got undersized power forwards (Lamar Odom) around.  The pounding Grant takes means that much pounding that Odom DOESN'T have to take to get the ball.

Find a team willing to play Grant at power forward and they'll be picking up a steal.

The thing is with Vlade gone and Kwame being just as undersized as Odom is, Grant would end up playing center yet again behind Mihm.

Can someone explain this amnesty rule cuz I am confused as hell.

[Reality]

The thing is with Vlade gone and Kwame being just as undersized as Odom is, Grant would end up playing center yet again behind Mihm.

Exactly and tt could also be a continuing goal of "build for 2007 and beyond."

 

[Guest_Randy]

I think Grant showed signs of becoming that force in Portland.  But I agree that when he was forced to play center in Portland behind Wallace at power forward, and then went to Miami, presumably to play power forward, but was forced into service as a center, that that pounding exacted a physical toll on Grant, and we're seeing the effects of it.  However, this is still a big-body with good rebounding technique...the kind of person who, if he doesn't get the ball, does the work that allows teammates to get the ball.  That's valuable - especially when you've got undersized power forwards (Lamar Odom) around.  The pounding Grant takes means that much pounding that Odom DOESN'T have to take to get the ball.

Find a team willing to play Grant at power forward and they'll be picking up a steal.

My understanding is that the Lakers are going to move Odom to SF and start Kwame Brown  :fire:  at PF and Mihm at center.  From what I see, PJ wants to use Kobe and Odom to run the offense much like he used MJ and Pip.  Both will be sharing the duties of starting the offense.  Although I STILL don't have a clue what the Lakers are going to do at the PG position -- here's hoping they don't put Kobe here!

As for Grant, this guy was one of my favorite players (off and on the court) in the league years ago.  He is a tireless worker on and off the court and while he gives a great deal of money to charities -- he also gives a lot of TIME (this is where millionaires get my respect -- most NBA stars give to charity because: 1) they need a tax write off; 2) they want to look good and 3) the NBA and teams insist on it.  But time?  That's where players like Brian Grant and Shaq distance themselves from the vast majority of players in the NBA.  

However, Grants knees are shot -- the Lakers tried to play him starter minutes last year and he just couldn't do it.  He doesn't have any lift, almost no lateral movement and he just can't move like he used to (he used to beat guys to loose balls because he wanted it more).  

He IS a class guy and a tremendous help in the lockerroom -- I don't berate the Lakers for letting him go -- I'm just really curious how this really helps them with the luxury tax, I didn't really think they were very close to paying anything in luxury tax money.  It might be a way to not have luxury tax to pay next year if they make a move (trade) during the year, I'm not really sure I really understand this move.

[Skandery]

Kwame Brown  :fire:

You know Randy, if Kwame Brown works out wonderfully for your Lakers, and thats a big "IF".  I will laugh at you.    

[Guest_Randy]

Kwame Brown  :fire:

You know Randy, if Kwame Brown works out wonderfully for your Lakers, and thats a big "IF".  I will laugh at you.

You know that BIG "IF" you are talking about?  It would be worth the laugh to see Kwame realize his potential with the Lakers!