Who is more serviceable for next year Lopez or Vasquez?

[morsatun]

We all seem to agree, that both Lopez and Vasquez in their respective positions showed good progress, but also limitations. Although not ideal in most people minds, it is certainly a possibility that either one of them or both would be our starting players next season (note I am not saying that is ideal or very likely but certainly one of the possibilities). We also agree that it is possible to have a decent season with either of them being starters, as long as the other additions to the team really make a difference in comparison to this year. Now my question is which of this two players is more serviceable for next season.
Lopez:
Pros:

• Very reliable (played every game last season as starter).
• Good physical presence under the basket.
• Relatively consistent with his short/ medium range shots.
• Relatively cheap for what he offers

Cons:

• Very slow for his position (which is more consequential if he plays together with Vasquez, as both are very slow).
• Not very aggressive offensively.
• Can’t really jump, for his size,
• He is weak as a rebounder.

Vasquez:
Pros:

• Probably his biggest plus is how cheap he is for what he offers (2.3 mills for next year).
• Very passionate, hardworking attitude (he gives 110% night in and night out).
• High advantage over other PG (he can post up and get points that way).
• Relatively good court vision.

Cons:

• Clearly his biggest negative is his defense. He is too slow, and has not being able to learn how to at least be less of a liability.
• Tends to keep the ball too long.
• Slows down the offense when it needs speed.
• Tries way too many hero shots.

I think this is a close one in terms of serviceability for next season what do you think?

[PelsFan2313]

With our current roster makeup, Vasquez is the most serviceable to our team. I don't expect that to be the case once the offseason comes to an end.

If Gordon was consistently healthy, I'd lean Lopez. But we all know that's never the case.

Both are solid trading chips.

[HornetGuru]

i would honestly trade whichever one gets us better value, i dont think either is huge in our long term plans.

[jgman]

Firstly, I would say this is very dependent on the draft. But that aside, I would rather have Lopez starting than Vasquez

[GESWhoseBack]

I would like to replace both. But it's harder to replace Lopez at the moment. If we pass on Len in the draft I hope we can at least find a way to upgrade GV.

[rebelman]

keep Vazquez and draft Alex Len and next season get a pg in the draft

[GESWhoseBack]

keep Vazquez and draft Alex Len and next season get a pg in the draft

Or give Austin a real shot at it.

[Pelicans78]

Easily Lopez.

[UNO Gracias]

I like taking a big this draft (if Burke isn't there) and then drafting a pg next.

If people weren't impressed with GV this past season, Rivers has no hope next, so we will need a real threat that can't be found on this team.

I say keep both though. Great contracts, great bench/ serviceable starters. I would upgrade at sg and sf before I worried about pg and center.

[RUFshreve]

If one is starting next season, I hope its Lopez.

[ScoutWithoutClout]

i think your assessment of both players is spot on...i see their acquisitions as a smart trade bait move from demps. get 2 young players who don't get lots of minutes, inflate their stats in a throwaway year, trade for someone you really want. picture trading vasquez lopez and gordon in one trade...sky is the limit

[BeeBall Reasons]

Lopez. But I'd get rid of both. I'd rather have Aminu starting next year than either if I had to pick one of the 3 to start.

[GESWhoseBack]

Lopez. But I'd get rid of both. I'd rather have Aminu starting next year than either if I had to pick one of the 3 to start.

Agreed

[UNO Gracias]

Here is the question, when you say equal value, what kind of equal value are you expecting in return for a $2.4 mil contract? I don't know how many good players are out there playing at contracts less than $5 mil, so you are looking at tying up a good chunk of change on a bench player who may/ may not be a better fit for your system than GV.

As for Aminu, dude couldn't have a good year til his contract year, and it wasnt even good enough to get him ranked among the 28 best sf's in the game. At least Looez and GV showed that when given minuets they are up to the challenge.

[AD23forMVP]

Easily Lopez.

[Davisistheman]

The knee jerk answer for me would be Lopez, but it is really impossible to say without knowing who would replace each one.

[cki3915]

First, the price is right on both of them. We have a horrible contract (Gordon) on the books, plus Anderson's deal is not the greatest in the world, so if you can get cheap starters, you keep them.

In the long run, I think Lopez is the more valuable. First, there are more point guards out there to be had than big men. Second, the things that Lopez does poorly, Davis does well, so as AD gets older and takes more control that will help Lopez. There is nothing you can do to help Vasquez' defensive shortcomings. The PG has to defend on an island. That is just the way of things.

[RaisingTheBar]

We can have a successful year with Lopez starting at the 5 if we fill other needs, I can't see us ever being a good team defensively with GV at the point.

[Purple Haze]

Or give Austin a real shot at it.

Even if they keep Vasquez on for his final year (or until he gets traded), if they don't draft a PG Rivers will get his shot. Monty wants him to be the starter over Vasquez as it is.

[Purple Haze]

First, the price is right on both of them. We have a horrible contract (Gordon) on the books, plus Anderson's deal is not the greatest in the world, so if you can get cheap starters, you keep them.

After this upcoming year, Vasquez is not gonna be cheap anymore.

[NemesisKING]

Here is the question, when you say equal value, what kind of equal value are you expecting in return for a $2.4 mil contract? I don't know how many good players are out there playing at contracts less than $5 mil, so you are looking at tying up a good chunk of change on a bench player who may/ may not be a better fit for your system than GV.

As for Aminu, dude couldn't have a good year til his contract year, and it wasnt even good enough to get him ranked among the 28 best sf's in the game. At least Looez and GV showed that when given minuets they are up to the challenge.

Equal value could just be them being the difference in a deal to get a better player, Gustavo Ayon made the Ryan Anderson deal go through.

Say we want to offer Tyreke Evans a deal, Vasquez could satisfy the Kings need for something in return and give them a reason to not match a deal that management my not want to match in the first place, but would feel pressured to match because of the fan base. And the same thing goes for Lopez.

On Aminu, Lopez and Vasquez, are both older than Aminu, both left college as seniors. Vasquez and Lopez both got to see the floor during real game time.

Aminu got drafted by the Clippers then they realized they didn't know what to do with him, is he a PF or SF, bad team with a coach on the hot seat, no time to teach and develop Aminu, getting drafted by the Clippers put him 2 years behind.

Aminu still has untapped potential. Perfect example of a guy that could come back with a jump shot and more confidence and become most improved player award winner, because the talent is there.

Aminu is still learning to be a perimeter player, playing for the olympics set him back.

Vasquez and Lopez were handed the starting positions in a way guys at their level never are, there are guys all over the league rotting on benches of teams, good and bad teams, guys we could get from the d-leauge who could come in and do what they did or surpass that if giving the minutes and freedom that were given to those two.

Its time to cash in those chips and find guys that will help us win games and give a couple more guys a chance to become assets for us.

[da ThRONe]

While I think Vasquez is the better player. Ball handlers are more important commodities. I think if we replaced Vasquez with Burke it's a much bigger positive than replacing Lopez with Pekovic.

[kclaboy504]

I like taking a big this draft (if Burke isn't there) and then drafting a pg next.

If people weren't impressed with GV this past season, Rivers has no hope next, so we will need a real threat that can't be found on this team.

I say keep both though. Great contracts, great bench/ serviceable starters. I would upgrade at sg and sf before I worried about pg and center.

I really think you miss why we weren't ok with gv last year. Rivers is an upgrade in that sense. DEFENSE.

[HornetGuru]

While I think Vasquez is the better player. Ball handlers are more important commodities. I think if we replaced Vasquez with Burke it's a much bigger positive than replacing Lopez with Pekovic.

this. i also think rivers needs a bigger role, he will be much improved, also we should trade GV now while he is an asset because he is only cheap for 1 more year then will be an UFA, lope however can be kept cheap for 3 more years or traded as a valuable cheap 7 footer who can score and defend.

I say trade GV now and possibly trade lopez in the future. just my opinion.

[kclaboy504]

First, the price is right on both of them. We have a horrible contract (Gordon) on the books, plus Anderson's deal is not the greatest in the world, so if you can get cheap starters, you keep them.

In the long run, I think Lopez is the more valuable. First, there are more point guards out there to be had than big men. Second, the things that Lopez does poorly, Davis does well, so as AD gets older and takes more control that will help Lopez. There is nothing you can do to help Vasquez' defensive shortcomings. The PG has to defend on an island. That is just the way of things.

Sorry but I totally disagree with you that rynos contract isn't a good one. I think it's an excellent one.