1. Has Ryan Kelly's development come along enough for the Lakers to consider him part of their rebuilding effort going forward?

Holmes: I'm not sure there's anyone on the roster who the Lakers should seriously consider as a key part of their future going forward -- if the Lakers are looking to return to contending status, that is. Nobody really jumps out, aside from perhaps Julius Randle, who hasn't played all season. Kelly hasn't looked bad, sure, but he hasn't exactly wowed anyone either.

Shelburne: I think it's clear now that Kelly projects as a power forward, not as a small forward. But he clearly has the skill set and makeup to be a valuable player at the power forward position. With Randle slotted into that spot for the foreseeable future, that probably means Kelly will have to play in a reserve role.

Markazi: I think he's a piece, but I wouldn't call him a building block or a cornerstone. He's a nice player who can be a valuable role player on a good team.

2. With reported issues in Dallas, does it make it any more likely Rajon Rondo lands with the Lakers next season?

Holmes: It sure gives them a strong chance. As ESPNDallas.com's Tim MacMahon has written more and more, the Rondo trade is looking like a mistake for the Mavericks. He doesn't seem to fit in there at all, leading to the growing belief that his time there will be brief. He's expecting max money this summer, but the Lakers have to ask themselves: Is he truly worth it?

Shelburne: Yes. The Mavs still will have the advantage in re-signing him because they can offer him more years and more money, but Dallas has bigger issues to decide before the Mavs make a call on Rondo. Monta Ellis and Tyson Chandler are also free agents, and it's going to be tough to keep all three players. Whom do the Mavs prioritize? Whom do they want to invest in? A lot will be determined by how the Mavericks finish this season.

Markazi: I think so. He's no longer a max player and I don't think he fits in Dallas so the Lakers would make a lot of sense. He can have all the breakfasts he wants with Kobe in Newport Beach.

3. Brian Shaw's firing in Denver is another negative mark on Phil Jackson's coaching tree. How surprising is this?

Holmes: Not surprising. When Jackson rode the triangle to titles, he also had superior talent -- Michael Jordan/Scottie Pippen/Dennis Rodman/et al, Kobe/Shaq or Kobe/Pau. None of his disciples has had that kind of talent or anywhere close. In the end, a system is only as good as the players in it.

Shelburne: I don't think the Nuggets wanted to fire Shaw. I think things just got so toxic in Denver they basically had no other choice. The comments from Indiana forward David West, saying there are "no grown-ups" in that locker room, really shaped the narrative on this firing and salvaged Shaw's reputation.

Markazi: He was put in an no-win situation at the end in Denver. Shaw is a good coach and really deserves another chance with a more respectable roster and a front office that has its act together.