I got this from some guy on another website, and I thought it was great: The MLE Use part or all of the MLE to sign Marcus Banks. He'd be an excellent fit at PG. He is a lock down defender, and he shoots well from outside, also, he wants to be here and he's young, just coming into his own. The Draft- The Lakers have a unique opprotunity to make some noise in the draft, and really improve the teams talent level and our future ability to pursue free agents. We've all heard about the Odom/Bulls rumors, with the Lakers getting #2 and #16. I think Toronto will end up taking Aldridge. He is working out with Chris Bosh and Bosh is urging the Raps to pick him. They need to keep Bosh happy and will take Aldridge to do so. Also, Adridge's workouts and measurements have been solid. With Aldridge gone, the Bulls will offer the Lakers #2 and #16 for Odom. The Bulls need a back to the basket scorer, and while Aldridge fits the bill, no one else justifies the #2 pick (Tyus Thomas measured only 6'7, so I think his stock will slip a bit.). While I like Odom, the Lakers would be getting not only the 2 picks, but also get the ability to sign a major free agent next summer (we'll be 10-15 mil under the cap by shedding Odom's contract). With the #2 pick, the Lakers have the ability to play kingmaker. Portland has the #4 and #30 picks, and would love to move up and grab Morrison. Charlotte, at #3, likes either Morrison and Rudy Gay. So we let Portland move up and take Morrison, get the #4 and #30 picks and grab Roy at #4. Roy is very polished, able to make an impact right away. He can also play the 1,2 or 3. He scores, passes, rebounds and defends. We still have the #16, #26 and #30 picks. With Kwame Brown now being a full time center, and with a high pick invested in Bynum, Chris Mihm can be moved (He's also in the final year of his deal and its doubtful the Lakers spend big money to keep him after this season, so move him now or see him walk for nothing). Golden State hasthe #9 pick and needs a center, so package Mihm and the #30 pick for the #9. At #9 select Sheldon Williams. He is a strong bodied big who loves to play D, rebound and block shots. He also has a warrior mentality, which we really need inside. He'll be a solid 10/10 PF in the NBA. At #16, select Hilton Armstrong. He's a long thletic big, a nice compliment to Williams. He's a great shotblocker and draws comparisons to Channing Frye. He's also got a nice jump shot and runs the floor like a deer. Both Williams and Armstrong are seniors from major programs (Duke and UConn), so they are very ready to step in and contribute right away (unlike Bynum). They also can both play C or PF. At #26, select Marcus Vinicius. He's a 6"10 young Brazilian SF who shoots like Peja or Dirk. They say he moves well defensively, and should become an adequate NBA defender. His outside shooting would fit well in the triangle. The 06-07 Lakers roster would be: C-Kwame, Hilton Armstrong, Bynum PF- Sheldon Williams, Turiaf, Cook SF- Luke, Vinicius (Either Kobe or Brandon Roy can play some here as well) SG- Kobe, Roy, Sasha PG- Banks, Roy, Smush We'd be very young, but also very deep and talented. Lamar's scoring and assists, and Mihm's scoring would be replaced by Roy, Vinicius and Banks. While the rebounding would be replaced by Williams and Armstrong. Offensively, we'd have more balanced scoring, and we'd be much improved defensively, both inside (Williams, Armstrong) and outside (Banks, Roy). Our bench would be excellent. Perhaps most importantly, we'd be somewhere in the neiborhood of 10-15 mil under the cap next summer, and could make a run at a max contract FA from among the best FA pool in memory. Also, if we make a run at a restricted FA, (Lebron, Melo, BoshHoward, etc) or a signed player (KG), we'd have a ton of young talent to make the deal work while leaving ourselves a young and talented core. I know this is a pipe dream, but it could happen. To those of you who say we just keep what we have and add bit pieces, I say we'll never really be a championship caliber team with what we have. I know we played well the last part of the season, andf gave the #2 seed a scare, but we'll be mired in mediocrety if we dont adress our overall talent level and our situation vis a vis the cap. With Kobe's and Lamar's expanding contracts (getting biger year by year) we'll never have enough cap space to go after anything but mid level players. Yet, we'll be a low seeded playoff team, so our draft picks will never be high enough to help much either. I say do it now, we may take a small step back this year, because of our youth, but =by adding a maxFA next summer, with our additional young talent, we'd get back on top soon and be able to stay there for a long time.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting lakerman34:</div><div class="quote_post">With Aldridge gone, the Bulls will offer the Lakers #2 and #16 for Odom.</div> This where I thought it went from feasible plan to pipe dream. The rest of your moves were well explained and everything, but I don't see the Bulls trading out of the 1st round entirely for Lamar Odom.
I hope Mitch Kupcake doesn't screw up all the draft picks like he did the rest of the time... We could have had better players than cook and vujacic. From the looks of our starters from next year, I dont think Mitch will do much to improve this team from last years.
We could've had Josh Howard over Brian Cook. There's nothing we can do about it. Mitch is an idiot, plain and simple. We can't look back on the past, we can't change it.
Thats what I mean.. We made a huge mistake on vujacic. We could have had josh howard. Ever since Jerry West left we have made some really stupid acquisitions that have not made any impact... just to name a few in here.. Vlade Divac, Brian Grant,Atkins, Jackson, Aaron Mckie. Im plain upset that with just a few better choices or decisions we could have advanced in the playoffs. Veteranship killed us as a group and not enough leadership is what we're lacking. Kobe is great as he can be but without a team he will never advance past 1st round. Ive been watching the 2001 allstar game where KG throws Kobe the lob... we need someone who has good team chemistry with Kobe. Odom doesn't share that chemistry with Kobe even though he's a good player.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting LO7:</div><div class="quote_post">Is that deal too good or are you making Gerald Wallace seem like he's KG.</div> No, it's one of the most idoitic trade idea's I've ever seen.
I would draft Hilton Armstrong, he is an upgrade over Mihm and brings a shot blocker to your defense. How about Mardy Collins to play the PG spot?
Armstrong won't be around when we draft. The Wizards have high interest in him, so do the Nets. Don't let Shape know you want Hilton.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Bobcats:</div><div class="quote_post">No, it's one of the most idoitic trade idea's I've ever seen.</div> Are you sure? Need I say Wince Carter?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting TheBlackMamba:</div><div class="quote_post">We could've had Josh Howard over Brian Cook. There's nothing we can do about it. Mitch is an idiot, plain and simple. We can't look back on the past, we can't change it.</div> i wondering if jerry buss noticed this, and why can't he just fire him?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting philip2136:</div><div class="quote_post">i wondering if jerry buss noticed this, and why can't he just fire him?</div> Mitch knows how to keep his job. Just like my lovely secretary.
Man, all you Lakers' trade ideas are impossible ones. How selfish lol I heard Lamar and some other for KG, this time, Lamar for 2 early pics. I love Lamar but I don't think he's worth THAT much.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting bigballer111:</div><div class="quote_post">If he's not worth that much... how did he value up to Shaq being traded to Heats?</div> Because Shaq wanted out and Kupchak took a crappy offer to get Shaq out of the western conference. It wasn't just Lamar Odom either the Lakers got Butler, Grant, and a draft pick but he pretty much just got rid of Grant and Butler for Kwame Brown.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting bigballer111:</div><div class="quote_post">If he's not worth that much... how did he value up to Shaq being traded to Heats?</div> Good question. Ask your GM. Again, if he's worth that much, why so many Lakers fans want him out?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting LO7:</div><div class="quote_post">Are you sure? Need I say Wince Carter? </div> I'm talking about trade idea's from people on these forums. Almost every Laker trade scenario I see on this board is so one sided, it's ridiculous.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Bobcats:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm talking about trade idea's from people on these forums. Almost every Laker trade scenario I see on this board is so one sided, it's ridiculous.</div> Like that one deal where Lakers got Grant for Shaquira.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting WadeDynasty:</div><div class="quote_post">Not a fair trade, IMO.</div> Odom and some picks. Screw Garnett. If he wants to stay in Minny and end up being like Karl Malone, thats fine with us. And if he wants to go to another team ala Lakers where he can help a team be a title contender instantly, then that's also fine with us. But I'm tired of all this Garnett crap.
