<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">It's the story every NBA fan outside of Minnesota wants to read someday. It might even be the story frustrated Wolves fans are ready to read now. Kevin Garnett is officially, legitimately on the trading block. Numerous NBA front-office sources reiterated to me this week that we're still not there yet, and not especially close to being there. But personally? I've changed my stance on this one. After years of resisting the natural NBA writer's instinct to demand that the Wolves trade Garnett and start over, I've given in. Not even 10 games into the new season, I don't see enough hope for Minnesota to continue down this path ? assuming you can call it a path. I simply struggle to see -- with the Wolves possessing such limited trade assets beyond KG himself -- how they can improve the cast around him to avoid slipping farther and farther away in a deeper-than-ever West. Let's be realistic. Even if Garnett opts out of his contract in the summer of 2008 as expected and walks away from an '08-09 salary of $23 million, he still will have banked more than $200 million by then. He'll be 32 that summer and, maybe more than any other player in history, could comfortably afford signing wherever he wants for the mid-level exception. It's not like he needs another max deal. Chicago? Lakers? Maybe KG's willing to take a pay cut, in the tradition of Karl Malone and Gary Payton, to go to Phoenix and play with Steve Nash. Or, say, New Jersey with Jason Kidd. </div> Its time to go after KG... lol <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> Contenders in the West, if the Wolves could stomach that, would be lining up as well: Phoenix, Dallas and certainly others. The Lakers' interest, furthermore, is no secret, with Kobe Bryant and Garnett seemingly an ideal tag team given KG's well-chronicled unselfishness ? and Garnett maintaining an offseason residence in Malibu ? and two tantalizing big men (Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum) for the Wolves to go after.</div> I dont think KG is worth giving up Odom and Bynum... Odom has almost the same stats as KG, if not a little less but is more versatile and bynum is the future http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?pa...ydime-061118-19
At this point I wouldn't trade either Bynum or Odom straight up for KG. I'm not sure KG can impact the game for us like I felt he could last season. Bynum at age 19, is already commanding double teams from the defense, and this is the key to making the Triangle offense a success. Lamar Odom is 3 years younger and costs half the money KG makes. With all the time invested in Odom, we can't give up on him now. He's vastly improved from his first two seasons with the Lakers. The only big man I'd give up is Kwame Brown, and obviously he's not enough to acquire KG.
I was hoping he screws the Timberwolves over by opting out of his contract and signing with us in 2008. I hope that if we can't get him, nobody can. As mentioned, Odom has come too far for us to give up on him. As Bynum devlops, Odom doesn't need to be a second threat, he needs to play the role he is playing right now. Bynum is a prodigy who's able to get 20/10 if given 35-40 minutes per game with efficiency. All he needs to do is put more energy on defense by taking less risks by going to swat the ball on every play and instead using his massive wingspan to alter shots. More importantly, he's only 19 years old. I believe he will resign once his contract is over. However, I am all for trading anyone apart for Kobe, Lamar and Bynum. If Mitch somehow pulls of a trade without trading either of the three, he deserves to be in the hall of fame. Imagine a team of Bynum, Garnett, Odom and Kobe. The lineup itself will scare opponents. Although this is a pipe dream, what can we offer the Timberwolves without the three? Apart from Kwame, I don't really see anyone that they will be interested in.
I wouldn't trade Bynum, his upside is just too great and his long-term value is as well considering he is a legitimate center. Odom, however, I'd trade for KG in a heartbeat.
<div class="quote_poster">notMuchgame Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I wouldn't trade Bynum, his upside is just too great and his long-term value is as well considering he is a legitimate center. Odom, however, I'd trade for KG in a heartbeat.</div> It's a tough call, because we're talking about adding another $10M to our salary cap. We won't be able to afford a talented bench, we likely lose Kwame and maybe Walton. Kobe's salary + KG's salary would total $41Million alone. If KG guaranteed to opt out and take a pay cut then I'd make the trade, but if he's willing to opt out and play for less money then the Lakers might be able to get him without trading Odom to begin with.
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">It's a tough call, because we're talking about adding another $10M to our salary cap. We won't be able to afford a talented bench, we likely lose Kwame and maybe Walton. Kobe's salary + KG's salary would total $41Million alone. If KG guaranteed to opt out and take a pay cut then I'd make the trade, but if he's willing to opt out and play for less money then the Lakers might be able to get him without trading Odom to begin with.</div> To make the trade feasible, we'd have to throw in Kwame's contract.... and with Bynum's emergence, Kwame becomes a bit more expendable. I'm not sure if we'd have to throw in Luke, but i'd be agaisnt that. But I'm sure we would be able to mix and match and find someone else that the Wolves would take, if indeed they are keen on Odom Now if Mihm were available, losing Kwame would be an even easier pill to swallow, but since that's not the case, we'd have to be creative in finding the minutes when Bynum needs a rest. However, the difference in KG and Odom for 35 minutes a game will more than makeup for the dropoff of Kwame to whoever for 20 minutes a game, assuming we can get Bynum in good enough shape to play in the high 20's in minutes.
I do flip flop on this topic a lot, but after thinking about it again. I think Lamar is expendable, but not Bynum. I'd do something like Lamar, Kwame, and another player (not Walton or Farmar) for KG. Why? It helps Kobe out, a lot. Lamar can't carry the offensive load consistently if Kobe steps out of the game for a break, but KG could do that with ease. If KG was acquired, Kobe wouldn't have to play 40 MPG. Even if he's on the decline, he's still a far better player than Lamar. He's averaging almost 22 and 12. I'd take that over Lamar's 19 and 8.
<div class="quote_poster">notMuchgame Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">To make the trade feasible, we'd have to throw in Kwame's contract.... and with Bynum's emergence, Kwame becomes a bit more expendable. I'm not sure if we'd have to throw in Luke, but i'd be agaisnt that. But I'm sure we would be able to mix and match and find someone else that the Wolves would take, if indeed they are keen on Odom Now if Mihm were available, losing Kwame would be an even easier pill to swallow, but since that's not the case, we'd have to be creative in finding the minutes when Bynum needs a rest. However, the difference in KG and Odom for 35 minutes a game will more than makeup for the dropoff of Kwame to whoever for 20 minutes a game, assuming we can get Bynum in good enough shape to play in the high 20's in minutes.</div> If we traded Kwame and Odom, we would lose our depth in the frontcourt. We would have to count on Turiaf and Bynum to play well every game, and I don't think either are ready for that type of responsibility. If Mihm was healthy, then it would make the decision easier, but he's out for the season, and we don't have anyone else who can backup Bynum at center. I'd rather hold on to our depth, I think this team will compete for a title by next season already.
@ some of these trade ideas. C'mon fellas....KGs not just some role player. The Lakers (if they wish to stay in contention for KG) need to give up Walton, Kwame, Bynum or/ Odom along with a first round pick.
Odom and Bynum are untouchable now that I think about it. Our team has come a long way to grow this kind of teamwork and they have established themselves as better players.
<div class="quote_poster">authentiq Wrote</div><div class="quote_post"> @ some of these trade ideas. C'mon fellas....KGs not just some role player. The Lakers (if they wish to stay in contention for KG) need to give up Walton, Kwame, Bynum or/ Odom along with a first round pick.</div> Oh my god...a Laker fan making up a realistic trade for KG. I never thought I'd see the day.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">At this point I wouldn't trade either Bynum or Odom straight up for KG. I'm not sure KG can impact the game for us like I felt he could last season. Bynum at age 19, is already commanding double teams from the defense, and this is the key to making the Triangle offense a success. Lamar Odom is 3 years younger and costs half the money KG makes. With all the time invested in Odom, we can't give up on him now. He's vastly improved from his first two seasons with the Lakers. The only big man I'd give up is Kwame Brown, and obviously he's not enough to acquire KG.</div> I agree
If the Lakers don't give up at least Odom and Bynum their trade proposal is laughable. Especially considering the package the Bulls can offer which includes a top five pick in the draft, former lottery pick players, and cap relief.
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">At this point I wouldn't trade either Bynum or Odom straight up for KG. I'm not sure KG can impact the game for us like I felt he could last season. Bynum at age 19, is already commanding double teams from the defense, and this is the key to making the Triangle offense a success. Lamar Odom is 3 years younger and costs half the money KG makes. With all the time invested in Odom, we can't give up on him now. He's vastly improved from his first two seasons with the Lakers. The only big man I'd give up is Kwame Brown, and obviously he's not enough to acquire KG.</div> I would trade Odom for KG straight up without hesitated if the Wolves accept it. Odom is not the type of player that I think would get us to that next level, championship. Even when he had a good game, down the sketch in key situation, he just doing something that is unimaginable like missing an easy layup (ie, the Jazz game) . However, it's not the about versatile in his game, it's the lack of impact he brings to both end of the floor that cannot be compare to KG at this point of his career; and probably never will, KG alters shot in the paint and his mid-range, low-post game is an upgrade over Odom. Though you're right, it costs us an extra 10 mil on our salary cap just to acquire a player of KG caliber. Though, within the summer '08, KG can opt out of his contract, and then resign with the Lakers for a half less about 10mil/season, enough for the Lakers to then sign a solid PG, and we can compete for a ring for at least 3-5 years. By then Bynum will be ready at center, Kwame Brown can play both C/PF, Chris Mihm will be a backup Center, (resign him), Vlad is 100% full healthy, KG has a year of triangle offense under his belt, and Kobe will be motivated to win a championship. But of course, that plan must be perfect in order for it to happens.
