What do we do with Lamar Odom? If we're going into rebuild mode, Lamar's contract is hideous. Do we try and pawn him off for cap space? Draft picks? Young talent? I'm sure as hell that he can't be a leader for our team, so I don't want to embarrass him out there, because when he's healthy and consistent he's a good player and I think in the right offense, he is a perfect second option. I still think he's got ample value to pick us up a decent pick with some cap space or a decent player with some youthful talent. I can't picture us keeping Lamar if Kobe's gone. What does Phil Jackson do? Does he step down, take a year off from coaching and push for a position with the Bulls as their coach or in their front office? Do the Lakers offer him the chance to get out of his contract so he can try to get with the Bulls right away? What do we do with Luke Walton? He's pretty much utter trash without the triangle offense (remember when Rudy T was coach?), do we let him walk to another team? If Jackson does something stupid like stay on board, do we keep him? I don't want to over pay a decent role player. With the cap space, what do we do? Who do we target? If we can get cap space by next season when Gilbert opts out, I think we've got a shoe in the door already for him being in L.A. He's an L.A. boy who loves coming home to play, he's not even close to his prime yet, so he'd excite the crowd and he'd fill seats. Who knows what he'll be when he hits his prime. How does young Andrew Bynum handle the media? He'll be known as the man who the Lakers picked over Kobe Bryant, one mistake and the media will rape him. One bad game, one action acting on a bad attitude, he's done for. He's too weak mentally to handle the L.A. media, IMHO. What do we do about him, there is no way this cat is ready to handle the lime light. There are so many questions that need answering, what do we do?
I don't think we should trade Lamar, but if we do, what kind od pick would we get? As for PJax, he probably will join the Bulls in the near future, but I have a feeling that he might stay this year. I would love to acquire Gilbert, a Gilbert, Odom, Bynum trio doesn't sound bad. As for Bynum, I really hope he does live up to his potential, this franchise will be lost if he is a bust.
How the hell does a Gilbert/Odom/Bynum trio not sound bad when a Kobe/Odom/Bynum trio, does? That makes zero sense. I think we should see if there is a way we can get Boston's Theo Ratliff's expiring contract. Something like Odom for Theo Ratliff, Leon Powe, and Tony Allen. Two young players who can be good role players and a massive expiring contract next season that will give us the room to make a legit run at Gilbert. I'd honestly do it in a heart beat if we are in rebuild mode. Boston would have Delonte, Pierce, Odom, Jeffereson, ---.
These are my opinions in case Kobe gets traded: If Odom could be traded for a young talent or a high draft pick from a crappy team, do it. If Phil leaves, try a sign-and-trade with Luke, for someone young. If not, keep him. If there is a lot of cap space eventually, sing a big man. If Kobe didn't take us deep into the playoffs, how could Gilbert?
We'd have time to put the right pieces around Gilly, he is only like 25. Walton sucks so bad outside of the triangle offseason, if Phil is given the option of leaving, we should let Luke walk as well.
Gilbert will be great with the Lakers we need need to also get rid of Cook and Radman who have big contracts because the free agents of 08 are good players like Garnett, Arenas, Brand, Baron Davis, Artest, Jermaine O’Neal, Maggette, and Kidd.Think if Bryants leaves Jackson shouls leave and Luke we should sign and trade for young talent.
The Laker's front office needs to get control of this situation realize they have some options. Take away Kobe's power to dictate where he ends up, tell him if he wants to be traded, get rid of your no-trade clause. If not then you can just suck it up and spend another two years here and waste two more year's of your prime. If he want's to opt out of his deal in two years, then you can thank him for saving you $50Million dollars. The $50M you can spend on some other players, while Kobe tries to find a winning situation at the age of 31, and is forced to sign for a lot less than the what he left on the table in LA.
I don't know man but do something . I think the best case right now is keep Kobe and try to build around him. We are closer to contending than many thought. We just need another borderline allstar (JO) and if we can keep LO in that JO's deal, and surround Kobe/LO/JO with good role player (Turiak, Walton, Farmar, Evans), we can definitely competing for championship. I'm just not ready to start rebuilding yet. The Lakers is too good of a franchise to start rebuilding. We not use to be in this position and I'm sure Buss will never want to rebuild if he has an option to compete right NOW. But if the Lakers decide to trade Kobe, then of course they should let Phil Jackson go. I think he will goes anyway. He came back to coach because Kobe. They also should let Luke Walton walks away too. He is a system guy (particular the Triangle Offense). But they should keep LO and target the '08 free agents. Like you mentioned a lot of good free agens in '08. I definitely wouldn't recommend signing Arenas because it basically back to ground zero with Arenas/Lo/Bynum. Instead I go after Kevin Garnett or Elton Brand as my free agent option, and build around a good front line of LO/KG/Bynum or LO/EB/Bynum. Then surround them with perimeter players like Bonzi Wells or a Ricky Davis. You got a playmaker in LO, a low post player in KG, and an insurance in Bynum. Then you got yourself a pretty damn good team while keeping your future intact.
<div class="quote_poster">Mamba Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">How the hell does a Gilbert/Odom/Bynum trio not sound bad when a Kobe/Odom/Bynum trio, does? That makes zero sense. .</div> Arenas is still young... He would hit his prime exactly when Bynum starts to become a force. Odom will probaly play the same by 08-09. But, if Bynum does live upto his potential, he should be a force by 08. That is exactly when Gill should hit his prime, he would be a max player. I don't mean that team can win championships, I mean it can make some noise in the playoffs. As for Kobe- Odom- Bynum. That really cant work now. Bynum and Kobe are not going to play with each other, after all that has happened. Kobe does not want to wait for Bynum to devolp. He wants to start winning now at his prime, he knows his limitations. Waiting for Bynum is not the answer, he most likley will opt out anyway, so why not trade him. We can get some realy good talent in the trade for Kobe. If he is traded to Chicago, it would be Gordon, Nochoni, Pj Brown?/ Tyrus Thomos/ filler, and #9. Our line up with that could be in 08. ( I don't know if all the salaries will match up or anything here.)- Farmar/ Gordon/ #9? Gilbert Nochoni/ Odom Thomos/ Odom Bynum/ Kwame?
Kobe aint going to leave he is staying, Jermaine O neal is coming to the Lakers, The Lakers wont trade Kobe
<div class="quote_poster">egyptianlaker32 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Kobe aint going to leave he is staying, Jermaine O neal is coming to the Lakers, The Lakers wont trade Kobe</div> Right On thats the way to think!!
<div class="quote_poster">Mamba Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">How does young Andrew Bynum handle the media? He'll be known as the man who the Lakers picked over Kobe Bryant, one mistake and the media will rape him. One bad game, one action acting on a bad attitude, he's done for. He's too weak mentally to handle the L.A. media, IMHO. What do we do about him, there is no way this cat is ready to handle the lime light. There are so many questions that need answering, what do we do?</div> am i the only one who does'nt see much upside to bynum?? he was doing well earlier in the season, but hit a sophomore wall and was totally useless since. if ever kobe gets traded, imo bynum will crumble under the intense media/public scrutiny.
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">The Laker's front office needs to get control of this situation realize they have some options. Take away Kobe's power to dictate where he ends up, tell him if he wants to be traded, get rid of your no-trade clause. If not then you can just suck it up and spend another two years here and waste two more year's of your prime. If he want's to opt out of his deal in two years, then you can thank him for saving you $50Million dollars. The $50M you can spend on some other players, while Kobe tries to find a winning situation at the age of 31, and is forced to sign for a lot less than the what he left on the table in LA.</div> Ruthless. I like it. I doubt our front office has the balls to pull that off though.
<div class="quote_poster">Sweetness Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">am i the only one who does'nt see much upside to bynum?? he was doing well earlier in the season, but hit a sophomore wall and was totally useless since. if ever kobe gets traded, imo bynum will crumble under the intense media/public scrutiny.</div> Yeah, I think he's all hype.
If we want JO, nobody realizes that we HAVE to give up LO AND Bynum, there is NO negotiating! The Pacers know we are in great need to build around the league's best player, or else he's out! So, basically, if the Lakers keep saying no to that trade offer, then the Pacers say, so what big deal we are going to trade JO to the Big Apple, and say goodbye to your boy Kobe! I say just trade LO and Bynum and get JO and Artest! Offensively, it's a step down from LO, but defensively (and y'all know we need defense) Artest is a HUGE upgrade.
<div class="quote_poster">The Legend Wrote</div><div class="quote_post"> Farmar/ Gordon/ #9? Gilbert Nochoni/ Odom Thomos/ Odom Bynum/ Kwame?</div> Gordon behind Farmar ....
<div class="quote_poster">lakerman34 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">If we want JO, nobody realizes that we HAVE to give up LO AND Bynum, there is NO negotiating! The Pacers know we are in great need to build around the league's best player, or else he's out! So, basically, if the Lakers keep saying no to that trade offer, then the Pacers say, so what big deal we are going to trade JO to the Big Apple, and say goodbye to your boy Kobe! I say just trade LO and Bynum and get JO and Artest! Offensively, it's a step down from LO, but defensively (and y'all know we need defense) Artest is a HUGE upgrade.</div> There's always room for negotiation, and the Lakers aren't forced to trade for JO in order to improve the team and calm Kobe down. Giving up Bynum and Odom only makes sense if you have a deal lined up for Artest or another reliable 3rd option. If not, then the Lakers cannot afford to give up Odom & Bynum. This is the Lakers viewpoint. Personally I'd pull the trigger on the deal, because I don't have much faith in Bynum anymore, and Odom is an expensive 3rd option. My stance is you win now with the sure thing in Kobe Bryant. Getting Jermaine O'neal won't get us to the Championship level, but adding him is a step in the right direction. The Lakers improve on defense immediately, and they still have Kwame Brown to shop around, or keep him if he improves with JO on the squad. I really hope the Lakers also pull of the deal for Luther Head. Getting rid of Brian Cook's contract is the main reason to make this trade. PG - Head SG - Kobe SF - Luke (re-sign) PF - JO C - Kwame This starting 5 is good enough to get into the playoffs and advance to the second round. The Lakers will have to count on some discounted veteran talent in 2008 and sell them on making a title run with Kobe and JO. Re-sign Mihm for insurance on Kwame Brown, and get Ronny Turiaf more minutes. I think Turiaf is really being overlooked by the franchise. He's capable of being a double double player for the Lakers, and has a lot of upside because he's willing to put in work. There's a lot of quality role players the Lakers could pursue to round out the roster. Instead of spending the entire MLE on one guy, they should split it and sign two free agents. Sign a perimeter defender who can handle the ball and sign an athletic frontcourt player.
Fire Mitch, and hire Shape as GM! LOL! I like your thinking, that would almost guarantee a spot in at least the second round. However, the organization has to ask themselves is that good enough for Kobe to want to stay in LA?!?!?!? I say Kobe hangs around for another year or two and, unless we don't at least make it to the finals, he's gone.
