Lakers Unwillingly to Deal Odom WTF!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Lakers and Kidd/JO: Lots of rumors involving the Los Angeles Lakers have been bouncing around recently, specifically in regards to Jason Kidd and Jermaine O'Neal. What's interesting is that both players make the same $19,278,000 salary this season.

The Lakers are currently on an upswing behind the play of developing center Andrew Bynum. While the New Jersey Nets and Indiana Pacers wouldn't make a deal in earlier talks without the inclusion of Bynum, it's become apparent he is simply untouchable.

In Jersey, Kidd would love to make a move to play alongside a player like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James or Carmelo Anthony. Facing a mediocre product, declining attendance and an unhappy superstar, the Nets are open to making a change.

Similarly a source says the Pacers aren't averse to moving Jermaine O'Neal for similar reasons (though O'Neal has been more of a good solider).

While both teams want value in return, financial relief is a considerable factor.

The problem the Lakers have is coming up with enough expiring contracts to trigger a deal. At this point that may not be possible with either New Jersey or Indiana without a third team's participation.

Considering how well the Lakers are playing, they're not willing to do a 5-1 swap, crippling their depth to take on an overpaid star. Even if they decided to package sparkplug point guard Jordan Farmar with the expiring deal of Kwame Brown, the Lakers simply don't have enough short contracts to make up the gap.

That means LA would have to include Vladimir Radmanovic' multi-year deal which is reportedly unappealing to both the Nets and Pacers. While Luke Walton may be slightly more attractive despite a six-year deal, his contract is complicated by the Base Year Compensation rule.

Since the Lakers do not appear willing to consider moving Lamar Odom for either player (based on market value and perhaps the underappreciated contribution Odom makes to the team), the only real way for LA to make a deal is to find a third party to take Radmanovic. Word is LA won't move Javaris Crittenton despite his limited playing time.

Not only are multi-team deals extremely rare, they are even less likely midseason. How many teams in the Western Conference would look to unite Bryant, Odom and Bynum with Kidd?

How many teams in the East are willing to take on an MLE priced gunner under contract until 2011?

Theoretically the Miami HEAT, Orlando Magic or Cleveland Cavaliers could use a big shooter but at this point there's no sense any of those three look at Radmanovic as the missing link.

In the meantime the Lakers are playing well enough that a move suddenly isn't a priority. The Pacers are playing better than expected and O'Neal is slowly finding a place in Coach Jim O'Brien's new system. Even the underachieving Nets are only one game out of playoff position in the wide-open Eastern Conference.

The situation may change by the trade deadline but right there appears to be little moment for a blockbuster deal.</div>

Source: Hoopsworld

I'm not sure the Nets would even take Odom, but I don't understand the logic in keeping him out of trade talks when you're clearly upgrading with Kidd or O'Neal.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MyNetsForLife @ Dec 28 2007, 06:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>You do realize JON has sucked all year, and Kidd's been doing pretty well, right?</div>

JON hasn't sucked all year. He got off to a slow start, but he's been putting up some nice numbers in December.

18.4 PPG / 7.4 RPG / 2.6 BPG / 50% FG%

Odom's stats for December

15.4 PPG / 10.9 RPG / .5 BPG / 49.7% FG%

Jermaine O'Neal would give the Lakers a true PF and he'd be a defensive upgrade over Odom.

 

Consider Odom vs. O'Neal straight up. Shape, you say he'd be a true PF and a defensive upgrade.

Now consider losing Farmar in the deal. What does that do to the Lakers' 2nd unit that has really helped win ballgames?

In fact, the Lakers' .643 winning % is 5th best in the entire league right now. With a bona fide star like Kobe on the team and a supporting cast to go with him, you never know how deep they can go in the playoffs. So why mess with what's working?

I realize there's some antagonism toward Odom from the fans, but whatever he's doing is showing up in the W/L column to some degree.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Denny Crane @ Dec 28 2007, 06:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Consider Odom vs. O'Neal straight up. Shape, you say he'd be a true PF and a defensive upgrade.

Now consider losing Farmar in the deal. What does that do to the Lakers' 2nd unit that has really helped win ballgames?

In fact, the Lakers' .643 winning % is 5th best in the entire league right now. With a bona fide star like Kobe on the team and a supporting cast to go with him, you never know how deep they can go in the playoffs. So why mess with what's working?

I realize there's some antagonism toward Odom from the fans, but whatever he's doing is showing up in the W/L column to some degree.</div>

Lakers win with our without Odom on the court. The Lakers 2nd unit would take a blow, but I think they can manage without Farmar by upgrading their frontcourt and attacking teams with their size winning with defense and rebounding.

I also have a lot of faith in Javaris Crittenton stepping in and providing a spark off the bench. I do like Farmar a lot and the Lakers should fight to hold onto him a trade, but you have to give to get especially when you're getting back a superstar.

Looking ahead into the playoffs who does Odom guard if the Lakers face Utah, San Antonio, or Phoenix?

He can't handle Boozer or Duncan, which gives both those teams a huge advantage in a 7 game series that their coaches will exploit over and over again until the Lakers double team and then the outside shooters let loose. Adding O'Neal gives us someone who defend either guy one on one and someone who can slow down dribble penetration.

Odom and Marion has been a pretty fair matchup the last two seasons in the playoffs, but Odom has folded both times in crunch time. I don't trust him in those situations and he becomes a two-way liability for the Lakers.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticBalla32 @ Dec 28 2007, 06:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MyNetsForLife @ Dec 28 2007, 06:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>You do realize JON has sucked all year, and Kidd's been doing pretty well, right?</div>

I don't think it's so much that he has sucked, but that he simply doesn't fit in Indiana's system. Odom would fit beautifully, in my opinion.

If LA can get Kidd or Jermaine without giving up Bynum, it's a no-brainer. You've got to do it.
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It is a no-brainer and I hope Tuscon is right in calling this a smokescreen.