Ever since the Gasol trade, there have been rumors that the Lakers are shopping Lamar because they know that he isn't the best option at the small forward position. There has been idiotic speculation by Sam Smith, that the Lakers are trying to pry away Caron Butler. In the OC Register, there was talk that Odom will not fit at the 3 and will make a better 6th man. I'm happy with his production right now, but I know that he's a terrible option at the three. I've been saying all along, I'd much rather bring him off the bench, or try and acquire Mike Miller. Right now, Odom is looking like he'll be a $15 million expiring contract next year. I'll be happy if we can resign him at about $8-$10 million/year when it runs out if we can't get Mike Miller. I'd like to run a rotation like this, once everyone is healthy: Fisher/Farmar Bryant/Vujacic Radmanovic/Ariza/Walton Gasol/Odom/Turiaf Bynum/Mbenga/Turiaf Maybe I'm on crack, but I think Vladimir Radmanovic is clearly the best option as the starting SF on this team once Gasol and Bynum are playing together. The looks that he'll get will be amazing.
I don't mind Lamar now that he doesn't really have much pressure to score the ball. He's been playing great in the last couple of games. Now, if the right deal comes along, then yes, obviously I'd trade him. But, like Mamba said, he has a 15 million expiring contract next season. I think if we're going to wait to deal him, he'll have more trade value next season, rather than this season. Also, am I the only one who is somewhat excited about having three seven footers up front? Imagine how many second chance opportunites we'll get Btw, I know that Lamar isn't seven feet, but 6'10-6'11 is close enough
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Brian @ Feb 19 2008, 06:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I don't mind Lamar now that he doesn't really have much pressure to score the ball. He's been playing great in the last couple of games. Now, if the right deal comes along, then yes, obviously I'd trade him. But, like Mamba said, he has a 15 million expiring contract next season. I think if we're going to wait to deal him, he'll have more trade value next season, rather than this season. Also, am I the only one who is somewhat excited about having three seven footers up front? Imagine how many second chance opportunites we'll get Btw, I know that Lamar isn't seven feet, but 6'10-6'11 is close enough</div> I don't think you should be excited by anything Lamar does as a Small Forward, tall or not. He's just Bynum's insurance policy right now.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Brian @ Feb 19 2008, 06:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Not excited about Lamar, just excited about the amount of length we'll have with that lineup</div> When someone who is that tall but slow footed plays at the 3, I expect a high-low bell curve of effectiveness. That's all it probably means.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (huevonkiller @ Feb 19 2008, 06:40 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Brian @ Feb 19 2008, 06:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Not excited about Lamar, just excited about the amount of length we'll have with that lineup</div> When someone who is that tall but slow footed plays at the 3, I expect a high-low bell curve of effectiveness. That's all it probably means. </div> I am not a big Odumb fan, but until the Lakers are 100% sure Bynum is 100% healthy, they need Odumb at power forward, even when Bynum gets back because he won't be able to go full minutes. A rotation of Odumb, Pau and Bynum at power forward, center and some small forward works. Odumb has been playing PF pretty well since the Pau trade. Since Ariza now is out, maybe for the season, Odumb will be needed at small forward for the playoffs too. I wouldn't think of trading him till the offseason.
Lamar's 13pts 10 rebs a game is no way in hell a good 2nd option. But his recent 14pts 14 rbs a game performances are phenomenal for a 3rd option!!!
