<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Artest is pushing for a trade to the Los Angeles Lakers although that's not the only place he'll go. Recently he announced he didn't want to go to the Denver Nuggets, obviously spurned that they decided not to pick him up at the trade deadline because they wouldn't move Linas Kleiza. Not a lot of teams are willing to acquire Artest considering the baggage. Wherever he goes, he'll expect a long-term commitment. Sam Amick (writing for the Sacramento Bee) cites sources that the Lakers are willing to give up Lamar Odom but that the holdup may involve the contract of Kenny Thomas - who the Kings insist goes with Artest as part of a package deal. While that may be the word out of Sacramento (Amick is well connected to the team's decision-makers), the buzz out of LA is that the Lakers aren't willing to give up Odom. They certainly aren't open to taking on Thomas.</div> Source Do it Mitch!
If L.A. learned anything in the Finals, they'd know they need to get a solid perimeter defender with a **** the world attitude. If the reports out of L.A. are true and the Lakers are hesitant to move Odom, they're being stupid. Odom isn't going to be a shit next year if Bynum is healthy. He can't play the 3.
Seems like we've got leverage in this trade... But that's exactly what teams were saying last offseason when they were trying to trade for Kobe. From what I've heard, the hold up is that the Lakers don't want to take on Kenny Thomas's contract. I can't say I really blame them because Thomas sucks ass and he's gonna get paid like 8 million for each of the next two seasons. Maybe the Lakers are holding firm and hoping they can get someone like Mikki Moore instead? I just hope it doesn't come back and bite us in the ass Btw, I think the Miami rumors are bogus. Artest isn't that much better than Marion, if at all. For the Heat to trade for Artest, they'll need to do the same thing as us. Probably taking on Thomas's ugly contract. For a rebuilding team like the Heat, I don't see why they would want to take on such a contract.
Well its not like Thomas' contract is very long. It a tradeable expiring contract after the 2008-09 season.
At least we have some options. I suppose we're trying to low ball people until they surrender to some of our other small demands.
The way i see it is that Odom isnt what we need on our team, artest is. Odom cannot play at his best in our offense at SF, Artest has much more of a chance of doing so, he has always played SF, has the strength and defense that odom lacks so much, and the complete oposite attitude of odom, artest will do EVERYTHING and ANYTHING to win!!! he is relentless, ala kobe bryant! artest hasnt really had another great player on his team to answer to, kobe is that player, nobody in the nba disrespects kobe, they all know where he's at. Artest has alot of respect for kobe. Phil is used to dealing with guys like artest, he can get on their side and bring out the best in them, its suprising how much phil van control the play of his players on the court. Artest can fill our void at SF, yes we have alot of them, but none are good enough, bench players at best. Artest has to be on the lakers team next season, it would really complete us as a squad.
I think the Lakers are playing it smart and not acting out of desperation. I've been one of the biggest proponents of dealing Odom, but the Lakers have to go into any dealing with a position of power. We're coming off a successful season even without Andrew Bynum in the lineup. There's no need to rush into a trade unless we dictate the terms of the deal. Swapping Odom for Artest makes a lot of sense financially and skill set wise, but adding Kenny Thomas is a deal breaker for us because his contract goes beyond next season. There's a better scenario for the Lakers dealing with Sacramento and that's taking Shareef Abdur Rahim back, under the premise he agrees to retire due to injury. This would provide the Lakers an injury exception to use later on if they wanted and would free up a roster spot to develop a young player or add a solid veteran to the lineup for their playoff push.
^^^ The exception won't necessarily be granted. The Magic tried that with Grant Hill and the league refused. Hill did come back to play, obviously, though it did look at the time like he was done and he probably would have retired. SAR would likely retire, too, but you never know with the league.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Shapecity @ Jul 19 2008, 03:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I think the Lakers are playing it smart and not acting out of desperation. I've been one of the biggest proponents of dealing Odom, but the Lakers have to go into any dealing with a position of power. We're coming off a successful season even without Andrew Bynum in the lineup. There's no need to rush into a trade unless we dictate the terms of the deal. Swapping Odom for Artest makes a lot of sense financially and skill set wise, but adding Kenny Thomas is a deal breaker for us because his contract goes beyond next season. There's a better scenario for the Lakers dealing with Sacramento and that's taking Shareef Abdur Rahim back, under the premise he agrees to retire due to injury. This would provide the Lakers an injury exception to use later on if they wanted and would free up a roster spot to develop a young player or add a solid veteran to the lineup for their playoff push.</div> Doesn't work that way Shape From Laker fan Coon's CBA FAQ <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Teams are not allowed to trade for disabled players and then apply for this salary cap relief. Only the team for which the player was playing when he was disabled may request this relief.</div>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Denny Crane @ Jul 19 2008, 02:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>^^^ The exception won't necessarily be granted. The Magic tried that with Grant Hill and the league refused. Hill did come back to play, obviously, though it did look at the time like he was done and he probably would have retired. SAR would likely retire, too, but you never know with the league.</div> True, it's not guaranteed, but at least there's a strong possibility of receiving the injury exception versus sitting on Kenny Thomas's contract for two seasons. Cpawfan, you're right the Lakers wouldn't get cap relief, but I believe they get financial compensation if Rahim is forced to retire due to injuries. Jerry West has no problem going over the cap if he feels the team could win a title.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Shapecity @ Jul 19 2008, 11:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Cpawfan, you're right the Lakers wouldn't get cap relief, but I believe they get financial compensation if Rahim is forced to retire due to injuries. Jerry West has no problem going over the cap if he feels the team could win a title.</div> Sweet! Jerry West is now the owner of the Los Angeles Lakers!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Shapecity @ Jul 20 2008, 12:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Cpawfan, you're right the Lakers wouldn't get cap relief, but I believe they get financial compensation if Rahim is forced to retire due to injuries. Jerry West has no problem going over the cap if he feels the team could win a title.</div> There could be insurance involved, but that would be the only possible source of compensation. Is that a Freudian slip?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Brian @ Jul 19 2008, 11:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Shapecity @ Jul 19 2008, 11:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Cpawfan, you're right the Lakers wouldn't get cap relief, but I believe they get financial compensation if Rahim is forced to retire due to injuries. Jerry West has no problem going over the cap if he feels the team could win a title.</div> Sweet! Jerry West is now the owner of the Los Angeles Lakers! </div> Woo. Jerry Buss. I'm a little buzzed right now from a pool party I was at earlier.
All is forgiven Shape, realistically, what do you think the chances are of us landing Artest? What are the chances Lamar will still be a Laker when the season starts? After the trade deadline?
