Caught this on the radio show today with Mycal Thompson relaying a report from Mike Heisler (LA Times). Apparently the Lakers have made Odom available and Buss is trying to cut his payroll big time. Buss was reluctant to sign Odom last summer, but Magic Johnson and another executive said Odom was needed for the Lakers to win another title. I know Odom didn't play well in the Celtics series, but he was valuable against Phoenix and Utah. He's the ultimate insurance policy for Gasol & Bynum. I thought he signed a reasonable deal to begin with. Assuming he'll be traded for someone making less than him who would you want?
James Worthy also mentioned this the day of the parade, I believe. I don't know what to expect. I think upper management was truly disappointed with how he played against Boston for the most part. We're paying him too much for his inconsistency. There are plenty of big men out there who do what Odom does for less and on a more consistent basis. It's when Odom steps up and has a huge game that makes him so valuable to us. Personally, I think we'll shop him around, but I don't know if we'll trade him. We're going to have to get a solid back up big man who can step up and start for us if need be.
Who? Odom is a model of inconsistency, but I can't think of anyone off the top of my head who can do what he does at a reasonable contract.
i dont understand why u wanna change a winning team?! i like the idea of bringing in Bell and keeping lamar.
I didn't think of Odom's ball handling skills. There might not be another one out there who can handle the ball. In terms of rebounding, tenacity, and other skills that big men need...there is, Big Baby, Joakim Noah, Leone Powe (is he healthy?), and some others. The issue is when Odom is on his game, he's a top talent in the league. We can't replace that. Unfortunately, Odom doesn't bring his game enough to justify his contract.
I never suggested changing the team. The problem is if the Lakers' are having money issues like being reported, then shopping Odom is the best way to save money right now.
I've always liked Craig Smith, who is a FA. He always kills us when we play the Clippers and he can come for cheap. As for LO, my feelings towards him are mixed. He is our best insurance policy if Drew goes down again, and chances are he will. If we trade LO, I'd like a solid backup PF in return (either through the trade or free agency), but most importantly, a good starting point guard. Not really sure who is on the market though. Anyways, the LO trade rumors are just speculation IMO
andre blatche maybe? lol... he showed he could play when he was the only offensive threat for the wizards. but then, he just got injured lol
Odom is Mr. Inconsistency. The guy will be on fire for a whole quarter and then shoot bricks then next 3. Odom lacks aggressiveness to the basket, sometimes is just on the court to draw fouls. Can't say I'll miss him.
Im sure the lakers FO, Phil or whoever the coach will be and kobe and co can knock some sense into him. he's a long versatile player that even has some isolation moves and can rebound, doesn't have the ball handling of LO though.
Kobe and Phil can only knock sense into guys who want to win and be a part of a winning team. (assuming Phil even returns) Blatche is an idiot and only cares about his numbers/minutes. This will be Smush Parker all over again.
I wouldn't want anyone else. Lamar has a particular set of skills that fits in perfectly with the Lakers offense. Lamar's versatility is what allows the Lakers to play any style of basketball needed to get wins. His ball handling skills and his size give the Lakers huge advantages. With Lamar the Lakers can play big, small, or anything in between. There is no other player in the league that brings what Lamar brings to the table. In my opinion letting Lamar go would be a huge mistake.
Correct on both counts. However, Miller can handle the ball and space the floor similar to Odom. Obviously we'd lose height and versatility in the front court, but Miller was exceptional playing with Kobe in the FIBA tourney. I wouldn't mind adding him to our roster.
The Lakers are now back-to-back champs, and angling for a threepeat next season. We know the point-guard position could see some flux this summer, as Jordan Farmar seems on his way out of town, and Shannon Brown has decided to test free agency. It's also possible Chris Bosh could be shipped to the Lakers in a sign-and-trade for Andrew Bynum, but as free agency approaches, such a scenario seems less likely. But what else may change on the Lakers' roster come next season? Well, as ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher writes, beyond an attempt to sign Raja Bell in free agency to shore up perimeter defense concerns, the team may also dangle Lamar Odom in trade talks to get another dribble penetrator outside of Kobe Bryant: "The Lakers and Raptors discussed sign-and-trade possibilities involving free agent Chris Bosh, but that talk has evaporated since the Lakers won their second consecutive title. Now Lamar Odom supposedly has been dangled as trade bait. The sense is that, after three consecutive runs to the Finals, Bryant is breaking down physically as a result of carrying the load as the team's closer and lone dribble penetrator. So the Lakers need an infusion of fresh blood and a scorer who can carry the fourth-quarter load, at least during the regular season. Odom is capable of being both but is simply too inconsistent. There's already a plan afoot to bring in Raja Bell, which will help the Lakers' perimeter defense but not the dribble-penetration issue." Source: Ric Bucher
I'd LOVE to add Mike Miller. I've always wanted him on the Lakers'. Wasn't the original Gasol trade rumored to be: Kwame, Odom, Crittenton, fillers, picks for Gasol and Miller until Memphis declined Odom and Miller before finalizing it? I've read that a couple of times. Miller can handle the ball, can score, and can definitely stroke the 3. I'd love him on this team.
