There's another benefit to trading him. Let's say he wants X (say $80 million) and management wants to pay him X-20 million (say $60 million). The money saved would buy a veteran (say $20 million, 4 years). So we'd get an extra player ($20M worth) in addition to whatever we get in the trade (say $60M worth of players).
He said he would like to stay when we were winning and had HAC in the playoffs. We are struggling now whether it is on purpose or not and if we get blasted in the playoffs LA could very well change his tune.
He needs to sign an extension this summer because the team cannot and I repeat cannot afford to lose him for nothing.
Would you mind fixing the surround sound on the comcast telecasts before hanging with guys who don't remember your name?