http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1913529 <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Los Angeles Lakers: The Lakers exercised a fourth-year contract option on Caron Butler, the team announced Sunday. However, the Lakers declined to pick up the fourth-year option on Kareem Rush. Butler, a third-year forward out of Connecticut who was acquired earlier this summer from the Miami Heat, has career averages of 12.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.45 steals in 33.5 minutes and was a member of the NBA All-Rookie first team following the 2002-03 season. Entering his third season, Rush, a 6-6 guard out of the University of Missouri, averaged a career-best 6.4 points in 72 games last season, including a career-high 30-point performance on Jan. 16 at Sacramento.</div>
Hmm...either a trade in the works really soon for this season, or a sign-and-trade for the off-season? I'd like to see the Lakers in a sign-and-trade with Rush if they can't trade him now...because that makes him worth more in the trade, possibly $5 million, and we can trade him off for someone that has more value than $1.7 million (or whatever Rush is right now).
I think they're just creating flexibility for the next off-season. With Kobe implanted at the 2, Rush doesn't really have a long term role other than an off-the-bench shooter. Might as well use the money to acquire a position in need. I also hope this is one step closer to the Lakers making a commitment to Caron Butler. Kobe-Butler at the 2-3 can be devestating on the defensive end with some time.
I saw this coming, Rush has a future in the league if he can improve his driving and ball handling skills, that future however, is not with the Lakers. I am stoked about the one with Butler though, as NMG said, a Kobe-Caron combo could be a deadly Defensive combo.
