Orlando Sentinel - Add the Los Angeles Lakers to the list of possible suitors for Orlando Magic guard Steve Francis. The Lakers are "aggressively" pursuing a trade that would send forward Lamar Odom to the Magic for Francis in a multiplayer deal, NBA sources told the Orlando Sentinel today. Odom, a 6-foot-10, 230-pound forward, is an all-around player lost in Kobe Bryant's immense shadow with the Lakers. He was acquired in that megadeal involving Shaquille O'Neal and the Miami Heat . Odom, who is averaging 13.9 points and 9.2 rebounds, has four more years remaining in a contract worth about $51 million. Francis, who has three more years and about $48 million left on his deal, is in Houston, where he has a home and is attending the festivities involving the NBA All-Star Weekend. Francis' agent, Jeff Fried, said today that the Magic haven't informed him that a trade was pending. The trade deadline is Thursday. "There's no change in Steve's situation that I'm aware of," he said. http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/loca...ports-headlines
That's a really crappy contract that Odom's got, but he would definitely help us out. He could play small forward, move Hedo to 2 guard, and our starting lineup would be oozing with versatility and potential: C Darko PF Howard SF Odom SG Turkoglu PG Nelson Wow, and the size. We would be huge. Turkoglu should switch off on defense, obviously. I see a wonderful combo of low post and jump shooting here. This is my favorite Francis trade rumor so far. Odom would succeed here way more than in Jackson's offense. (FYI: I'm one of those pessimistic Magic fans who pretend Grant Hill doesn't even exist anymore, because for all intents and purposes, he doesn't)
I also like this trade and would pull the trigger if I were the Magic. At first I thought the Lakers entering the Francis race would be a bad thing because I've never been real big on any of their players besides Kobe. But the more I think about, Odom, Dwight and Darko would be a really good frontcourt and I could see us making the playoffs in a few years with that lineup if everyone develops like I hope. Also, Odom is a good second option on offense and he can rebound the ball well from the small forward position. Like Chuck, I no longer consider Grant Hill a part of this team presently or in the future. He is only getting older and probably only has one year left in him at most. I think Odom is a good player to bring in to replace him and I think he would perform well in Orlando where their isn't much pressure to perform.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Swish15:</div><div class="quote_post">I also like this trade and would pull the trigger if I were the Magic. At first I thought the Lakers entering the Francis race would be a bad thing because I've never been real big on any of their players besides Kobe. But the more I think about, Odom, Dwight and Darko would be a really good frontcourt and I could see us making the playoffs in a few years with that lineup if everyone develops like I hope. Also, Odom is a good second option on offense and he can rebound the ball well from the small forward position. Like Chuck, I no longer consider Grant Hill a part of this team presently or in the future. He is only getting older and probably only has one year left in him at most. I think Odom is a good player to bring in to replace him and I think he would perform well in Orlando where their isn't much pressure to perform.</div> Let's keep our fingers crossed!
I like Odom as a player, but thats one more person thats gonna take shots away from dwight. Not to mention hedo wouldnt be able to keep up with the SG's in the east. Size wise it is a good trade but I dont see size being our problem we need speed at the SG position. SG is the position we are currently the weakest at and have not addressed that position for the future.
I think Odom would take pressure off Dwight too and he is a very good passer so I think he would actually be good for dwight. Teams wouldnt be able to double Dwight as much.
This would be a steal for the Magic if this trade went through. If Darko shows some improvement, you'd have a heck of a frontcourt.
I also forgot Odom can hit that three ball which would open up the middle for dwight and even make more kick out situations. I just think we have a player like odom in hedo, maybe not as experienced. I just dont want the team to double up talent at one spot and leave another position weak.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Chuck:</div><div class="quote_post">That's a really crappy contract that Odom's got, but he would definitely help us out. He could play small forward, move Hedo to 2 guard, and our starting lineup would be oozing with versatility and potential: C Darko PF Howard SF Odom SG Turkoglu PG Nelson Wow, and the size. We would be huge. Turkoglu should switch off on defense, obviously. I see a wonderful combo of low post and jump shooting here. This is my favorite Francis trade rumor so far. Odom would succeed here way more than in Jackson's offense. (FYI: I'm one of those pessimistic Magic fans who pretend Grant Hill doesn't even exist anymore, because for all intents and purposes, he doesn't)</div> I like that lineup that you have if this trade goes down, well i think this is the best deal we can get for Francis. Lets do it.
Lakers Deny Offering Odom <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">LA Times - Laker officials denied there was anything to a published report that the team is pursuing a Lamar Odom-Steve Francis trade with Orlando. "He knows at this time there are a lot of rumors out there," said Odom's agent, Jeff Schwartz, "and he's taking them with a grain of salt."</div> http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives...s_on_the_block/ Otis Smith Denies Talking To Lakers <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Florida Today - Orlando Magic assistant general manager Otis Smith said Saturday that while he's continuing trade talks involving point guard Steve Francis he's had no contact with the Los Angeles Lakers about a potential deal for Lamar Odom. Smith said his efforts to move Francis are simply about being bettering a Magic team that limped into the NBA All-Star break at 19-32. Orlando lost six in a row before the break and 10 of 11. Francis, who was suspended by the Magic in January for insubordination, has been mired in a deep offensive funk since trade rumors involving his name surfaced two weeks ago. Francis admitted that he was bothered by the talks, and said little would likely change until the Feb. 23 trade deadline comes and goes. New York and Denver are the most prominent teams rumored to have interest in Francis. Rumors surfaced recently that the Lakers might be willing to deal Odom for the Magic guard. "I'm still talking and looking into things every day, trying to make our team better," Smith said. "I can't say that we're close to anything right now. We'll keep working." Smith said there are no issues between Francis and head coach Brian Hill that would necessitate a trade being made. Added Smith: "This isn't a Brian and Steve thing; it's a team thing. We're 19-32 and it's my job to do whatever I can to make this team better.</div> http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives..._francis_trade/
so this one never got off the ground so its dead. Francis is stayin put, if they gonna trade him do it in the offseason. For know lets see how things workout.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting GatorsowntheSEC:</div><div class="quote_post">It could be a smokescreen, didn't Smith say the same thing about the Darko deal?</div> I hope so. That is such an appealing lineup: PG - Nelson SG - Stevenson SF - Odom PF - Howard C - Milicic I think it would be a pretty lethal frontcourt.
