<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Kupchak said Odom still fits into their plans, even if Gasol's presence makes Odom -- who already has been discussed in trade talks and who is believed to have personally inquired about trade possibilities in the past -- seem expendable. "There's no reason why this can't be a longterm thing for Lamar," Kupchak said. "He's got a year and a half left on his contract. I think he's the perfect complement to these guys. He's so unselfish; he doesn't care about scoring. He may end up being [a guy who gets] 10 points, 12 rebounds, eight to 10 assists."</div> http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/stor...e=Lakers-080203 Seems like the front office is still not putting all their eggs in one basket because of Phil and Kobe's hesitancy to straight out say that he'll be a Laker for life. Trading Lamar for Kidd will leave them with nothing if Kobe still walks after next year because Kidd will be too old after that. So I basically have two thoughts about this. Kobe needs to make an officially take back his trade demand. He may do this once we actually make it to the second round of the playoffs and we know for sure that Gasol and Bynum mesh well. Or he may never do it because he is too proud to admit that he is wrong. My other thought is that they're accepting Lamar is trying to be another Luke Walton. My only issue with this is that he is overpaid for only wanting to be that type of a player. But if we win some rings, I won't complain. Any other thoughts? I was somewhat shocked to hear that Lamar has asked about being traded, yet they're adamant about hanging on to him.
If the right deal comes up, he's probably gone. I don't see the Buss family willing to pay 14 million for a fourth option. If a good deal comes, they'll pull the trigger, but they won't trade him away for just anything. Anyways, as much as I hate Lamar, Pau will only make him better because he will no longer feel any pressure out there on the floor. Lamar's a good team player. He likes passing the ball and getting everyone involved on offense, and he loves rebounding the ball on defense. When healthy, the only scoring Lamar will have to worry about is making his layups. Now, I have no idea why Buss would be content on paying basically a role player 14 million, but it's not my money. He's got an expiring contract next year anyways, so maybe the Lakers just want to hold onto him for this season and swing a deal next season. But I can't lie. I am interested in seeing how a starting lineup of Lamar Odom - 6'11, Pau Gasol - 7', Andrew Bynum - 7' will work out. Can you say rebounding machine?
I think Odom would be better served being a 6th man, however I think it's ridiculous to pay a 6th man, a 4th option, hell I think it's ridiculous to pay Lamar Odom $14 million. I wouldn't mind trading him for a real SF, though. A role player--not Artest, Kidd, etc...--we've seen star power doesn't guarantee championships. I'd much rather trade him for a true SF role player and some cap relief. He looked good with the second unit to start the 2nd quarter against Washington, I'd bring him off the bench.
Why should the Lakers trade him? He really is a great compliment to Kobe, Gasol, and Bynum. If this team develops some chemistry they should be the best in the west, and possibly the entire league. Lamar can facilitate the offense, defend inside, rebound, get to the basket, pass. I mean hes no allstar but he does just about everything you can ask a player to do (besides consistently hit jumpers). If they trade him, they better make sure its an upgrade, because he would be a hard player to replace, based on what he brings and will bring with gasol, to this team.
"He may end up being [a guy who gets] 10 points, 12 rebounds, eight to 10 assists." It's funny--there have been less than a half-dozen players who have accomplished this in NBA history for a full season.
Yeah, Mitch just shows another side of his not so bright self. 10, 12, and 8-10, is MVPesque numbers.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Answer_AI03 @ Feb 3 2008, 02:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Why should the Lakers trade him? He really is a great compliment to Kobe, Gasol, and Bynum. If this team develops some chemistry they should be the best in the west, and possibly the entire league. Lamar can facilitate the offense, defend inside, rebound, get to the basket, pass. I mean hes no allstar but he does just about everything you can ask a player to do (besides consistently hit jumpers). If they trade him, they better make sure its an upgrade, because he would be a hard player to replace, based on what he brings and will bring with gasol, to this team.</div> He's not that great a fit because he has to play SF, and his best production is at PF. He's too slow to be a real small forward, so that could be a concern. But Maybe the Lakers can defintely get some nice cap relief or another piece with that huge expiring contract so Mitch might just be acting patient like I've said before.
I would say that he makes up for his lack of speed, with his height and his handles. Plus, how many teams are going to be able to handle, Odom-6'11, Gasol 7', and Bynum 7'. Thats a pretty intimadating front line. Anyway, i say they just give it time for the chemistry to develop, and if Lamar isn't fitting in they way they want him to, then just let his contract expire or pull off some kind of a trade for a better SF.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Answer_AI03 @ Feb 3 2008, 04:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I would say that he makes up for his lack of speed, with his height and his handles.</div> Right but only at PF not SF. His production is significantly lower as a small forward, but maybe being the third or fourth option will help. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Plus, how many teams are going to be able to handle, Odom-6'11, Gasol 7', and Bynum 7'. Thats a pretty intimadating front line. Anyway, i say they just give it time for the chemistry to develop, and if Lamar isn't fitting in they way they want him to, then just let his contract expire or pull off some kind of a trade for a better SF.</div> The Lakers have been torched by athletic wing players in recent history because of our issues with Odom and such. But you're right about waiting to trade Lamar.
IMO Lakers should hold onto Lamar until at least this time next year. I don't know what Bynum's status is for this season but they should really see how this team gels and plays together for the rest of this sesaon and into next season. If they're legit contenders and play great together then it makes more sense to hold onto Odom. His contract is huge for a 4th option type guy but its only through next season. If it doesn't work out that well he'll be a great asset at the trade deadline if they want to trade for a big name player on a rebuilding team or several good players to bolster their supporting cast. Or, like notmuchgame said they could just let him expire and use that money to re-sign Bynum and others. Also like someone else mentioned the Lakers might be wise to experiment with Odom as a 6th man. Hes so skilled in many aspects of the game that he can come in and be a super sub and give you scoring, ball movement, rebounding, etc. Seems like a guy like Ariza would be a more natural fit starting at SF alongside Fish, Kobe, Pau, and Bynum because hes a fantastic athlete, great defender, and great energy and hustle player. Starting Odom at SF makes that unit slower and crappier on defense.
I wouldn't trade Odom yet, at least not this season. With Bynum out, the Lakers still need a 3rd option, and I think Odom is the guy. He's proven he can be reliable when he's not forced to score the ball as the 2nd option. And when we do get Ariza back, I think bringing him off the bench would actually be brilliant. We'd have someone who can facilitate the offense and also give us a strong rebounding presence. And, at worst, if we do hold onto him through next year, we'd have a couple options. We could let him walk completely and use his money towards an extension for Bynum. Or, while it's highly unlikely, he could take a hefty paycut and stick around. More than likely though, I'd say we hold onto him and either use his expiring contract to acquire someone next year or use that money to resign Bynum.
