<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Even some Pistons heard it.</p> Let's call it: The Rumor.</p> The tall tale went like this: The Pistons could get Lakers guard Kobe Bryant in a trade.</p> Given the disappointment of losing to Cleveland in the Eastern Conference finals, many believed the Pistons were going to work a major deal in the offseason by breaking up the championship nucleus.</p> Enter Bryant.</p> The buzz was the Pistons would part with Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, Amir Johnson and/or a first round pick for Bryant, arguably the best player in the NBA.</p> "Yeah, I heard that, too," Chauncey Billups said before the Pistons beat the Wizards, 104-85, at The Palace Wednesday night.</p> Then again Billups, who signed a five-year contract this summer, heard about many sign-and-trade deals. One had Mr. Big Shot himself going to Houston.</p> But Billups is still here and Bryant is on the West Coast.</p> <h5>Staying intact is OK</h5> Clearly, there was nothing to the Bryant talk. Even after Bryant spewed all over sports-talk radio shows from coast-to-coast that he wanted out of L.A. The Lakers weren't interested in dealing him.</p> That's changed, though.</p> There's a real chance that Bryant will be traded by next Wednesday. If the Lakers want to get maximum value, the time to deal is now.</p> Either way, the Pistons -- who are expected to be in the mix for the conference title again -- are happy president Joe Dumars believes in them and didn't make a trade.</p> Dumars vowed he would only make a deal that would make the Pistons markedly better. He wasn't going to overreact and break up a team that has gone to five straight conference finals. Obviously, that trade wasn't out there because Dumars didn't pull the trigger.</p> "We're cool," said forward Rasheed Wallace when asked if he was disappointed the status quo was maintained. "We have our main core back. So I like our team the way it is."</p> That doesn't mean if there was a real chance to get Bryant the Pistons wouldn't look into it. That's just business.</p> <h5>Power player</h5> The talk in the East would certainly shift from LeBron James and Kevin Garnett if a trade happened. For sure, Kobe would trump those two -- he has won three championships.</p> "He's one of the best players in the league," said guard Lindsey Hunter, who played with Bryant in L.A. "Either Tim Duncan or Kobe are the best in the NBA. It's Kobe if you're talking skill-wise."</p> Wallace didn't hear about Bryant coming to Motown.</p> "I never heard any rumors about where he's going," he said. "I don't listen to a rumor mill or get caught up in it.</p> "Wherever he goes, good luck to him."</p> Expect more rumors about Bryant in the next week. And don't be surprised if they include Detroit -- again.</div></p> Source: Detroit News</p> The Pistons would send us Rip Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, and Amir Johnson or a 1st rounder.</p> What do you guys think of this deal?</p>
I don't think that will happen, but I think that's a damn solid deal. Rip is one of the better 2-guards in the league himself, Tayshaun is one of the best young forwards in the league, and Amir has a good deal of potential. I think the Lakers are better off with a deal from Chicago, but I think this deal is pretty solid.</p> Again, though, I highly doubt Kobe is a Piston.</p>
I like Tayshaoun Prince a lot but I'm not liking Rip Hamilton his a great player but I wish we could get more young talent than Amir and the first rounder but I'm still will prefer the Bulls offer.</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticBalla32)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> I don't think that will happen, but I think that's a damn solid deal. Rip is one of the better 2-guards in the league himself, Tayshaun is one of the best young forwards in the league, and Amir has a good deal of potential. I think the Lakers are better off with a deal from Chicago, but I think this deal is pretty solid.</p> Again, though, I highly doubt Kobe is a Piston.</p> </div></p> It's a solid deal and comparable to some the rumored Bulls packages. The problem I have is the cross message this sends. If you trade for Rip and Tayshaun aren't you positioning to win now and not rebuild? Rip is actually a few months older than Kobe. This puts the team in limbo again, and if they're really serious about winning now why aren't they attempting to accomplish that with Kobe?</p> At least with the Bulls deal where the Lakers get Deng + Noah + Hinrich or Gordon these guys are all still young and can develop alongside Bynum.</p> </p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (shapecity)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticBalla32)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> I don't think that will happen, but I think that's a damn solid deal. Rip is one of the better 2-guards in the league himself, Tayshaun is one of the best young forwards in the league, and Amir has a good deal of potential. I think the Lakers are better off with a deal from Chicago, but I think this deal is pretty solid.</p> Again, though, I highly doubt Kobe is a Piston.</p> </div></p> It's a solid deal and comparable to some the rumored Bulls packages. The problem I have is the cross message this sends. If you trade for Rip and Tayshaun aren't you positioning to win now and not rebuild? Rip is actually a few months older than Kobe. This puts the team in limbo again, and if they're really serious about winning now why aren't they attempting to accomplish that with Kobe?</p> At least with the Bulls deal where the Lakers get Deng + Noah + Hinrich or Gordon these guys are all still young and can develop alongside Bynum.</p> </p> </div></p> Yeah you hit it on the head there. If they made that Detroit deal, they would be in basically the same position with minimal upside: 40-43 win team, 7th/8th seed, and a first round exit. They need to pick a direction and build with it, sticking to a plan. Rip/Tay/Amir/pick is pretty solid, but LA needs to get a deal that makes you say more than "not bad." Chicago, to me, is the only one I can see making it work.</p> </p>
That's an alright deal. I'd actually be fine with this. We all know the Bulls have better pieces to offer us, but that doesn't matter if they are not willing to part ways with those pieces. I'd also take this deal over the Mavs rumored deal of Howard and Terry everyday of the week. If we do make the trade though, I'd push HARD for Aaron Afflalo. I think that in a couple of years, he will turn out to be a great defender in the league. Plus, I want to see him and Farmar reunited. Here's our lineup if we do make the trade:</p> C: Bynum, Kwame, Mihm</p> PF: Odom, Turiaf, Cook</p> SF: Prince, Walton, Radmanovic, Johnson</p> SG: Hamilton, Evans, Afflalo, Vujacic</p> PG: Fisher, Farmar, Crittenton</p> That's a pretty stacked roster right there. Granted, we probably won't be any better off had we have just kept Kobe, but this trade can give us some pieces to rebuild, while helping the boat stay afloat at the same time. When you have that type of roster, all you need is one more superstar to make you a contender</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Brian)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> That's an alright deal. I'd actually be fine with this. We all know the Bulls have better pieces to offer us, but that doesn't matter if they are not willing to part ways with those pieces. I'd also take this deal over the Mavs rumored deal of Howard and Terry everyday of the week. If we do make the trade though, I'd push HARD for Aaron Afflalo. I think that in a couple of years, he will turn out to be a great defender in the league. Plus, I want to see him and Farmar reunited. Here's our lineup if we do make the trade:</p> C: Bynum, Kwame, Mihm</p> PF: Odom, Turiaf, Cook</p> SF: Prince, Walton, Radmanovic, Johnson</p> SG: Hamilton, Evans, Afflalo, Vujacic</p> PG: Fisher, Farmar, Crittenton</p> That's a pretty stacked roster right there. Granted, we probably won't be any better off had we have just kept Kobe, but this trade can give us some pieces to rebuild, while helping the boat stay afloat at the same time. When you have that type of roster, all you need is one more superstar to make you a contender</p> </div></p> Which is almost impossible to find. Why should the Lakers give up the star of stars when they can add pieces to build a title around him instead? Like you said this trade leaves us at the same spot we're in now, which is exactly why the Lakers should not make this trade.</p> They either need to blow it up completely rebuild by adding picks, cap space, and young talent OR make a deal to pair Kobe with another All-Star caliber player OR trade Kobe for another superstar.</p> </p> </p> </p>
Good point shape. I never said this Pistons trade is THE trade we should make. I do believe we should get young pieces to help build our team for the future if we do trade Kobe, after all, that would most likely mean rebuilding phase. But what are the trades we have been offered? Some of the rumors I've been hearing are that the Mavs have offered Howard and Terry for Kobe, but that trade is absolute crap. I, like you, and many other Laker fans would LOVE to get a package of Deng and Thomas from Chicago, but from what I've read, the current offer is based around Gordon and Noah. I don't know if there is any truth to this, but if that is the case, I would much rather take this Pistons offer than a Gordon and Noah package from Chicago.</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Brian)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> Good point shape. I never said this Pistons trade is THE trade we should make. I do believe we should get young pieces to help build our team for the future if we do trade Kobe, after all, that would most likely mean rebuilding phase. But what are the trades we have been offered? Some of the rumors I've been hearing are that the Mavs have offered Howard and Terry for Kobe, but that trade is absolute crap. I, like you, and many other Laker fans would LOVE to get a package of Deng and Thomas from Chicago, but from what I've read, the current offer is based around Gordon and Noah. I don't know if there is any truth to this, but if that is the case, I would much rather take this Pistons offer than a Gordon and Noah package from Chicago.</p> </div></p> The two package I like the most is Deng + Hinrich or Gordon + Nocioni + 1st Rounder for Kobe. This the ideal trade to pull off.</p> The other deal I like is Amare + Barbosa + Tinker Bell for Kobe. (HIGHLY UNLIKELY)</p> The Lakers had to have learned from the Shaq trade they can't just settle on a deal. It's not the same situation because there is no more superstar after Kobe Bryant. When we decided to trade Shaq at least we had Kobe who EARNED the opportunity to have a team built around him. Now the Lakers seem content on handing the franchise over to a 19 year old center who hasn't even EARNED the starting center job.</p> If the Lakers were never serious about building around Kobe why re-sign him to a max deal and why trade Shaq in the first place? Very strange.</p> </p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Ed the Decider)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> Am I the only one that thinks that Amir, Tay, Rip and a first is to much for Kobe?</p> </div></p> Yeah. It seems the type of team that will be okay, built around Billups, Kobe, and Sheed...but with a shelf life of about 1-2 years...and thats just at around 50-54 wins I'd think, which is definitely not a favorite to win the title. I think the Lakers might accept Prince/Hamilton, but Kobe might veto that.</p> Though, the more Kobe has lingering small injuries, plays unexpiring ball, the package will continue to be dragged down and down. A deal with the Bulls will have to take place after December 15th in reality (for Nocioni to be involved, Joe Smith, etc.).</p> A lot can change in that. If the Bulls are running away with first place, why would they make a trade? If Gordon is averaging around 25 PPG, and Kobe is averaging less than that, how do you justify including Gordon in a Kobe trade? That would make both Gordon/Deng untouchable. If Tyrus is starting to break out, they won't include him in a trade...he's a big man...big>small.</p> Lots of things will happen between now and December 15th...and come that date, the packages will probably look like:</p> Phoenix Suns: Shawn Marion + Barbosa Dallas Mavericks: Jason Terry + Josh Howard Chicago Bulls: Kirk Hinrich + Andres Nocioni + Joe Smith New York Knicks: Eddy Curry + Jamal Crawford Detroit Pistons: Richard Hamilton + Tayshaun Prince</p> I think Kobe will veto both the Knicks/Pistons scenarios. This situation is a complete mess. Lakers are going to continue to be a 38-42 win team with Kobe, with what they'll get in a trade for Kobe, they will likely be in the same range...with no prospects of rebuilding.</p> The Lakers simply waited too long. If they were proactive during the free agency period, they probably could have gotten Gordon, Thomas, Noah, and a sign and traded PJ Brown for Kobe. They would have had prospects, they would have then traded Odom to create capspace. Gone out, just handed Gordon the ball, tanked the year. Took their Derrick Rose with their top draft pick. With the right cost cutting moves, they could have created enough capspace to give Gordon a contract starting at 10 million (75 million over 6 years), and then signing two more max players.</p> Sign Josh Smith to fill their small forward void, and then say keep Elton Brand in hollywood...shifting teams.</p> The Lakers could be looking at a nice team, featuring:</p> PG-Derrick Rose/Derek Fisher SG-Ben Gordon/Javaris Crittenton SF-Josh Smith/Luke Walton PF-Elton Brand/Tyrus Thomas C- Andrew Bynum/Joakim Noah</p> Obviously its too late for such a scenario. Lakers management waited on this too long.</p> </p> </p> </p>
Wow your actually series that the Lakers are going to trade Kobe and not get either Gordon and Deng?The Lakers will be STUPID to trade Bryant and not get either Gordon and Deng theres no way that trade is happening without any of those two players.It doesn't matter if Paxson says that Gordon and Deng are untouchablr because the Lakers are still going to ask for one of those two guys.A trade of Nocioni, Gordon and Noah would be a perfect trade for Kobe.But not too include either Gordon and Deng in any Kobe trade is just foolish.</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BG7 Lavigne)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> A lot can change in that. If the Bulls are running away with first place, why would they make a trade? If Gordon is averaging around 25 PPG, and Kobe is averaging less than that, how do you justify including Gordon in a Kobe trade? That would make both Gordon/Deng untouchable. If Tyrus is starting to break out, they won't include him in a trade...he's a big man...big>small.</p> Lots of things will happen between now and December 15th...and come that date, the packages will probably look like:</p> Phoenix Suns: Shawn Marion + Barbosa Dallas Mavericks: Jason Terry + Josh Howard Chicago Bulls: Kirk Hinrich + Andres Nocioni + Joe Smith New York Knicks: Eddy Curry + Jamal Crawford Detroit Pistons: Richard Hamilton + Tayshaun Prince</p> I think Kobe will veto both the Knicks/Pistons scenarios. This situation is a complete mess. Lakers are going to continue to be a 38-42 win team with Kobe, with what they'll get in a trade for Kobe, they will likely be in the same range...with no prospects of rebuilding.</p> The Lakers simply waited too long. If they were proactive during the free agency period, they probably could have gotten Gordon, Thomas, Noah, and a sign and traded PJ Brown for Kobe. They would have had prospects, they would have then traded Odom to create capspace. Gone out, just handed Gordon the ball, tanked the year. Took their Derrick Rose with their top draft pick. With the right cost cutting moves, they could have created enough capspace to give Gordon a contract starting at 10 million (75 million over 6 years), and then signing two more max players.</p> Sign Josh Smith to fill their small forward void, and then say keep Elton Brand in hollywood...shifting teams.</p> The Lakers could be looking at a nice team, featuring:</p> PG-Derrick Rose/Derek Fisher SG-Ben Gordon/Javaris Crittenton SF-Josh Smith/Luke Walton PF-Elton Brand/Tyrus Thomas C- Andrew Bynum/Joakim Noah</p> Obviously its too late for such a scenario. Lakers management waited on this too long.</p> </div></p> NBA Live right there...I'm sorry Lavigne, like I said before I respect Ben Gordon and all as a player and I admit he is really good for a young player considering he still has much more time to develop. I'll give him that, and I think that's a very reasonable amount of credibility right there. I just can't get over the fact that you have a heavy heavy bias when it comes to the Bulls and trades. I'm sorry Gordon isn't Kobe or near that level. I'm not saying the Bulls would send Gordon and Deng, I admit that IS too much, but alot of what you say makes it seem like you think Gordon and Kobe are equal, which I hate to inform, they are not. And alot of what you said just there is more of a pipe dream type scenario than the KG rumors this summer.</p> On another note, Shape, wasn't there a package on ESPN from Atlanta that included Joe Johnson and Josh Smith. I'm not saying Atlanta would make that deal nor would Kobe accept that, but thinking on it, (not knowing Joe Johnson's age) that's some good young talent. Josh Smith is a good defensive player at his size, needs to work on his shot, and Joe Johnson is a scorer. If that deal were made, I'd take it, if some fillers were in there. But Kobe wouldn't want to be stuck in Atlanta with nobody.</p>
Would you guys accept for example if the Suns offered Amare for Kobe? Would you guys want them to do the deal?</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (DynastYWarrioR6)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BG7 Lavigne)</div><div class='quotemain'></p> A lot can change in that. If the Bulls are running away with first place, why would they make a trade? If Gordon is averaging around 25 PPG, and Kobe is averaging less than that, how do you justify including Gordon in a Kobe trade? That would make both Gordon/Deng untouchable. If Tyrus is starting to break out, they won't include him in a trade...he's a big man...big>small.</p> Lots of things will happen between now and December 15th...and come that date, the packages will probably look like:</p> Phoenix Suns: Shawn Marion + Barbosa Dallas Mavericks: Jason Terry + Josh Howard Chicago Bulls: Kirk Hinrich + Andres Nocioni + Joe Smith New York Knicks: Eddy Curry + Jamal Crawford Detroit Pistons: Richard Hamilton + Tayshaun Prince</p> I think Kobe will veto both the Knicks/Pistons scenarios. This situation is a complete mess. Lakers are going to continue to be a 38-42 win team with Kobe, with what they'll get in a trade for Kobe, they will likely be in the same range...with no prospects of rebuilding.</p> The Lakers simply waited too long. If they were proactive during the free agency period, they probably could have gotten Gordon, Thomas, Noah, and a sign and traded PJ Brown for Kobe. They would have had prospects, they would have then traded Odom to create capspace. Gone out, just handed Gordon the ball, tanked the year. Took their Derrick Rose with their top draft pick. With the right cost cutting moves, they could have created enough capspace to give Gordon a contract starting at 10 million (75 million over 6 years), and then signing two more max players.</p> Sign Josh Smith to fill their small forward void, and then say keep Elton Brand in hollywood...shifting teams.</p> The Lakers could be looking at a nice team, featuring:</p> PG-Derrick Rose/Derek Fisher SG-Ben Gordon/Javaris Crittenton SF-Josh Smith/Luke Walton PF-Elton Brand/Tyrus Thomas C- Andrew Bynum/Joakim Noah</p> Obviously its too late for such a scenario. Lakers management waited on this too long.</p> </div></p> NBA Live right there...I'm sorry Lavigne, like I said before I respect Ben Gordon and all as a player and I admit he is really good for a young player considering he still has much more time to develop. I'll give him that, and I think that's a very reasonable amount of credibility right there. I just can't get over the fact that you have a heavy heavy bias when it comes to the Bulls and trades. I'm sorry Gordon isn't Kobe or near that level. I'm not saying the Bulls would send Gordon and Deng, I admit that IS too much, but alot of what you say makes it seem like you think Gordon and Kobe are equal, which I hate to inform, they are not. And alot of what you said just there is more of a pipe dream type scenario than the KG rumors this summer.</p> On another note, Shape, wasn't there a package on ESPN from Atlanta that included Joe Johnson and Josh Smith. I'm not saying Atlanta would make that deal nor would Kobe accept that, but thinking on it, (not knowing Joe Johnson's age) that's some good young talent. Josh Smith is a good defensive player at his size, needs to work on his shot, and Joe Johnson is a scorer. If that deal were made, I'd take it, if some fillers were in there. But Kobe wouldn't want to be stuck in Atlanta with nobody.</p> </div></p> Yeah ESPN had a Kobe trade for all 30 teams haha.</p> CelticKing - Amare for Kobe straight up? Probably not. It wouldn't work salary cap wise, but if you add the right fillers I'd consider it.</p> </p>
Yea I meant Amare plus others. If you had that offer on the table and the Bulls one, which would you take?</p>
