LBJ, I think you just really don't like the thought of the Kobe going nowhere. There is no way JO would opt out and leave $43mil on the table. He's not likely to get a contract bigger than that, so leaving that much money would be ridiculous. Plus, if the Lakers can manage to get him and Artest, the Lakers will be highly improved, which is what Kobe wants. If that happens, Kobe goes nowhere as well.
<div class="quote_poster">Moo2K4 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">LBJ, I think you just really don't like the thought of the Kobe going nowhere. There is no way JO would opt out and leave $43mil on the table. He's not likely to get a contract bigger than that, so leaving that much money would be ridiculous. Plus, if the Lakers can manage to get him and Artest, the Lakers will be highly improved, which is what Kobe wants. If that happens, Kobe goes nowhere as well.</div> If everyone were going for money there won't be free agency, people want to win something shinny ....I sure hope that O'neal does resign with you guys but it can be hard to keep him without a deep bench. Seriouslly think about it .... O'neal and Kobe would have to play 50min every game for you guys to win anything. They will be always tierd because of the fact that you guys won't have bench excluding the "whooe" guys you have now (ie Shammond Williams lmao). If you can find a decent PG for the starting line up and bench who can produce on dailly bassis you will be going somewhere but again having Artesses's 8mil, Kobe's 20 something and O'neal's 20 something and you want Camby I believe would actually allow you get smush parker back to the bench, or hire the entire AND 1 team to sub for you if O'NEAL goes down for like 20 games as he did with the Pacers in the past years. Than Kobe would be amazingly happy to resing with you, I have no doubt in my mind.
What's so wrong with the bench? If we get JO, we don't give up more than 2 players, and if we bring in Artest, that's likely a S&T involving Luke and maybe a filler. The team will still have plenty of players on the roster and we'll still have the MLE and maybe the draft pick if we don't trade it away. Adding JO will do nothing but help this team and will not affect the bench nearly as much as you think. And just a thought, if we manage to get him with something like Bynum/Odom and #19, we'd still have this on the bench: Space Cadet Evans Farmar Mihm (if he signs) Cookie Turiaf Shamu (I think) Last I saw, that's a whole lot more than just Shamu.
<div class="quote_poster">LBJ2006MVP Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">If everyone were going for money there won't be free agency, people want to win something shinny ....I sure hope that O'neal does resign with you guys but it can be hard to keep him without a deep bench. Seriouslly think about it .... O'neal and Kobe would have to play 50min every game for you guys to win anything. They will be always tierd because of the fact that you guys won't have bench excluding the "whooe" guys you have now (ie Shammond Williams lmao). If you can find a decent PG for the starting line up and bench who can produce on dailly bassis you will be going somewhere but again having Artesses's 8mil, Kobe's 20 something and O'neal's 20 something and you want Camby I believe would actually allow you get smush parker back to the bench, or hire the entire AND 1 team to sub for you if O'NEAL goes down for like 20 games as he did with the Pacers in the past years. Than Kobe would be amazingly happy to resing with you, I have no doubt in my mind.</div> NBA games are only 48 minutes not 50.
Camby should be our last resort, he's not going to change this team. Send Odom, Bynum, Kwame for Jermaine and dangle that 19th pick if they'll include Harrison and Marquis. Then, if Sacramento is really interested in Luke (which they should be, if Rambis is really going to be their coach), offer Luke in a S&T for Artest. Luke and a future 1st or a couple of 2nd's for Artest. We've got the MLE to pursue:<ul> [*]Matt Carroll [*]Steve Blake [*]Flip Murray [*]Chris Webber [*]Matt Barnes [*]James Posey [*]Earl Boykins (player option) [*]Desmond Mason [*]Jalen Rose [*]Jamaal Maagloire [*]Deshawn Stevenson (player option)[/list] There is enough talent for us to acquire two good role players by using the MLE.
I believe a team that is out of the playoffs can negotiate with another team that is out and come to an agreement. Isn't the date like June 22nd that they can announce trades? I know FA period begins July 1.
<div class="quote_poster">Mamba Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I believe a team that is out of the playoffs can negotiate with another team that is out and come to an agreement. Isn't the date like June 22nd that they can announce trades? I know FA period begins July 1.</div> June 22nd is still a long ways to go. Let's hope Indiana doesn't back out in the last minute like New Jersey
<div class="quote_poster">Trench Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">New Jersey backed out because they wouldn't include Bynum in the deal.</div> We weren't going to offer Bynum anyways, and the Nets still accepted the trade. They just backed down at the last minute, so I'm hoping this doesn't happen again.
you can always worry about how crap our bench is, but it is just like a "what if" kind of thing to say, im sure there is other teams in the nba whose bench isnt up to standards, i cant think of any right now because i have a hangover so maybe someone else can think of some to give my argument some back up. anyway all this talk of us getting JO makes me worry that the pacers will back out at the last minute and we dont improve at all and kobe leaves.
a Im sorry, but I prefer Bynum and Odom than ONeal Besides, Bynum and Odom and X player let us land Garnett.
<div class="quote_poster">The Legend Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">So we will have MLE left to sign a decent PG, if we land both Artest and JO?</div> Yes, MLE will still be available.
<div class="quote_poster">pablitocesar Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Im sorry, but I prefer Bynum and Odom than ONeal Besides, Bynum and Odom and X player let us land Garnett.</div> First of all, I'm getting extremely excited about finally the Lakers organization decided to do something afterall. This should make Kobe, a happy man. Now I understand, I also say Bynum & Odom > JO. HOWEVER, if the Lakers had a deal in place to land Ron Artest, then definitely Kobe/JO/Artest > Kobe/LO/Bynum IMO.
I just don't understand how Bynum & Odom are better than Jermaine O'Neal. I love Andrew Bynum, I feel he has tons of potential, and I still believe he will become a great player, but he won't reach his full potential for another 3 to 4 years. We obviously cannot wait that long with Kobe Bryant in his prime. I also like Lamar Odom, I was a fan of his back when he was a Clipper. But the Kobe and Odom experiment has failed. It's been 3 years, and the two just don't look fit together. Jermaine O'Neal is a dominant post player, and an All-Star player, something Lamar Odom is not. Jermaine O'Neal >>> Odom and Bynum IMO
Oneal's post up game and defense is something the Lakers have been lacking all last season. He will definitely be a great boost to the team. I would love to keep Odom too, but I really feel the changes are necessary and we need to make some moves NOW. If we can land Artest, I think a Bryant/JO/Artest trio would just kill in the west. Hopefully we can still keep Turiaf and Luke and trade out Odom/Bynum and Brown + our pick. That would be optimal IMO. Guess we just have to ride it out and see.
<div class="quote_poster">Brian Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I just don't understand how Bynum & Odom are better than Jermaine O'Neal. I love Andrew Bynum, I feel he has tons of potential, and I still believe he will become a great player, but he won't reach his full potential for another 3 to 4 years. We obviously cannot wait that long with Kobe Bryant in his prime. I also like Lamar Odom, I was a fan of his back when he was a Clipper. But the Kobe and Odom experiment has failed. It's been 3 years, and the two just don't look fit together. Jermaine O'Neal is a dominant post player, and an All-Star player, something Lamar Odom is not. Jermaine O'Neal >>> Odom and Bynum IMO</div> Sorry offtopic, but is this point I'm trying to make in other thread about "giving LO some love for his strong comeback". You love the guy, just like I do, but when basketball decision come into hand, you want to ship him now? after all the things he gones through last summer? C'com man...
<div class="quote_poster">Brian Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I just don't understand how Bynum & Odom are better than Jermaine O'Neal. I love Andrew Bynum, I feel he has tons of potential, and I still believe he will become a great player, but he won't reach his full potential for another 3 to 4 years. We obviously cannot wait that long with Kobe Bryant in his prime. I also like Lamar Odom, I was a fan of his back when he was a Clipper. But the Kobe and Odom experiment has failed. It's been 3 years, and the two just don't look fit together. Jermaine O'Neal is a dominant post player, and an All-Star player, something Lamar Odom is not. Jermaine O'Neal >>> Odom and Bynum IMO</div> It's not about who's better, it's about whether or not the duo of Kobe and Jermaine can elevate this team to championship status. The Lakers would have $40Million invested in just two players. Are those two players enough to get you through the West? I'd say the answer to that is hell no. Now the fact the Lakers would be completely over the salary cap after this trade, without any future (Bynum), you're taking on a lot of risk, without any contingency plan or options to further build around Kobe and O'Neal. This is why the Lakers need to add a third impact player, or retain Odom. You need at least 3 guys to win a title, especially in the West. Jermaine and Kobe isn't going to get you much further than Odom, Bynum and Kobe, and you don't have any options to fall back on.
<div class="quote_poster">kobe4life Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Sorry offtopic, but is this point I'm trying to make in other thread about "giving LO some love for his strong comeback". You love the guy, just like I do, but when basketball decision come into hand, you want to ship him now? after all the things he gones through last summer? C'com man...</div> I said I was a fan of Lamar, and I will continue to support him. I loved the way he came back this season after suffering through so much in the offseason, and yes, I really do feel for him. I think he's a warrior for the way he played, and he's definetly earned my respect. But I'm a Laker fan, and I want what's best for the team. Lamar's story is moving, but in the end, he just isn't that great of a fit if you compare him to someone like J. O'Neal. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have Lamar back on the squad, but if you can land an All-Star post presence in return, I'd do it in a heartbeat. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">It's not about who's better, it's about whether or not the duo of Kobe and Jermaine can elevate this team to championship status. The Lakers would have $40Million invested in just two players. Are those two players enough to get you through the West? I'd say the answer to that is hell no. Now the fact the Lakers would be completely over the salary cap after this trade, without any future (Bynum), you're taking on a lot of risk, without any contingency plan or options to further build around Kobe and O'Neal. This is why the Lakers need to add a third impact player, or retain Odom. You need at least 3 guys to win a title, especially in the West. Jermaine and Kobe isn't going to get you much further than Odom, Bynum and Kobe, and you don't have any options to fall back on.</div> I understand there are a lot of risks involved. What if a duo of Kobe and J. O'Neal don't get us much farther than we already are? What if Bynum develops into a great player a couple of years down the road? Well, those are big what ifs. Bottom line is, we've got to make some moves now, maybe throw in a gamble or two to get this team back on top. I don't believe anyone thinks we can advance past the first round next season with the roster we currently have. Obviously Kobe Bryant and Jermaine O'Neal doesn't guarentee us anything, but we've tried the Kobe and Odom experiement for 3 seasons, and it just hasn't worked. Again, I'm not saying the addition of Jermaine O'Neal will put us back on top, but it will certainly get us closer than before, and at least it will show Kobe that this management is at least trying to build some talent around him...
