So you're saying we should waste another year off of Kobe's prime in order to wait for the future? I don't buy that. Look what happened to the supposed 07 plan.
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">How do you know they aren't realistic? No one in the league is untouchable. Maybe they would be tough to get this offseason, but how about next year? The Raptors are going to have a tough time down the line deciding between Bosh and Bargnani. The Raptors actually did just fine when Bosh was injured, adding a young center, and the perfect third option (Odom) on their uptempo team would improve their depth and production IMO. Elton Brand will likely opt out if the Clippers don't make any progress. He's wasted his career with this team. Pau Gasol has changed his mind just as many times Kobe has. Bynum's value in relationship to this draft, would have been the #3 overall pick. Since Memphis ended up with the #4 pick, and without a chance at a franchise center in Oden, landing Bynum could be the second best option for them. Odom is a good fill in for Gasol in the meantime, while they build around Bynum, Gay, and this year's pick. I'm not sure Jordan and CO. are sold on Emeka Okafor being the team's franchise player. He'll want a max deal when his rookie contract expires. Bob Johnson is cheap.</div> I understand your point here. But all the players you are arguing for are franchise players. They are younger then Kobe at that. Why would they want to take 2nd to Kobe? When they themselves can be a superstar and leave a mark on thier franchise. Also, all the players can get getter offers then Bynum and Odom, Bynum to me and everyone else is still a question mark. So I really do not see any of those players in a Lakers Jersey.
<div class="quote_poster">Mamba Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I think if we get O'neal, it's an upgrade. We're a 2nd round team, but that's it. If we can get Artest, which should be rather easy if we press for him (remember, Sacramento wants to unload his baggage), we're a contender. Either way, Jermaine O'neal is a major upgrade over Odom and Bynum, I don't see how Laker fans don't realize that. Do you guys want another year of being raped by Phoenix?</div> NO!!!! I dont want to loose to Phoenix again!! Im sure that all of you guys dont want to see that again. With Oneal and Artest Im sure that we can beat Phoenix again! But we could of beat them this year.
If Matt Carroll is an option for the Lakers how bout his bro? He tore up the Summer Leagues last year and was an even better college player than his brother (although he played against lesser competition)
<div class="quote_poster">TheGreatK-Bob Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">If Matt Carroll is an option for the Lakers how bout his bro? He tore up the Summer Leagues last year and was an even better college player than his brother (although he played against lesser competition)</div> Well put him in harder competition then will see how good he his
<div class="quote_poster">TheGreatK-Bob Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">If Matt Carroll is an option for the Lakers how bout his bro? He tore up the Summer Leagues last year and was an even better college player than his brother (although he played against lesser competition)</div> I think I remember him. Didn't he play for the St. Joesph Hawks? Anyways, the answer is no.
<div class="quote_poster">The Legend Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I understand your point here. But all the players you are arguing for are franchise players. They are younger then Kobe at that. Why would they want to take 2nd to Kobe? When they themselves can be a superstar and leave a mark on thier franchise. Also, all the players can get getter offers then Bynum and Odom, Bynum to me and everyone else is still a question mark. So I really do not see any of those players in a Lakers Jersey.</div> They wouldn't have a choice in the matter if they are traded. A lot of these small market teams cannot afford to spend money if they aren't going to win and make it to the post season. You can't assume teams can get better offer for those players if they become available. Look at what the Lakers are giving up? Two productive frontline starters. I don't think many teams can afford to do it.
I think it's absolute ludicrous to expect Bynum and Odom to land us Bosh. Face it, Bynum is unproven and he's slow. Bosh is proven and he's quick. You don't think if Bynum does pan out the Raptors will have a tough time picking between Andrea and Andrew? They'd never trade Bosh, he's their future. I'd take Jermaine over Emeka, Jermaine is better offensively and just as solid defensively. Not to mention that Jermaine isn't going to command a max contract when his contract is up, like Okafor will. Just how do you expect us to pursue Brand? The Grizzlies will get better offers for Gasol than Bynum/Odom. And you can't mention the Jason Kidd trade in this, yes Bynum would've gotten the deal done then, but look at it. Kidd's what, 34? Jermaine's 29? That's a big difference. Kidd also has knee problems. Kidd has about 2 all-star caliber years left in him, Jermaine's got another solid 4-6 if he can stay healthy.
Andrei Kirilenko Available? <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">After the Jazz were eliminated last Wednesday from the NBA playoffs, point guard Deron Williams said he knew "for a fact" he had teammates who want out of Utah. There is now ample evidence to make a case that starting small forward and 2004 All-Star Andrei Kirilenko is one of them. Kirilenko has made details of his unhappiness quite clear in at least two recent interviews with reporters from a Web site in his native Russia, including one conducted ? apparently by telephone ? shortly after San Antonio knocked Utah out of the Western Conference Finals.</div> <div align="center">Source: Deseret News</div>
I actually don't think Bosh is worth Odom + Bynum. Bynum for Kidd would be a risk but it could pay off in the short run. One thing I don't understand, is why Bynum is so untouchable. Let's say that five-six years down the line when he's 24-25, he develops into a player with the same skills as Duncan. We are still going to need to find players to build around him. By then, Kobe will be too old to do so. Just look at Garnett, the Timberwolves are still looking for players to build around him.
<div class="quote_poster">Mamba Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I think it's absolute ludicrous to expect Bynum and Odom to land us Bosh. Face it, Bynum is unproven and he's slow. Bosh is proven and he's quick. You don't think if Bynum does pan out the Raptors will have a tough time picking between Andrea and Andrew? They'd never trade Bosh, he's their future. I'd take Jermaine over Emeka, Jermaine is better offensively and just as solid defensively. Not to mention that Jermaine isn't going to command a max contract when his contract is up, like Okafor will. Just how do you expect us to pursue Brand? The Grizzlies will get better offers for Gasol than Bynum/Odom. And you can't mention the Jason Kidd trade in this, yes Bynum would've gotten the deal done then, but look at it. Kidd's what, 34? Jermaine's 29? That's a big difference. Kidd also has knee problems. Kidd has about 2 all-star caliber years left in him, Jermaine's got another solid 4-6 if he can stay healthy.</div> I didn't say Bynum and Odom for Bosh. I said that's a great starting package to go after someone less expensive. Trading those two is a big commitment for our franchise. It's going to take at least one season for JO to learn the Triangle offense and be comfortable in it. This is another reason it's important to keep Odom. He knows the offense, he's comfortable in it, and if anyone is going to benefit from having JO it's going to be Odom. He won't have to play out of position at PF anymore. He can move back to SF and take advantage of his size. Even with JO, the Lakers still need to find a center. Look around the league, centers are overpaid because size is hard to find. Bynum is only costing us $2Million, if you add another center with his production, you will have to spend $7 to $9Million.
I'm thinking the best thing for the Lakers to do is land JO and then try and get Maagloire with the MLE. That adds the Lakers the defensive prescence they've lacked in the post and it also gets our needs filled at center. Maagloire should come relatively inexpensive based on last season and how ineffective he was and really just how little he was used. However, if we land him, Maagloire is still very much a double double type of guy and could very much fill the center void for us and really help us on both sides of the ball. If we can land him and O'Neal and keep Odom, we'd have a very, very potent frontline that can not only produce points for us, but also keep teams off the boards and play some very solid defense.
<div class="quote_poster">Laker_fan Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I actually don't think Bosh is worth Odom + Bynum. </div> LMAO. I stopped reading your post after that. You do realize that Bosh is only 23 right? And that his game has improved every year? Bynum has proven nothing in this league, and there isn't anything that proves that Bynum will be the "superstar" that the Lakers management keeps claiming he can become. The kid has a long way to go before even being compared to someone like Tyson Chandler, let alone Chris Bosh. It's only because he is in a big market like L.A that he receives any attention at all. Put him on Seattle (pre-Durant) or Milwaukee, and you guys wouldn't know of him, nor woould you think much of him either. Think of it this way, if you guys had Chris Bosh, would you give him up for Odom and Bynum? Thought so. And if you still think they are worth more, I don't know what to tell you. Odom's ceiling has pretty much been reached and it's proven that he is inconsistent; Bynum has been hyped on absolutely nothing but "potential" and the fact that Kareem teaches him. So what? I don't think he'll be anything more than someone like Brendan Haywood in this league. Laker fans just WANT him to be the "superstar" that management claims so that they don't feel cheated in the end. Nevertheless, I think he'll be a disappointment. All this hype is for nothing.
I think someone hates Bynum a little too much. Bynum already reached a Brendan Haywood level this year. You have to realize, Bynum is all of 19 years old and hasn't even come close to his potential. How many 19 year old centers do you see come into this league and go from hardly playing one year to being the starting center the next. For a guy that was simply throwin into the fire because of injuries, Bynum did a pretty damn good job. He averaged close to 8/6 this year, and for a 19 year old, how much more can you expect? He's only going to get better and better each year, and he's shown countless flashes of brilliance this season, especially early on. I think you either just don't like him or you're completely biased towards Bosh. You just have to realize the kid has potential and has already reached the level you'll claim he'll end at.
Believe me, I believe Bosh is worth more than that, trust me. A big with his talent and ability definitely comes at a premium, I just had to defend Bynum because of the fact that he was getting completely ripped into, and underservingly so.
I don't like that trade for the Lakers. I don't know anything about their contracts or how close the Lakers are to the cap, but I'd rather have Odom+Bynum than Jermaine O'neal.
<div class="quote_poster">shapecity Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">How do you know they aren't realistic? No one in the league is untouchable. Maybe they would be tough to get this offseason, but how about next year? The Raptors are going to have a tough time down the line deciding between Bosh and Bargnani. The Raptors actually did just fine when Bosh was injured, adding a young center, and the perfect third option (Odom) on their uptempo team would improve their depth and production IMO. Elton Brand will likely opt out if the Clippers don't make any progress. He's wasted his career with this team. Pau Gasol has changed his mind just as many times Kobe has. Bynum's value in relationship to this draft, would have been the #3 overall pick. Since Memphis ended up with the #4 pick, and without a chance at a franchise center in Oden, landing Bynum could be the second best option for them. Odom is a good fill in for Gasol in the meantime, while they build around Bynum, Gay, and this year's pick. I'm not sure Jordan and CO. are sold on Emeka Okafor being the team's franchise player. He'll want a max deal when his rookie contract expires. Bob Johnson is cheap.</div> The simplest way in finding out if these guys are tradable is that we offer Odom + Bynum to all the teams with dominant Big men and lets see who bites then we take whoever is the best... Odom + Bynum for JO Odom + Bynum for Gasol and Filler or Odom for Gasol Str8 up LOL Kwame + pick or Bynum + pick and filler for Okafor Odom + Bynum for Brand and Ross IMO the lakers should just offer these types of trades to teams who have players that COULD help them... They may be rejected or they maybe countered or even renegotiated but at least the laker org can say that they tried
<div class="quote_poster">Bahir Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">But still, Bosh is worth way more than Odom+Bynum.</div> You never know... maybe the raptors dont think what you think and think odom + bynum for bosh is a bargain
<div class="quote_poster">Moo2K4 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I think you either just don't like him or you're completely biased towards Bosh. You just have to realize the kid has potential and has already reached the level you'll claim he'll end at.</div> No, it's more of my frustration at the Lakers to trade him at this point. Essentially, the franchise is at fork in the road. They have to decide on what's more important, giving Kobe a cast that can take him farther into the playoffs, or riding out Kobe's prime in the bottom playoff seeds and waiting for Bynum to emerge into what they envision him to be. If I was them, I'd rather build around the best player the league has seen in a while and trust that he can lead us far, rather than lie and deceive a future hall-of-famer in order to build for the future in Bynum. It basically comes down to Kobe vs. Bynum, and I know I'd rather build around Kobe at this point than wait on Bynum. I've always held the view that drafts come and go, and so do players. The only "untradeable" draft prospects are guys like Oden, Durant, Lebron, etc. Other than that, no one should be coveted by a franchise like the Lakers with Bynum. There's plenty of big men that will come down the line, and I think it's foolish that the Lakers are holding on to him this tightly. Who's to say that 2 years from now, if the Lakers do get into the draft, they don't get another big that's just as good?
