rumor: Lakers after Melo...

[K-State Spur]

disclaimer: I don't think the Lakers can make it work. If Denver loved Bynum, that would be one thing - but it's been rumored, up until this point, that they do not.

But, for shits and Giggles, let's play with this: http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine (http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=4agncpe)

Without a third team (which would take too much time and effort for me to speculate), I would hypothetically expect something like this.

Lakers get: Anthony + take on Harrington's terrible contract
Nuggets get: Bynum, Brown, and Walton's bad (but not as bad as Harrington's) contract

LA starts: Fisher - Kobe - Anthony - Odom - Gasol (easily the best starting 5 in basketball). The bench is reduced to Blake, Artest, Barnes, Harrington (unless Artest gets rejuvenated by a bench move and Harrington fits in seamlessly, this is a pretty weak second unit).

So, how would this affect San Antonio? Not sure that they don't become an easier matchup than if they went into the playoffs with a healthy Bynum (big if).

On defense, they replace a good defensive starter (Bynum) with a below average one in (Anthony). More importantly, the lane becomes much more open for Manu/Parker.

On offense, they become much better on paper. But how well can you incorporate 2 of the top 7 volume shooters in the league? For all the talk of being a "white swan" - Gasol is the PERFECT second fiddle for Kobe because he is willing to defer for stretches and can still have a positive impact on the game without scoring (passing, setting picks, playing defense, etc). Anthony has historically been a WORTHLESS player when he is not providing offense. He's never been anything other than the top option offensively at any level. If anybody can make it work, it would be Dr. Phil, but I struggle to see how you could do that in half a season + playoffs (I think a greater impact would be felt next year with a training camp to work with). The individual matchups become more difficult, but I think the Spurs team defense becomes easier.

My 2 cents on something which I deem unlikely to occur...

[EJFischer]

If it takes Odom, Bynum, Barnes, or any combination thereof off the Lakers, I hope it happens. So long as the Lakers don't get one of Denver's bigs, there's no trade they can make with Denver that won't make me happy.

(This all assumes that they don't trade Fisher for a real point guard, in which case all bets are off.)

[celldweller]

LA starts: Fisher - Kobe - Anthony - Odom - Gasol (easily the best starting 5 in basketball)

Not with Fisher at point.

[bluebellmaniac]

Only fair if LA gets Melo, especially after this trade goes down:
http://basketball.realgm.com/tradechecker/saved_trade/5838799

Bonner for Marc Gasol.... yeah baby....

;-)

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

The best way for it to work in the Spurs' favor is if only Carmelo is involved. LA would have two insane scorers, but they would lose size and have to figure out how to get Carmelo and Kobe to co-exist. If Nene is involved, we're fucked.

[K-State Spur]

Not with Fisher at point.

You could start Jerry Buss at the 1 and it would still be - on paper - the best starting 5 in the league.

[K-State Spur]

The best way for it to work in the Spurs' favor is if only Carmelo is involved. LA would have two insane scorers, but they would lose size and have to figure out how to get Carmelo and Kobe to co-exist. If Nene is involved, we're fucked.

For the numbers to work, LA only gets Nene along with Melo by giving up Bynum and Odom. And why would Denver move Nene for an older and worse contract in Odom?

[celldweller]

If Nene is involved, we're fucked.

IMHO - Never Gonna happen. Why would Denver include Nene a legit Center for Andrew Bynum who's next game could be his last (fragile). I think it's all posturing on Denver's part to get more from New York.

BTW, it's fun listening to Colin Cowheard have an orgasm on air with this laker trade rumor.

[celldweller]

You could start Jerry Buss at the 1 and it would still be - on paper - the best starting 5 in the league.

I repeat......Not with Fisher at Point.

[JustinJDW]

If they give up Byum to get Carmelo, then they turn into the Miami Heat. Two perimeter scorers, but no size.

[celldweller]

If they give up Byum to get Carmelo, then they turn into the Miami Heat. Two perimeter scorers, but no size.

Plus Carmelo is not a very good defender.

[K-State Spur]

I repeat......Not with Fisher at Point.

Well, if you repeat, then I guess I'm wrong.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

For the numbers to work, LA only gets Nene along with Melo by giving up Bynum and Odom. And why would Denver move Nene for an older and worse contract in Odom?

Bynum + Walton + Artest for Anthony + Nene.

Lakers can make this happen. Hell, they can make anything happen.

[celldweller]

Well, if you repeat, then I guess I'm wrong.

:lol That was funny.

[celldweller]

Bynum + Walton + Artest for Anthony + Nene.

Lakers can make this happen. Hell, they can make anything happen.

If they can get Gasol for a bag of chips and probably a blow job, then yea your probably right.

[Mr.Bottomtooth]

If they can get Gasol for a bag of chips and probably a blow job, then yea your probably right.

Exactly. And then they'll say the trade is fair because they threw in a pick that eventually leads to a guy who will average 12 and 5 over his career.

[Mel_13]

Please trade Bynum for Melo. Do it, Mitch.

[Russ]

Makes no sense for Denver.

Bynum would like Denver about as much as Melo did. He barely acts interested playing in Tinseltown next to Kobe.

[will_spurs]

A bag of peanuts for Anthony + Nene.

Lakers can make this happen. Hell, they can make anything happen.

Fixed. Lakers trades: where Amazing happens.

[K-State Spur]

Bynum + Walton + Artest for Anthony + Nene.

Lakers can make this happen. Hell, they can make anything happen.

Walton + Artest = worse contract than Odom.

As much as they pulled a fast one on the league with getting Gasol - they did have to give up a large expiring contract to do so. Nobody is going to give up short term contracts (Nene becomes an expiring NEXT year) to take on long term bad deals.

[Doe]

I'll be fucking done with the NBA if the Lakers somehow manage to pull off a bullshit trade where they keep their top 4 players and get Melo in return.

On the other hand if they lose Bynum, their mythical size advantage is suddenly gone.

[Sportcamper]

Blake Griffin...:tu

[concken]

yea that show would be a two man rodeo, and IMHO wouldn't be beneficial for them. If it does go down, we need BRUUUUUUCE

[Cry Havoc]

There's no way this happens. No way. Unless the Lakers convince the Nuggets to tank for several years, Melo is going to stay in Denver or going to NYC.

[Cry Havoc]

BTW, it's fun listening to Colin Cowheard have an orgasm on air with this laker trade rumor.

Well in his defense, that kind of talk is excellent for ratings. I'm sure he's happy because it's something very interesting to discuss.

But even he said: "[Carmelo] can't guard a barstool. He can't guard a plant."

:lol

[dbreiden83080]

Melo is gonna be a Knick. HE wants to go there and the owner is getting involved now..

[Cry Havoc]

Melo is gonna be a Knick. HE wants to go there and the owner is getting involved now..

:lol That's another great point. Consider the geography involved. Melo wants to go to NYC. The Lakers are almost due West of Denver. :lol Think he's going to be cool with going 1,100 miles West?

[dbreiden83080]

There's no way this happens. No way. Unless the Lakers convince the Nuggets to tank for several years, Melo is going to stay in Denver or going to NYC.

Melo straight up for Bynum.. That would be hilarious. Bynam has proven nothing other than he can't stay healthy..

[dbreiden83080]

If this happened this would actually degrade the legacy of Kobe Bryant..

How many fuckin super-stars does he need exactly to win titles? :lol

[Cry Havoc]

If this happened this would actually degrade the legacy of Kobe Bryant..

How many fuckin super-stars does he need exactly to win titles? :lol

Think about the Lakers getting Carmelo and then getting dismissed by the Mavs or Spurs in the playoffs. :wow That would be hilarious.

[Cry Havoc]

"After the first 15 guys in the NBA draft there are no players!"

Holt & Buford would like a word with you, Mr. Cowherd.

[benefactor]

Buss vetoed it per twitter.

[Muser]

Duncan/Blair/McDyess/Splitter would skullfuck Gasol/Odom/Joe Smith/Ratliff

[K-State Spur]

Buss vetoed it per twitter.

my guess is buss vetoed those discussions more than that deal.

i highly doubt that a bynum for melo deal straight up was already agreed to. to much time left for NJ to re-enter and completely overwhelm that deal for Denver to just jump all over it (some GMs might do that for Bynum, but it's been reported extensively that Nuggets front office is only lukewarm towards him and his injury history).

[Cry Havoc]

The Lakers would dump Bynum to get Melo in a heartbeat if they could, if nothing else to secure the post-Kobe era. Bynum is a glass man, and Melo has star power.

[Budkin]

Won't ever happen without gutting their team.

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

All a smoke screen to cover the fact that they are about to swing a deal of Fisher, Walton, a 2nd round pick, and the negatives to a couple of the blackmail pics they must have of Stern for Chris Paul.

[Duncan2177]

Not gonna happen.

[Cessation]

No way, they both volume shooters. It would be same thing as ai and melo, only worse, Bean is one the most selfish players in the league.

[awktalk]

Melo has his lowest PPG and 2nd lowest shooting % in his career against the Spurs:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3706/splits?year=career&type=Fielding

Whatever it takes, get him to the Lakers. Two selfish superstars with giant egos? That's never been tried before. Make it happen Mitch!

[Cry Havoc]

Melo to Dallas may not be as possible, but it would make far more sense IMO for Denver. You could get Butler and Beaubois or another player + picks from Dallas and salvage something out of the Melo situation.

They really should move him. They aren't winning a title this year as is.

[Horse]

Dumb, dumb trade for la their offense is not the problem, they'd lost their huge size advantage and D. And if theres anyway they would take odom too that would lock up a win for us against la.

[K-State Spur]

Melo to Dallas may not be as possible, but it would make far more sense IMO for Denver. You could get Butler and Beaubois or another player + picks from Dallas and salvage something out of the Melo situation.

They really should move him. They aren't winning a title this year as is.

Melo himself is an expiring contract - so simply exchanging him for Butler's expiring deal isn't worth much to Denver.

Beaubois does sweaten the deal a bit - but I would guess that Roddy is valued much more by Mav and - to a lesser extent - Spur fans (based upon Mav rivalry and flashes RB showed in series last year) than he is by most front offices around the league.

[Cry Havoc]

Melo himself is an expiring contract - so simply exchanging him for Butler's expiring deal isn't worth much to Denver.

Beaubois does sweaten the deal a bit - but I would guess that Roddy is valued much more by Mav and - to a lesser extent - Spur fans (based upon Mav rivalry and flashes RB showed in series last year) than he is by most front offices around the league.

It's of course supposing that Denver could re-sign Butler to an extended deal.

[Roger Freemason Jr.]

If the Lakers get Carmelo, then basketball is no different than pro wrestling. I will lose faith in the hard-fought spirit of competition. All these players selling their souls for a ring, because they can't do it the right way, the way Jordan came in and won for his team, the way Duncan came onto a lottery team and won them 4 championships.

[Mugen]

lakers would jump all over this if denver was dumb enough.

you'd be crazy if you didnt think this makes the Lakers a whole lot better.

Bynum really doesnt give us as many problems as odom does. Plus being able to replace Artest's erratic offense with Melos is a huge upgrade.

the lakers get an upgrade in athleticism and would be almost impossible to defend.

no way denver does this unless its straight collusion again.

[FalleNxWiZarDx]

Melo and Amare and Paul already made up there minds

[portnoy1]

(This all assumes that they don't trade Fisher for a real point guard, in which case all bets are off.)
I heard some rumblings of Nash being on the trading block and eyeing the knicks (not likely) or the lakers as a possible destination. If they get nash and allow Kobe to work off the ball, that would be a dangerous team.

[portnoy1]

If the Lakers get Carmelo, then basketball is no different than pro wrestling. I will lose faith in the hard-fought spirit of competition. All these players selling their souls for a ring, because they can't do it the right way, the way Jordan came in and won for his team, the way Duncan came onto a lottery team and won them 4 championships.
You cant always blame the players. Its the GM that has to build around them properly. Duncan came in with a david robinson (huge advantage) and the Gm built around that with a strong defensive system and made necessary adjustments(added floor spacing shooters) and used their draft picks(Manu/Parker/Hill/Blair) very well.

[Cry Havoc]

lakers would jump all over this if denver was dumb enough.

you'd be crazy if you didnt think this makes the Lakers a whole lot better.

Bynum really doesnt give us as many problems as odom does. Plus being able to replace Artest's erratic offense with Melos is a huge upgrade.

the lakers get an upgrade in athleticism and would be almost impossible to defend.

no way denver does this unless its straight collusion again.

It really depends. Losing Shannon Brown would completely remove any competent wing player the Lakers have. They would have no shot at guarding ANY Spurs player in the playoffs. Would Kobe/Melo/Gasol really be as potent on offense as the 2004-2008 Suns?

[K-State Spur]

Bynum really doesnt give us as many problems as odom does.


Odom gave our old front line fits in '08 (primarily with offensive rebounding - an issue that Blair & McDyess should help extensively with compared to that team). Since then, Bynum is a much bigger factor.

Even during our win last week - did you not notice how our guards avoided the lane like the plague when Gasol & Bynum were in together? When Odom replaced Bynum, it became open season for our guys to attack to rim.

Odom does a lot of things well, but he's not a rim presence who is going to scare anybody away from attacking.

[K-State Spur]

It's of course supposing that Denver could re-sign Butler to an extended deal.

I don't see why either side would want to do that. For Denver, why lock in a 31 years old coming off a huge injury prior to CBA renegotiation? For Butler, knowing that Denver won't office the max, why not wait for FA to see your options (i.e. returning to Dallas)?

[Man In Black]

I think it's laughable. Pau already bitches about the offense not flowing. Add another ball-dominant guy with an already established ball-dominant guy and you get 3 other guys wondering when they're going to get touches. :lmao

[Mugen]

It really depends. Losing Shannon Brown would completely remove any competent wing player the Lakers have. They would have no shot at guarding ANY Spurs player in the playoffs. Would Kobe/Melo/Gasol really be as potent on offense as the 2004-2008 Suns?

This Spurs defense isnt of 2004-2008 quality.


Odom gave our old front line fits in '08 (primarily with offensive rebounding - an issue that Blair & McDyess should help extensively with compared to that team). Since then, Bynum is a much bigger factor.

Even during our win last week - did you not notice how our guards avoided the lane like the plague when Gasol & Bynum were in together? When Odom replaced Bynum, it became open season for our guys to attack to rim.

Odom does a lot of things well, but he's not a rim presence who is going to scare anybody away from attacking.

Bynum gives us issues defensively but crunch time odom is the guy that sees minutes and has been playing a lot better this year. he's still a mismatch offensively and i actually think hes a superior rebounder to bynum, esp. on offensive rebounds

Spurs have had a lot of success defending this current laker squad recently but adding Melo would make them a lot more difficult to defend. You could say that Pau would get less touches but replacing Bynum with Melo straight up is pretty clear-cut upgrade.

[K-State Spur]

Bynum gives us issues defensively but crunch time odom is the guy that sees minutes and has been playing a lot better this year. he's still a mismatch offensively and i actually think hes a superior rebounder to bynum, esp. on offensive rebounds

Spurs have had a lot of success defending this current laker squad recently but adding Melo would make them a lot more difficult to defend. You could say that Pau would get less touches but replacing Bynum with Melo straight up is pretty clear-cut upgrade.

on paper absolutely. in practice - combining 2 volume shooters who are both used to be the CLEAR #1 option offensively is much more tricky.

in addition, melo's game (face up and attack the rim & offensive rebounds with abandon) is essentially what odom excels most at.

while melo is a clear upgrade over bynum in terms of a 1-on-1 player, his inclusion could hurt the games of Kobe (fighting for shots), Odom (occupy similar roles in the offense), and Gasol (fewer touches).

basketball isn't played in a vacuum.

[K-State Spur]

LOL @ Hoopsworld (http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=18712#ixzz1DP5bJ9nK)

1) implying that Caracter is somebody that the Nugs would care about in a Melo deal

2) trying to package a trade exemption

3) that nobody else is willing to even make an offer for melo between now and the deadline.

[TampaDude]

If he's going anywhere, he's going to the Knicks. That's a fucking lock.

[rascal]

I remember when the the Lakers got Shaq.Back then Spur fans said Shaq wasn't going to help them because he never won a ring. Even when they got Gasol many said Gasol wasn't that good and soft. No matter who the Lakers get most Spur fans will downplay it with stuff like not enough balls and shots to go around.

Then they are surprised when the lakers beat them.

[rascal]

If the lakers land Carmelo its a great move but they will need another frontcourt player which I am sure they will pull off in another move.

The Lakers have a great organization that is agressive and makes big trades to land big named star players.

[Agloco]

Still waiting for the NBA to trade Paul to LA under the guise of :
"salary relief"

[TampaDude]

I remember when the the Lakers got Shaq.Back then Spur fans said Shaq wasn't going to help them because he never won a ring. Even when they got Gasol many said Gasol wasn't that good and soft. No matter who the Lakers get most Spur fans will downplay it with stuff like not enough balls and shots to go around.

Then they are surprised when the lakers beat them.

San Antonio McDyess on Line 2 for you. :lol

[ALVAREZ6]

I'll be fucking done with the NBA if the Lakers somehow manage to pull off a bullshit trade where they keep their top 4 players and get Melo in return.

On the other hand if they lose Bynum, their mythical size advantage is suddenly gone.

Yeah. If the Lakers get Melo and the Spurs don't win it all, I'm done with NBA basketball. It's getting retarded. They might as well get rid of the salary cap and turn this into world club soccer. Lakers can then buy everyone they want since they got all the money.

[Man In Black]

If the lakers land Carmelo its a great move but they will need another frontcourt player which I am sure they will pull off in another move.

The Lakers have a great organization that is agressive and makes big trades to land big named star players.

Question what happened the last time a Ball-Dominant player like say, Carmelo Anthony teamed up with another established Ball-Dominant player like say, Allen Iverson? It happened...how did that go?

1 Ball on the court at all times... REALITY!

[rascal]

Question what happened the last time a Ball-Dominant player like say, Carmelo Anthony teamed up with another established Ball-Dominant player like say, Allen Iverson? It happened...how did that go?

1 Ball on the court at all times... REALITY!

Dumb comparison. This is exactly what I am talking about.
Spur fans are some of the worst homers.

[rascal]

Bynum + Walton + Artest for Anthony + Nene.

Lakers can make this happen. Hell, they can make anything happen.

This is exactly the type of trade the Lakers will pull off.

[Man In Black]

Bullshit. If the Lakers were still in Minnesota, none of this shit happens. Location, location, location.

[LakerHater]

http://209.160.24.97/ds_img_direct.php?i=melola.png&t=8&d=1fjdcjav7c&x=360&y=480&l1=169&l2=61

[K-State Spur]

I remember when the the Lakers got Shaq.Back then Spur fans said Shaq wasn't going to help them because he never won a ring. Even when they got Gasol many said Gasol wasn't that good and soft. No matter who the Lakers get most Spur fans will downplay it with stuff like not enough balls and shots to go around.



Those who did criticize the Shaq move* were initially right. It wasn't until Kobe emerged that the Lakers became a threat. In this situation, the Lakers only have one current player who is capable of emerging...and he is the guy they'd have to trade for Melo.

That said, my doubt for Melo working for them (beyond their inability to pull off the trade) is restricted solely to THIS season. Longer term, I think they could make it work.

* Which I'm not even sure those people existed. Spurstalk didn't exist then and for most Spurs fans, Houston/Utah were the primary targets when Shaq went west.

[OrEmuN]

If Lakers want Melo, they will get Melo. This is Stern's NBA.
Lakers will not just get Melo. They prolly will be able to do something like
Blake, Bynum, Walton + picks for Melo, Ty Lawson + one of the bigs so that Laker will have a more rounded roster. Screw Denver. Stern does not care about them.

[TampaDude]

If Lakers want Melo, they will get Melo. This is Stern's NBA.
Lakers will not just get Melo. They prolly will be able to do something like
Blake, Bynum, Walton + picks for Melo, Ty Lawson + one of the bigs so that Laker will have a more rounded roster. Screw Denver. Stern does not care about them.

Melo is going to the Knicks.

[ducks]

melo kobe and paul and pau could exist
however they would need to talk about it before

wade,james and bosh thought about it for a year before it happened
and bosh really wanted to be 3 fiddler

[z0sa]

Kobe acts like a bitch when another demanding personality enters the equation. Between his and Melo's butting heads would be Pau, caught in the middle as a submissive type. I doubt LA would ever have the chemistry they had during their end of the decade run.

Additionally, Odom's rebounding, length, and diverse skillset are a big part of what makes LA so formidable. Anthony's scoring would be offset by his lack of other skills, his lack of knowledge of the system and his teammates, and his inevitable clashes with the aging Kobe.

[Spursfanfromafar]

Oh Boy.. It would be a great trade for the Spurs if Melo is traded to LA and Bynum is out. And Pop would agree this time saying, "any trade committee would agree". With Anthony in the team there would be two volume shooters wanting to eff the triangle. Bet Phil Jackson will feel like he is 90 by the time the season is done while his Sancho Panza, Charley Rosen will burn Fox Sports and NBA fanhouse with one caustic column after another.

And LA will be back to more Hollywood drama a la 2004 with Malone and Payton around.

Something tells me Mitch Kupchak is not that much a dud to do this.

[DJ Mbenga]

after reading most of whats out of the story this is denver trying to get NY scared.

[TDMVPDPOY]

do the trade

we have the wings to play with them but not the bigs if they keep the big lineup, trade away one of the bigs then we have this

[Russ]

Those who did criticize the Shaq move* were initially right.

Even Laker fans were getting down on Shaq.

It was a running joke in LA when Shaq made this quote defending his performance:

"I've won at every level except college and pro."

[AidanNelson2009]

Denver shouldn't let Melo + Nene go for Bynum + Artest + Walton, that's insane. If the Lakers pull off this trade (if these rumours are true) then the NBA is officially f'ked. Imagine the Lakers with Fisher - Kobe - Anthony - Nene - Gasol as there starting 5 :O.

[Thompson]

This is probably just the Nuggets floating rumors to try to make the Knicks desperate and give up more than they wanted to. Knicks should call them on it; no need to give up too much for the end of this year when he's coming next year anyway.

Maybe get word to Anthony (since I doubt he comes up with it himself) that if they don't trade him now, he won't accept a sign-and-trade this offseason, and they'll get nothing when he leaves. If he really wants to go now, that is.

[Spursfanfromafar]

after reading most of whats out of the story this is denver trying to get NY scared.

True with a slight difference.. It is the broker agency CAA that is trying to get the Knicks scared - per ace NBA reporter and CAA baiter Adrian Woj -


"CAA lost its leverage to muscle NY into trade and $65M extension when NJ pulled out for Melo. Now, it wants NY to think LA's in chase."

http://twitter.com/#!/WojYahooNBA/status/35064858936352768


"NY will work trade on its terms but knows it can get Melo in free agency. Anyway, Jim Buss has made it clear within org: Bynum is staying."

http://twitter.com/#!/WojYahooNBA/status/35066190447517696

[MinuteByMinuteSports]

wont happen

[TDMVPDPOY]

if lakers trade bynum

they can always sign his brother MLE greg oden

[tuncaboylu]

What will Denver do with injury prone Bynum and his devastating contract? They will start rebuilding after Melo and it's obvious that Bynum is one of the worst players for rebuilding. He can be injured, he didn't show what he can do as a leader, he has a bad contract. Why whould Denver accept it in exchange of Melo. It would be better to release him for trade exception.

[100%duncan]

why make a thread about this if it isn't even likely to happen

[Mr. Body]

This is Stern floating rumors to see how people react to trying to get better players over to LA LA Land.

[K-State Spur]

why make a thread about this if it isn't even likely to happen

shits and giggles. and just for the fun of speculation on a day when the team hasn't played in 3 days.

it's not like it wasn't a talking point yesterday and - even though it is very unlikely to occur - it would affect (one way or another) the spurs if it went down.

i made sure that it was listed as "rumor" and my first sentence was a disclaimer stating that i don't think it will happen - what more do you want?