i disagree with the sentiment that LA is second tier, but Artest is not a complete "badass". he wasn't very good offensively last year and his defense has decline quite a bit in recent years.
he's still a very nice role player and will be an upgrade over Ariza if he fits himself into the system (i.e. doesn't shoot the ball 15 times/game - which he's always done) - but that's far from a given.
Whether or not LA makes another major move besides/concerning the Odom situation remains to be seen. However, judging from the current situation with their finances, I don't see it happening.
Besides, Odom fits too perfectly. He knows the personnel and the system. Additionally, if he's aggressive during games, he's taking shots away from Artest. Artest might play his role better if he's forced into more of an Ariza role by his teammates.
LA could make more moves and be slated for another deep playoff run. It's still too early to tell anything. Yet multiple teams have improved. The injuries will undoubtedly be much less of a factor going into the playoffs. I have my doubts about Artest, as well. If Odom leaves, he'll be called on to take and make lots of shots in order for them to win. That could be LA's worst nightmare chemistry wise.
Last edited by z0sa; 07-17-2009 at 07:48 AM.
Odom will stay in LA... I'll be in denial until he is officially gone...
peoplre are out of control with excitement.
first off, odom isnt that great. losing him would hurt the lakers but they'd still have until february to look for a replacement. Personally, I'd rather odom came back- he's mentally weak and its one less excuse for their fans.
but more importantly, our team has made a bunch of changes and hasnt played a game yet. we dont know how its all going to come together. and even then, april/may/june are a LONG way off.
its too early to be planning parades people.
Link or Fail
I love your posts.
I hope Odom joins Miami not because I want him to leave the Lakers, but because I don't want to see Wade fade like Iverson who scores a ton but can't bring his team to the top. Odom may not be the missing piece for Wade, but he is a piece nonetheless that could help Wade.
Odom leaving the Lakers will affect the Lakers on both sides of the court, mainly because he is a guy who you can play at the 3 or the 4 depending on how you want to match up with the opposing team. That said, when you look at the lineup of the Lakers without Odom and Artest replacing Ariza, it will be Luke Walton who will be taking the place of Odom. Walton replacing Odom imo, is a big drop-off.
Just my 2 cents.
I hate Wade
does odom want to be with the lakers with ron and no phil jackson to keep him in line
Nuff Said
Dwayne Wade has a new contract...with Nike.
Wade officially switched his shoe sponsor from Converse to Nike. Those expecting an extension with the Heat have to be a bit let down. Is this the "GOOD NEWS" Wade was referring to via twitter on Thursday?
I'm not worried nor do I care whether Lamar remains a Laker or not.
I think one of the main keys to the Spurs success in 2009 will be the health of Manu & Tim Duncan over the course of the season.
This would be a huge loss for LA. BUT DO NOT underestimate the intelligence of LA's front office, in fact I'm scared of what deals they might create using Odom (S&T). Should be very interesting these next few weeks.
Very true. These organization didn't win 15 les for nothing. In most cases, they've been able to survive loss of key players because of the talent they have and the moves they make to get better.
You mean that one he missed 5 weeks over?
Yes that is it.
Wade officially switched his shoe sponsor from Converse to Nike. Those expecting an extension with the Heat have to be a bit let down. Is this the "GOOD NEWS" Wade was referring to via twitter on Thursday?
Why is that? Is Jerry West consulting for someone w/ an all star to give away?
Eric: when is this expected to happen? The offer seems to have been out there for a little while?
Nothing will happen until Utah matches Milsap and Odom's camp sees if they can get what they want out of the Blazers.
They already matched I thought?
Utah already matched..
The one where you speculated he wasn't really injured?
Wow dude I've never seen people overrate Odom so much!
My Friend posted this "Plan B" option should Odom NOT SIGN.
If the Odom contract negotiations fail it’s on to Plan B and Mitch Kupchak’s magic wand. It’s quite possible that Odom can sign and recent events are just a matter of positions that can shift based on what happens with Millsap or changes in the LA offer. The next few days will be key imo.
If LO refuses any three year deal and insists on a 4th year at 9+ then it can and imo would fall apart. A 4th year but at a lot less guaranteed money (~5) would seem to be a good compromise, but it may be that the Lakers want to make certain they clear space for Gasol's extension and what may develop with Bynum. If an agreement can't be reached with LO then on to Plan B. HBA and I took a look at the options and here's what we came up with.
FREE AGENCY
Only have vet min left. Kupchak sells the spotlight – 6th man for a le favorite in 2009 can lead to a payday in 2010.
Best options: Leon Powe, Chris Wilcox, Drew Gooden, Matt Barnes, Joe Smith
If they are cut/bought out: Fabricio Oberto, Ben Wallace
Powe will be injured to start the season but he's the most talented of the group and was very angry with Boston for letting him go. Maybe that anger is enough to seek some revenge, but he’s worth far more than vet min obviously. Wilcox is under the radar, not a classic tri fit but a productive rebounder. Gooden is a tri fit but was set back with the injury, only had flashes of quality games in San Antonio at the end of the year. When healthy he’s a solid rebounder. Barnes is a 3 but his overall game can fit in the system and the rotation. Smith is a steady vet.
TRADING BENCH PLAYERS
Best options: Nick Collison (OKC), Jeff Foster (IND), Jared Jeffries/Nate Robinson (NY)
Sam Presti is holding on to his cap room to shop next summer, which makes Collison a potential trade target since he’s a 2011 player. Adam Morrison and Sun Yue get it done contractually but it may require Farmar instead to close. Question is what other offers OKC gets. Collison is an excellent rebounder per 48, an energy player and gaining consistency.
Indiana is hard to read at 1. They are shopping Ford, want Tinsley to stay away and plan to re-sign Daniels. So it’s possible Farmar would be of interest to them. Foster is a 2011 player so Ammo and Farmar may work for Pacers management worried about payroll.
A Knicks trade for Jeffries and Robinson would be tricky with BYC. Morrison, Farmar, Sun and Powell would work provided Nate re-signs for 4.7. The Knicks jump on it, more space for 2010. Question is if the Lakers think Jeffries would work as the backup 4 and if they’d want to commit to him for two years. Additional question is if the rumors of past interest in Robinson are real.
Other possible targets could be one of the backup Minnesota bigs (Etan Thomas, Darius Songaila, Ryan Gomes, Craig Smith). Hakim Warrick in Memphis for Farmar and Sun (but Warrick is RFA). Brandan Wright in Oakland, I don’t think the Dubs would part with Turiaf.
TRADE X
LA has a 2.5 trade exception from the Mihm deal. In theory that could get Josh Boone but the Nets would want more than just a trade x for him. Would need to build a larger deal around that.
SIGN AND TRADE
Schwartz was reportedly trying to land an S&T offer and failed. Question is if that was due to him asking for more money than clubs were willing to pay. If Kupchak works a deal in S&T under what Odom wants would Odom and Schwartz take it? Depends on what Portland does. It may be that Odom not signing after the Lakers upped the offer is due to Schwartz being confident that Portland will make an offer if Utah matches on Millsap. We’ll see.
If the Blazers don’t make an offer Odom may need to return to the Laker offer and then there is no S&T. If bridges are burned and Portland doesn’t make an offer, then S&T may be amenable to both sides. With the caveats out of the way, maybe these can work.
WASH: Andray Blatche, DeShawn Stevenson, Javaris Crittenton
Thinking here is to address youth and depth at locked in salaries under 4 to help manage the payroll going forward. The Lakers need more salaries under 5, problem with this deal is the volume coming back and no proven impact player. Also forces the Lakers to cut Sun and try to move Farmar for a trade x.
Blatche is 23 and a freak, good size and athleticism, but he lacks maturity and consistency. Too much clay not enough game…yet. Coach him up and he can develop into impact. DeShawn is coming off the back problems but when healthy is a solid man defender, a smart passer and has hit 38 and 40 from 3 in recent years. Crittenton gives the Lakers a speed guard that can create off the dribble as the counter to Kobe traps. Has tri exposure obviously.
The Wizards have an overloaded roster and will need to make a volume deal. If the Lakers want more scoring they can ask for Nick Young instead of Stevenson, depends on how much the Wiz would value LO. Seems Lamar would fit very well in Flip’s system. Thing with Young is he makes much less than Stevenson and then the salaries have to go through mix and match. Also a productive player making under 2 is gold right now, hard to acquire.
ATL: Zaza Pachulia, Josh Childress
Pachulia has the versality to play high post and still bang. Childress has an underrated 2-way game, like LO he does a lot of different things well, excellent rebounder that can play 2 or 3, very long, high hoop iq. S&T would take Odom and Farmar.
CHA: Boris Diaw and Raymond Felton
Diaw isn’t the same rebounder as Odom but is another Swiss army knife. Problem is the contract, 9 per for three years. Kupchak is rumored to like Felton, fills the speed guard hole, excellent at creating steals, can create off the dribble, has 1 skills they lack. Problem is the turnovers and a suspect j, hopefully Hodges could correct that. Would take Odom, Luke and Farmar. Lot to give up but sets the core.
S&T ‘s that sound great but probably don’t work
CHI: Hinrich, Ty Thomas
The Bulls can shop in 2010 and may still have a chance at Boozer.
MIA: Chalmers, Haslem
Riles and D Mobile love LO but the Heat can get Bosh and a lot more next summer if they just stay patient. As of now they are the team with the most room for 2010, best not to mess with that. If Wade says he’ll sign the extension if they get Odom then Riley does it, but short of that imo no.
PHX: Amare
Can’t add 20M per to this payroll. Boom.
GS: Randolph and spare pieces
Randolph is untouchable.
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