First off, even though I am a die-hard Lakers fan, I would like to congratulate the Celtics on winning the championship. I am happy that Garnett didn't end up with Malone and Barkley as the best players to never win a ring, and I am happy for both Paul Pierce and P.J. Brown for finally winning a title as well.
These finals were devastating to me. The Lakers played like complete crap and still could have easily won the series if they were mentally tougher.
However, Gasol was just too soft (he really missed Bynum), Odom is just too damn inconsistent, and the role players were scared and couldn't handle the pressure of the Finals. They will learn from this, as they are all young and inexperienced.
Looking forward towards the future of the Lakers, they have a pivotal decision to make this summer: What the hell do they do with Lamar Odom? Odom's contract expires next year, and he stands to make around $14 million. He would be tremendously valuable in a trade, as some teams would love to earn salary cap relief by adding a huge expiring contract coming off their books.
Remember that Pau Gasol heist the Lakers worked out? They got an established All-Star big man in the prime of his career for one expensive expiring contract (Kwame Brown, $9 million) and a couple of unproven young players (Crittenton and Mark Gasol).
If the Lakers could get Gasol for Kwame Brown's expiring contract, what could they get for Odom, whose contract is $5 million more than Brown's and who will still be an all-around contributor for the season he's still on the books?
Here are a couple of different scenarios the Lakers could perform:
Keep Odom, and get a little bit of salary cap relief of their own.
The Lakers still have to lock up Bynum, Farmar, and others for the rest of their bright futures. Then, they could use their mid-level exception to add a veteran big man who is a tough defender and good rebounder, as well A solid perimeter veteran player who will be good in critical games in the playoffs.
Lineup: Fisher, Kobe, Odom, Gasol, Bynum, and two veterans added to youthful bench.
Keep Odom, and attempt to attract a big name player for the entire mid-level.
Then, they can roll out a lineup that would include Fisher, Kobe, Corey Maggette/Ron Artest, Odom, Gasol, Bynum and the great, improving bench.
Trade Odom for another small forward.
Odom is a below average outside shooter. A more traditional small forward would stretch the floor more for the Lakers. Some potential options include Richard Jefferson, Mike Miller, Josh Howard, Ron Artest (if he doesn't opt out), Gerald Wallace, and Andres Nocioni. Each of these players are ether excellent outside shooters or very good defensive perimeter players.
Trade Odom for a couple of good role players to make the team deeper.
An example of this would be trading him for a good point guard, as Fisher is better suited coming off the bench and Farmar is too young to be the lead guard for a championship contended .
Some potential players include Kirk Hinrich (if the Bulls draft Rose with the first pick), Caleron/Ford, Mo Williams or Andre Miller.
A potential lineup would be one of the point guards I mentioned, Kobe, a combination of Ariza, Radmanovic, and Walton at the three, Gasol, Bynum, with the bench and a possible veteran addition or two.
The Lakers have a lot of different ways they could go. I personally think that Odom will not fit with Bynum and Gasol at the center and power forward spots. He isn't a good shooter, and needs to play inside to be effective. I believe they should trade for a shooter or a defender—most notably, Jefferson, Nocioni, or Wallace—or keep him and get Artest or Maggette with the entire mid-level exception (around $6.2 million a year for up to five years).
I think Maggete would be interested in the Lakers, as he is good friends with Kobe, he could stay in L.A., and he would have an important role on a championship contender for the next four to five years.
Artest is a more complicated issue, as he has several off the court problems to worry about. Imagine a lineup of Fisher, Kobe, Maggette, Gasol, and Bynum, with Odom coming off the bench. Then, after the season, the Lakers can use the salary cap space gained by not re-signing Odom to sign Bynum and Farmar to long-term contracts.
I am curious to find out what you other Lakers fans think they should do with Odom. If you think he should be traded, make a suggestion on who they should attempt to get in return for.
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3 months ago
Keep Odom he can rebound the ball Gasol cant he's soft trade Gasol for a quality small forward. We would be too big with 7'0 Bynum, 7'0 Gasol and 6'10 Odom. Get Marion and have this line up Marion isnt afraid to attack the rim he has speed, finesse and power. He could also add 9+ rebounds a night on top of Odom and Bynums 10+ a night. It will allow Bynum to control the paint without having to make way for Pau.
C-Bynum
PF-Odom
SF-Marion (can also play PF)
SG-Bryant
PG-Fisher
Turiaf
Farmar
Vujacic
Radmanovic
Ariza
from 3 months ago
Wt if Bynum is injured like this year's final??? Who would play as center then???
from 3 months ago
Check out these potential TRADES FOR LAMAR ODOM for the 2008-2009 season: 1) LAMAR ODOM and LUKE WALTON / VLADIMIR RADMANOVIC to Houston for TRACY MCGRADY. If needed add in the rights to SUN YUE to team up with Yao and receive a future draft pick, cash, or the rights to a rookie from Houston. Teams will be foolish to double team KOBE or MCGRADY when they are in the game together.
2) LAMAR ODOM to Orlando for RASHARD LEWIS
3) LAMAR ODOM to Milwaukee for RICHARD JEFFERSON
4) LAMAR ODOM to Washington for CARON BUTLER and BRENDAN HAYWOOD
5) LAMAR ODOM to Utah for ANDREI KIRILENKO
6) LAMAR ODOM to Charlotte for JASON RICHARDSON
7) LAMAR ODOM to Atlanta for JOE JOHNSON
ODOM MUST GO! THE LAKERS HAVE BROUGHT IN JAMES WORTHY, SCOTTIE PIPPEN, AND MAGIC JOHNSON TO TUTOR ODOM AND HE STILL CANT GET IT RIGHT!!!
LAKER FAN SINCE 1983 IN THE DAYS OF SHOWTIME, THE FABULOUS FORUM, AND THE BEST COMMENTATOR EVER CHICK HEARN!!
LAKER FAN FOR LIFE!!!! RLeBlanc511@hotmail.com
3 months ago
I think to trade Odom would be helpful for both parties involved. Odom will never put up the numbers he can in the triangle offense because his all-round game clashes with that system, and Kobe dominates the ball to much for that to happen. Odom's best numbers were with the Heat in a more traditional offense. I can see Gerald Wallace being the Scottie Pippen for Kobe with to his underrated defense and all-out hustle style.
3 months ago
I think Gasol will really benefit from Bynum being back. I would trade Odom. NBA trades are always difficult to pull off. But I don't like starting Odom at the 3, and I don't think he is the type of guy to play well coming off the bench. Also, I was far more impressed with Gasol in the playoffs than Odom - Odom seemed to shrink when games got close. There was a play late in Game Five of the finals where he was being guarded by either Cassell or Ray Allen - and odom wanted no part of the ball. He sort of put his harm half way in the air. He is a uniquely talented player, but I just don't think he is someone you win a title with.
3 months ago
Good article, Marcel. It's good to see there are some Laker fans that are actually classy and know what they're talking about. I'm not sure Maggette would sign for the midlevel, he is more interested in a payday and playing time. Arest might take the mid, and he might not even mind coming off the bench (though if he takes the mid, Ariza would have to walk). I think they'd be better off keeping Odom at the 3, his natural position. He's not a great shooter, but he can rebound, distribute and ball handle. Also, it would be an imposing front line. His biggest knock is inconsistency, which everyone witnessed first hand could really make things difficult when competing on the biggest stage.
3 months ago
First trade Odom. That's a positive start. I mean just get rid of him. He'll never be a consistent performer and is completely unreliable. Get an Artest or another small forward who can play defense and works hard. The Lakers don't need a big scorer or a big rebounder at the 3. Just heart and consistency. You could then use the mid level to get a veteran big man. I mean a tough enforcer type journeyman to back up Bynum. I'm not sure Bynum will hold up for the whole year and it would be important to keep Gasol at the 4 because he's not a natural center and can't rebound against the more physical teams. But the key is dumping Odom.
3 months ago
First of all, Odom gets way more hate than he deserves. Deep inside he is truly a guard in a power forwards body and I think he could work very well with Bynum and Gasol. I would even go far enough as to say he would be a contender for one of the leagues triple double leaders. He is a smart, unselfish player that works well with the triangle. His height is going to be an obvious match up problem for any team and he is agile enough to play SF if he can work on his shot and bring it out a couple more feet. As far as the decision between Artest and Maggete I would have to go with Artest. His attitude has taken a 180 degree turn from where he used to be, he is an amazing defender, a veteran, and his offense is hugely under appreciated. Not to mention his three favorite players are Kobe, Lamar, and Lebron.
3 months ago
I believe that this idea or notion that LO will be the next Pippen or Clyde is delusional because he simply has no motivation to aspire to that kind of level of play even though he has all the ingredients and talents to do so.
Look it's been four years and we keep saying, Well next year he'll be good, or now that Pau and Drew are here and back he is in his role as the third option.
The real question is do the lakers think that they can rise to that next level with a man that lack visions and intuition in his game. Does anybody remember good ole Elden Campbell who we used to say the same things about.
The lakers can trade Odom, bring in Artest and offer a James Posey type player the midlevel exception.
Artest is a 20ppg in 40 minutes type of a player who you need at the 3 spot. And a veteran off the bench such as Posey or someone that has been there done that, could lift this bench to the next level.
Luke Walton and Borat Radmanovic are garbage and you need to have players like a Horry/Fox, Mychal Thompson/Cooper who's veteran leadership helped the lakers be champions.
To be at the 3, Lamar would have to become a jumpshooter and we all know what a disaster his shot is most of the time.
My wish team for 08-09
PG Farmar/Fisher
SG Kobe/Ariza
SF Artest/Posey/Walton/Rad
PF Pau/Turiaf
C Drew/Mbenga
3 months ago
Dont trade Lamar... Hes too important. Im sure he is going to work in his shooting in the offseason. So far all I here is trade Lamar or dont trade Lamar. For crying out loud TRADE RADMANOVIC The only thing he is good at is taking fouls and hitting the side of the backboard..
SOLUTION TO LAKERS IS
TRADE VLAD AND LUKE
AND
SIGN ARTEST FOR MIDLEVEL OR MORE
3 months ago
I wouldn't touch Lamar either, he too versatile...He's handy to cover different positions. With the way we look I'm sure it's possible that we can attract big name players like Artest for less money and plus Bynum and Odom has said they want to be a Laker and I'm sure they understand not getting the max money.
Funny as it may sound, I'd give Vlad one more chance I would love for him to really work hard this summer and develop into Peja type player, imagine if everything goes like that...
Bynum Turiaf
Gasol Odom
Artest Ariza/Vlad
Kobe Vujacic
Fisher Farmar
I mean if we somehow gets Artest, we ain't need Ariza either...So him for some cap room? And notice I left Walton...yeah let's leave him alone
3 months ago
If Kupchak can sign Ron Ron and keep Lamar great. That would be another incredible move by our GM. Moving Vlad and Walton is more difficult because of their contract. Vlad get 6 million/year and Luke 4/year and they have at least 3 more years left. Who is going to touch these two studs for that kind of money??? Ariza just today excersized his player option to stay with the Lakers next year for 3.1 million. You need Ariza, he could be very helpful.
Their are a million rumors flying around LA today, another scenario is Richard Jefferson for LO, the only thing with RJ is that he is under contract for three more year. Their salaries match for the most part. But I would go the Ron Ron route cause the Spurs have 10 million in cap space to spend and you know Houston, Denver and the Hornets will look to improve.
Another thing to bear in mind is that the Lakers have til October 21st to give Bynum his extension which could reach up to 80 million over 5 years after that they have to wait til the off season when he is free to walk if he chooses. Gotta weigh it man, LO or Bynum for the big contract. Is LO worth 14 million. I thought not.
Dr. Buss should spend the $$$ now because he will get it back if the team goes to the final. It's said that a team that get to the finals brings in an xtra 125-150 million in revenue.
It's worth it, if you give Artest or Posey the mid level, you can't sign Sasha, his agent will want that much.
Lots of decisions for Mitch in the off season. We will get a better indication of where things are going on draft day.
3 months ago
I think if the Lakers trade him, they need to get something big in return. It is a hit or miss with Lamar as some games he shows up, while others you wonder what happened to Lamar Odom. One example I could think of was Game 4 of the Finals. He was on fire for the first half and then when the second half came around, he was a no show.
Great article!
3 months ago
Im hearing Gerald Wallace this man is not off the injury list yet. Look LA needs to make Odom and Gasol along with Radmanovic, get up early 6am on a Monday, and open the gym have them go get dressed give them a ball. When they come out tell them to through the ball in the cage thats in the middle of the court, then tell those guys to go into the cage and get the ball. At that time have Kimbo Slice in the cage with his job being not to let them leave with the ball. I promise you we will then win the Championship the next year!!!!!! by TEON
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