What are the Lakers doing?

[bagelred]

I have great respect for Mitch Kupchak, who assembled a championship team not because the Lakers can outspend, but because he makes shrewd moves. Gets Kobe for Divac back in the day (as assistant GM), smartly keeps Kobe instead of Shaq and gets Lamar Odom in process, makes a steal of a trade to get Pau Gasol, and gets a steal in the draft in Bynum, got Ariza for nothing,........he's one of most underrated GM's in the game.

But WTF is happening right now? Tries to get Chris Paul, Stern c-ckblocks it....and then.......panics and gives away Lamar Odom for nothing? :confusedshrug: Because Odom is upset? Really?

Then, for some reason, continues to pursue Paul hard instead of pursuing the most dominant player in Howard? Why hasn't Kupchak gone hard after Howard from day one? I don't get. To me, from day one, he should have given up anything he could besides Kobe to make sure Howard is a Laker. How can you pass on trying to get most dominant center in the game? It's baffling.......he's letting Nets steal him.

For those who will argue "Bynum, Paul, Kobe > Howard Kobe", I think that's wrong. You always take the most dominant big, and worry about rest later. Anyway, without Odom, they have one major asset missing to make moves.


Baffling.......

[niko]

I have great respect for Mitch Kupchak, who assembled a championship team not because the Lakers can outspend, but because he makes shrewd moves. Gets Kobe for Divac back in the day (as assistant GM), smartly keeps Kobe instead of Shaq and gets Lamar Odom in process, makes a steal of a trade to get Pau Gasol, and gets a steal in the draft in Bynum, got Ariza for nothing,........he's one of most underrated GM's in the game.

But WTF is happening right now? Tries to get Chris Paul, Stern c-ckblocks it....and then.......panics and gives away Lamar Odom for nothing? :confusedshrug: Because Odom is upset? Really?

Then, for some reason, continues to pursue Paul hard instead of pursuing the most dominant player in Howard? Why hasn't Kupchak gone hard after Howard from day one? I don't get. To me, from day one, he should have given up anything he could besides Kobe to make sure Howard is a Laker. How can you pass on trying to get most dominant center in the game? It's baffling.......he's letting Nets steal him.

For those who will argue "Bynum, Paul, Kobe > Howard Kobe", I think that's wrong. You always take the most dominant big, and worry about rest later. Anyway, without Odom, they have one major asset missing to make moves.


Baffling.......
Your analysis involves ESPN being right about a lot of this, which may be where the logic gap comes from. Them making shit up.

[HylianNightmare]

Baffling.......
this

[bagelred]

Your analysis involves ESPN being right about a lot of this, which may be where the logic gap comes from. Them making shit up.

Maybe, but that's all we have to go. What the media tells us.........

[triangleoffense]

Your analysis involves ESPN being right about a lot of this, which may be where the logic gap comes from. Them making shit up.
Yea, another thing that Kupchak is good at is making deals outside the limelight of the national media and under the table, this is how big deals get done anyways, NBA or otherwise.



Maybe, but that's all we have to go. What the media tells us........

Trust me when I tell you this you couldn't be more wrong about this one.

[niko]

Maybe, but that's all we have to go. What the media tells us.........
i'd wait and see how things play out. A lot of the Paul stuff and D12 stuff is illogical to me. The trade Stein reports for D12 is ridiculous (it's the same crappy Lopez trade but with less picks replaced with Gerald Wallace) and the fact ESPN is so obsessed with the Lakers possibly getting Paul when anyone watching can tell that not only does the league not want to trade him, they sure as hell are not sending him to a big market team like Lakers.

[NBA2k-Monster23]

I don't understand the logic. If they wanted to trade odom he could of been a huge asset in the deal and we wouldn't have to trade Pau and Bynum. I'm just starting to think that they feel they have no chance to get Dwight so thats why they are trying to pursue CP3 hard.

[NBA2k-Monster23]

I just don't think the Lakers have enough assets to get Dwight. This could be the end of the Lakers for a while.

[Allstar24]

Last time I checked, the Lakers still have Kobe, Bynum and Pau...and 16 championships. The organization is doing just fine, thanks for your concern. Mitch knows what he is doing better than you couch potatoes...trading Lamar was the right move. By the end of the playoffs last year, he looked like he was done...mentally checked out. He's 32 years old, he was disgruntled about coming back...perfect time to get rid of him. I can see everyone is giddy at the prospect of the Lakers imploding but just wait and see how the season goes before getting too excited.

[Myth]

I don't understand the logic. If they wanted to trade odom he could of been a huge asset in the deal and we wouldn't have to trade Pau and Bynum. I'm just starting to think that they feel they have no chance to get Dwight so thats why they are trying to pursue CP3 hard.

I wonder why they don't think they have a shot at Dwight. I think they have more to offer than the Nets do. The only thing that comes to mind has to do with memories of Shaq leaving Orlando. It is possible that Orlando is hesitant to trade Howard to the Lakers for fear of fan backlash, or maybe Howard himself is hesitant because he wants to leave Orlando fans on good terms and that is next to impossible if he follows Shaq's footsteps.

[francesco totti]

Not much following NBA lately how will lakers starting lineup and rotations look like right now?


It seems they need to pull a trade.do they lack a depth tho?

[Myth]

trading Lamar was the right move. By the end of the playoffs last year, he looked like he was done...mentally checked out. He's 32 years old....

Great, then you wouldn't mind trading away Pau Gasol for nothing too.

[bagelred]

Last time I checked, the Lakers still have Kobe, Bynum and Pau...and 16 championships. The organization is doing just fine, thanks for your concern. Mitch knows what he is doing better than you couch potatoes...trading Lamar was the right move. By the end of the playoffs last year, he looked like he was done...mentally checked out. He's 32 years old, he was disgruntled about coming back...perfect time to get rid of him. I can see everyone is giddy at the prospect of the Lakers imploding but just wait and see how the season goes before getting too excited.

Wow, you are really defensive. I was actually praising the Lakers.

What was the point of giving Odom away? At least he's a trade asset. He's still a good player. Now they have no one.

[francesco totti]

I just don't think the Lakers have enough assets to get Dwight. This could be the end of the Lakers for a while.

Kobe still has 2 - 3 years in him.Lakers need to try and win now, because 3 years later kobe is done.

[All Net]

Trading odom was idiotic...to freaking Dallas no less.

It's hard right now to see much hope for this season right now for LA

[hawkfan]

Jim Buss is running the show now.
Hiring Mike Brown and not telling Kobe.
Trying to trade Pau.
Trading away Odom.
Not amnestying Walton - that's the most baffling thing of all. Guy is lousy and now they are willing to pay the luxury tax on him.

[NBA2k-Monster23]

Trading odom was idiotic...to freaking Dallas no less.

It's hard right now to see much hope for this season right now for LA

I agree 100%. The reason why is we can't count on Bynum been there. The guy is Injury prone, he hasn't played a full season in the NBA yet. We lose Lamar Odom our 6 man of the year. We have nobody coming of the bench that's worth a damn. On top of that we have Derek Fisher and Steve Blake at point guard. Yeah it's over.

[Allstar24]

Wow, you are really defensive. I was actually praising the Lakers.

What was the point of giving Odom away? At least he's a trade asset. He's still a good player. Now they have no one.
Lamar was never involved in a deal to land Howard anyway, Orlando didn't want him. He's 32 now, his value is not going any higher. They traded him to Dallas because he wanted to go there and they honored his wishes, which was a classy thing to do. Yes I'm defensive because the Lakers make one questionable move and everyone is jumping down their throat. History shows they always make the right moves so I'll wait and see what they have planned before overreacting and feeling foolish later on.

[Jimmy2k8]

Jim Buss is running the show now.
Hiring Mike Brown and not telling Kobe.Trying to trade Pau.
Trading away Odom.
Not amnestying Walton - that's the most baffling thing of all. Guy is lousy and now they are willing to pay the luxury tax on him.

Out of all the candidates they could have hired, they had to hir Mike Brown...I mean really?

I wonder what Jim's future plan for the Lakers is? Must have something to do with rebuilding.

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii76/H3AT23/LeBrongif.gif

[hawkfan]

Why hasn't Walton been amnestied?

[Big#50]

Lakers are done. Kobe is done. I have to listen to bitch ass cry baby Laker fans all season long at work. ****!

[Kobe681]

Last time I checked, the Lakers still have Kobe, Bynum and Pau...and 16 championships. The organization is doing just fine, thanks for your concern. Mitch knows what he is doing better than you couch potatoes...trading Lamar was the right move. By the end of the playoffs last year, he looked like he was done...mentally checked out. He's 32 years old, he was disgruntled about coming back...perfect time to get rid of him. I can see everyone is giddy at the prospect of the Lakers imploding but just wait and see how the season goes before getting too excited.

Dude, you make really good points. But the fact is the Lakers gave away Odom, our only bench player that actually produces and the reigning 6th Man of the Year, for practically nothing. They could have gotten a much better deal than what they got. His value was at an all time high right now. Even if Odom asked to be traded, they didnt have to trade him so quickly. At worst they could just ask him to stay away from the team until the most team beneficial trade presented itself. It seems like the Lakers panicked and traded him just to trade him.

[StacksOnDeck]

good, the bandwagoners are leaving. btw never knew Odom was that big of a difference. oh I know now.... he's not on the Lakers anymore. Anyways mark my words LA will be better this year. They needed a defensive coach and they got one.

[NBA2k-Monster23]

WojYahooNBA Adrian Wojnarowski
Portland could extract as many as 3 draft picks for Gerald Wallace in possible multi-team Nets deal for Dwight Howard, league sources say.
1 minute ago

[LakersReign]

Doesn't look good for our Lakers right now, but we'll just have to see how it all turns out.

[TryToBeUnbias]

Dude, you make really good points. But the fact is the Lakers gave away Odom, our only bench player that actually produces and the reigning 6th Man of the Year, for practically nothing. They could have gotten a much better deal than what they got. His value was at an all time high right now. Even if Odom asked to be traded, they didnt have to trade him so quickly. At worst they could just ask him to stay away from the team until the most team beneficial trade presented itself. It seems like the Lakers panicked and traded him just to trade him.

Or they traded him to a team he preferred

[Kobe681]

Or they traded him to a team he preferred


Why would that matter? Cause it 'honorable'?

[hawkfan]

Someone explain why Walton hasn't been amnestied. Why pay luxury tax on Walton?

[Kobe681]

Someone explain why Walton hasn't been amnestied. Why pay luxury tax on Walton?

Just a guess, but maybe cause its only about 5 million? Maybe they want to hold onto it to use it on someone else.

Whats the rule on using the amnesty on a player you trade FOR?

ex: they trade for Hedo, then amnesty his ass...

[DuMa]

Someone explain why Walton hasn't been amnestied. Why pay luxury tax on Walton?

theyre saving it for Kobe next year.

[TryToBeUnbias]

Why would that matter? Cause it 'honorable'?
I suppose.

[pegasus]

We can't really evaluate his work this offseason until March 15th (trade deadline).

[Kobe681]

I suppose.

If I was Mitch or whoever, I would have had a one on one with Lamar and tell him that we will try to get him to Dallas if we can get someone useful in return. If not, we have to explore all options for the good of the team and our fans.

[Darius]

Lamar was never involved in a deal to land Howard anyway, Orlando didn't want him. He's 32 now, his value is not going any higher. They traded him to Dallas because he wanted to go there and they honored his wishes, which was a classy thing to do. Yes I'm defensive because the Lakers make one questionable move and everyone is jumping down their throat. History shows they always make the right moves so I'll wait and see what they have planned before overreacting and feeling foolish later on.

One questionable move?

They hired Mike Brown. :roll:

Bottom line is the Laker's calling card was their great trio of 6'10+ guys in Odom/Pau/Bynum.

Their length dominated games.

Without Odom I think the Lakers are significantly weaker.

I'll withhold my judgement to see if Mitch does something with the TPE but right now its looking alot like a cost saving move...

[LA_Showtime]

Last time I checked, the Lakers still have Kobe, Bynum and Pau...and 16 championships. The organization is doing just fine, thanks for your concern. Mitch knows what he is doing better than you couch potatoes...trading Lamar was the right move. By the end of the playoffs last year, he looked like he was done...mentally checked out. He's 32 years old, he was disgruntled about coming back...perfect time to get rid of him. I can see everyone is giddy at the prospect of the Lakers imploding but just wait and see how the season goes before getting too excited.

Jeez, you sound like a cornered pit bull. Take a xanax and relax.

[longtime lurker]

I agree with OP but you have to think that Mitch is a couple steps ahead of everybody. He pretty much had a deal in place to get chris paul without giving up picks, knowing that would have Dwight favour coming to LA. it didn't work out and in a moment of panic and stupidity they traded Odom to a conference rival no less. Anyways he seems like someone who works below the radar. I want to see what he does the the vujacic trade exception, some team might be willing to trade a first rounder to save money. He needs to start stocking up on assets, continue to put out feelers for chris paul. I still believe dwight will end up in LA

[PejaNowitzki]

Its not too long ago that all the Lakers fans were calling him"Cupcake" and criticizing him 24-7 but then he gets one freebie Spaniard gifted to him by West and all of a sudden he's a genius? C'mon.

[PrimeJohnnyDepp]

Last time I checked, the Lakers still have Kobe, Bynum and Pau

Just shut the hell up. They are being overrun and crushed.

[lakers_forever]

Last time I checked, the Lakers still have Kobe, Bynum and Pau...and 16 championships. The organization is doing just fine, thanks for your concern. Mitch knows what he is doing better than you couch potatoes...trading Lamar was the right move. By the end of the playoffs last year, he looked like he was done...mentally checked out. He's 32 years old, he was disgruntled about coming back...perfect time to get rid of him. I can see everyone is giddy at the prospect of the Lakers imploding but just wait and see how the season goes before getting too excited.

You are in denial. Trading Lamar Odom for nothing is a good move? If the Lakers don't make more moves, they aren't going anywhere this season.

You have all the same problems of last year (an older Kobe, finished Fisher, no 3 point shooters) plus new issues (no Phil Jackson, Mike Brown, no Odom).

[All Net]

You are in denial. Trading Lamar Odom for nothing is a good move? If the Lakers don't make more moves, they aren't going anywhere this season.

You have all the same problems of last year (an older Kobe, finished Fisher, no 3 point shooters) plus new issues (no Phil Jackson, Mike Brown, no Odom).
I dont see how anybody can disagree with this right now.

[Kobe681]

You are in denial. Trading Lamar Odom for nothing is a good move? If the Lakers don't make more moves, they aren't going anywhere this season.

You have all the same problems of last year (an older Kobe, finished Fisher, no 3 point shooters) plus new issues (no Phil Jackson, Mike Brown, no Odom).

I think (and hope) what he means is that our foundation is there. we have a pretty damn good core of kobe, gasol and bynum.

And trading Lamar WAS the right move. He had to go. But trading him for what they traded him for was definitely not.

I also agree with your statements in bold. I really hope we're not done making moves and I wish the Lakers would be more aggressive in trying to get howard. that should be priority number one.

[lakers_forever]

I think (and hope) what he means is that our foundation is there. we have a pretty damn good core of kobe, gasol and bynum.

And trading Lamar WAS the right move. He had to go. But trading him for what they traded him for was definitely not.

I also agree with your statements in bold. I really hope we're not done making moves and I wish the Lakers would be more aggressive in trying to get howard. that should be priority number one.

But we can't get anyone that can really change our team if we don't trade Gasol or Bynum. That means the foundation is really useless right now.

[LA_Showtime]

But we can't get anyone that can really change our team if we don't trade Gasol or Bynum. That means the foundation is really useless right now.

Not to mention the fact that Kobe's coming off another knee surgery, Bynum is Bynum, and Gasol played like a little girl in the playoffs.

[PrimeJohnnyDepp]

i honestly think Josh McGregor will steal and save the Lakeshow. the guy is the next and better Kevin Love.

[lakers_forever]

Not to mention the fact that Kobe's coming off another knee surgery, Bynum is Bynum, and Gasol played like a little girl in the playoffs.

Exactly.

[Allstar24]

Not to mention the fact that Kobe's coming off another knee surgery, Bynum is Bynum, and Gasol played like a little girl in the playoffs.
Hop off the bandwagon now, no one will miss you.

[lakers_forever]

Hop off the bandwagon now, no one will miss you.

Don't be childish, man. We will still support the Lakers, no matter what. Just being realistic.

[glidedrxlr22]

Allstar24 never sees anything wrong with the Lakers. He could secretly be Mychal Thompson or John Ireland. Those clowns think the world of the Lakers no matter what happens.

At least there's some realistic Laker fans in this thread.

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

Jeez, you sound like a cornered pit bull. Take a xanax and relax.

He sounds like your typical weasel Kobe stan. All bark and no bite. Being associated with clowns like that really do a disservice to actual Lakers fans.

[LA_Showtime]

Hop off the bandwagon now, no one will miss you.

It's called being realistic.


No depth
Arguably the worst starting small forward and point guard in the league
Lost our two best bench players, one of whom we traded to the defending champions who knocked us out of the playoffs
Kobe and Gasol are a year older
Bynum is injury prone
Phil Jackson to Mike Brown. 'Nuff said

[Kobe681]

But we can't get anyone that can really change our team if we don't trade Gasol or Bynum. That means the foundation is really useless right now.

Well I guess its *not*THAT useless if one or both of those players can get us a team-changing franchise level player. I wouldnt call that useless at all...

What I meant was that Kobe, Gasol and Bynum are still gonna take you pretty far. Not saying all the way, but we're still better off than 80% of the league.

With that said, I WANT the lakers to make some moves. We HAVE to make some moves. This season and future seasons depend on it. Doing nothing can potentially cripple us for years to come.

[LA_Showtime]

I get negged by angry Laker fans more than anything. Allstar24, NoGunz, Crossover... you guys are idiots. :oldlol: What a bunch of whiny bitches.

[Allstar24]

Don't be childish, man. We will still support the Lakers, no matter what. Just being realistic.
Actually, calling Pau Gasol a "little girl" is childish. You can be realistic without being disrespectful...I had no problem with your post or the several others who pointed out legitimate flaws. I saw Pau play over the summer. This guy will come back with something to prove, just the way he did after the 2008 finals. I remember back then, these same people were saying he was the Finals MVP :oldlol: And y'all wonder why people call Laker fans fickle.Damn we need gts and SocalMike back here! I'm just going to ignore all this chatter and wait for the Lakers to make everyone eat crow, as they have always done.

[glidedrxlr22]

I get negged by angry Laker fans more than anything. Allstar24, NoGunz, Crossover... you guys are idiots. :oldlol: What a bunch of whiny bitches.

I don't usually positive rep Laker fans, but you're bringing out the truth....so I'll +rep you. :applause:

[Allstar24]

I get negged by angry Laker fans more than anything. Allstar24, NoGunz, Crossover... you guys are idiots. :oldlol: What a bunch of whiny bitches.
I didn't "neg" you dummy, as if I give a rats ass about reputation on an internet forum. I doubt you have much of a reputation in real life...you seem pretty obsessed with fake internet reputation.

[NoGunzJustSkillz]

Last time I checked, the Lakers still have Kobe, Bynum and Pau...and 16 championships. The organization is doing just fine, thanks for your concern. Mitch knows what he is doing better than you couch potatoes...trading Lamar was the right move. By the end of the playoffs last year, he looked like he was done...mentally checked out. He's 32 years old, he was disgruntled about coming back...perfect time to get rid of him. I can see everyone is giddy at the prospect of the Lakers imploding but just wait and see how the season goes before getting too excited.
okay cool, but trading him to Dallas??!?!?!!?!?!?:eek:

[glidedrxlr22]

Allstar24 don't have this cocky sense of entitlement. The Lakers make many good decisions, but at times they will falter....deal with it.

[NoGunzJustSkillz]

I get negged by angry Laker fans more than anything. Allstar24, NoGunz, Crossover... you guys are idiots. :oldlol: What a bunch of whiny bitches.
i don't leave rep, but thanks for thinking of me.

[LA_Showtime]

I didn't "neg" you dummy, as if I give a rats ass about reputation on an internet forum. I doubt you have much of a reputation in real life...you seem pretty obsessed with fake internet reputation.

I don't care about reputation. I just think it's funny that I'm always getting into arguments with Laker fans. All you guys do is act entitled and then bitch when ANYONE says ANYTHING negative about the team.

And calling Gasol a little girl is childish? Really? :oldlol:

[LA_Showtime]

i don't leave rep, but thanks for thinking of me.

I thought I should include you since you stood up for DKLaker's stupidity.

[NoGunzJustSkillz]

I thought I should include you since you stood up for DKLaker's stupidity.
Cool story. I was so drunk last night, I forgot about our little back and forth lol.

[LA_Showtime]

Cool story. I was so drunk last night, I forgot about our little back and forth lol.

On a Tuesday night? I'm guessing you don't have Finals then. :oldlol:

[NoGunzJustSkillz]

On a Tuesday night? I'm guessing you don't have Finals then. :oldlol:
i made some cash last night, i was celebrating.

[Lakers_Kobe_Fan]

It's called being realistic.


No depth
Arguably the worst starting small forward and point guard in the league
Lost our two best bench players, one of whom we traded to the defending champions who knocked us out of the playoffs
Kobe and Gasol are a year older
Bynum is injury prone
Phil Jackson to Mike Brown. 'Nuff said


maybe they know what the fcuk they are doing...well lets see

[magicmanfan]

It's called being realistic.

No depth
Arguably the worst starting small forward and point guard in the league
Lost our two best bench players, one of whom we traded to the defending champions who knocked us out of the playoffs
Kobe and Gasol are a year older
Bynum is injury prone
Phil Jackson to Mike Brown. 'Nuff said

you're a glass half empty kinda person I'd bet....

You could say:

- kept their entire staring lineup intact, good chemistry
- lost Odom but added an energenic hustler in McRoberts and he's a
decent defender
- still have a $8.9mil trade exception to sign a very good player (eg, PG)
- shorter season helps older players like Pau and Kobe, but also
helps Bynum b/c fewer games to get hurt in
- change in coach and system CAN be a good thing

AND I think Artest/Barnes is a terrific pair of SFs.... both are top
defenders in the league and every team needs good wing defenders

[Allstar24]

okay cool, but trading him to Dallas??!?!?!!?!?!?:eek:
So what if its Dallas? They're not the Celtics, then I'd be REALLY pissed. Odom wanted to go to Dallas. Either it was a classy move by the Lakers to give him what he wanted OR they have something else planned. They have given us reason to trust them over the years. I'm just not going to overreact, its not that serious.

[NoGunzJustSkillz]

So what if its Dallas? They're not the Celtics, then I'd be REALLY pissed. Odom wanted to go to Dallas. Either it was a classy move by the Lakers to give him what he wanted OR they have something else planned. They have given us reason to trust them over the years. I'm just not going to overreact, its not that serious.
i'd rather him go to boston to be honest with you. i'm sorry, but every time i see him in a dallas jersey, i'm gonna cringe. i'd probably cringe if he were in a boston jersey too. while they have given us every reason to trust them, things don't look too promising at the present moment. i'm just babbling at this point, but how will you feel about the trade if we go into the season without making any big acquisitions?

[the even bigger black guy]

Allstar24 never sees anything wrong with the Lakers. He could secretly be Mychal Thompson or John Ireland. Those clowns think the world of the Lakers no matter what happens.

At least there's some realistic Laker fans in this thread.

Strike First, Strike Hard, No Mercy

[AMISTILLILL]

- still have a $8.9mil trade exception to sign a very good player (eg, PG

...and where does this magic PG come from?

Also, Artest was a great defensive presence... 6 years ago.

[glidedrxlr22]

Strike First, Strike Hard, No Mercy

Yes Sensei!

http://iconvsicon.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/zabka-9.jpg

What up bro?! Where you been?!

[Lakers_Kobe_Fan]

...and where does this magic PG come from?

Also, Artest was a great defensive presence... 6 years ago.

maybe you are right but Mike Brown was the asst coach when he got Dpoy.

Also Phil not there might help Ron Artest. He was all lost in the triangle...

He and Matt Barnes are ground combination to play the SF for the lakers

I would look to get a PG who can fcuking play

how about Pau/walton for Iggy/Holiday? any takers?

[Kurosawa0]

Well, if the Lakers fail to get Paul or Dwight it will have been their own fault. They want to semi-steal one (or both) of the best 5-7 guys in the league. Chris Paul is the best pure point guard in basketball. Dwight Howard is truly the only cornerstone center and the most devastating defensive player in the league.

And there's no way the Lakers couldn't work a package for one of them if they'd just do one thing... give up Gasol & Bynum.

I know that infuriates Laker fans, but here's the truth of the matter, Gasol or Bynum on their own doesn't have the trade value to get a Chris Paul or a Dwight Howard. Nor should they. Gasol is a top 15 player and Bynum is probably somewhere in the top 35.

With Gasol you're looking at a guy that makes a ton of money and is 31. You're not rebuilding with that guy.

Andrew Bynum has a lot of potential, but over the last 4 seasons he's only averaged about 50 games a year.

If the Lakers really want Dwight Howard, call up Houston and Orlando. There's no way New Jersey can trump this deal with picks added in:

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=d5n79bc

They could work out half a dozen deals like that if they wanted to.

I understand wanting to keep Gasol or Bynum to team with Dwight Howard or Chris Paul, but you're already keeping Kobe.

If they really want one of these players, they can get it done. Period. Is it worth missing on both of them because you're overvaluing your own guys?

[the even bigger black guy]

glidedrxlr22 - I've been lurking now and again. This board went downhill a few years ago when people like DuMa arrived and did nothing but post to increase post count. I check in from time to time though.

[Bob Cousy]

glidedrxlr22 - I've been lurking now and again. This board went downhill a few years ago when people like DuMa arrived and did nothing but post to increase post count. I check in from time to time though.
this.

I went away for so long I couldn't even remember my account info lol. I come back and this place is basically less polarized Real GM, less polarized in the sense that its not all about players vs. owners on this board.

[glidedrxlr22]

glidedrxlr22 - I've been lurking now and again. This board went downhill a few years ago when people like DuMa arrived and did nothing but post to increase post count. I check in from time to time though.

Yeah I know what you mean. Sometimes it gets pretty bad around here.

[rigor]

Someone explain why Walton hasn't been amnestied. Why pay luxury tax on Walton?

They are likely hanging onto it in case they need it. Obviously they'll use it between now and Friday (last day it can be used until July 1) if they absolutely have to in order to get CP3 and/or Dwight.

[NBA2k-Monster23]

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=7v9pacz

I would love for this to happen.

[Kurosawa0]

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=7v9pacz

I would love for this to happen.

Exactly. There's no way Orlando would prefer Lopez & Wallace over a package like that.

Although I'm not sure Houston would give up Morris, but even Bynum, Scola and Dragic would be a better package than New Jersey's.

[32jazz]

Its not too long ago that all the Lakers fans were calling him"Cupcake" and criticizing him 24-7 but then he gets one freebie Spaniard gifted to him by West and all of a sudden he's a genius? C'mon.

Mitch also was made an excellent choice with Bynum at the #13 pick. Picked up Ariza for peanuts and has won back to back NBA championships:cheers: (West was not with the Grizzlies who made an excellent deal trading Pau)


That's why panicking knuckleheads like you talk smack on messageboards while Mitch gets paid big bucks and win rings.

The Lakers like everyone make good and bad transactions and considering Dr Buss has won 10 rings in LA I will give him/management the benefit of the doubt and not panic.

The Lakers offered the Hornets a better trade than the Clippers and it was shot down:facepalm and it is now obvious Orlando wanted nothing to do with Odom or the Lakers would have kept him longer.

[DuMa]

glidedrxlr22 - I've been lurking now and again. This board went downhill a few years ago when people like DuMa arrived and did nothing but post to increase post count. I check in from time to time though.
http://i.imgur.com/tCp90.gif

[Doranku]

It's called being realistic.


No depth
Arguably the worst starting small forward and point guard in the league
Lost our two best bench players, one of whom we traded to the defending champions who knocked us out of the playoffs
Kobe and Gasol are a year older
Bynum is injury prone
Phil Jackson to Mike Brown. 'Nuff said


Damn, we might just have the worst starting PG, worst starting SF, worst bench, and worst coach in the league. :roll:

This year is going to be painful...

[DuMa]

SpearsNBAYahoo:
Lakers say forward Derrick Caracter is out 4-6 weeks after undergoing surgery to remove a part of a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee.

[HurricaneKid]

The Lakers offered the Hornets a better trade than the Clippers and it was shot down:facepalm

Couldn't disagree more. The problem with being an elite team for an extended period of time is that people are always either picking off your FAs (see Ariza) or forcing you to pay a lot for your Free Agents. Pau, Bynum, Odom are all making really good money and are on the back end of their careers (Bynum may not be but given his knee problems its certainly possible). The last thing a rebuilding team wants is guys in the twilight of their careers making good money.

[Doranku]

SpearsNBAYahoo:
Lakers say forward Derrick Caracter is out 4-6 weeks after undergoing surgery to remove a part of a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee.
:oldlol: This shit is Clipper-esque at this point.

What's next? Kobe break his knee opening day and be forced into retirement?

[NBA2k-Monster23]

WojYahooNBA Adrian Wojnarowski
Y! Sources: The Orlando Magic end trade discussions for Dwight Howard, plan to start the season with him in the lineup. http://tinyurl.com/d837d4w
2 minutes ago

[LA_Showtime]

you're a glass half empty kinda person I'd bet....

You could say:

- kept their entire staring lineup intact, good chemistry
- lost Odom but added an energenic hustler in McRoberts and he's a
decent defender
- still have a $8.9mil trade exception to sign a very good player (eg, PG)
- shorter season helps older players like Pau and Kobe, but also
helps Bynum b/c fewer games to get hurt in
- change in coach and system CAN be a good thing

AND I think Artest/Barnes is a terrific pair of SFs.... both are top
defenders in the league and every team needs good wing defenders

Not really, no. I'm just still in a David Stern kickassing hangover.

[LA_Showtime]

Damn, we might just have the worst starting PG, worst starting SF, worst bench, and worst coach in the league. :roll:

This year is going to be painful...

I actually think Brown's a decent coach. He can be a championship coach if given the right pieces, but the problem is I don't think we have those pieces right now.

[Doranku]

I actually think Brown's a decent coach. He can be a championship coach if given the right pieces, but the problem is I don't think we have those pieces right now.

Things would have been completely different if we would have kept Odom. He wouldn't be playing in f*cking Dallas right now and they would have been much worse off considering they lost Chandler and Barea.

Honestly, f*ck Odom. Yeah, it must have been a shitty situation to learn that management was willing to let you go, but really. Suck it up and deal with it. Your teammates aren't the ones pulling the strings high up, but they're the people you're abandoning. The same guys who you won two championships with in the past three years. You're really going to throw all of that camaraderie, friendship, and loyalty away because you're hurt that management wanted to trade you for the best PG in the league?

F*ck that, and f*ck you Odom.

[DirtySanchez]

Lakers are laking son!!!!

[LA_Showtime]

Things would have been completely different if we would have kept Odom. He wouldn't be playing in f*cking Dallas right now and they would have been much worse off considering they lost Chandler and Barea.

Honestly, f*ck Odom. Yeah, it must have been a shitty situation to learn that management was willing to let you go, but really. Suck it up and deal with it. Your teammates aren't the ones pulling the strings high up, but they're the people you're abandoning. The same guys who you won two championships with in the past three years. You're really going to throw all of that camaraderie, friendship, and loyalty away because you're hurt that management wanted to trade you for the best PG in the league?

F*ck that, and f*ck you Odom.

Ya know, I honestly don't know how valuable Odom would've been in Brown's system had Bynum stayed healthy. He's on the downside of his career and he's not exactly a post player. The problem is Bynum's never healthy, and once he goes down we're screwed. Who the hell is gonna start the first 5 games of the season at PF? We have like 3 on the roster, and one of 'em might be out for the season.

[JohnnyWall]

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=7v9pacz

I would love for this to happen.

Switch Scola and KMartin in my opinion. Lakers fill the 4 slot, Magic get the SG.

[Doranku]

Ya know, I honestly don't know how valuable Odom would've been in Brown's system had Bynum stayed healthy. He's on the downside of his career and he's not exactly a post player. The problem is Bynum's never healthy, and once he goes down we're screwed. Who the hell is gonna start the first 5 games of the season at PF? We have like 3 on the roster, and one of 'em might be out for the season.

Fair point, but do we even really know what kind of system Mike Brown is going to be running? Because he sure as hell has nothing to go off of from his time in Cleveland.

And yeah, the first five games are going to be absolutely brutal without Bynum. Of course we play Chicago first, too. They're going to MURDER us on the glass. :facepalm

Honestly, if we don't make any major moves this off-season/before the trade deadline, I can see Kobe putting up 25-26 shots and winning the scoring title. :roll: That's about as good as it's going to get for LA fans this year it seems. :cry:

[NoGunzJustSkillz]

Things would have been completely different if we would have kept Odom. He wouldn't be playing in f*cking Dallas right now and they would have been much worse off considering they lost Chandler and Barea.

Honestly, f*ck Odom. Yeah, it must have been a shitty situation to learn that management was willing to let you go, but really. Suck it up and deal with it. Your teammates aren't the ones pulling the strings high up, but they're the people you're abandoning. The same guys who you won two championships with in the past three years. You're really going to throw all of that camaraderie, friendship, and loyalty away because you're hurt that management wanted to trade you for the best PG in the league?

F*ck that, and f*ck you Odom.
I feel the same exact way. And on top of it all, to Dallas. :banghead:

[IGOTGAME]

Fair point, but do we even really know what kind of system Mike Brown is going to be running? Because he sure as hell has nothing to go off of from his time in Cleveland.

And yeah, the first five games are going to be absolutely brutal without Bynum. Of course we play Chicago first, too. They're going to MURDER us on the glass. :facepalm

Honestly, if we don't make any major moves this off-season/before the trade deadline, I can see Kobe putting up 25-26 shots and winning the scoring title. :roll: That's about as good as it's going to get for LA fans this year it seems. :cry:

Same here. If we don't get Howard or a new pg ---> Kobe may have a couple 45/50 point games.

I wouldn't be surprised if he dropped 50 in the 5 games back.

[YAWN]

http://lakers.topbuzz.com/gallery/d/291007-1/Jim+Buss+wearing+a+black+Laker+hat+in+2011.JPG

era

:(

[LA_Showtime]

I don't think Kobe's got it in him to average 30 per game over a 66 game season, and I don't want to see him try.

[Doranku]

I don't think Kobe's got it in him to average 30 per game over a 66 game season, and I don't want to see him try.

Neither do I, but if things aren't going very well to start off the season.. I mean it's Kobe. :oldlol: He's going to get pissed and start forcing up shots for the rest of the season.

[AMISTILLILL]

maybe you are right but Mike Brown was the asst coach when he got Dpoy.

Also Phil not there might help Ron Artest. He was all lost in the triangle...

He and Matt Barnes are ground combination to play the SF for the lakers

I would look to get a PG who can fcuking play

how about Pau/walton for Iggy/Holiday? any takers?

The coach has nothing to do with a guy simply getting older, slightly out of shape and losing lateral movement. :facepalm

I think you're one of the only people on this board who I've seen thrilled about an Artest/Barnes SF rotation.

[LA_Showtime]

Neither do I, but if things aren't going very well to start off the season.. I mean it's Kobe. :oldlol: He's going to get pissed and start forcing up shots for the rest of the season.

I know this is completely off topic but do you think Kobe will age gracefully? I just don't see him EVER deferring to another guy... it's just not in him. He's still painfully insecure about the whole sidekick thing. With Jim Buss slowly taking over the organization, I honestly wouldn't be surprised if Kobe's eventually amnestied (this is 3-4 years down the road, assuming he slows down enough to warrant the amnesty before his contract is up).

[The Choken One]

There's always hope when Kobe is in town...just saying.

While if no big are made, they aren't going to win it all this year...which for most Lakers is all that matters, they'll still have a decent season and in my eyes will be... around the 4th season? Mavs & Thunder will be 1 and 2... and I'd just assume another team would jump them.

I'm just happy I get to watch Kobe... all I give a fhck about.

EDIT: The Lakers really need an athletic PG... I just don't know who.

and also... why haven't the Lakers even considered trading Pau to the Rockets for what they were offering in the Paul trade? They no longer can get the Marc from what I read and they'd probably be interested... Goran + KMart + Scola? Or can it not work financially?

[Doranku]

I know this is completely off topic but do you think Kobe will age gracefully? I just don't see him EVER deferring to another guy... it's just not in him. He's still painfully insecure about the whole sidekick thing. With Jim Buss slowly taking over the organization, I honestly wouldn't be surprised if Kobe's eventually amnestied (this is 3-4 years down the road, assuming he slows down enough to warrant the amnesty before his contract is up).

Kobe will never defer to another guy, especially not another wing player. If LA was to acquire another dominant big, I could see them successfully coexisting, but Kobe would still be the one taking the big shots down the stretch.

What really interests me is how long Kobe is going to stay in the league. Is he going to be able to perform at a high enough level to chase the scoring record? If so, I could definitely see him being amnestied because at that point he'll probably just be gunning for the scoring record if he's within reach. :lol

[The Choken One]

I haven't stayed up to date on all this BS due to finals...and will be going back to studying shortly...but why couldn't the Lakers do something along the lines of this?

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=7on9ynp

This is basically the Paul trade, right? Scola is a downgrade...but not a massive one. KMart is a solid player. And while I ****ing hate Dragic from his days back on the suns/playoffs, he's better than Fisher. Throw in some draft picks or something to make it happen, idk.

[32jazz]

I haven't stayed up to date on all this BS due to finals...and will be going back to studying shortly...but why couldn't the Lakers do something along the lines of this?

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=7on9ynp

This is basically the Paul trade, right? Scola is a downgrade...but not a massive one. KMart is a solid player. And while I ****ing hate Dragic from his days back on the suns/playoffs, he's better than Fisher. Throw in some draft picks or something to make it happen, idk.


The Lakers wanted to flip Gasol, Bynum and Odom for Cp3 and Dwight Howard and as long as they think they are still in the running why do that trade?

Getting Paul for basically Odom and Pau the LAkers were almost there until the league stepped in.:banghead: No doubt they would have tried to package Bynum for Dwight Howard.

Wait to see what happens with Paul and Dwight before making any trades of Pau or Bynum.

[lakers_forever]

Last time I checked, the Lakers still have Kobe, Bynum and Pau...and 16 championships. The organization is doing just fine, thanks for your concern. Mitch knows what he is doing better than you couch potatoes...trading Lamar was the right move. By the end of the playoffs last year, he looked like he was done...mentally checked out. He's 32 years old, he was disgruntled about coming back...perfect time to get rid of him. I can see everyone is giddy at the prospect of the Lakers imploding but just wait and see how the season goes before getting too excited.



You are in denial. Trading Lamar Odom for nothing is a good move? If the Lakers don't make more moves, they aren't going anywhere this season.

You have all the same problems of last year (an older Kobe, finished Fisher, no 3 point shooters) plus new issues (no Phil Jackson, Mike Brown, no Odom).


I think (and hope) what he means is that our foundation is there. we have a pretty damn good core of kobe, gasol and bynum.

And trading Lamar WAS the right move. He had to go. But trading him for what they traded him for was definitely not.

I also agree with your statements in bold. I really hope we're not done making moves and I wish the Lakers would be more aggressive in trying to get howard. that should be priority number one.


But we can't get anyone that can really change our team if we don't trade Gasol or Bynum. That means the foundation is really useless right now.


What to do now? Do Laker fans still think we can win with Bynum, Gasol (two bigs who like to play in the post) and Kobe together surrounded by scrubs?? :rolleyes:

[Meticode]

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4erqaHFnT1qzsdmlo1_1280.jpg

[D-Rose]

I think that the Lakers are in a very awkward position right now. Nowhere near rebuilding but still not in the upper echelon of contenders for the past two years. There is no denying that Kobe, Bynum, Gasol will not get it done without better pieces around them. They have to do the best they can to make moves to surround Kobe until his current contract will be up, meaning the off season that he retires should result in loads of cap room and flexibility. The Lakers need to move a big name for better parts, or what's the point of paying millions in luxury with the new cap and just being a 3/4 seed that's a second round exit?

[Dictator]

What to do now? Do Laker fans still think we can win with Bynum, Gasol (two bigs who like to play in the post) and Kobe together surrounded by scrubs?? :rolleyes:

I think we could if Bynum would take a backseat to Pau and focus more on D. We have some alright pieces(sessions, hill, barnes, peace)

[D-Rose]

I think we could if Bynum would take a backseat to Pau and focus more on D. We have some alright pieces(sessions, hill, barnes, peace)
I don't think so. Having no real SF and no bench won't be enough against the elite teams.

[Eat Like A Bosh]

Don't blame Mitch, the Lakers had a deal done already. That deal could set them up for years of success, until Stern.....

Don't forget Lamar was pouting and practically begging to be traded. Lamar is an incredibly talented Versatile player, but when his heart's not in it, this happens. He'd probably have a similar meltdown in LA.

As for right now, the Lakers don't have a lot of trade pieces. The Gasol trade happened because they had assets. They have multiple bad contracts locked up, all aging veterans. They don't have much young talent, they gave away most of their draft picks. In fact they only have 1 draft pick from this year, the last pick of the 2nd round. Teams aren't going to just want a big contract like Gasol. They're going to want young talent, draft picks as well. We'll see what happens. Maybe Mitch can pull another rabbit outta the hat. But regardless, the Lakers are still contenders, not 08,09,10 contenders, but lesser contenders.

[LBJDW305]

You mean to say....KOBE BRYANT NEEDS MORE HELP THE BYNUM AND GASOL TO GET OUT OF THE SECOND ROUND :kobe: :lebronamazed:

In all honesty they really can't do much with this roster. The league is not a "big man" league anymore. Until they move gasol or Bynum they are stuck in limbo mode aka hell for laker fans.

[Lakers_Kobe_Fan]

You mean to say....KOBE BRYANT NEEDS MORE HELP THE BYNUM AND GASOL TO GET OUT OF THE SECOND ROUND :kobe: :lebronamazed:

In all honesty they really can't do much with this roster. The league is not a "big man" league anymore. Until they move gasol or Bynum they are stuck in limbo mode aka hell for laker fans.

Stop trolling... Without battier going nuts from 3pt line all series...chalmers giving 1 25 pt game & mike miller dropping 7 3pters.. MIami never wins

Same for the lakers and OKC and Boston.. U need good role players to support ur 3 main guys

[D-Rose]

Don't blame Mitch, the Lakers had a deal done already. That deal could set them up for years of success, until Stern.....

Don't forget Lamar was pouting and practically begging to be traded. Lamar is an incredibly talented Versatile player, but when his heart's not in it, this happens. He'd probably have a similar meltdown in LA.

As for right now, the Lakers don't have a lot of trade pieces. The Gasol trade happened because they had assets. They have multiple bad contracts locked up, all aging veterans. They don't have much young talent, they gave away most of their draft picks. In fact they only have 1 draft pick from this year, the last pick of the 2nd round. Teams aren't going to just want a big contract like Gasol. They're going to want young talent, draft picks as well. We'll see what happens. Maybe Mitch can pull another rabbit outta the hat. But regardless, the Lakers are still contenders, not 08,09,10 contenders, but lesser contenders.

I don't think you need star power in return for Gasol. You need starting quality players that can fill the needs of the team.

[LBJDW305]

Stop trolling... Without battier going nuts from 3pt line all series...chalmers giving 1 25 pt game & mike miller dropping 7 3pters.. MIami never wins

Same for the lakers and OKC and Boston.. U need good role players to support ur 3 main guys

Did you not catch my sarcasm? Im not one of the ISH trolls that only have nba 2k knowledge I know you need a complete team to win...

[DirtySanchez]

Im nt sold on Bynum. I think his stock is high....they should trade him ASAP. Yes he has all the talent but he is a head case.

[LakersReign]

I don't think you need star power in return for Gasol. You need starting quality players that can fill the needs of the team.

This:applause:

They need more scorong options than just Kobe. And they also need guys who can defend.

[Robster89]

Dwight has made it pretty clear he doesn't want to be in LA. He wants Brooklyn. Why would the Lakers trade away such assets as Gasol and Bynum to rent Dwight for a year? Oh, and he may not even play until December or January.

The Nets are actually in really good shape if DWill stays, which I think he will. Then can try to trade for Dwight or just wait it out until next offseason, when they will have tons of capspace to sign Dwight as a FA. The challenge for them is what to do with Lopez as he is a RFA.

The Lakers will be fine. As Nico said, a lot of this stuff is just made up by ESPN repoerters trying to justify their paycheck. Very little is based in reality. The Lakers play things extremely close to the vest. Who saw the Gasol deal coming? Or the CP3 deal? They are waiting it out an considering their options.

[ZenMaster]

Dwight has made it pretty clear he doesn't want to be in LA. He wants Brooklyn. Why would the Lakers trade away such assets as Gasol and Bynum to rent Dwight for a year? Oh, and he may not even play until December or January.

The Nets are actually in really good shape if DWill stays, which I think he will. Then can try to trade for Dwight or just wait it out until next offseason, when they will have tons of capspace to sign Dwight as a FA. The challenge for them is what to do with Lopez as he is a RFA.

The Lakers will be fine. As Nico said, a lot of this stuff is just made up by ESPN repoerters trying to justify their paycheck. Very little is based in reality. The Lakers play things extremely close to the vest. Who saw the Gasol deal coming? Or the CP3 deal? They are waiting it out an considering their options.

Leaving LA after one year as a FA means leaving millions upon millions on the table, no way in hell Howard would do that, it's just too much money to lose.

[Lakers_Kobe_Fan]

Did you not catch my sarcasm? Im not one of the ISH trolls that only have nba 2k knowledge I know you need a complete team to win...

:cheers: Sorry i was in half asleep when I read ur post...my apologies

[takai]

I would still be trying to get Dwight, whether he has the Lakers on his list or not. We need someone as dominant as him in the post, plus Kobe is getting older and doesn't have much left in the tank, we need a new young player to build a new dynasty around.


I don't think you need star power in return for Gasol. You need starting quality players that can fill the needs of the team.

I have to agree with this too.

[longtime lurker]

What to do now? Do Laker fans still think we can win with Bynum, Gasol (two bigs who like to play in the post) and Kobe together surrounded by scrubs?? :rolleyes:

You're 100% right. The reason that Gasol, Bynum and Bryant won't ever get it done is because these guys never play to 100% potential in the same game. The twin towers era of basketball is dead. Look at the teams that made the finals. Perimeter players and front court versatility rules. You need a min 3 3 point shooter on the roster.

[LelBron]

You mean to say....KOBE BRYANT NEEDS MORE HELP THE BYNUM AND GASOL TO GET OUT OF THE SECOND ROUND :kobe: :lebronamazed:

http://i.imgur.com/XCV2z.jpg

[AMISTILLILL]

* Restructure Kobe's contract... if he wants to stay relevant in his twilight, he'll have to bend a little...

* Trade Bynum and Gasol for depth, not another 1b guy... look at Dirk in the Mavericks title run. One star with an unbelievable group of guys who recognize and adhere to the needs of the team...

If they were able to do this, the Lakers could be whipped into shape by the trade deadline. Unfortunately, the Lakers have that reputation of making these monumental, game changing moves and the front office may have bought into their own hype. Looking for another superstar, they're probably still holding out fruitlessly for Dwight or, to a lesser degree, Deron and the patience of the fanbase is being tested as a result.

[Dictator]

* Restructure Kobe's contract... if he wants to stay relevant in his twilight, he'll have to bend a little...

* Trade Bynum and Gasol for depth, not another 1b guy... look at Dirk in the Mavericks title run. One star with an unbelievable group of guys who recognize and adhere to the needs of the team...

If they were able to do this, the Lakers could be whipped into shape by the trade deadline. Unfortunately, the Lakers have that reputation of making these monumental, game changing moves and the front office may have bought into their own hype. Looking for another superstar, they're probably still holding out fruitlessly for Dwight or, to a lesser degree, Deron and the patience of the fanbase is being tested as a result.

Hell no. We need to keep one of them, I'm hoping Gasol stays. Lakers need to send Bynum's immature a** packing. Trade Bynum for star pg or and below avg pg and better bench players.

[AMISTILLILL]

Hell no. We need to keep one of them, I'm hoping Gasol stays. Lakers need to send Bynum's immature a** packing. Trade Bynum for star pg or and below avg pg and better bench players.

If anyone goes, it's Gasol. That's pretty much been a foregone conclusion since the lockout ended and he almost went to Houston.

You trade Bynum while his value is at its peak. The Lakers already waited too long to move Gasol and his stock has dropped slightly, due to two straight horrendous post-season performances.

[NoGunzJustSkillz]

* Restructure Kobe's contract... if he wants to stay relevant in his twilight, he'll have to bend a little...

* Trade Bynum and Gasol for depth, not another 1b guy... look at Dirk in the Mavericks title run. One star with an unbelievable group of guys who recognize and adhere to the needs of the team...

If they were able to do this, the Lakers could be whipped into shape by the trade deadline. Unfortunately, the Lakers have that reputation of making these monumental, game changing moves and the front office may have bought into their own hype. Looking for another superstar, they're probably still holding out fruitlessly for Dwight or, to a lesser degree, Deron and the patience of the fanbase is being tested as a result.
lakers still won't be under the cap, so what is the point?

[AMISTILLILL]

lakers still won't be under the cap, so what is the point?

Read up on the punitive tax repercussions of the new CBA. Taxes increase depending on how far over the cap you are. Not only that, but if you move Bynum and/or Gasol you're much closer to the cap in the first place.

[LBJDW305]

The thing about trading Bynum and gasol to build around Kobe is....Do you really want to "build" around a 34 year old player and trade away your 2 key pieces in hopes of one last title run and leave your future in question?

[AMISTILLILL]

The thing about trading Bynum and gasol to build around Kobe is....Do you really want to "build" around a 34 year old player and trade away your 2 key pieces in hopes of one last title run and leave your future in question?

Lakers have their hands tied in the situation. They can't trade Kobe without his permission and his contract might be too large to move anyway. He won't defer to another player and other players recognize that. It's either build around Kobe until the wheels fall off or nothing.

[LBJDW305]

Lakers have their hands tied in the situation. They can't trade Kobe without his permission and his contract might be too large to move anyway. He won't defer to another player and other players recognize that. It's either build around Kobe until the wheels fall off or nothing.

What's kobes contract like this year and next? Is he really going to make 27 million this year. That Is insane dude is getting lebron+wades salary

[AMISTILLILL]

What's kobes contract like this year and next? Is he really going to make 27 million this year. That Is insane dude is getting lebron+wades salary

Just shy of $28 million this season and he's owed roughly $30.5 million for 2013-2014.

[niko]

lakers can afford with their new deal easily to be taxpayers. The lakers make more than the knicks do.

[Lakers_Kobe_Fan]

* Restructure Kobe's contract... if he wants to stay relevant in his twilight, he'll have to bend a little...

* Trade Bynum and Gasol for depth, not another 1b guy... look at Dirk in the Mavericks title run. One star with an unbelievable group of guys who recognize and adhere to the needs of the team...

If they were able to do this, the Lakers could be whipped into shape by the trade deadline. Unfortunately, the Lakers have that reputation of making these monumental, game changing moves and the front office may have bought into their own hype. Looking for another superstar, they're probably still holding out fruitlessly for Dwight or, to a lesser degree, Deron and the patience of the fanbase is being tested as a result.

this idiot doesnt know how CBA works....you cant restructure your contract child....go pi1ss off now

[Lakers_Kobe_Fan]

lakers can afford with their new deal easily to be taxpayers. The lakers make more than the knicks do.

ya but they share the profit with useless owners like MJ23....

[AMISTILLILL]

this idiot doesnt know how CBA works....you cant restructure your contract child....go pi1ss off now

Yes, you can. :oldlol:

Stop with the false bravado, nerd. You're content to just make stuff up at this point, aren't you?

[Lakers_Kobe_Fan]

Yes, you can. :oldlol:

Stop with the false bravado, nerd. You're content to just make stuff up at this point, aren't you?

no they cant...well i cant blame you cause you dont know how cba works..its ok...its the basic foundation of cba...but please keep on spreading retard stuff...:kobe:

[LakersForlife]

win a championship with kobe and add +4 whoever that is

[AMISTILLILL]

no they cant...well i cant blame you cause you dont know how cba works..its ok...its the basic foundation of cba...but please keep on spreading retard stuff...:kobe:

"Retard stuff"... eloquently put.

You can restructure contracts in the NBA. It's limited considerably, but you can do it. Feel free to cite sources proving that you 100% cannot restructure contracts, kind sir.

[Lakers_Kobe_Fan]

"Retard stuff"... eloquently put.

You can restructure contracts in the NBA. It's limited considerably, but you can do it. Feel free to cite sources proving that you 100% cannot restructure contracts, kind sir.

go read Larry coon's cbafaq.com and you will know...you cant restructure contract

[Robster89]

I think that the Lakers are in a very awkward position right now. Nowhere near rebuilding but still not in the upper echelon of contenders for the past two years. There is no denying that Kobe, Bynum, Gasol will not get it done without better pieces around them. They have to do the best they can to make moves to surround Kobe until his current contract will be up, meaning the off season that he retires should result in loads of cap room and flexibility. The Lakers need to move a big name for better parts, or what's the point of paying millions in luxury with the new cap and just being a 3/4 seed that's a second round exit?

Extremely well said.
They are in a delicate position, but they are not far from being elite.
They are searching right now for what they can do.
Can they improve the pieces around Kobe, Gasol and Bynum?
Or must they move one to improve. If so, what can Gasol fetch? What can Bynum fetch?
They have the TPE to work with too.

They play it pretty cool and close to the vest. Will Houston get Dwight? If not, will the Rockets call about Pau and be ready to deal. I bet they could get a deal from Minny for Pau, but are waiting things out a bit.

Mo Williams is off the market, and I do think had the Lakers desired to keep the big 3, Mo would have been a nice pick up with the TPE. Now they need to see what happens with DWill and Dwight.

After those scenarious play out, then they will see what Houston, Minny, ATL, Philly etc could offer.

I don't think they are in panic mode.

[Lakers_Kobe_Fan]

Extremely well said.
They are in a delicate position, but they are not far from being elite.
They are searching right now for what they can do.
Can they improve the pieces around Kobe, Gasol and Bynum?
Or must they move one to improve. If so, what can Gasol fetch? What can Bynum fetch?
They have the TPE to work with too.

They play it pretty cool and close to the vest. Will Houston get Dwight? If not, will the Rockets call about Pau and be ready to deal. I bet they could get a deal from Minny for Pau, but are waiting things out a bit.

Mo Williams is off the market, and I do think had the Lakers desired to keep the big 3, Mo would have been a nice pick up with the TPE. Now they need to see what happens with DWill and Dwight.

After those scenarious play out, then they will see what Houston, Minny, ATL, Philly etc could offer.

I don't think they are in panic mode.

you are right...they will trade Pau but not just give him away....they need couple of young players...

last i read..they were interested in Mayo, N Young and they wanted to do a S&T for Beasy...

so even if they keep all 3 and sign any of mayo/n young, do a S&T for Beasley...sign Rashard lewis for Vet min...they would be back in the hunt

no need to give away Pau for Derrick Williams...who has 0 playoff experience...the lakers are trying to get young but at the right price

[G-Funk]

this idiot doesnt know how CBA works....you cant restructure your contract child....go pi1ss off now

We believe the new CBA allows for restructuring contracts. But no one apart from the league and the players union nows all the particulars ...

In any case, such a restructuring would be relatively small...a maximum of 40% is likely, which would not have a whole lot of effect if applied just to Kobe and his existing deal. For instance, knocking Kobe's salary down by 40% next season would 'recoup' just $11 million and leave the team still well over the Cap, even if the team were to decline Bynum's option ...

[Lakers_Kobe_Fan]

We believe the new CBA allows for restructuring contracts. But no one apart from the league and the players union nows all the particulars ...

In any case, such a restructuring would be relatively small...a maximum of 40% is likely, which would not have a whole lot of effect if applied just to Kobe and his existing deal. For instance, knocking Kobe's salary down by 40% next season would 'recoup' just $11 million and leave the team still well over the Cap, even if the team were to decline Bynum's option ...

believing is not reality...miami 3 would restructure their contracts too remember??? they will in same tax hell as lakers...

[longtime lurker]

We believe the new CBA allows for restructuring contracts. But no one apart from the league and the players union nows all the particulars ...

In any case, such a restructuring would be relatively small...a maximum of 40% is likely, which would not have a whole lot of effect if applied just to Kobe and his existing deal. For instance, knocking Kobe's salary down by 40% next season would 'recoup' just $11 million and leave the team still well over the Cap, even if the team were to decline Bynum's option ...

All restructuring does is save the Buss family money and makes Kobe a scape goat for the Lakers problems. Kobe' contract is not the problem. The problem is that the Lakers have given too many long term contracts to mediocre players and have just squandered their draft picks. Artest, steve blake and mcroberts make a combined 14 million while combined they don't give you 14 million worth of production. People forget that last year the lakers gave the nets a draft pick just to get rid of sasha. That draft pick turned out to be marshon brooks how good would the Lakers look with Brooks backing up and being mentored by Kobe? The Lakers are always looking for the big move instead of building a championship team. Case in point they could have gotten Moe Williams for free but passed.

[B]

believing is not reality...miami 3 would restructure their contracts too remember??? they will in same tax hell as lakers...Contracts can be renegotiated after the 3rd anniversary of it's signing. There's a lot of rules in place that determine the renegotiation. Here's the 4 main rules.

1. Only teams under the cap can renegotiate a contract. That's the actual cap, not the tax cap.
2. Contracts can only be renegotiated to increase pay scale. A contract cannot be renegotiated to implement a pay cut.
3. contracts cannot be reneg. to facilitate a trade
4. Rookie contracts cannot be renegotiated.

[bleedinpurpleTwo]

The Lakers don't have a problem at all.
Ask me why.

[RazorBaLade]

The Lakers don't have a problem at all.
Ask me why.

because our goal is to send dying kobe off to retirement in another 2nd round exit where he drops 40 bombs on the other team while no one else tries or does good

we're going according to plan

[TheMarkMadsen]

The Lakers don't have a problem at all.
Ask me why.

Why?

[B]

"Retard stuff"... eloquently put.

You can restructure contracts in the NBA. It's limited considerably, but you can do it. Feel free to cite sources proving that you 100% cannot restructure contracts, kind sir.You want to give Kobe a raise? He'd take it gladly. You can only restructure a raise not a decrease.
You can add years to a contract
You can add money to a contract
You can years and money

But you can't do anything that decreases the players current pay scale. If he's making 15 million a year when contract renegotiation starts, he'll be making at least 15 million when you're done talking. That thing KG did in Minnesota a few years ago. that ship sailed long ago, that loophole was closed so don't bring it up.

There is nothing in the CBA that allows a team to create cap space through the renegotiation of a players active contract. You can renegotiate a decrease in a players pay when the contract expires but not while it's still in effect. End this silly talk now

[AMISTILLILL]

[QUOTE=B

[bleedinpurpleTwo]

Why?
good boy.

Part 1:
...because the Lakers won 3 in a row, rebuilt, and then won 2 in a row. All within, what, 10 years?
And people want to wonder why the Lakers are not already retooled for YET ANOTHER run of success....already?
There is a price to pay for that success. The contracts of Kobe and Gasol are price of that success.

Part 2:
They CAN contend for a championship, again, right now. They did not suck ass last season. Indeed, if Gasol played to his abilities, they could have gone further. All they need is better PG play and depth.
This is achievable with the assets they have in place today. MMLE, $9m TE, and some tradeable assets.
As Mitch said, all any team wants is the opportunity to be one of the top 5 or 6 teams in April/May and, hopefully, playing your best ball. Thats really all you can ask for.

[B]

I'm suggesting moving money from next season to a the final season that is already on the contract. Back load cash onto the final year and reassess the situation at a later date. Lakers need to make moves now and can't afford to sit around with their thumbs up their asses. I'm sure there are some fans who would gladly trade space to make serious moves right now for having their hands tied financially in 2013-2014.You can't do that. You cannot redo a contract to create cap space. Thats what KG did in Minnesota and they closed that loophole years ago


Besides as I said earlier only teams below the salary cap can renegotiate a players contract so it's a worthless conversation on two points

[AMISTILLILL]

[QUOTE=B

[RazorBaLade]

Whatev. If the Lakers really wanted to do it, I'm sure there's a way they could manage something. I could care less either way.

rofl

[AMISTILLILL]

rofl

http://i.imgur.com/rAWgJ.gif

[longtime lurker]

I'm suggesting moving money from next season to a the final season that is already on the contract. Back load cash onto the final year and reassess the situation at a later date. Lakers need to make moves now and can't afford to sit around with their thumbs up their asses. I'm sure there are some fans who would gladly trade space to make serious moves right now for having their hands tied financially in 2013-2014.

I think you'd have to do this at the time of the signing. And besides who cares Kobe only has 2 years left on his contract. Even if you paid him 1 dollar next year the Lakers would still be way over the cap lmao

[AMISTILLILL]

I think you'd have to do this at the time of the signing. And besides who cares Kobe only has 2 years left on his contract. Even if you paid him 1 dollar next year the Lakers would still be way over the cap lmao

It was supposed to go hand in hand with my suggestion that they deal Bynum while his value is still sky high, instead of waiting like they did with Gasol, whose value isn't as high as it was before the past two stinker post-seasons he had.