Odom's Future

[LAKERLAW]

I am sure everyone knows Lamar's contract is up at the next of next season.
This is a massive deal, not only because Lamar has become an integral part of this teams and has shined in the playoffs but, his contract is upwards of $15 million. The Lakers are currently over the cap and even when Lamar's contract comes off the books, if he is not resigned, they will still remain over the cap. This is crucial because it means we will not be able to sign a big name player via free agency. Any major acquisition must be done through a trade, and we fans know how that can go.

We are thus left with two options:

Re-Sign or Trade. If we resign, then the issue is dead. However, if a deal cannot get done, the lakers will have no choice but to trade in order to land another difference maker.

It seams to make a lot of sense that LO may end up back in miami, and here is why:

Reasons for Mia:
Riley loves him as a player and person. While Riley was "wired" during the Mia Laker game, he embraced lamar during shoot arounds and told lamar he loved him very much.

He understands the city and system. Yes, Ryles wont coach, but rest assured the coach he chooses will be very similar to his style.

He knows how to play with a super star player. D wade and lamar were very successful in their one year together.

He will be perfect for a rebuilding team

Lakers:
Marion is a phenomenal defensive player and offensive threat. He is the player the Laker franchise desired Lamar to be.

The caveat in all this is Miami must sign and trade Marion because is also a free agent at the end of next season. The Lakers will have to demand he resign first.



.....

This is not a proposal but more of a discussion on Lamars situation in regards to the cap.

[tkb]

Buss will commit to keeping the team together if we win this season I'm pretty sure.

[Dr Aki]

what date is the extension deadline date?

[dockingsched]

already conceding the title to boston eh?

[CDB]

I want Lamar to stay, espically the way he have been playing since Pau came. He bacame more confident because he wasnt that 2nd option to Kobe. That is some big shoes to fill. That is why I belive Buss and Mitch should do everything to keep him on the team as long as possible.

[monk302]

Lamar has never really looked comfortable playing with Kobe.If you trade for Marion we'll still be over the cap if we resign him.Let's see what other players become available this summer.

[Leonidas]

Keep LO. I mean once Andrew comes back healthy that would help Lamar be that much more comfortable as maybe the 4th option in scoring. That would give our shooters alot more open looks.

[Dexmor]

What to do with Odom.

Best case scenerio is trade Radman and maybe Walton and don't resign Mihm and give Ronny 2 mill per and try and get Sasha as cheap as possible and use guys like Newble and basically be cheap to have the money to resign Odom and hope Odom gives us a little bit of a price break.
If he just tries to get the most money for his game we pretty much have no choice to let him go as much as I would want him to stay I just don't see Dr.Buss keeping him when they could possibly win without him.

[Gerald3Wallace]

What to do with Odom.

Best case scenerio is trade Radman and maybe Walton and don't resign Mihm and give Ronny 2 mill per and try and get Sasha as cheap as possible and use guys like Newble and basically be cheap to have the money to resign Odom and hope Odom gives us a little bit of a price break.
If he just tries to get the most money for his game we pretty much have no choice to let him go as much as I would want him to stay I just don't see Dr.Buss keeping him when they could possibly win without him.

im one of the biggest lamar supporters here...and i gotta agree with this..

its simple...if lamar dont take a paycut, most likely he'll get traded...most teams will come begging for his contract anyways....i mean they wanted kwames...

but no doubt in my mind odom will take a paycut IF we win the ship...

"i want to retire a Laker" - Odom

lets just see how bad u want to remain a laker..

[snaquille oatmeal]

wasn't there another Lamar for Marion thread about an hour ago?

[Gerald3Wallace]

^ that was a bynum and rad for marion

rediculous trade

[hermes]

i'd like to keep odom here, if we win the title he'll stay
but if we lose and he wants more money, i think he won't come back

[DreamOn]

i think if it really has to come dow to trading Lamar i woud like to see him get traded for either Ron Artest or Stephen Jackson. Both have attitude issues but with into our system well, both are good shooters that would spread the floor from the 3 poistion and are both good defenders.

mind you thats only ifwe have to trade him.

[chefy]

kobe should take a paycut too

[Gerald3Wallace]

^ I also agree with that

[One Love]

He either resigns for $10 million a year or he gets traded... The key is how will he play when Bynum gets back and he is forced to play further away from the paint which IMO will adversly affect his value... We will need a solid SF who can stretch the defense and hit threes or they will simply pack in on Gasol, LO & Bynum which woudl equate to horrible spacing...

[DEEP3CL]

what date is the extension deadline date?

October 31st. But that date is rarely used on veterans who have expiring contracts.

That date is more important for 3rd year players that teams have options on.

[DEEP3CL]

kobe should take a paycut too

It's against the CBA rules. The only way it can be done is if Kobe ops out and resigns for say 18-20 mil per season.

[DEEP3CL]

One thing you can count on Dr.Buss isn't going to give Lamar 15 mil again. Bottom line is he either takes a cut or Lakers do a sign and trade.

Remember the cap goes up a little each year so in effect the league takes off a couple of mil for teams anyway. That being said most teams will still be affected by the cap in terms of dealing with players.

Next summer will be a sticky situation for the Lakers as it deals with LO.
We don't get his salary slot back if he leaves so odds are is the Lakers have to dictate the negotiations.

[hermes]

10 million is still a lot i think lamar would resign for that