If the Lakers decided to absorb 2010 salary...

[warren weel im]

I see Farmar and Brown in a different light. Jordan Farmar is a traditional PG forced to play the Tri. Prior to this game tonight and with the exception of the NY game, he has been averaging 11.22ppg in a stretch of 9 games. I say that is pretty good for a backup PG. Signing him to a 3-yr 10.5M contract is ideal because he COULD start at any moment Fish goes down with age or injury.

Shannon Brown doesn't have the handles. He is too trigger happy and he is a leaper. If you want your PG to function well defensively, he has to be quick to rotate to the PNR and not just score. The Lakers have the luxury of Gasol and Bynum to guard the paint which covers up for weak defensive rotations. That said, the idea of Calderon intrigues me. In Toronto, his defensive skills (or lack thereof) are magnified due to Bosh being the top option on offense and due to Bargs lacking the ability to defend the paint or jump for blocks. In LA, we have the twin towers to compensate such weakness.

I don't see Shannon Brown being a PG at all. He may get minutes at this position solely based on matchups but not on a consistent basis. He is good when Deron Williams or Chauncey Billups is on the opposing side but not any good on the 27 others. That said, I see Shanwow becoming a SG eventually and a good spark plug off the bench. But due to the amount of cash/cap space available in 2010, Shannon Brown could get a look from lots of other teams that would gladly break out 12/4 on him. This is something LA might find too expensive to match given their situation. However, if we indeed found a way to flip Sasha for an 09 expirer, the chances of getting back Wow is doubled because he would then be Kobe's reliever.

[warren weel im]

If and when both Farmar and Brown are secured to identical 10.5/3 contracts, I say the Lakers' least worries is how to fill the 11th to 13th spots. Like we mentioned, Kobe opting out and signing back makes the roster 7, Farmar and Brown makes it 9, Powell or Mbenga could be the 10th but I would prefer Mbenga over Powell, thus leaving the 3 reserve spots up for grabs between Gaffney, the 2 2nd rounders we own and Elonu. Chances are, the highest 2nd we own is once again sold for more cash savings and looking at a possible steal with the 59th/60th pick of the 2010 draft. That said, it increases the chances of Elonu being picked up to replace Powell but only on a standard rookie 2nd rounder contract with only the 1st season guaranteed.

[mhev35]

If the Lakers are getting more 2010 salary in a trade, they are sure to want to ask for the compensation not the other way around. I think Corey Brewer can be good in LA so your trade is interesting to me but it doesn't quite fit the bill on this thread.

An example of my thread would be:

Adam Morrison for Jared Jeffries + _________ ?

Its one way to gather assets. I'm not sure its the best path but its possible.

How about this...

NY trades:
Nate to Orlando - $4,000,000
Jeffries to Lakers - $6,466,600
Total = $10,466,600
+$3million to Lakers

NY receives:
Morrison from Lakers- $5,257,229
Powell from Lakers- $959,111
Anthony Johnson from Magic - $2,160,000
Total = $8,376,340 x 125% + 100,000 = $10,570,425

Lakers trade:
Morrison - $5,257,229
Powell- $959,111
Total = $6,216,410

Lakers receive:
Jeffries - $6,466,600
Magic 2010 1st round pick
+3million in cash

Magic trade:
Anthony Johnson - $2.160,000
2010 1st Round Pick

Magic receive:
Nate Robinson - $2,000,000 (can resign with some of MLE money if they like him)

Can then use those picks to get more talent or another $3mil out of the knicks

[warren weel im]

Well its a possibility aside from the fact that Orlando might not be willing to part a 1st rounder for a FA-to-be Nate Robinson who seems to have no future in NY.