RealGM

Lets look at some of the main problems we had this year

#1 Depth - We simply did not have the depth to play our style for 82 Games. We need to add to our bench.

#2 Backup PG - Baron needs a reliable veteren backup. Looked like Hudson was going to be the guy, but that obviously fizzled out.

#3 Improve Defense and Rebounding - We got killed on the defensive glass which wasted some good defensive efforts and helped contribute to our fatigue. We need somebody to contend with the Western Conference PF's.

Here is my plan to address these things

Trades

Houston Trades
Shane Battier
Bobby Jackson
#25 Pick

Houston Receives
Al Harrington
#14 Pick
Marco Belinelli
Kosta Perovic

Lakers Trade
Lamar Odom

Lakers Recieve
Shane Battier
Bobby Jackson

Warriors Trade
Al Harrington
Marco Belinelli
Kosta Perovic
#14 Pick

Warriors Receive
Lamar Odom
#25 Pick

Draft

#25 Pick: Brandon Rush
This is a guy that can step in and add some firepower off the bench as a rookie. Good shooter and defender. Great in the opened floor.

#44 Pick: Joey Dorsey
Can be groomed to be a backup to beans. We don't ask for much offense out of the Center position, but Dorsey can rebound and defend with the best of them. A great guy to have around when facing the boozer's of the world.

Free Agency

Mid Level Exception
James Posey. Offer him a 3 year deal somewhere in the 4-5 mil per year area. When our team was playing their best, it was when they got after it on the defensive end. Posey is the type of player that can improve the defensive intensity of an entire team. He can knock down the 3, and would be a great 6th man. Big enough to play minutes at PF.

Lower Level Exception
Anthony Johnson. He is the veteran backup PG that we need. Has the size to play alongside Monta and defend the opposing SG.

Resign Monta, Andris, and Azubuike. Offer the minimum to Barnes and Croshere.

New Rotation

Baron/Johnson
Ellis/Azubuike/Rush
Jackson/Posey/Barnes
Odom/Wright
Biedrins/Croshere/Dorsey

The new starting 5 is absolutely sick. They are arguably strong defensively, and will be even more prolific offensively they they were this year. Odom has proven this year that he can contend with the Western Conference elite at the PF position, and will help out a ton on the defensive glass. If Ellis takes the next step in his development, and this team commits to the defensive end of the floor, then I honestly think that this lineup can be a contender.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSxgjTaKDrc

That and the constant bricks when he thinks he can shoot.

While there are many proposals on this board for the W's to get Odom, I don't think it will happen.

The Lakers have now built a very strong team that may take it all this year and will have Bynum and Ariza back from injury next season. They should simply add a rookie to two to the mix and come back next year intact.

They won't strengthen their team by getting rid of Odom.

iowarrior wrote:While there are many proposals on this board for the W's to get Odom, I don't think it will happen.

The Lakers have now built a very strong team that may take it all this year and will have Bynum and Ariza back from injury next season. They should simply add a rookie to two to the mix and come back next year intact.

They won't strengthen their team by getting rid of Odom.

Odom has been playing PF all year, and has proven over the length of his career that it is his best position. I simply can't see the spacing working out with 3 guys who can't hit from behind the arc. Odom will be a FA at the end of the year, and I can't see the Lakers shelling out big bucks for a Forward that is playing out of position. Battier makes perfect sense for them.

Why would Houston do this also?
Is Harrington a better fit at SF than Battier? I don't think so.
It would have made sense last year, but now they have a PF rotation of Scola, Landry and Hayes.
It seems to me their need is an upgrade at PG, a 2/3 reserve, and a backup C.
I guess if they love a PG at 14 it could work, but I really don't see it.

the rockets scrubs (ie: the guys not named Yao and Tracy) are all hustle, "down to do whatever" players. Al doesnt fit the bill.

Battier would be a nice addition to our team though. His game is ugly, but i like it. Hes tough.

Someone on the Trade Board combined two deals that make the Odom trade more realistic

Warriors Trade
Al Harrington
Marco Belinelli
Kosta Perovic
#14

Warriors Recieve
Lamar Odom
#21

Houston Trades
Shane Battier
Bobby Jackson
#25

Houston Recieves
Richard Jefferson

New Jersey Trades
Richard Jefferson
#21

New Jersey Recieves
Al Harrington
Marco Belinelli
Kosta Perovic
#14

LAL Trades
Lamar Odom

LAL Recieves
Shane Battier
Bobby Jackson
#25

Still a bad trade, and confusing to read.

I love that trade for the Warriors.

floppymoose wrote:I love that trade for the Warriors.

If somebody told me in January that we could have Odom for Harrington and our 08 1st, I think that this entire board would be ready to say yes. The fact that we now have a lottery pick actually makes it realistic.

Lamar Odom fills in the main weaknesses of our team.

1. Defense and Rebounding at the 4 spot. Lamar has proved this year that he is very capable of defending opposing western conference Power Forwards. Adding him to a starting lineup of Beans, Jack, Monta, and Baron arguably makes us a good rebounding team. If Monta works on his ability to stay in front of opposing pg's, then we have solid to good defenders at each position. Our ability to rebound and defend directly correlated with us winning last year.

2. Ball Movement. Our offense stagnated when Baron and Jack went into chucker mode. All it takes is one player to really improve an entire teams ability to move the ball. Odom is everything that Nelly hoped and wished Webber would provide.

3. Inside Scoring. Odom has the ability to be a factor in the post as a low post scorer. Most importantly, he has the ability to find the opened teammate if doubled. He brings so much versatility to our offense.

The Lakers aren't trading us Odom. Odom has played his best basketball since they acquired Gasol.