RealGM

After the Lakers lost Game 3 of the Western Semi’s to Dallas, Magic Johnson suggested during ESPN’s studio show that L.A. should “blow up” the team heading into the future.

But Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak, who has stated that the Lakers do not want to break up the roster, thinks Johnson’s comments were intended to be more inspirational than literal.

“Unfortunately, a well-known commentator made some comments before our fourth game in Dallas about breaking up the team,” Kupchak said. “I think that’s what fueled speculation that this team should be broken up. I think that commentator was trying to inspire our players, but a lot of the fans didn’t see it that way.”

Johnson alluded in particular to L.A. deciding between one of its two seven-footers (Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum) and trading the other, but Kupchak is well aware of the major advantage the Lakers have with the combination of length and skill between Gasol, Bynum and Lamar Odom.

“Talented big players are always at a premium,” Kupchak continued. “You can go through college rosters, and go to the Portsmouth venue, which showcases the 64 best college seniors in the country each year, and rarely do you see a player 6-10 or above there. Everybody’s between 5-11 and 6-8. The big players are just hard to come by.”

In other words, L.A.’s not outwardly looking for a trade, particularly involving its bigs...

"I think given the opportunity, all 30 NBA coaches would prefer big skilled players to small skilled players"

"Publicly, the team is claiming that they're likely to hang on to the pick. Privately, they're hoping that a team comes along and offers them an impact veteran -- someone such as Pau Gasol, Monta Ellis or even JaVale McGee -- for the pick.

Jajwanda wrote:Ok what if that read, Lakers are looking to trade big men. Don't you think he shoots any trade value down the rain?

Wizardspride wrote:

"Publicly, the team is claiming that they're likely to hang on to the pick. Privately, they're hoping that a team comes along and offers them an impact veteran -- someone such as Pau Gasol, Monta Ellis or even JaVale McGee -- for the pick.

...but Kupchak is well aware of the major advantage the Lakers have with the combination of length and skill between Gasol, Bynum and Lamar Odom.

SlavaMedvedenko wrote:Wonder if we can turn that additional TPE & 2nd pick into Dwight Howard? Can this be done?

Then flip Bynum in for a PG and back up PF/C.

EnigmaticProblem wrote:To be honest, I never fathomed that as a viable option. I didn't think Otis Smith would be stupid enough to do that. That would mean, for a certain amount of time, however brief that may be, the Lakers would hold the top two remaining, traditional centers.

With the exception of the Jazz, who picked up Al Jefferson, no team has done anything significant with their massive TPE. I think the Lakers would have a better chance authoring a package revolving around Bynum, and trading that for Dwight.

EnigmaticProblem wrote:You would trade Gasol for one of Derrick Williams, or Enes Kanter? To me, Derrick Williams won't succeed as a starter, in the NBA. He doesn't have the right combination of "tools" to put him in such a position.

Enes Kanter is too much of a risk to warrant such a trade.

Let me revoke that, for a second. I can see Derrick Williams filling Lamar Odom's position, but isn't that a lateral move (Odom for the #2)? I mean, the current roster has been fashioned to win now.

EnigmaticProblem wrote:Pau Gasol is headed to the hall of fame, despite his performance this past postseason. Despite his performance this past postseason, he's still in his prime. So, let's assume Kyrie Irving is off the board, like he should be. . .

The Lakers grab one of Williams/Kanter, and have the $17 million TPE. What would you do with that $17 million TPE? That may sound sarcastic, but honestly, I'm simply wondering what you had in mind. Afterwards, I'd like to contrast if the combination of Williams/Kanter + the addition(s) from the $17 million TPE is better than Pau Gasol.

LApwnd wrote:

SlavaMedvedenko wrote:Wonder if we can turn that additional TPE & 2nd pick into Dwight Howard? Can this be done?

If we traded Pau to the Wolves for the #2 and a massive TPE, we could then offer the TPE to the Magic for Hedo, Duhon and Q-Tip and then offer Bynum and the #2 for Dwight ... the Magic would be stupid to turn that down but it also means we traded Bynum and Pau for Dwight and three bad contracts ...

Then flip Bynum in for a PG and back up PF/C.