Riley and LO

[zen_4_10]

During the game Riley was giddy with LO about how much he likes him and has always liked him. Do you think he would be more inclined to trade Marion for LO and if so - would you still want to?

LO is playing great since Pau arrived and we haven't even seen what we'll be like with Bynum back as well.

What are your thoughts?

[KB20]

During the game Riley was giddy with LO about how much he likes him and has always liked him. Do you think he would be more inclined to trade Marion for LO and if so - would you still want to?

LO is playing great since Pau arrived and we haven't even seen what we'll be like with Bynum back as well.

What are your thoughts?

Marion would cry about not getting plays run for him and he would be the 4th option at best. Lamar is the ultimate role player and is a perfect fit for this new look Lakers' team.

[Chubby Chaser]

BTW, Riley asked him if he would be free next year. And wade asked told him that "we need a 4 man next year". Could this be considered tampering??

[MAMBAEMD]

Great topic.
Riley may be more willing to trade Marion to the Lakers than the Suns were, specially given his admiration for Lamar.
I had not thought of that angle of it.

I still would make that deal. I know Lamar has been playing much better as the 3rd or 4th option but I think we'd get more consistency from Marion.
Marion is arguably a better defender and rebounder although Lamar has been hitting the boards better lately.
Lamar is a selfless player who is a better passer than Marion, but I think we have enough facilitators already on this team.
The question for me is the cost.
I would not want Marion for more than his current salary. I'm sure he'd want more than what he is getting.
With Kobe (assuming he stays), Gasol, and Bynum up for a big contract (probably max deal) and the need to resign Turiaf and Farmar, I don't think we could get Marion.

[LLcoleJ]

I would probably keep Odom at this point. I do feel Marion > Odom and wanted to trade for him before the season started. However, given the contract that Marion wants and his obvious need to have more attention could be a distraction and I wouldnt want to derail this team at this point. That being said, if it were to happen... It would be funny for us to go through the Suns with Marion on our side.

I like Marions hustle and defense but at this point we just need to get our team back to full strength and see what we have. Odom > Marion in the playoffs, and that is what matters most.

[tkb]

Marion is the ultimate "role" player in the NBA IMO. If he bought into that himself he'd be an incredibly valuable piece to a possible dynasty if we dealt for him, and I think he would buy into that in the right scenario. He'd get more attention in LA than he did in PHX I imagine.

When Bynum gets back I think Marion fits better with our starting lineup than Lamar does.

I love how Lamar has stepped up lately, but I'd still deal him for Marion. There is just nothing to not love about Marion's game on a team that already has a lot of capable offensive players who need the ball a lot.

[Sedale Threatt]

I think it says a lot about Marion that went from a bonafide championship contender to the worst team in the NBA, and he actually seems happy about it. Most players would be suicidal.

[tkb]

Having said that, I'm very pleased with what we have here already so I'm all for keeping Lamar as well. I just think we possibly could be even better with Marion.

The playoffs argument is something to consider, though I think the "Marion chokes" thing is severely overrated because of one horrible series against the Spurs. He usually produces very well in the playoffs.

[Gerald3Wallace]

odom LOVES to be a 4th option or 3rd...marion cried about it in phoenix.

[tkb]

I think it says a lot about Marion that went from a bonafide championship contender to the worst team in the NBA, and he actually seems happy about it. Most players would be suicidal.

I can understand the frustration he felt in Phoenix, being shopped around every off season and every trade deadline. One man can only take so much, and being constantly talked about in every trade rumor gets at you long term. I don't blame Shawn for wanting a fresh start at all.

[Chubby Chaser]

I think it says a lot about Marion that went from a bonafide championship contender to the worst team in the NBA, and he actually seems happy about it. Most players would be suicidal.

It actually says a lot about the suns.

[Gerald3Wallace]

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I can understand the frustration he felt in Phoenix, being shopped around every off season and every trade deadline. One man can only take so much, and being constantly talked about in every trade rumor gets at you long term. I don't blame Shawn for wanting a fresh start at all.

the trade talks for marion wasant talked about till he said he felt underrated..that right there should tell u marion wants attention..aint no way he getting that with kobe, gasol and a merging bynum..he couldnt do that in phoenix..

[Sedale Threatt]

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I can understand the frustration he felt in Phoenix, being shopped around every off season and every trade deadline. One man can only take so much, and being constantly talked about in every trade rumor gets at you long term. I don't blame Shawn for wanting a fresh start at all.

I see what you're saying, but I don't agree. I think Marion's issue go way beyond the trade rumors. I didn't read McCallum's book on the Suns in its entirety, but I read at least half of it and Marion comes off as an insecure malcontent.

I'll never forget the anecdote where, because his birthday happened to fall on the same day Nash was announced as the MVP, the Suns had to make a big production out of giving him a cake, with a bunch of staffers serenading him, just so he wouldn't feel left out. Seriously, what grown man would care?

Publicly the Suns are saying all the right things, but privately I'll bet they're happy to be rid of him. Nash, if the reports are correct, had just about reached his limits stroking he and Stoudamire's egos.

[zen_4_10]

I think both players have something to offer with strengths in different areas. I think Marion would be insane on our team doing the things he does but also love what LO is capable of, especially recently.

My personal feeling is exactly what lakerRD touched on. The cost. We still need to resign Ronny and Sasha plus Bynum is coming up on a big payday.

LO "MIGHT" be more inclined to take a little less money to stay here and give us some room to extend those guys.

[Sedale Threatt]

-= original quote snipped =-
It actually says a lot about the suns.

Yeah, because they just suck, don't they? Great team, great city, paying him millions of dollars per year. Sounds absolutely miserable to me.

[Tommy Trojan]

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Marion would cry about not getting plays run for him and he would be the 4th option at best. Lamar is the ultimate role player and is a perfect fit for this new look Lakers' team.

Well said

[Sedale Threatt]

I think both players have something to offer with strengths in different areas. I think Marion would be insane on our team doing the things he does but also love what LO is capable of, especially recently.

My personal feeling is exactly what lakerRD touched on. The cost. We still need to resign Ronny and Sasha plus Bynum is coming up on a big payday.

LO "MIGHT" be more inclined to take a little less money to stay here and give us some room to extend those guys.

One thing I've failed to realize is the overall composition of Lamar's salary. As somebody else pointed out here recently, even though he's making $14.5 million this year, the average over the length of the deal is "only" 11 mill per. Perhaps they can get him down to $9 mill or so -- I know, I know, a huge sacrifice on Lamar's part -- and all of a sudden he's looking a lot more reasonable.

[crazyeights]

It wasn't just Riley...when they showed D-Wade talking to Lamar right after he said something about "next year."

I think it was definitely tampering.

[Gerald3Wallace]

It wasn't just Riley...when they showed D-Wade talking to Lamar right after he said something about "next year."

I think it was definitely tampering.

Wade: U know we need a 4 man next year

Odom: you know whats up

*then they laugh*

10.8 mil a year basically....at least we aint payin marbs 20 mil

[zen_4_10]

LO does keep a home in Miami so he still has close ties to the organization and city.

I totally get your side Sedale. I think LO creates a lot of benefits for us in both the team and business sides but Marion's activity would be nice.