$30 million invested in small forwards, yet thats our need?

[monk302]

I know we don't have the cap space to get Mike Miller.Who would you guys like to see us go after this summer?

[Kilroy]

I don't think we really have any idea what we need to get the off-season right now.

When Bynum comes back, this team is going to have to change. But untill they are all on the floor, I have no idea how. The coaching/management staff might, but I don't think we as fans have any idea.

If you were to ask who we should get for our current team to beat the Celtics, I'd say Artest without hesitation... But that's because we need someone who can drive the the basket and dish, as well as play phisical D.

But if Gasol moves to the 4, with Bynum at C, we have a different look and a different set of problems... I haven't seen Odom take too many outside shots lately so I'm not sure he's the best fit for that lineup, but if Walton can get his touch back, he might be a good fit.

I just don't think there's any way of knowing right now.

[monk302]

Luke Walton has shown very little improvement since his rookie year.I really think we'll have to make some type of upgrade at that spot.

[wfiles]

Odom for:
1) Ron Artest
2) Richard Jefferson
3) Vince Carter
4) Gerald Wallace
5) Tayshaun Prince
6) Stephen Jackson
7) Michael Redd
Shane Battier
9) Corey Maggette

There's a lot of options the Lakers can go with at the 3 spot.

[madmaxmedia]

Well, Odom will be in the last year of his contract next year so will have trade value.

The other option is that the Clipper simply keep Odom, and accept his poor shooting to keep that impossibly long and athletic frontline of Bynum/Gasol/Odom. That's a real lockdown unit on defense.

The ideal situation would be to somehow be able to trade Odom for Battier, but I don't know about Odom's trade value compared to Battier. I think the Rockets like him and want to keep him, he's a better choice for playing off-ball (alongside Yao and McGrady.)

[hermes]

here's the deal about trading odom, no team is going to want to trade with the lakers unless the lakers get ripped off really bad

and a trade probably won't happen until closer to the deadline

[xSABOx]

resign Vujacic is the 1st priority... 2nd is find a way to move either Walton or Radmanovic to replace Turiaf (someone's going to give him the full MLE)... 3rd is moving Odom for a better fit at SF for one of the following players...

1)Ron Artest
2)Tayshaun Prince
3)Mike Miller

[milesfides]

We already have him, his name is The Machine

[Erik Eleven]

Butler and Battier will be at the very top of my list for next summer. I'd go to great lengths to try to make that happen.

I just don't know how great, just yet. It depends on if we win the Finals or not, who steps up and who doesn't.

At this point in time, with Sasha emerging and Ariza slowly getting Lakerized

[blix]

Agree with the OP

[Erik Eleven]

We must focus on a player that's strong enough to compete defensively with the likes of LBJ and Pierce. Right now, we don't have that guy, and it's very likely that we'll face one of them in the next year's finals.

Butler is made for the job and belongs in a Lakers jersey. His passion would be a dearly needed addition to this team.

Do it, Mitch!


Another guy that's strong enough to be our three is Maggette. I just don't see anyone willing to make a sign and trade to help us getting him. How about a straight re-sign and swap for Odom, Elgin Baylor? To me, it all depends on how Odom steps up in these Finals games. I'll keep reserving judgment. Every time I count him out, he gets back with a big game.

[hermes]

how would we get butler, whats his contract situation look like

[semi-sentient]

Agree with EE (first post).

At SF, I would choose Battier over Butler because he is a better 3-point shooter, as well as being a better defender. That, and what we need is a very solid role-player. Butler, to me, is more of a 2nd option, which we already have.

[Chubby Chaser]

ODOM for GERALD WALLACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Erik Eleven]

how would we get butler, whats his contract situation look like

I'm sure it's possible, somehow. I wouldn't expect it to be easy in any way. I'm just looking at the ultimate hypothetical roster. Not to be taken too literally.

Butler is signed for a very reasonable deal until 2010/2011.

I don't know how we could get him. It's probably pretty impossible. Maybe if they want to re-sign Arenas and Jamison, Odom's expiring could become attractive to them? Maybe his unselfish play would benefit that team more than another scorer (Butler) but I don't know. Maybe Eddie Jordan likes Odom's digging in the trenches and rebounding attitude? Maybe the Lakers will re-sign Odom to a better deal and then trade him. Who knows?

As always, I haven't seen one person here speculating correctly on all things trades. Also, what if Dexmor would have proposed a Kwame for Gasol swap right before it happened? Know what I mean?

Opportunistic trades are bound to be ridiculed here. But Lakers fans forget that opportunistic trades are exactly what gave this team 14 rings (and counting). High score deal or no deal is our F.O.'s modus operandum. As it should be.

If it doesn't undoubtedly make us better, why make a trade? Get us Caron Butler at the three and we're talking a very likely dynasty.

[Erik Eleven]

semi-sentient,

I agree. I've harped about Battier for so long that I got all excited thinking about the "new" idea of Butler coming back. Battier is the perfect fit in so many ways.

Butler would be an incredibly good fit, as well, though. His defense is under rated and his passion is under rated. He's one tough competitor.

On the other hand, Battier is such a class act and perfect chemistry guy to have on your team. That, in combination with his defense makes him the top pick.

[Erik Eleven]

ODOM for GERALD WALLACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'd do it. Run it by MJ. I'm sure Larry Brown would entertain the idea. But first, let's see if Odom doesn't step up in this series. This might still become a moot discussion if we win it all.

[wfiles]

These are the players that we have a realistic chance of getting:
Ron Artest
Richard Jefferson
Vince Carter
Gerald Wallace
Jason Richardson
Shawn Marion
Tayshaun Prince
Stephen Jackson
Michael Redd
Shane Battier
Corey Maggette

Memphis is not going to trade Mike Miller with us anytime soon. Caron Butler is still under a cheap contract for the next three years so he won't be traded. Even if we win it all all, it's obvious Odom is not capable of playing the 3 for us next year.

[Erik Eleven]

These are the players that we have a realistic chance of getting:
Ron Artest
Richard Jefferson
Vince Carter
Gerald Wallace
Jason Richardson
Shawn Marion
Tayshaun Prince
Stephen Jackson
Michael Redd
Shane Battier
Corey Maggette

Memphis is not going to trade Mike Miller with us anytime soon. Caron Butler is still under a cheap contract for the next three years so he won't be traded. Even if we win it all all, it's obvious Odom is not capable of playing the 3 for us next year.

Out of those options, this would be my order of preference:

1. Shane Battier
2. Gerald Wallace
3. Shawn Marion
4. Tayshaun Prince
5. Corey Maggette
6. Michael Redd
7. Richard Jefferson
8. Jason Richardson

50. Vince Carter

95. Stephen Jackson

100. Ron Artest

[celticpride50]

trade odom and vujacic w/ his sisters hairdband for Mike Miller and get crittenton back as well