Ariza or Bynum

[Mamba Venom]

If the Lakers can only afford to gamble on one young stud, which one do you take?

Ariza (23) played great for 5 months last year including the play-offs. The 3 spot is the deepest position in the league.

or

Bynum (21) played great for 3 months last year. The center spot is the thinnest in the league especially out West. Bynum actually may be the favorite to start an all-star game (as long as Duncan and Amare don't want to be listed as center) w/ Yao out.

This is in response to all the trade Bynum sign Ariza for the big bucks talk. They both have the same slime ball agent.

[Dr Aki]

definitely bynum

defensive centers arent common nowadays and swings are a dime a dozen

simple supply and demand, centers are in low supply compared to swings that are high in supply

the market is currently saturated with swings that can fill ariza's role and there is less demand there compared to much higher demand for centers with bynum's skillset

its a no brainer

[Kilroy]

I don't think a Bynum or Ariza discussion would ever happen in the Lakers org...

I think it's too simplistic to imply that since we paid Bynum what we did, we can't afford Ariza. There's just too many factors at work here.

Bynum's contract isn't really that bad... Not great, but not crazy either. It'd be stupid if he never played again, but I honestly don't see that happening.

The biggest factor in where Ariza plays next year is Ariza.. If he want's to play with the Lakers as his first choice. I think we'll keep him. If it gets out there that he really is open to anything, he'll get a lot more offers and the chance that he gets something rediculous goes up.

A talented young true Center is always going to be worth more than a 3/4 type player... So if Ariza gets a 5yr/10M+ type offer, I don't think he stays... It has nothing to do with Bynum, it's just not smart to pay him that much.

Same thing with Odom...

Turiaf went away because he got stupid money for what he brings to the table, not because of anyone elses salary on the team.

I think Buss will pay anything reasonable for Ariza and Odom... I frankly don't want him to match ANY offer... That would suck for us. But the reasonable ones, I'd expect him to match or improve on slightly.

The fact is, there are a lot of options at Ariza's position, so I think he'll get paid but I doubt he gets any rediculous offers...

Odom might be another story... They were hyping him pretty big during the post-season... I could see someone paying him more than we know he's worth. Remember when we were all bitching about how over-paid he was?

[AmusingFiddle]

I am for keeping both.

[hermes]

bynum, because he's tall