Laker Frontcourt

warren weel im · Post #1 » by **warren weel im** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 5:05 pm

Bulls fans would love me for this but I think the Lakers could use Ben Wallace at the moment.

Before the stampeding crowd gets me, here's why and how:

Ben Wallace's contract has 3 years to go. Even though he puts us to tax territory, if the price is right, his addition will greatly add to the defensive philosophy that the Lakers are trying to preach to its young players. For what its worth, the declining scheme and it being just 3 years appeals to me - Bynum down or not. Imagine if we could have a PF of his stature beside Bynum. I mentioned PF.

Sasha, Kwame and Radmanovic for BW and a future 1st (you can protect it from the lottery) will do the trick for me. If the Bulls get their act together in time for the playoffs, we might just be able to finalize that deal next May.

If this happened, we could have Ben hold the center spot and move him to primary PF when Bynum returns. It seems to be a defensive upgrade and it might just enable us to trade Lamar Odom on the deadline or next year.

I could hear the rumbling from here...

ecuhus1981 · Post #2 » by **ecuhus1981** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 5:43 pm

Would CHI rather do BW+Thabo, than the 1st? It's a possibility for both sides.

Also, if LAL is down for this, CHI might invite MEM to the party:

Trade ID #4413534

Of course, it would wrench LA's heart ot know that they've helped Gasol to another team, but they don't have to give up Bynum, while CHI is giving up Gordon and Thomas.

Pugsley_2491 · Post #3 » by **Pugsley_2491** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 8:14 pm

ecuhus1981 wrote:Would CHI rather do BW+Thabo, than the 1st? It's a possibility for both sides.

Also, if LAL is down for this, CHI might invite MEM to the party:

Trade ID #4413534

Of course, it would wrench LA's heart ot know that they've helped Gasol to another team, but they don't have to give up Bynum, while CHI is giving up Gordon and Thomas.

nicely done on the lal-mem-chi trade
it looks really fair and like a possibility to happen at the deadline IMO

Post #4 » by **dockingsched** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 8:18 pm

lakers would never consider acquiring ben wallace.

Oomph · Post #5 » by **Oomph** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 10:01 pm

At least one (reasonable) Lakers fan does.

hermes · Post #6 » by **hermes** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 10:30 pm

the reasonable ones don't want wallace

Jajwanda · Post #7 » by **Jajwanda** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 11:23 pm

Radmanovic+Kwame hmmmm....

And a future pick involved, I don't know I mean it's somewhat interesting.

Wallace unfortunately has one extra year that I don't like. If it were for this year and next then yes I'd do it, but overall 2 and a half years. I can't see Jerry Buss signing on for that at all unless more value came back.

warren weel im · Post #8 » by **warren weel im** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 5:13 am

Ben Wallace earns 44m in the next 3 years while Radmanovic + Kwame + Sasha earns a total of 36m. I think its ok for LA to do it...

ecuhus1981 · Post #9 » by **ecuhus1981** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 5:20 am

Yeah, I think LA fans are making way too big of a deal about Ben's contract. Vlad's isn't as large, but it extends longer, and while Radmanovic seems to slide farther down the bench everyday (the Lakers actually considered signing octogenarians Webber and PJ Brown instead of playing him), Ben could potentially play a vital role for them.

Tying either Thabo (who would be an awesome backup to Kobe), or a 1st to Wallace is sweetener enough.

Post #10 » by **dockingsched** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 5:30 am

radman is hurt, its not about simply not playing him.

ben wallace isn't just a bad fit because of his contract, he's a bad fit because he's a horrible player to pair up next to bynum and thats what he'd need to do. he sure as heck isn't going to be acquired to be a super extensive limited playing time backup.

warren weel im · Post #11 » by **warren weel im** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 5:32 am

I think it should be viewed from the context that:

1 - the Bulls are in the East and are struggling, LA is in the West and contending.

2 - Chicago is a terrible fit for Ben Wallace and that contract is crippling; Phil Jackson loves the veterans and knows he is one that could help the Lakers solidify its recently-achieved success.

3 - Bulls want an expiring in exchange for Ben, but let's face it, his value does not command expirings. Only a team that can afford him and has the chance to move a notch higher will be interested in his gigantic contract. Radman earns 25 in 4 and is about fair that a bad contract comes back as supposed to them holding on to Ben.

4 - LA could use him until Bynumite comes back, even if he does, he is still a vital defensive cog as the PF/C.

5 - Bulls could use the money to retain Gordon and Deng WITHOUT sacrificing treading into luxury tax next year.

6 - LA loves to acquire vets that seem to have nothing left on the tank. Phil is the master of bringing out the best of players, esp vets that work hard.

7 - Bulls will be better positioned to acquire JO or Pau Gasol if Wallace has been moved. Seriously.