Lamar vs. Pau

[The Laker Kid]

If we can get LeBron for Pau then why not

[milesfides]

^Odom's numbers declined? He's had his best years of his career as a Laker. FG% and rebounds have been consistently high as a Laker. He's scored about 2 points less a game, which is understandable considering he's playing next to Kobe.

I think a lot of people are selling Odom short. A power forward in the Western Conference who could put up 10 boards every night, dish, and score extremely efficiently? People bust out the big money for players like this. Considering Odom is arguably the most versatile power forward in the league, and considering how many teams that like to run and gun but don't have a big man who could fit into their plans (imagine Golden State with Odom instead of Biedrins), I think many are overlooking what kind of demand Odom can generate. If it's apparent that the Lakers and Odom can't work out a contract extension, I wouldn't be surprised if some teams start to push for a trade or structure their salary cap to create space.

Also, despite his stated commitment to keeping the team together, I still don't think Buss has given the Carte Blanche. I would think everybody has his spending limit. I'm not sure what the salary record is, but I think Buss will exceed it if he keeps Sasha, Turiaf, Odom, and extends Bynum (and Farmar after that).

I doubt it, but only Buss himself knows. Most likely, it's TBD. If we win a ring, or get very close to it, that success would play a factor. The players' performances this year will definitely play a factor.

But with regards to the OP, I'm pretty sure the Lakers would trade Odom before Gasol. Odom's playing very well for the past couple months, but Gasol has been doing it his entire career. Gasol is obviously the more talented offensive player, and considering he's more comfortable at the high post and plays well with Kobe, there's little question of fitting with the team.

Speaking of fitting with the team, there's still the possibility that when both Bynum and Pau come back, Odom's role would change yet again.

[Gus McCrae]

-= original quote snipped =-
We have to sign Ronny and and Sasha this off season, and when we re-sign Odom next offseason it will be for something like 6-8 million for 2 or 3 years. I don't see him getting a much bigger contract than that.

$6-8 million? no way, Odom is worth more like $10-14 million. If we can re-sign him lower more power to Buss but Jesus, this guy puts up solid numbers and is nicknamed "the walking mismatch".

He's be a top 2 player on half of the teams in the NBA and actually the best player on some teams. (Seattle, Memphis, Portland without Oden, Charlotte even, Clippers this year)

How many players that can put up 20/20 and average 15/10 are getting paid under $10 million? I think we take our roster for granted sometimes.

EDIT: He would definitely be the best player on the Knicks

[mecxi2000]

i just want too add my two cents
First i dont think that odom as an s.f. is a good idea we need a 3 point treath from that position. So that leave us with 3 option odom/gasol, odom/bynum and gasol/bynum we have a pretty good idea how the first two options work so the question is how a gasol/bynum tandem works.
Remember this is not about what player is better we should look at what combination is a better fit with kobe and that makes give us the better shoot at the ring.
So at the end of the day one of those 3 would have to leave hopefully in a trade that would improve our s.f. and p.g. position

[snaquille oatmeal]

i just too add my teo cents
First i dont think that odom as an s.f. is a good idea we need a 3 point treath from that position. So that leave us with 3 option odom/gasol, odom/bynum and gasol/bynum we have a pretty good idea how the first two options work so the question is how a gasol/bynum tandem works.
Remember this is not about what player is better we should look at what combination is a better fit with kobe and that makes give us the better shoot at the ring

that is a really good point. Phil jackson has expressed concerns about that, but on the other hand Kael24 thinks that it wont be a problem.

[gmurray8]

First off, a snow ball would have to freeze in hell for the Lakers to trade Gasol.

It would be nice to keep everyone.. but once you run the numbers you realize that Buss would be paying A LOT of luxury tax to keep this team together.

I'm willing to wager that Turiaf and Sasha could get offered as much as the FULL MLE ($5 million each). Couple that with Bynum, Odom and Ariza's the following year and Radman/Luke's contract.. thats quite a payroll.

Essentially you'd be paying 5 million to:

Radman
Luke
Sasha
Turiaf
Possibly even Ariza

It all depends how much these players accept for contracts... Bynum is NOT worth the MAX at this point... Jefferson got 5/65 and he's more proven at this point (though I would take Bynum over Jefferson if both were HEALTHY)

Most likely Odom will get 5/50 and Bynum 5/65. We'll see...

[El Hardee]

First off, a snow ball would have to freeze in hell for the Lakers to trade Gasol.

It would be nice to keep everyone.. but once you run the numbers you realize that Buss would be paying A LOT of luxury tax to keep this team together.

I'm willing to wager that Turiaf and Sasha could get offered as much as the FULL MLE ($5 million each). Couple that with Bynum, Odom and Ariza's the following year and Radman/Luke's contract.. thats quite a payroll.

Essentially you'd be paying 5 million to:

Radman
Luke
Sasha
Turiaf
Possibly even Ariza

It all depends how much these players accept for contracts... Bynum is NOT worth the MAX at this point... Jefferson got 5/65 and he's more proven at this point (though I would take Bynum over Jefferson if both were HEALTHY)

Most likely Odom will get 5/50 and Bynum 5/65. We'll see...

I would love to have Odom at 5/50, but on the open market I can see Odom getting close to the max. There arent too many players with his skill set and size, he is also entering his prime. I dont think we realize what we have in Lamar and how much he is coveted around the league. Larry Brown and Pat Riley I can name off the top.

[dingclancy]

The Lakers will pay the price to keep Odom. He is there not to win one ring.. This team has the opportunity to become a dynasty. I don't think Buss will let that opportunity go.

If the tab gets high, it is more likely that they will let go of the youngins like Sasha, Luke, Vlade, then find replacement for them on cheap contracts (face it, in the end, they just shoot. There are many shooters in the league.) But Odom? No, he is such a mismatch maker to be let go just like that.

[Gus McCrae]

The Lakers will pay the price to keep Odom. He is there not to win one ring.. This team has the opportunity to become a dynasty. I don't think Buss will let that opportunity go.

If the tab gets high, it is more likely that they will let go of the youngins like Sasha, Luke, Vlade, then find replacement for them on cheap contracts (face it, in the end, they just shoot. There are many shooters in the league.) But Odom? No, he is such a mismatch maker to be let go just like that.

+1

if it really came down to it I'd rather have Odom than Ronie and Sasha.