the reality of the lakers financial constraints

[dockingsched]

thats a fair conclusion. like i mentioned, i think the lakers brass thinks they're good enough now to win the title and will give it a shot. they're a business and they'll want to win with as little expenses as possible. like u said though, it can be a really fluid situation, especially if the team fails to deliver a ring with certain obvious weaknesses that need to be addressed.

imo, as of now though, all these josh smith/gordon/hinrich discussions fall under the category of not enough basketball sense to justify the financial penalty.

[deNIEd]

will kobe opt out for another team after seeing buss not commited to doing everything necessary to win championships? cause letting odom go for nothing is not acceptable.

what team, that would be offering less money, could possibly lure kobe away from the best pair of big men in the league?

Possibly Paul Allen's team?

After this year, or once Lamar's deal is expired/done with, Lakers are pretty much set for a while in terms of major moves. The team is pretty much capped by what it can/cannot do in a year or so, since the last major trading chip will be gone.

[milesfides]

thats a fair conclusion. like i mentioned, i think the lakers brass thinks they're good enough now to win the title and will give it a shot. they're a business and they'll want to win with as little expenses as possible. like u said though, it can be a really fluid situation, especially if the team fails to deliver a ring with certain obvious weaknesses that need to be addressed.

imo, as of now though, all these josh smith/gordon/hinrich discussions fall under the category of not enough basketball sense to justify the financial penalty.

Fair enough, the vast majority of proposed trade scenarios regarding Odom seem to completely overlook the luxury tax. I'd certainly agree with that.

[daddyfivestar]

I toss out trades and play aspiring Capologist for the fun of it not necessarily because I want guys moved or think something will happen.

The reality though is (imo order of importance):
1. Will Bynum be 100 prcnt
2. Will the LO sf experiment work
3. If Farmar makes another jump like last year he will be the pg otf
4. Can Ariza be an impact player

If 1, 3, 4 work LO walks and Buss will be back in his comfort zone.

If all 4 work or 1, 2, 3 work it's parade time.

But, I do not see any deals until these questions are answered.

[LLcoleJ]

will kobe opt out for another team after seeing buss not commited to doing everything necessary to win championships? cause letting odom go for nothing is not acceptable.

what team, that would be offering less money, could possibly lure kobe away from the best pair of big men in the league?

Possibly Paul Allen's team?

After this year, or once Lamar's deal is expired/done with, Lakers are pretty much set for a while in terms of major moves. The team is pretty much capped by what it can/cannot do in a year or so, since the last major trading chip will be gone.

lol

[hermes]

will kobe opt out for another team after seeing buss not commited to doing everything necessary to win championships? cause letting odom go for nothing is not acceptable.

what team, that would be offering less money, could possibly lure kobe away from the best pair of big men in the league?

Possibly Paul Allen's team?

After this year, or once Lamar's deal is expired/done with, Lakers are pretty much set for a while in terms of major moves. The team is pretty much capped by what it can/cannot do in a year or so, since the last major trading chip will be gone.

its not like the lakers will be a joke of a team then

[N.O.R.E.]

Does anyone really think Kobe will take a pay cut after his comments about going to Europe/Russia for $40 mill a year?
I just don't think Kobe has that kind of loyalty.