What's Plan B if Odom walks?

[wfiles]

There's reports that Portland has talked with Odom. If they offer him $10 million/year then we should let Odom go like with what happened to Ariza. There's better options out there for much less.
Plan B
1. Sign Antonio McDyess with the BAE
2. Trade Farmar, Morrison, draft picks for Kirk Hinrich

For about the same amount of money, we would have McDyess and Hinrich. It's a lot better than spending that on only Odom. Our team would look much better.

PG-Hinrich/Fisher
SG-Kobe/Vujacic
SF-Artest/Walton
PF-Gasol/McDyess/Powell
C-Bynum/Mbenga

[Dexmor]

If Ptown offers him 10 million a year it will be a 5 year 53 million dollar deal. I say if that happens we offer him 5 years 45 million dollars which is only 1 million less. He said himself he would sign for less with us and I don't see him just leaving without giving us a chance to make an offer close enough were he stays.
Basically my answer plan B is to up the money. Trade away some pieces and move Kobe to pg if we have to. He plays pg anyway and go with Bynum/Gasol/Odom/Artest/Kobe.
That is the lineup I want anyway.

[Sedale Threatt]

I'd be honestly shocked if Odom does walk. I think Mitch is just sitting back and letting the market dictate Odom's value. Anything barring an astronomical offer -- which I don't see Lamar getting -- I expect us to match it.

We've got a proven championship team; even with our illustrious track record, we might not have another window like this for 20 or 30 years, or even more (look at what happened to the Celtics). To get cheap now in order to save a few million in taxes, especially considering the Lakers are going to make a profit regardless, would be a massive indictment of Jerry Buss's ownership.

And that doesn't even get into how Lamar fits with the Blazers. They've got a 40-minute-a-night PF, one of the best backup Cs in the league and a third big man who was the top pick in the draft and needs as many minutes as he can get to bolster his development.

Where does Odom fit into that equation? Certainly not at SF, a position which he is patently unsuited to play at this point in his career and the Blazers already have a glut of players (Batum, Fernandez, Outlaw...). So unless that money is just burning a hole in their pockets, I'm not seeing how he helps them.

[LAKESHOW]

ive never been a strong proponent of odom. but i vowed that if he brought the title here to Los Angeles, i'll get on that bandwagon. and it took some years to get it done, but hes played admirably, and weve got the title. so here it goes.

if odom walks?

we're finished.

[TommyTheCat]

I'd be honestly shocked if Odom does walk. I think Mitch is just sitting back and letting the market dictate Odom's value. Anything barring an astronomical offer -- which I don't see Lamar getting -- I expect us to match it.

We've got a proven championship team; even with our illustrious track record, we might not have another window like this for 20 or 30 years, or even more (look at what happened to the Celtics). To get cheap now in order to save a few million in taxes, especially considering the Lakers are going to make a profit regardless, would be a massive indictment of Jerry Buss's ownership.

And that doesn't even get into how Lamar fits with the Blazers. They've got a 40-minute-a-night PF, one of the best backup Cs in the league and a third big man who was the top pick in the draft and needs as many minutes as he can get to bolster his development.

Where does Odom fit into that equation? Certainly not at SF, a position which he is patently unsuited to play at this point in his career and the Blazers already have a glut of players (Batum, Fernandez, Outlaw...). So unless that money is just burning a hole in their pockets, I'm not seeing how he helps them.

while i agree with most of your post i disagree with the bolded statement. if for any reason, including money, buss and the lakers organization lose out on re-signing odom, it's not a massive indictment of jerry buss's ownership. he's been owner for 30 years and the lakers have won 9 championships and been to the finals 15 times during that span. losing odom won't tarnish that legacy but it'll piss off some fans.

[lakersfanatic]

True.. blazers have just too many people in that position for LO to play. If he takes back on his word "discount" then we can't hold on to him.. but if he does.. YAY! Good thing his agent it's the same as Arizas' hehe

if all else fails.. i hope he's willing to take a 1-year contract to stay with us and then free agency again next year. I can't bare to lose another core player.. just hurts too much hehe

[Sedale Threatt]

I disagree Tommy -- I think it would be a huge blemish.

The last thing on this Earth I care about is Jerry Buss's pocket book, especially considering, A. The Lakers are going to make money next year regardless of how much money they give Odom; and B. They're one of the most valuable franchises in all of sports.

We're extremely blessed to have a window to win multiple championships, and I expect -- no, demand -- that our owner does whatever it takes, and spends whatever it takes, to keep that window open. Even if Buss had to take a bath over the next few years, he's so far ahead of his initial investment of $25 million that he shouldn't even think twice about it.

Fortunately his track record suggests he won't, so it's probably not worth raging about at this point. I really think Mitch is simply letting the market shake out. Lamar wants to be here, I don't see any reason why the team wouldn't want him to be here, so I'm about 90% certain he'll be back next season.

[TommyTheCat]

I disagree Tommy -- I think it would be a huge blemish.

The last thing on this Earth I care about is Jerry Buss's pocket book, especially considering, A. The Lakers are going to make money next year regardless of how much money they give Odom; and B. They're one of the most valuable franchises in all of sports.

We're extremely blessed to have a window to win multiple championships, and I expect -- no, demand -- that our owner does whatever it takes, and spends whatever it takes, to keep that window open. Even if Buss had to take a bath over the next few years, he's so far ahead of his initial investment of $25 million that he shouldn't even think twice about it.

Fortunately his track record suggests he won't, so it's probably not worth raging about at this point. I really think Mitch is simply letting the market shake out. Lamar wants to be here, I don't see any reason why the team wouldn't want him to be here, so I'm about 90% certain he'll be back next season.

well, i will never tell another man what he must do with his pocketbook. i'm thrilled to be part of the lakernation and have already been spoiled beyond what i thought possible by a pro sports organization. you have the right to feel the way you do but i find it rediculous to demand anything of buss with the amount of success the lakers have already achieved. i wish people could be a little more appreciative for what's been done instead of sounding like a kid in the store who's crying because daddy didn't get him the 3 scoop ice cream sundae and has to settle for the two scoop sundae. look down the street at the clippers.................NO ICE CREAM!!!

[NBAWestFan]

Odom has to be signed unless a sign and trade with some fillers can be done for Boozer.

Sasha and sign Odom trade both for Boozer.

Morrison and sign Odom and trade for Boozer.

That is my plan.

[Sedale Threatt]

well, i will never tell another man what he must do with his pocketbook. i'm thrilled to be part of the lakernation and have already been spoiled beyond what i thought possible by a pro sports organization. you have the right to feel the way you do but i find it rediculous to demand anything of buss with the amount of success the lakers have already achieved. i wish people could be a little more appreciative for what's been done instead of sounding like a kid in the store who's crying because daddy didn't get him the 3 scoop ice cream sundae and has to settle for the two scoop sundae. look down the street at the clippers.................NO ICE CREAM!!!

That's a poor analogy. This isn't some altruistic relationship where Buss spends money out of the goodness of his heart and we fans don't contribute anything to the equation. It's a symbiotic relationship -- he pays, Lakers fans pay.

Just as we're fortunate to have a quality basketball franchise to root for, one that he has played an integral role in building, he's fortunate to have a large and loyal fan base that pays some of the highest ticket prices in the league and produces banner TV ratings.

According to Forbes, he's not only seen a return of almost $550 million on his initial $25 million investment in terms of overall franchise value -- even more if you consider he bought both the Kings and the Forum in that purchase -- the Lakers cleared an operating profit of nearly $48 million last season. It will be even higher this year in light of our championship.

So as someone who has invested countless of amounts of blood, sweat and tears into this team over the past two-plus decades -- not to mention money, time and energy -- I don't have any problem demanding that our owner spend whatever it takes to produce the best team he possibly can. Especially when he's been rewarded so richly.

[AmusingFiddle]

I have a hunch LO will be lured by another team with an attractive offer but he will ultimately sign with us. After battling next to Kobe for the past 4 years, he now bleeds purple & gold. He will be a Laker.

If not, I would not hold anything against him or the Lakers management. Honestly, I was not expecting him to be as good as he played the last two years. I felt Miami GROSSLY overpaid for him to scare away the Clippers. But he showed the last two years why he deserves almost every penny he was paid.

Hopefully, him and the Lakers come to an amicable solution. If not, I have a feeling the Lakers will attempt to trade for Morrison's expiring, Vujacic, & Farmar now or by the trade deadline. They will retain Shannon Brown. Chances are one of the NBA teams will have a fallout with their players and will trade them for less significant players to L.A (a la Pau Gasol). GO LAKERS! I am looking forward to the signing period to begin this coming Wednesday.

[TommyTheCat]

So as someone who has invested countless of amounts of blood, sweat and tears into this team over the past two-plus decades -- not to mention money, time and energy -- I don't have any problem demanding that our owner spend whatever it takes to produce the best team he possibly can. Especially when he's been rewarded so richly.

just wondering if you can be more specific about the blood, sweat, tears, time and energy you've invested? are you working for the organization? do you engage in charity work on behalf of the organization?

[daddyfivestar]

There is no Plan B. Cannot use the MLE, and no GM in his right mind would do $&T with the Lakers for LO if they can get him with space.

BTW, Portland does not have 10 mil space, they'd have to go 8.75 - 9m for year 1, which I think LA would do if it came down to it. They'd have to make a space saving deal first to get 10+m free.

Teams that still have space more than 9.5 m space on July 8 will only be 2... OKC and MEM. I don't think Lamar wants to move from LA to either of those places.

[DubaLakers]

I usually hate these hypothetical posts, but nice job OP I agree with everything you said, LO isn't going to start anyway. LO should sign a 1 year contract for 7.5 and test the market next year, plus the LAL will have a lot more room to wiggle.

Heinrich is underrated, he guards DWade better than anyone can.

[Sedale Threatt]

Tommy, not to derail this thread even further -- my apologies for that -- but I've watched easily more than 1,000 games over the past 20 years. I've bought more t-shirts, caps and other pieces of gear than I can count. I've flown on at least three occassions to see them play around the country, including the 2002 Finals. I've spent as much cash as I could afford to watch them play in person whenever they've rolled through cities I lived in or near (San Antonio, Minneapolis). I've gotten into near fights at bars. I've agonized with every setback and thrilled to every triumph. I'll stick with the Lakers until the day I die.

In short, I'm the type of fan any professional franchise would kill to have. And I'm 100 percent positive there are hundreds of thousands of Laker fans whose level of support dwarfs mine. Quite possibly you're one of them. So again, I don't feel the slightest bit ungrateful or unreasonable for demanding that our owner spends every cent he can on our team. Indeed, that's exactly what we deserve.

In this case that means re-signing Lamar, which I'm very optimistic will happen.

[Anklebreaker702]

Lamar won't pass up the opportunity to play with Artest.

[LLcoleJ]

I believe we will sign Odom.

The Lakers know they need Odom. There are more people involved than just Buss's pocketbook. ( other laker owners).

Mitch is doing the right thing by not bidding against himself and barring any crazy offer, I really don't think there are too many options out there for Odom. Don't low ball Lamar either, pay the man and lets get on with this.

[TonyMontana]

Lamar will be back to piss K.G off and slap him on his ass and knock down Ray Allen in the stands, who else can do that and backup his ish............ LAMAR.
Lets lock this thread and out the women and children to bed. WE ARE GOING TO WAR WITH THE Cs.

[Dexmor]

As some of you might know I used to hate Odom but I agree if we lose him we are done. No chance to repeat. Spurs,Magic,Cavs,Celtics and maybe Nuggets if they make a move would all kill us. Now if Odom does resign we are the best team and pretty much heavily. Maybe some bias sportswriters might pick the Celtics but we will blow every team out besidess the 4 but beat them pretty easily.

Now as for Blazers it is untrue they won't try and sign Odom because they have players. We know that because A.they want to sign Lee but are afraid of Knicks matching and B.they tried to sign Hedo for 53 million. You have to assume Odom will get a 5 year 53 million dollar offer because that is what Hedo got from Portland. If Portland wasn't around there would be no competetion but now we have to give Odom 5 years 53 million or whatever discount he will give us.

Playing hardball is completely stupid. The rest of the league all got better and alot better. The Spurs got RJ for nothing, the Cavs got Shaq for nothing and the Celtics are basically adding KG and Sheed. Do you guys realize the Celtics roster is now Sheed/KG/Pierce/Allen/Rando. That is amazing. We can't beat them without Odom. WIth Odom we can. If we want another championship we need to sign Odom. Plus Odom is young and if he started we know he would have great stats and he is a friend of Ron which is very valuable and when you have a scorer like Kobe a guy like Artest who is gonna need shots and Bynum who is gonna need passers to get easy shots we need to sign him.
Without him were clearly playing 4 on 5 vs Boston and with him our 5 is better then there 5.

Plus we can cut salary in so many other ways considering he can play 5 positions including starting and the bench.

[wfiles]

Odom is replaceable. The Lakers can get Antonio McDyess, Chris WIlcox, Drew Gooden, or Joe Smith with the BAE. One of those players along with Josh Powell should be enough to replace Odom. Did everyone else also forget how inconsistent Odom was? He only showed up about once out of every 4 games.

We already saw what happened to Ariza. The Lakers wanted to pay Ariza $6 million/year and he wanted $7-8 million/year and was let go. Right now, the Lakers want to pay Odom $8 million/year but he wants $9-10 million/year. Buss didn't want to pay that extra $1-2 million for Ariza so he's not going to pay that for Odom.