Kupchak: Lakers NOT looking to trade big men

[dockingsched]

http://blog.lakers.com/lakers/2011/06/0 ... -its-size/

After the Lakers lost Game 3 of the Western Semi’s to Dallas, Magic Johnson suggested during ESPN’s studio show that L.A. should “blow up” the team heading into the future.

But Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak, who has stated that the Lakers do not want to break up the roster, thinks Johnson’s comments were intended to be more inspirational than literal.

“Unfortunately, a well-known commentator made some comments before our fourth game in Dallas about breaking up the team,” Kupchak said. “I think that’s what fueled speculation that this team should be broken up. I think that commentator was trying to inspire our players, but a lot of the fans didn’t see it that way.”

Johnson alluded in particular to L.A. deciding between one of its two seven-footers (Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum) and trading the other, but Kupchak is well aware of the major advantage the Lakers have with the combination of length and skill between Gasol, Bynum and Lamar Odom.

“Talented big players are always at a premium,” Kupchak continued. “You can go through college rosters, and go to the Portsmouth venue, which showcases the 64 best college seniors in the country each year, and rarely do you see a player 6-10 or above there. Everybody’s between 5-11 and 6-8. The big players are just hard to come by.”

In other words, L.A.’s not outwardly looking for a trade, particularly involving its bigs...

"I think given the opportunity, all 30 NBA coaches would prefer big skilled players to small skilled players"

kupchak, a voice of reason among chaos.

[Jajwanda]

Ok what if that read, Lakers are looking to trade big men. Don't you think he shoots any trade value down the rain?

[Wizardspride]

"Publicly, the team is claiming that they're likely to hang on to the pick. Privately, they're hoping that a team comes along and offers them an impact veteran -- someone such as Pau Gasol, Monta Ellis or even JaVale McGee -- for the pick.

[LApwnd]

guess we gona be seeing the same squad as last season w/ exception of a few more pine riders.

[dockingsched]

Ok what if that read, Lakers are looking to trade big men. Don't you think he shoots any trade value down the rain?

just posting the news, take it as you will.

[Jetset]

"Publicly, the team is claiming that they're likely to hang on to the pick. Privately, they're hoping that a team comes along and offers them an impact veteran -- someone such as Pau Gasol, Monta Ellis or even JaVale McGee -- for the pick.

And what team might this quote be referring to?

[Jajwanda]

I understand that Dcash, don't shoot the messenger.

Seriously who is that quote about? If it's Minnesota I'll listen.

[EnigmaticProblem]

You would trade Gasol for one of Derrick Williams, or Enes Kanter? To me, Derrick Williams won't succeed as a starter, in the NBA. He doesn't have the right combination of "tools" to put him in such a position. Enes Kanter is too much of a risk to warrant such a trade.

I wouldn't trade any of the Lakers big men for anything less than Kyrie Irving.

Let me revoke that, for a second. I can see Derrick Williams filling Lamar Odom's position, but isn't that a lateral move (Odom for the #2)? I mean, the current roster has been fashioned to win now.

[Jajwanda]

If I get a massive TPE with that trade yes, I do it. A 17m TPE can do quite a bit for you.

[semi-sentient]

...but Kupchak is well aware of the major advantage the Lakers have with the combination of length and skill between Gasol, Bynum and Lamar Odom.

Major advantage, huh? Tell that to the Mavs who just finished waxing us, or to the Hornets who turned what should have been a sweep into a 6-game series.

[EnigmaticProblem]

Pau Gasol is headed to the hall of fame, despite his performance this past postseason. Despite his performance this past postseason, he's still in his prime. So, let's assume Kyrie Irving is off the board, like he should be. . .

The Lakers grab one of Williams/Kanter, and have the $17 million TPE. What would you do with that $17 million TPE? That may sound sarcastic, but honestly, I'm simply wondering what you had in mind. Afterwards, I'd like to contrast if the combination of Williams/Kanter + the addition(s) from the $17 million TPE is better than Pau Gasol.

[Slava]

Wonder if we can turn that additional TPE & 2nd pick into Dwight Howard? Can this be done?

Then flip Bynum in for a PG and back up PF/C.

[LApwnd]

Wonder if we can turn that additional TPE & 2nd pick into Dwight Howard? Can this be done?

Then flip Bynum in for a PG and back up PF/C.

doubt Orl wants tpe for Dwight but Im sure they'll want the tpe for Hedo so Bynum for Dwight straight up and TPE for Hedo might interest Orl. If the TPE can be had with a 2 lotto picks or picks #2 or #3 I would think about it if the later (Howard) was guranteed to happen , start Odom use the picks on bench player and we still contend simply due to Howard even with an aging Kobe, we could try again with Sasha TPE for a PG, say Jack, Sessions or Gibson, if this team could play elite D like Chi/Mia/Dall we could get away with still having a bad defensive PG, Dall just got away with starting Barera last nite.

[EnigmaticProblem]

To be honest, I never fathomed that as a viable option. I didn't think Otis Smith would be stupid enough to do that. That would mean, for a certain amount of time, however brief that may be, the Lakers would hold the top two remaining, traditional centers.

With the exception of the Jazz, who picked up Al Jefferson, no team has done anything significant with their massive TPE. I think the Lakers would have a better chance authoring a package revolving around Bynum, and trading that for Dwight.

[LApwnd]

To be honest, I never fathomed that as a viable option. I didn't think Otis Smith would be stupid enough to do that. That would mean, for a certain amount of time, however brief that may be, the Lakers would hold the top two remaining, traditional centers.

With the exception of the Jazz, who picked up Al Jefferson, no team has done anything significant with their massive TPE. I think the Lakers would have a better chance authoring a package revolving around Bynum, and trading that for Dwight.

agreed, Clev/Tor/Minn all have HUGE TPE in which they have not even been rumored to be using.

[The_Trade_Seer]

You would trade Gasol for one of Derrick Williams, or Enes Kanter? To me, Derrick Williams won't succeed as a starter, in the NBA. He doesn't have the right combination of "tools" to put him in such a position.

Have you watched Derrick ball?

Enes Kanter is too much of a risk to warrant such a trade.

I agree.

Let me revoke that, for a second. I can see Derrick Williams filling Lamar Odom's position, but isn't that a lateral move (Odom for the #2)? I mean, the current roster has been fashioned to win now.

No, it's not a lateral move, it would be a GREAT move. You're talking about trading a 30+ year old multi-skilled dude for a 20 year old multi-skilled dude on a way better contract ... I'd make that trade all day long.

[The_Trade_Seer]

Pau Gasol is headed to the hall of fame, despite his performance this past postseason. Despite his performance this past postseason, he's still in his prime. So, let's assume Kyrie Irving is off the board, like he should be. . .

The Lakers grab one of Williams/Kanter, and have the $17 million TPE. What would you do with that $17 million TPE? That may sound sarcastic, but honestly, I'm simply wondering what you had in mind. Afterwards, I'd like to contrast if the combination of Williams/Kanter + the addition(s) from the $17 million TPE is better than Pau Gasol.

Great point and I agree 100% TPE's are over-rated. It's not like we could flip a Williams and the TPE and land Dwight. What are we going to do, use part of it on a cast-off like Arenas and the rest on another cast-off? No thanks.

[The_Trade_Seer]

Wonder if we can turn that additional TPE & 2nd pick into Dwight Howard? Can this be done?

If we traded Pau to the Wolves for the #2 and a massive TPE, we could then offer the TPE to the Magic for Hedo, Duhon and Q-Tip and then offer Bynum and the #2 for Dwight ... the Magic would be stupid to turn that down but it also means we traded Bynum and Pau for Dwight and three bad contracts ...

Then flip Bynum in for a PG and back up PF/C.

Wow, without Bynum how did you think we could get Dwight?

[Doormatt]

Lol. Can't wait for us to flame out next year with people talking about how we should have "pounded it inside" some more, when we REALLY need some shooters/playmakers.

[So Gutta]

Pretty sure Mr. Reality Show Odom would be the first to go. He's our 6th man for crying out loud.