Lakers Thread

[_Steve_]

The only question is, why would Lakers do that?
Bynum is steadily improving. Reason to get rid of him were his injuries, one thing that went extremly well despite the heavy schedule last season.
On the other hand you've got Howard went down with back injuries the same season.
Next thing is, Lakers really sucked from 3pt-range, so they would need to add some qualitiy marksmen to capitalize from Howards inside presence, which is - in my opinin - something they can afford only by giving up Gasol and Bynum (not necessary within the same trade). Giving up both and letting Jordan Hill go looks like madness to me...

[Jackal]

Nash to Lakers for future picks?

Fuck yeah if it's true, they needed an unselfish point guard who can create easy shots bad. Now the Lamar Odom trade begins to show its worth, I was so annoyed they seemed to just dump him for monetary issues.

As @Gambo620 first reported, the #Suns have agreed to send Steve Nash to the Lakers in a sign-and-trade deal for four draft picks and cash.

https://twitter.com/#!/paulcoro

I wonder if Howard is more enticed to play in LA (longer than a year) now with a ball handler like Nash around..

Edit:

Sources told ESPN.com that Nash will try to convince longtime teammate Grant Hill, one of his closest friends in the game, to join him with the Lakers. ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher reported over the weekend the Lakers were one of four teams (along with Toronto, New York and Phoenix) in the running for Hill after the 39-year-old's recent trip to Germany undergo the same platelet-enrichment treatment on his knee that Bryant credited for his rejuvenated knee last season.

That would be icing on the cake..even if they are old as balls. [/hopes this doesn't turn out to be Malone/Payton-esque fiasco.]

[Andrew]

Great deal for the Lakers, probably right up there with Kwame for Gasol. Hill would definitely be a solid pickup too.

[123rockstar]

Haha! Maple and Nash St.

[Stress Fracture]

Just wondering, if L.A. would get Grant Hill, Barnes won't come back?

[Andrew]

Quite possibly.

[123rockstar]

If the rumor is true, congrats Lakers for landing Dwight Howard

[NovU]

Lakers, Magic, Cavs Talk Three-Team Deal
Was Shaq back then, Dwight possibly now. Orlando likes donating their elite bigs to the Lakers? Let's see.

[Andrew]

Supposedly close to being a done deal.

[_Steve_]

Would not a bad deal for either the Lakers or the Cavs. I like the team they are building in Cleveland right now. And I'm really curious whether the Kobe-Dwight-Steve-clusterfuck would turn out to be successful. Anything less then winning the title next year would be a failure for the Lakers organisation...
PS: So it's time to get Grant Hill too. More big names in yellow and purple dresses.

[123rockstar]

phpBB [video]

Now thats love from Laker fans... nyahahahaha *SMILE*

[rise]

Supposedly close to being a done deal.

Given everything that's happened, I think "close" means "within six months",

[Andrew]

Cool.

Supposedly close to being a done deal.

Given everything that's happened, I think "close" means "within six months",

True, or indeed "not at all likely to happen". The latest word is that the Magic are being patient and talks with everyone are cooling off.

[Jackal]

The Charlotte Bobcats have lost out on free agent Antawn Jamison, who will sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, the Observer has learned.

Source.

Yay!

[Andrew]

Grant Hill is supposedly also still leaning towards going to the Lakers. That's shaping up to be a formidable lineup.

[Jackal]

An old as balls line up though.

[Bruce]

To think in 2000 kobe and 'tawn were in a game where each scored 50pts apiece. Now they are likely team mates. Sadly though I don't think we will be seeing a game where they score 50 each as teammates.

It also looks like though from the comments Kobe has been giving to the press that I think he is subtly setting the stage for the Howard trade to push through. Lately, Kobe has commented that he is seriously considering retiring by age 35 and also commenting that it was shaq who instigated the feud. I take it to mean that this is Kobe's way of saying, a young guy like Dwight coming to the Lakers would be the franchise player, and that Kobe has no qualms about giving up his throne then. I know it is a lot of wishful thinking, but we all know the Lakers is not a team that builds around the draft, but rather a team that builds on drawing in free agents, so if a young player inherits the franchise, success is not far behind. They beauty of it all though, that all these prodding to get Howard lights a fire under Bynum's ass, as evidenced by his performance this past season. As long as it does not alienate Bynum from the franchise, I think the Lakers are moving up.

[Bruce]

An old as balls line up though.

But could quite still be younger than the spurs.

[Jackal]

Marc J. Spears: Lakers pushing hard to land Magic center Dwight Howard & meeting with Magic today,sources tell Y! LAL wants DH contract extension commitment

God I wish this would be over already, the guy is an amazing player but this is too much drama even for me.

And in other news seems LAL missed out on Grant Hill:

Ken Berger: League source confirms Grant Hill has decided to sign with the Clippers. He had also been considering the Lakers and Knicks.

[Andrew]

Kind of an odd decision, though I guess the Clippers are the best they've been in years, could actually have a bright future and can probably offer him a bigger role.

Sounds like the Lakers are getting Jermaine O'Neal instead.

[shadowgrin]

the Lakers is not a team that builds around the draft, but rather a team that builds on drawing in free agents

A bit of both.
Kobe drafted, Bynum drafted.
Kobe drafted, Kwame Brown FA.
Kobe drafted, Shaq FA.
Magic & Worthy drafted, Kareem FA.

[benji]

Kareem was a trade you dope.

[shadowgrin]

I didn't see it happen so it wasn't.

Go back to your Pistons and teach Drummond to shoot FTs. Then maybe you can make yourself grow to 6'8" and finally be in the NBA like you rightfully think so.

[Bruce]

the Lakers is not a team that builds around the draft, but rather a team that builds on drawing in free agents

A bit of both.
Kobe drafted, Bynum drafted.
Kobe drafted, Kwame Brown FA.
Kobe drafted, Shaq FA.
Magic & Worthy drafted, Kareem FA.

Technically, kobe was received via trade. And Worthy was drafted from a lucky trade for a pick that became the #1 pick. But of course the point is, except for the time in between Magic retiring and Shaq was acquired (I affectionately call this the Cedric Ceballos years), the Lakers are willing to spend on free agency to win.

[shadowgrin]

Technically, kobe was received via trade.

Because Jerry West wanted to draft Kobe that bad.

And Worthy was drafted from a lucky trade for a pick that became the #1 pick.

Still doesn't change the fact that he was drafted and became a big part of the Lakers success.

the Lakers are willing to spend on free agency to win.

Same with badly wanting a HS player in the draft to pair up with their newly acquired C from Orlando or not trading the C they picked from the draft a few years ago when their franchise player wanted to trade said C for some PG in NJ.

Whether through free agency or the draft, the Lakers are willing to do it to win.