I wouldn't be very surprised if Lakers threw their trade exemption for Lamor Odom at Wilson Chandler at all.
Chandler isn't as skilled as Odom but he is quite versatile, more importantly he is 8 years younger.
Depending on how the Lakers are playing this year (if they are in contention with playoffs or in for a big drop off), with Kobe injured, what happens with Dwight Howard, and if the Nets improve this year. (with Deron Williams being a target as well)
In the summer, the Lakers will have at most 7 players under contract, if not moves are made, a combination of $60,608,000 million of committed salary.
They still have their
Assets of Lakers
===================
Amnesty clause *next year or future to use*
their own first round picks
with Dallas's 1st round pick for Odom
Odom's trade exemption to use or lose this year
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lakers Roster for next year with no moves
==========================================
Kobe Bryant 3years 84million, with next year making 29m
Pau Gasol 3years 58million, with next year making 19m
Bynum 2years 32million, with next year making 16.5m, *team option*
Walton 2years 12million, with next year making 6.1m
Blake 3years 12million, with next year making 4m
MWP/RonRon 3years 22million, with next year making 7.3m *player option*
Fisher 2year 6.8million, with next year making 3.4m *player option*
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
They have quite a few options, they have assets team just might pay for, including Bryant.
It wouldn't be impossible, at his age, and if someone is still willing to give the farm for him.
It would instantly bring them under the cap, with room to sign almost 2 max players.
With Bryant even being a possibility, its fair to say NO ONE is safe.
It's possible they will still throw a package to Orlando at the deadline, possibly might need a 3rd team, throwing both Pau and Bynum.
It seems like a big price to pay but Dwight Howard is the best center on both ends, with great durability from injuries, which, with his skills at that size is RARE and Unique.
They would look to trade Bynum before not picking up his team option. However, depending on if they trade Kobe, and who makes it to FA in the summer, they are a franchise players
would love to play for.
I don't think MWP aka Artest, would opt out of his 3 year deal with the way the market has gone down and his game has slowed down.
Fisher wouldn't be much of a surprise, if he goes to another team after Phil Jackson is gone, or even retirement.
Walton is considered a bad contract but is in the final year so it might have some value at the deadline or next year. Blake's contract isn't too bad with 3years, 4m each.
They have a lot of option, they can change their whole core, and having the ability to add a couple All Star level talents. Again, the amnesty clause can free up a lot of their salary cap, with Artest being the likely target next year if he doesn't opt out. If a team is willing to give a a nice package for Kobe, it would be a possibility as well, with
all of these high caliber talents available FA's in the summer.
While I would love to add Wilson Chandler back to our core, the only realistic way to acquire him, is to sign and trade for him with Denver.
If Lakers keep their exception from Dallas, depending on what happens, there is a chance they will use it on him, depending on many factors during the season and trades throughout the league. If Lakers can trade for Dwight Howard, for Bynum and 3 future 1st round picks,(one being Dallas's) maybe even 4, while not picking up Turkeglu's contract, it would be a great addition for the Lakers, while keeping Pau Gasol with the addition of Superman. It would be a lot of 1st round picks but with DH, it would well worth it.
For Orlando, they would like to get rid of some contracts as well, but Bynum can help them remain competitive, while adding a couple extra 1st rounders to help them rebuild.
12/25/2011 8:56 AM
