Let's pretend that there is no NBA Lockout looming and that the Lakers could make any moves they normally could. What should they do?
There has been many trade rumors that has discussed everything from blowing up the entire team to trading just one or two of the core players. My response to these rumors is PLEASE DON'T DO ANYTHING DRASTIC!
Living in LA we make a big deal about hype and expectations. If something flops we make it worse than it is. With that said we take the Lakers post season sweep by the Dallas Mavericks (the NBA Champions) as the end of our era.
BUT IT'S NOT
Our team is still a contender and is better than 95% of any team in the league. So for all of those who are saying we need to get younger or we need to trade so and so just stop talking for a moment and think about some things.
The Mavericks are a veteran team and simply out played us (and every one else) in the playoffs. They aren't youthful and explosive. So that negates the "We need to be younger to win" argument. Sure in the future youth is ideal but our team does not have to hit the Panic Button when it comes to youth.
Now for those who want to trade Pau you need to remember that this team was barely anything before he came and teamed up with Kobe. And once he joined the Black Mamba thhe took us to 3 straight finals, and helped win 2 of those. Does all that get forgoten because of a stretch of bad games at the wrong time. It is one season. Knowing his desire to stay in LA and the expectations Kobe puts on his team mates I expect Pau to have another solid year next year, including the post season this time.
Bynum, if he can stay healthy, is the second best center in the league and has yet to show what he can really do. He played solid all post season and under a new Mike Brown system might show his team that he has point when he says he needs to be a higher scoring option. The only regard I have in the trade him rumors is his health, but other than that he is part of what makes us win.
Odom has a lot of trade potential. But I still wouldn't do it. Odom, with his 6 man of the year award and his reasonable salary make him a good move. But what do we get for him? That is the question. He still is our X Factor and does a great job filling in when ever some one is hurt. Not to mention our weak bench would be significantly weaker without him. But his mindset of being HOLLYWOOD can bring up arguments of "he's not focused". But look at last year. Really look at it. He, an aging veteran, had his best year in the league despite his reality show. So scratch the focus argument.
Artest...hmm. If we could move him do it but I don't see any team wanting to start selling World Peace jerseys for any reason other than a publicity stunt. Hopefully he can improve under Mike Brown.
Derrick Fisher needs to take a step back and be the clutch guy he is without being a starter. He's great to have in a leadership role but just not great to have on the court for long stretches.
As far as the Killer B's go. Give them some room to grow under Mike Brown. Let's see what happens with a healthy Matt Barnes and a Steve Blake not in the triangle. And assuming Shannon decides to come back.
The rest of our youth should be given more opportunities to grow, especially Ebanks and the two point guards we drafted, assuming they make the team.
All I am saying is the Lakers are good. Last year, the Mavericks were just a team of destiny so don't discount or count our team out. Or it might be gone before we appreciate what we have.
