mms://phxsuns.wmod.llnwd.net/a205/o2/draft08_080626.wmv

It’s a video of the Suns draft room on draft day. The Laker related bit comes around the 8:15 mark where Mitch calls and offers Charlotte’s 09 second for the 48th pick in the draft. Just kinda cool to see the kind of activity that goes on with phone calls and scouts/GMs and such.

There is no way to say NJ would “definitely” trade for LO. A team like NJ, clearly rebuilding, would prefer a contract that expires in 2010, and a young asset. Odom alone is not what they are looking for. The analysis is more complex than Odom > yi/simmons.

And the general consensus seems to be NJ is setting up for a run at LeBron – they need young running mates and cap space, and they are definitely in-line for that (not to mention that LeBron can market himself in China if he plays with Yi). It’s a smart move, and a better deal than anything the lakers could have offered.

Jefferson doesn’t play D, even “softer” than LO (check his stats). Only 2 players worth an LO trade:

Marion & Gerald Wallace (needs to stay healthy though).

i just thought your first response to vincent’s comment was too quick and un-Kurt like (as a moderator and voice of reason).

But how do we know Mitch didn’t? Remember, it takes two to tango, and people don’t really like helping out the Western Conference champs, especially after Wallace took a beating for it. Early in the second round are picks GMs like because they are no risk — you don’t have to sign and keep the guy for three years. You can grab and stash a Euro or take a risk on someone. It is entirely possible Mitch did make calls but nobody wanted to play. We don’t have the info to say “he did nothing.”

Second, like others have said, this team needs more vet presence, not more young players. Patience is a good thing.

I think vincent was simply pointing out that lakers perhaps could’ve made a move to grab a player a bit more significant than joe crawford (granted, he may turn into next d. george), in any case, it looks like vincent was high on CDR and probably was frustrated to see him available in the late second round and lakers since was trying to fill the last “bench spot” decided to sit and waste away a pick.

obviously, i lack the inside scoop to the lakers organization and what they are trying to do. only i can speculate and vent my frustration as a fan as they do something that i may lack complete understanding of.
i just don’t think vincent was suggesting lakers try to move up to no. 5 spot or anything.

But at the same time I am thinking that if the Nets were willing to deal Jefferson for Yi and Simmons, they would definitely have traded him for Odom. That would definitely have been an upgrade at the SF position. I want to know if Kupchak pursued that idea.

And I did not read all the posts above, so forgive me if this point has already been discussed to death.