However, the Lakers must also position themselves for title runs over the next three or four years. And Lamar is not coming back. I appreciate his intentions when he states he’d take less money, but he’ll also be turning down a starting position, more playing time and the certainty of finishing games. As this year progresses and Bynum finishes more games, Lamar will most likely play the good teammate and accept his role but also increasingly look ahead to other options during the summer. Lamar will not turn down a deal with more money, playing time and prominence (e.g., what if New York offered him even the same money as the Lakers but a starting position and a chance to move home…). With this possibility in mind, and the Lakers championship window open for the next three or four years, the Lakers should be at least seriously considering major trades involving Odom. But…
The only major deal that makes sense is Odom for Wallace and Felton. The Lakers may be forced to include Farmar, but it would be worth it. The Lakers would get a tough, young, pass first point guard and a versatile forward both with reasonable contracts. The Bobcats are willing to move both these players and would probably accept significant cap space and a young backup point guard. I love Lamar and would be pained to see him leave at any time. But Wallace provides defense, rebounding, athleticism, some inside scoring and constant energy. It fills in many of the gaps left by the loss of Odom and also protects the Lakers if they lose Ariza (in terms of playing time, trading Ariza, Odom and Farmar for Wallace, Powell and Felton makes reasonable sense to me). Also Felton has proven himself as a borderline all star point guard whose passing would fit well within the triangle and whose defense is superior to Farmar’s, and whose contract runs longer (if Farmar asks for starter money, could we/would we keep him?). The Lakers would have a championship nucleus intact and under contract for the length of their current championship window.

The Lakers big money commitment is to Kobe and Pau, and Laker future big money commitment has already been made to Bynum. Even though they have made long term commitments to Walton and VladRad, they very much want to resign Trevor. They’ve signed Sasha long term in the back court, and Fisher is a key veteran. Just keeping all of these players next year would use up Lamar’s expiring salary–and the Lakers are already 10 million over the cap.

If the Lakers don’t do a salary dump this year for Lamar, they simply can’t afford him next year unless they are willing to start eliminating a number of other players. Ariza and Mihm, the only other expiring contracts, are a chump change down payment on players the Lakers would give up in exchange for a serious Odom salary next year.

Trades for VladRad or Walton do little or nothing to address this business problem, since it just amounts to trading salaries.

It is almost impossible to imagine Lamar with the Lakers next year. It makes sense to continue reducing his playing role/time this year as the season progresses in favor of Trevor, Bynum, and others–and that is not good for Lamar’s future in the NBA.

The only organization crazy enough to take on Radmanovic might by the Knicks. D’Antoni’s system might make Vlad’s game look respectable again, but I don’t see anything there worth having. WTF is Malik Rose doing these days? A veteran hustle player like him might be good for these young Lakers, but his lack of PT makes me think he is done.

Also, economic realities are going to really set in by summer. Odom may not play for the Lakers after this season, but no matter where he plays he won’t get a pay raise. The best idea I’ve read here is the prospect of Kobe opting out and taking a paycut so the Lakers have some cap flexibility. No, I don’t suspect he is likely to do so, but with the Lakers’ cap situation, it might be the best option for them to retain personnel or attract quality teammates.