From Dexter Fishmore, Silver Screen and Roll: “It’s a strange thing to contemplate but no less true for its strangeness: Andrew Bynum might have already played his last game as a Laker. By the time his five-game suspension ends, he could be learning a new playbook in New Orleans or adjusting to life with Stan Van Gundy in his ear. Bynum, of course, is forever in the middle of all significant trade rumors involving the Lake Show, and at the moment we’ve got a couple monsters. Mitch Kupchak has already spoken with the Hornets about a possible deal for Chris Paul. Unless Dwight Howard shocks everyone and signs an extension with the Magic, Mitch will soon be on the phone to Orlando as well. If either of these trades actually happens, Drew (as the only proven Laker who wasn’t born during the Civil War) will be the choice asset that gets it done.”
From Mike Bresnahan and Broderick Turner, L.A. Times: “The Lakers and Magic spoke briefly about Howard, The Times has learned, though it was described as cursory by an official with one team. Translation: unproductive. Trade proposals were not even exchanged. The Lakers have also had a conversation with New Orleans, though the possibilities of a trade were “not even close,” said a person familiar with the Lakers’ thinking.”
From Zach Lowe, The Point Forward: “Mark Heisler of Sheridan Hoops raised the possibility last week, and ESPN.com’s Chris Broussard reported it Monday night: The Lakers don’t want just Chris Paul or Dwight Howard; they want both. And wouldn’t that be the ultimate test of talent versus chemistry and internal development: The Lakers, in blockbuster trades, potentially would unload their entire front line, the engine behind two consecutive titles, just as they enter a compressed season with a new coach running a new system on both ends of the floor.”
From Brian Kamenetzky, Land O’ Lakers: “A few of the normal caveats apply. The Lakers gain what from a travel standpoint amounts to two additional non-travel dates, thanks to a pair of “road” games against the Clippers. Because of the Grammy’s, the Lakers always travel heavy in February, so this season’s schedule is no different. Still, when you start to break things down, the challenge faced by the Lakers (and all teams across the league) with the schedule crystallize. The Lakers have 17 back-to-backs, and 1 back-to-back-to back. Of those, only one (March 1 vs. New Orleans, April 1 vs. Houston) are true home games. Two more include faux roadies against the Clips, and eight take place entirely on the road.”
From Dave McMenamin, Land O’ Lakers: “While just about every team in the league, save for the Thunder and its fresh legs, was dreading the release of the schedule to see how many wicked back-to-back-to-backs they would have to endure, the Lakers ended up with the most agreeable three-in-a-row scenario imaginable. The Lakers only have to play one threepeat and they do it to start the season in Games 1-3 of the 66-game schedule when their enthusiasm will be palpable and their focus reigned in. For a team that’s already been quick out of the gates (8-0 last season; 7-1 the year before that; 7-0 the year before that), this a gift.”
From Mark Medina, L.A. Times: “It’s a no-brainer that Kobe Bryant will play a large role in Mike Brown’s offense. He’s Kobe Bryant, and he’s kind of a good player. How he’s used in the offense, however, may be different than in previous years. Brown’s offense involves more high-post and pick-and-roll activity than Phil Jackson’s triangle, which focused on spacing. It’s uncertain what effect a prolonged off-season and an innovative procedure on his surgically repaired right knee will have on Bryant’s health. We also don’t know how Brown will actually handle the pecking order between Bryant, Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum.”
by: R.R. Magellan
Aaron says
Another great article by Ding. They keep coming. Here is why the Lakers would be obviously foolish to trade Bynum before the season starts…
http://www.ocregister.com/sports/bynum-330352-lakers-season.html
Lou says
Bear in mind: If the Lakers don’t want to exercise Bynum’s hefty $16 million option for next season, he could leave the Lakers with nothing – or start flexing his muscles and naming the only places where he would go and sign long-term.)
Which is why they are going to trade him sooner than later.
cjm says
i have to say, that was one of the best Dingers i have read (and i follow kevin pretty closely). here’s hoping Lil’Buss reads it too.
Snoopy2006 says
R.R. Magellan. New contributor?
Aldridge has a report: http://www.nba.com/2011/news/features/david_aldridge/12/07/chris-paul-lakers/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt2
If the frontrunners are the Lakers, Warriors, Clippers, and Celtics, I think it’ll come down to the Clippers and Celtics.
I don’t think Paul will agree to sign an extension to the Clips if Gordon is included in the deal, and I don’t think Dell Demps takes the deal without Gordon.
Since Boston is willing to gamble, right now Boston looks like a likely destination for Paul. But all these rumors change on a minute-by-minute basis, so there’s no telling who’s really in the lead right now.
David R. says
I’m not going on a rant, but objectively, i will say this, Bynum was the only player during the Mav’s series, that was really showing Heart(and a little elbow).
When Bynum went up against D12, i didnt see much difference, i see more will in Bynum to win then Howard. we know about the Health Problems. i will have to admit im a little bias, my point is if we are going to trade, it has to be(should) straight up, after all it’s not our player that is demanding to leave it’s the Orlando’s player.
Finally noted in the article that Aaron linked, atleast wait until the season begins to see a Bynum that is healthier then he’s been in a long time, and is younger, im sure he’ll be fueled up by these trade comments.
At the very least, it’ll surely raise his value throughout the year and we might not have to give up as much for Howard. as inevitable as it seems, if he’s coming let him come, just dont sell the farm to get him.
Igor Avidon says
I’m glad Ding has been drumming up Bynum’s worth and potential. Maybe it’ll make Orlando forget about Drew’s knees long enough to actually make the trade.
On a side note, if Paul ends up in beantown, I will begin #occupyNOHfrontoffice
Aaron says
5)
Well said
jodial says
Just a historical reminder that some of the best moves the Lakers ever made were non-trades:
1. Worthy for Sampson
2. Worthy for Aguirre
3. Kobe for Deng, Gordon, Noah, Thomas
Just something to remember.
Chearn says
Everyone presumes that DH2o is not a winner. Orlando is not exactly a franchise that inspires building a legacy. No offense, but DH2o might be the dominant big man that everyone expects him to be if he were in a storied franchise such as: Lakers, NY, Chicago or (with a bit of vomit in my mouth) Boston.
DH2o will accomplish a few championships with the Lakers, just on principle alone. Can you imagine him coming to the Lakers and shuffling through his best basketball years as the second coming of Elden Campbell? Me neither! So, let’s all assume that he will come to the Lakers and at least play well enough to get his name on a banner with the other great Lakers.
If the league cannot entertain thoughts of trading CP3 to the Lakers due to expected outrage from the league. Then the same must be imagined if CP3 is traded to Boston. If Boston has a shot at getting CP3 then so do the Lakers.
Initially, all change is hard to stomach, however in time we would all adjust to the look of the Lakers and continue to support our team.
Once a Laker always a Laker, so I will support the players that are traded to which ever team they may land, and wish them well.
Its coming…basketball games are on the way!
flye says
Not sure if anyone posted this before, but I was just looking through the schedule to find which teams we only play once.
No home games against: 76ers, Raptors, Pistons, Bucks, Magic(!), Wizards
No away games at: Nets, Bulls(!), Cavs, Pacers, Hawks, Bobcats
That’s gotta be tough for a couple teams like the Nets and Bobcats, where having the Lakers in town is big moneymaker.
LT mitchell says
@8
And let’s also remember that the best moves in Lakers history involved acquiring the best center in the league.
– trading for Wilt
– trading for Kareem
– clearing cap room to acquire Shaq.
– trading for Dwight?
LT mitchell says
I see two advantages of making the trade for Dwight as soon as possible.
– the real risk of another Bynum injury, which would kill his trade value.
– giving Dwight as much time as possible to assimilate with his teammates and learn a new system in an already shortened season.
DY says
Kevin Ding’s logic is sound re: Bynum. It works for both sides. It would behoove Orlando to see how Bynum looks because they will have many offers for Howard, but an actually beastly Bynum would help the Lakers in both ways. If anything, Orlando is going to wait this one out until close to the All-Star break. I can’t see him staying in Orlando and being the host-team’s go-to player while all these rumors about his trade are swirling.
billbill says
If the trade is between Howard + Turkoglu and Bynum + Odom,
ask yourself,
– how much is Howard better than Bynum? now and 2-5 years in the future?
– how much is Turkoglu worse than Odom?
I would say it is obvious that
Howard + Turkoglu >>> Bynum + Odom
even more so in a couple years when Kobe is retiring, and both Turkoglu and Odom’s contracts are gone.
Do the trade, we will be the contender for at least 5 years.
exhelodrvr says
5) It’s not a question of whether or not Bynum is healthy when the season starts – the only question is whether or not the Lakers think he will stay healthy. If they trade him, it’s because the answer to that is “no.”
Darius Soriano says
A new post is up.
http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2011/12/07/examining-a-potential-dwight-howard-trade/