The Lakers have played 25 games so far and have a record of 21-4 after a pathetic loss to the Miami Heat tonight. While the Lakers have a great record and will win the West without a problem, the only thing that matters this season is whether they win the championship or not.
I am confident that the Lakers will win it all this year with the team they have, but I would be a lot more confident if they made a move for a point guard as they can improve the team with Lamar Odom’s expiring contract.
Odom is one of the most talented players in the league as he could do everything on the floor. However, the guy is mentally unstable, too inconsistent and injury proned, along with not being able to step up when it matters most in the playoffs.
Odom has a $14 million expiring contract and if the Lakers do not trade him this season, they will most likely let him go after the season and not get anything in return for him. The Lakers’ biggest weakness is at point guard, especially defensively as they have problems containing dribble penetration to the basket.
Here are a few possible trade scenarios that work financially for the Lakers including Odom and for a point guard:
1. Lakers trade Lamar Odom, Jordan Farmar and a second round pick to the Bobcats for Gerald Wallace, Raymond Felton and Sean May.
Potential Starting Lineup After This Trade: Felton, Kobe Bryant, Wallace, Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum
Bench: Derek Fisher, Sasha Vujacic, Trevor Ariza, Luke Walton, May, Radmanovic, Josh Powell
2. Lakers trade Lamar Odom, Jordan Farmar and Luke Walton to the Bulls for Kirk Hinrich, Andres Nocioni and Joakim Noah.
Potential Starting Lineup After This Trade: Hinrich, Kobe, Nocioni, Gasol, Bynum
Bench: Fisher, Sasha, Ariza, Radmanovic, Powell, Noah, Mbenga
3. Lakers trade Lamar Odom, Jordan Farmar and Luke Walton to the Bucks for Ramon Sessions, Richard Jefferson and Charlie Villanueva.
Potential Starting Lineup After This Trade: Fisher, Kobe, Jefferson, Gasol, Bynum
Bench – Sessions, Sasha, Ariza, Radmanovic, Villauneva, Powell, Mbenga
Overall, I think the second trade with the Bulls is the most likely and best trade for the Lakers. They will be getting Hinrich, arguably the best defensive point guard in the game as well as a good shooter and passer. They will also be getting Nocioni, a tough player who can play both forward positions and Noah who is a solid defensive big man who can play both power forward and center.
What trade do you think the Lakers should make? It doesn’t have to be one of the three I mentioned, but another one you think they should make. I will be happy to hear your opinions of who they should try to get and trade.
