FanNation - The Republic of Sport

The Entire week has been emotionally draining. I had never been so on edge and glued to the TV about sports since...well since Kobe was in a court room in Colorado. This flip-flopping roaller coaster ride has cost me to literrally almost throw up. Threw every update and radio interview I have sat watching waiting to see Ashton Kutcher come out of the rooming pointing and laughing at Jerry Buss. Unfortunately that hasn't happened....yet

The other thing I haven't notice is any other Laker speaking up for or against Kobe. Kobe Bryant has basically said that these guys aren't winning championship but I'm surprised that all the other Lakers have just rolled over and accepted that. Kobe also talks of the guys the Lakers could had gotten at the deadline which means someone would've had to been traded. Once again I'm surprised anyone invovled with trade talks had rolled over and accepted that Kobe wanted them traded.

What the other Lakers must be saying right now is "What Now?". Right now it seems that thier looking at a future where either Kobe Bryant determines if they stay or a future without Kobe Bryant. Here a preview of what I believe the Lakers should do with The Others who still remain

Kwame Brown: 

Last season: Kwame Brown only played 41 games due to injury. He managed to put up a career high in fg%. He did had very few moments of potential (Game 3 against the suns) but mostly got overshawdowed due to the fact he once was drafted first and he was traded for Caron Butler, who made the all-star game this year, and he only shot 44% from the free throw line. He going into the final year of his contract and is due 9 mil next season. He has also recently had reconstructive ankle surgury and may not be ready for the start of training camp

If the Lakers trade Kobe:  The Lakers should admit that Kwame Brown was a mistake and see if any dumb GM is willing to bite on a trade(see if the wizards will take him back for Caron Butler). If not, then scale back on his minutes and let him come off the bench for 10-15 minutes a night at max.

If the Lakers keep Kobe: See above

Andrew Bynum:

Last season: Seeing a lot more minutes than expected, Andrew Bynum started 53 games for the Lakers averging 7.8 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. Not bad considering he only played 21.3 Minutes per game. Show growth spurts at times (12 Double-Doubles) but didnt give the Lakers that inside force needed to Contend in the west. At one point was considered in trades for Mike Bibby and Jason Kidd but was told he was untradable at the deadline.

If the Lakers Trade Kobe: If the Lakers dont get the Number One draft pick Yao Ming or Dwight Howard or Eddy Curry I think they should hold on to Bynum. Bynum is a classic back to the rim center who can give you interior help on D(1.6 Blocks per Game in 21.3 Minutes). If Kobe is not there it should give more opprotunities for Bynum to Develop his offensive game

If the Lakers Keep Kobe: Then unfortuanately the Lakers must cut thier Losses and trade now while potential is high. I would love to see a team when a 31 year old Kobe can kick it into Bynum but Kobe Bryant is living in the Here and Now and not to many GM would be willing to give another all star caliber player without the Lakers trading there Best young guy, espically with the potential of Bynum

Brian Cook:

Last Season: Another Laker slowed by injury Brian Cook played 65 games, starting in 24 of them. He manage to score 6.9 PPG in only 15.6 MPG and showed slight moments of the scoring ability he had back at Illanois(4 20 points games and shot 40% behind the arc). He signed an extention before the season and is due 10.5 million over the next 3 years

If the Lakers trade Kobe: Then the Lakers should try to move Vlad with Kobe to see if they can add value. Brian Cook is a good 3-point threat and can provide energy off the bench and by most accounts is a good teammate(unlike Vlad). He can been inconsistant but the lakers dont need him to start so it not that big a deal if used right should be able to add 10-12 points in 20-25 minutes.

If the Lakers Keep Kobe: Then the Lakers will have to live with the fact they signed some just like last off-season. Personally I would attempt to Vlad but since I'm not a NBA GM and I can admit to making mistakes, The Lakers will be forced to only let him see his 12-15 Minutes a night and his numbers next season will be similar to his career numbers

Maurice Evans:

Last Season: In his first season with Lakers this Journeyman got to almost double his career starts (10 last season, 22 for career) and had a career high in PPG(8.4). He showed potential in March when he average 11.9ppg shooting 47.8% from 3 but once again was never a consistant threat over a 10 game strecth. The 28 year old has one year remaining on his contract

If the Lakers trade Kobe: I can't ever see a scenirio where the Lakers could get any value for a 28 year old who career average is 6.4 so the Lakers should let him play out his contract and go from there. If he scores 12ppg and keeps playing that good D then keep him. If he struggles let him go. No big Deal

If the Lakers keep Kobe: See Above

Jordan Farmer:

Last Season: The 20 year old rookie got double more starts in the Playoffs(five) then he had all season(two). Mostly a learning experience for him all season, although he did go over double digits in points ten times before the all-star break before recieving several DNP coaches decision in the second half.

If the Lakers Trade Kobe: Depending on what you get you either play him or let him learn. Phil Jackson gave young Farmer a tall order by letting him go one on one with Nash, but you got to take bumps before you can suceed. If Kobe is gone and the Lakers dont get an experience PG in return then i expect Farmer to be starting

If the Lakers Keep Kobe: Then you make it a little easier on Farmer, then without Kobe, but they will have to start giving him playing time if he is thier PG of the future.

Aaron Mckie:

Last season: Played in 10 games and took 17 shots. Is becoming a free agent this season

If the Lakers trade Kobe: Bye

If the Lakers Keep Kobe: He should try to get a Kobe Bryant Autographed jersey. Then plan his retirement

Chris Mihm:

Last season: Has surgury on his right ankle before the season missing the entire season. Becoming a free agent after this season

If the Lakers Trade Kobe: If the Lakers can get him for aroung what he makes right now(4.2 Mil) then the Lakers should try to keep him around. He was an aight inside presence when he played two seasons averaging 10.2ppg and 6.3rpg in 26.2mpg. If that ankle is ready to go by next season the Lakers may want to keep him around to help groom Bynum if they dont get a veteran center in the trade.

If the Lakers Keep Kobe. This really depends on what the Lakers due this off-season. If his asking price is the 4.2 Million and they cant find a center in the offseason they should try to re-sign him for maybe one or two more seasons to help defensively inside off the bench

Lamar Odom:

Last Season: In a season filled with injuries and personal tradegy Lamar Odom manage to play 56 games starting all 56. He was by far the second best player on the Lakers averaging 15.6ppg and 9.6rpg. His biggest flaw during the season is that he could not find his 3-point shot shooting an awful 29.7% which included a 1-21 strecth in the month of April. The Lakers were 12-16 in games he didn't play. He has had surgery on may 15 to fix his torn shoulder labrum. Lamar turns 28 in November and is due 27 Mil over the next 2 years

If the Lakers Trade Kobe: Then the Lakers have to keep him. He gives them versaltilaty and options on what they can get. Unless the Lakers get a massive deal he should still be expected to the second or possibly best player on the team next season(hopefully second)

If the Lakers keep Kobe: Then things get a little tricky. Kobe and Lamar are really good friends and Lamar can help the Lakers now...But unless the Lakers can get unbelievable deal (say Jason Kidd for Andrew Bynum) Then most likely Lamar is gone. The Lakers need a scorer downlow to compete in the west and I couldn't Imagine a team willing to let go unless Lamar Odom is invovled.

Smush Parker:

Last season: One of the few Lakers without Injury Problems, Smush started 80 games last season scoring 11.1ppg and shooting 36% behing the arch. Showed that he could score during the season espically in february when he scored 10 or more in all except 3 games and he shot 46.9% behind the arch. Although a staunchy defender Smush never could never run the offense having zero assists this season...Let me repeat a starting point gaurd having zero games with 10 assists(although he did have 3 with 8 or more). Go into Phil Jackson Dog house near the end of the year and was buried on the bench for most of the playoffs. Smush becomes a free agent at the end of the year.

If the Lakers Trade Kobe: Honestly unless he accepts being a back-up and wants to play for less than say 1 Million a year I can't see him back on the Lakers

If the Lakers Keep Kobe: Unless Kobe greenlights it Smush is gone.

Vladimir Radmanavic:

Last season: Signing with the Lakers last season, Vlad made 1 millions less(5.2 Mil) than PPG he averaged (6.6). Only once manage to score over 20 in a game and never had the worst 3-point shooting% of his career. Also averaged a career low in rebounds (3.3) but to his defense had a career low in MPG. During the All-Star break he injured his shoulder in a snowboarding accident, which he lied to the team about, costing him to miss a significant portion of the second half. The 26 year-old Yugo is due 25 Mil over the next 4 seasons

If the Lakers trade Kobe: Then they should cut thier losses and package him along to try to add more value. If no team will take him....well then the Lakers will have to live with Yugo Brian Cook thats getting paid 25 Mil over the next 4 years.

If the Lakers keep Kobe: If they can see if anyone will take him. If no team will take him....well then the Lakers will have to live with the Yugo Brian Cook that's getting paid 25 mil over the next 4 years.

Ronny Turiaf:

This season: The 24 year old Frenchie was good energy off the bench averaging 5.3ppg and 3.6rpg. The second rounder average a block a game and showed few moments of being above average player someday. He has one year left on his contract.

If the Lakers trade Bryant: This is probroly the biggest low risk guy on the Lakers. I dont know how many takers are thier for the frenchmen but personally I would hang on to him. At worse he stay averagin 5.3rpg in 15mpg. At best he can give you good quality games from the power forward position for the next few years and he should cost more than 2 Mil.

If the Lakers keep Bryant: Then the Lakers need to add a Picture in Picture for Ronny Turiaf during broadcast. Once again the Lakers need to keep him. He's Low risk and whats the worst that can happen?

Sasha Vujacic:

This season: Another Yugo, the 23 year old average 4.3ppg in 12.8mpg. Never did make any impact negative or positive but a good energy guy. He is due 2.7 mil over the next 2 years

If the Trade Bryant: I can't see him making a big enough impact to even write anything here

If the Lakers Keep Bryant: Once again get Kobe's augograph...and prepare to be a journeyman

Luke Walton:

Last season: Luke made an impression last year making 60 starts in all 60 games he's played. The 2nd rounder averaged 11.4ppg, 5rpg, and 4.3apg shooting a career high 47.4% from the field. He had a high ankle sprain which forced him to miss 22 games in the middle of season. During those games missed the Lakers went 7-15. The 27 year old is a free agant this offseason

If the Lakers Trade Bryant: Another tweener for the Lakers. Walton looked good last year but that was during a contract year. If the Lakers don't get an athletic scorer or a top 10 draft pick for Bryant I think the Lakers should try to keep him for the right price(around like 5-6 Mil per).

If the Lakers Keep Bryant: Once again the same situation but cheaper price. If the Lakers can't get that Athletic 3 I think they stay with Luke if he accepts around 4 Mil per. If not I cant see the Lakers biding for a project player who expected to get some calls this offseason.

Shammond Williams Bye