What the Lakers should do in the offseason. | travis talk

The Lakers need to find a defensive stopper, and a veteran to provide some leadership.

Step 1: Trade Odom to kings for artest and Thomas. This gives the Lakers some much needed toughness.

Step 2: Radmonavic and Walton for Antoine Walker. Walker is experienced in the playoffs, and is a good 3-pt shooter. He will be on his best behavior on a contender. Plus LA gets rid off the negative Radmonavic.

Step 3: Let Newble, Mihm, and Mbenga walk. With these 3 gone LA should sign a experienced backup center to back up Bynum. Theo Ratliff would do the trick. His defense and rebounding would help out down low. Draft pick Joe Crawford would take Newbles spot on the team.

Step 4: Start Farmar over Fisher. Farmar is ready to start for LA. He could be a 15 and 6 guy for LA. Moving Fisher to the bench would give the Lakers another deadly shooter to go along with Vujacic coming off the bench.

Heres the depth chart

PG: Jordan Farmar, Derek Fisher, Joe Crawford

SG: Kobe Bryant, Sasha Vujacic, Joe Crawford

SF: Ron Artest, Trevor Ariza, Antoine Walker

PF: Pau Gasol, Ronny Turiaf, Kenny Thomas, Antoine Walker

C:Andrew Bynum, Theo Ratliff, Ronny Turiaf

The Lakers have now added perimeter defense, some toughness, and experienced playoff vets. Los Angeles should now have the right mix to win a championship next year.

Comments (7) Add A Comment

July 1, 2008 08:06 PM ET

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I might agree with the Ron Artest for Odom trade but the rest is nonesense! Antoine Walker??????????? Why would you ever mention him, he isn't a very smart player and not what the lakers need.

Irving's Lakers

Fort Worth , TX

Total Comments (8)

July 2, 2008 01:19 PM ET

Hes a vet, one a championship with Miami. Better than Radmonavic moping up and down the court.

travis31

Near Chicago, IL

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July 4, 2008 05:44 AM ET

Antoine Walker is a cancer whose best days are far behind him and is not needed in LA.

I'd take the Artest deal, but only if it's a sign and trade, which would likely include have to include other Lakers, as Artest no doubtedly will want more than his current $7M.

perfect360

Pittsburgh , PA

Total Comments (967)

July 4, 2008 05:45 AM ET

That being said, Vlad the Inhaler MUST go.

July 4, 2008 11:45 AM ET

what the lakers need for a back up bigman is a player like diop or kwame brown to give a body to the opponents bigs... but the lakers truly need is a wing player that could be an excellent defender of the opponent's point getter(usually a 2-3 player that could shoot from the outside and a penetrator)... the lakers is a deep team but to get to the next level they need that excellent defender that could also do damage from the outside...