Truth & Rumors > NBA

Why the Lakers will trade Odom

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The Lakers' issue now is making the pieces fit with one problem position, small forward . . . where Lamar Odom would have to go with Andrew Bynum at center and Pau Gasol at power forward. Phil Jackson wants a shooter there badly enough to start his favorite Martian, Vladimir Radmanovic. The weakest part of Odom's game is shooting, a problem that came home to roost with Garnett backing off him. Then there's Odom's $14-million salary, as the Lakers assume as much as $90 million in additional salary and luxury tax over the next three seasons with Gasol. However, from the day they made the trade, the Lakers never thought they would end up paying that much, suggesting they were already thinking of moving Odom. Indeed, Odom was in their package for Gasol until Memphis owner Michael Heisley took him out, asking for lesser players who afforded more cap relief. Odom then surprised everyone, meshing smoothly with Gasol to give the Lakers twin towers who were wizards with the ball and, according to San Antonio Coach Gregg Popovich, the NBA's best passing team.

Los Angeles Times

Lamar Odom, AP Lamar Odom, AP
June 19, 2008  07:43 AM ET

Because he's marshmallow soft?

June 19, 2008  07:50 AM ET

Keep Odom and get rid of Walton & Radmanovic. They stink.

June 19, 2008  07:53 AM ET

Shows that the Celtics played smarter defense than the Spurs this year.
The Spurs played tough man-on-man defense, but got beat by the Lakers' passing.
The Celtics, on the other hand, simply zoned into the paint, preventing passes and drives to the hoop, while gambling with letting the Lakers take the outside shots. The gamble paid off since the Lakers could not hit their shots.
- JL

June 19, 2008  08:12 AM ET

If this is the case then the Lakers management is over-reacting. I think Phil will probably not allow that. The team is jelling and Odom is a big part of that. This is a guy who is unselfish and tries to get everybody involve. Odom is Phil's present Scottie Pippen. It's always easy to blame other players but Kobe had a big part of the Finals collapse. This is a "Team" sport and everybody should be held accountable especially the MVP and Superstar of the team. Dirk Nowitzki got criticize big time 2 years ago and is considered soft. Kobe did worse in this Final and should be criticized more. Kobe had a major disappearing act and nobody notice it. Celtics did make him disappear but he is the best player in this world. He was hardly double teamed which was probably the best defense against him.

June 19, 2008  08:13 AM ET

See ya Odom

June 19, 2008  08:13 AM ET

Walton's tougher than odom. Radmanovic shoots better. I never liked odom from time with miami. he does the same thing everynight. start at the top of the key, dribble between his legs a couple of times and shoots a 15-18 ft brick. he's SOFT. plays okay against lesser players, doesn't show up against better or equal players. If they could trade him for Corey Magette, Redd (since salaries are close, i think), i think lakers win it all. Odom, who you try to count as the 3rd scorer and he even shies away from just being a 3rd scorer. I'm sure kobe wants him traded. I rooted for him after the family issue, but its hard to stay with someone who has the talent, but looks confused and even scared.

June 19, 2008  08:15 AM ET

Overall the Lakers should keep the same group of guys. They are now use to each other. Continuity is the key.

June 19, 2008  08:15 AM ET

I didn't realize Odom was such a bad shooter.

June 19, 2008  08:24 AM ET

I realize Odom didn't have a great series but I think its a reach to blame the Lakers losing because Garnett was backing off him.

What about that Laker defense?

June 19, 2008  08:24 AM ET

Cooper, Scott, Worthy are not walking through that door people!

Keep Lamar " Softy and Cuddly" Odom and get rid of Mihms and Ariza

June 19, 2008  08:25 AM ET

Odom has never lived up to his potential. Hes an under achiever to be such a gifted ball handler at his size. The Lakers were in the market to trade him before they got Gasol, eyeing better players/shooters at that position such as Caron Butler; whom they had before and let get away like idiots.

June 19, 2008  08:27 AM ET

Why IS he being blamed?

Did Kobe played any defense on anyone? I watched the game again and to me it seems that Kobe gave up half way throught the second qurter...what a pathetic player this guy is.....he is never gonna win anything ever again, he should be thankful he had the opportunity to play with SHAQ DIESEL!!

One mo' 'gain WHY IS ODOM being blamed?

June 19, 2008  08:27 AM ET

They need mike miller from memphis, i think a deal could be worked out between them again, thalakers would so well if they could pull this one off, but fif there is a goal to reduce salries they should get rid of radmonovic as part of the deal or maybe trade them to the heat and get marion...

June 19, 2008  08:28 AM ET

Guam, Odom is 3 tiers below scottie pippen if that close. pippen had confidence. how can you not be confident when you have the current best player in the league on your team. Scottie always believed in himself. Scottie wanted to be the man, he and jordan had problems (scottie's ego) because scottie thought he was better than jordan (no one will ever know because but the bulls had already been built around jordan). My point is chicago had the 1st best and second best players in the league on their teams. in no way is Odom the 2nd best player. after jordan retired, Pippen lead bulls, portland to the conference finals. Odom will never do that. Pippen got mad for Phil giving Kukoc the last shot instead of him. Odom would love that. Pippen was great, top 50. Odom is an underachiever.

June 19, 2008  08:29 AM ET

Butler was let go cus Kobe felt he was taking the spotlight from him, they had horry, and a few other good shooters but they all leave... wonder whats the common denominator!? yes you guessed right!

June 19, 2008  08:31 AM ET

the celtics dicovered the answer to lamars game...he always goes to the left

June 19, 2008  08:31 AM ET

I could see them trading Odom, Walton and Radmonovich .... all 3. Odom has alot of trade value, and Jackson will want to get a better defensive team. Radmonovich and Walton are liabilities on defense, if those guys had to guard Kobe, Kobe would get 60 a night.

June 19, 2008  08:34 AM ET

If this is the case then the Lakers management is over-reacting. I think Phil will probably not allow that. The team is jelling and Odom is a big part of that. This is a guy who is unselfish and tries to get everybody involve. Odom is Phil's present Scottie Pippen. It's always easy to blame other players but Kobe had a big part of the Finals collapse. This is a "Team" sport and everybody should be held accountable especially the MVP and Superstar of the team. Dirk Nowitzki got criticize big time 2 years ago and is considered soft. Kobe did worse in this Final and should be criticized more. Kobe had a major disappearing act and nobody notice it. Celtics did make him disappear but he is the best player in this world. He was hardly double teamed which was probably the best defense against him.

Great post guam baller...kobe deserves some criticicism

June 19, 2008  08:35 AM ET

Heater, Odom had confidence but it is hard to play with someone that instead of instill confidence .. Kobe is not capable of doing that, MJ on the other hand made stars out of Hodges, Kerr, Longley, Edwards, BJ, etc....

 
June 19, 2008  08:37 AM ET

Luke Walton cant make a layup.........living on his name.

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