I know...the problem is we have dumped Darko, Arroyo, Nazr and Delfino and have nothing to show for it other than a few $$ of saved cap space and a couple of divison flags hanging from the rafters. Do you know how bad it was living here during the mid 80's and 1999 thru 2004 when the Laker FAN thought they were invincible.

Even when me and my long time Laker cousin sat here and watched the Celtics and Pistons battle back on Jan 5th, he said it didn't make any difference as the Lakers would beat either one of them in this years finals....I guess he was trying to be a clairvoyant??? ... My only hope that this experiment doesn't work and they lose in the WCF to some one..

Without trading Darko and Arroyo.... Rodney Stuckey would be in Orlando right now.

We can't really say that we have nothing for those two.

Darko was still on his rookie contract with us and Arroyo wasn't being paid much at all.

But, you'll notice that the way Joe D does it, we don't need a blockbuster trade. We have a very financially efficient roster. I mean, who is the most overpaid player on our team (don't count Bresec and his expiring contract)? I don't think that there is an obvious answer. Almost every other team in the league has guys that are getting paid way more than they are worth.

I like the potential Lakers frontline of Bynum, Gasol, and Odom.

Folks want to bring Lamar off the bench, but don't forget that in his early days he played point forward with the Clippers and did quite a good job of doing so... being a near triple double threat every time he hit the hardwood.

This gives them a versatile lineup, and quite a formidable (and complimentary) one/two punch in the paint if Bynum makes it back in time to be playoff effective.

Any team that makes the playoffs in the West is a serious threat. Nothing is clear cut. So far in the East Detroit and Bostons has separated themselves from the rest of the pack.

The thing is that the Lakers also have some other effective players. Going with that overly big starting lineup really creates an imbalance.

Vujacic, Farmar, Radmonovich, Walton, Ariza, and Turiaf can all play, but they are all best as complimentary players. They need a big off the bench and could use a more versatile 3 in the starting lineup.

They should try to trade Odom IMO. Think how much better they'd be with Artest at the 3 instead of Odom. That would never happen, because Odom makes twice as much $ and Sac wouldn't give him to the Lakers, but still, Odom is a big salary and has some unique skills that other teams might want.

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"Defense fuels your offense. No mystery about that." AA

How does the proposal in your third paragraph satisfy the issues raised in the beginning of paragraph #2?

As far as the 3 spot is concerned, I don't think you get any more versatile than Lamar Odom; and bringing a big off the bench becomes less of an issue when you can always move Gasol to the 5 and Odom to the 4 in the event of, say, Walton coming in for Bynum.

Once you trade for Artest you lose the versatility of being able to move your starting 3 (Ron) to the 4 spot. Ron predominantly swings the other way (the 2) which is definitely not what the Lakers need more of.

I was sort of thinking out loud. Something about their team still doesn't seem right to me. They would match up pretty well against us though.

A Pistons/ Lakers rematch would be pretty sweet.

If Tony Parker comes back and is healthy this year I will still take the Spurs!