Regarding any possible sign and trade for Varejao, I think there are salary cap rules? Maybe somebody who knows more about this can clarify but I think it goes something like this: The Cavs are already in the luxury tax. They can sign Varejao and go further beyond the cap without paying the dollar-for-dollar penalty under the Bird rules as long as they keep him. I'm not sure that they can match Charlotte's offer sheet and then trade him without paying the penalty. Does anyone know for sure on this?

Long Time Laker Fan, ah but there's the rub. What if... I know... "if"... ok, but what if the situation between Varejao and Cleveland is so bad that Varejao will refuse to report if Cleveland matches? Then Cleveland will have to go out and find some takers and I'm thinking Cleveland would want Varejao out of their conference entirely.

We need to gamble on a young PF anyway so unless Mitch sees something else out there? The money on Varejao seems reasonable compared to what other PFs are making.

Lamar isn't going anywhere. Like I said before...you're WRONG, again.

As always!

You guys always set yourselves up to be fools. When Kwame comes back and the Lakers start winning again...then what will you say?

This is working out too perfect. Scream and yell all you want. When we start winning again it'll be because of Kwame Brown. And all the Kwame bashing you've beening for 2 years now is just going to prove all of you wrong.

Just like I said that a lay-up parade is coming when Kwame went down, the Lakers are going to win when he comes back. The more you resist that thought...the more foolish you're going to look when it comes to pass.

I guess you have been reading the L.A. Times over the last week. THE LAKERS ARE SOFT IN THE MIDDLE. SOFT LIKE "DAIRY "QUEEN" ICE CREAM."

Did you catch yesterday's L.A. Times? Here's a quote:

"The Lakers haven't played a quarter of the 2007-08 season but it's clear that a major weakness for them is a lack of toughness when center Kwame Brown is not in the lineup."

Did you see the part that reads: "A MAJOR WEAKNESS..." I think the writer is referring to Bynum and Mihm.

And when we start winning when Brown returns...it'll be because of his defensive presence. And then you'll have nothing to say at all.

mike

Long time Laker Fan,

Honestly, I thought about the Knicks and the Bulls but know that you're way better at making up trades than I am.

I would prefer not to take Marbury, but it could be beneficial on a couple fronts. One, his huge contract would expire at the same time as a potential Kobe opt out (mucho cap space). We could also ask for David Lee and that would be great getting him. Third, we could ask for a first rounder, which would be awesome since it would be a lottery pick.

Ultimately I think we are going to have to take back something less than desirable (i.e. a Marbury or Randolph contract) in order to fill a need or move LO for a player that might fit better. I hope the front office is willing to take that risk, although they've been so risk adverse I can't see it happening.

thing is, when Kwame starts, he has a serviceable backup in Andrew yet... Kwame misses so many games that when Andrew starts... there really isn't a backup... so your whole "Kwame" thing, which is wonderful in it's own wacky, yet still wonderful way... is a bit skewed to say the least.

Oh yeah, Odom is a goner, if not during this season then during the offseason. The ballboy knows Odom is not a 2nd option, the dudes who scalp tickets know Odom is not a 2nd option, Elton John knows Odom is not a 2nd option...

Im really looking forward to that....Like i said before you make a very valid point....very valid ....But....The reason i asked you that question was because teams like the spurs and the cavs got to the finals without that type of player..........The reason your point is valid .....just look at the teams like the suns,warriors, and the pistons without wallace....The wizards might have 3 great players but no stopper....The reason that the spurs get away with it is because they play solid perimeter defense...The pistons to a lesser extent..

My thinking is that if that body isnt big enough or isnt the best stopper then your perimeter defense has to be top notch....Thats why the spurs are so good ..yes they have Duncan and Parker but they know how to defend the perimeter so well......

Im off to work......Lets hope we destroy the wolves.......Go Lakers

And when we start winning when Brown returns...it'll be because of his defensive presence. And then you'll have nothing to say at all.

mike

OK, what happens when Kwame gets hurt again later? The guy is made of glass, how can you build any plans around this guy? Same goes for LO and Mihm. Too many chronically injured players on this team.

TaosHum,

>>>but what if the situation between Varejao and Cleveland is so bad that Varejao
>>>will refuse to report if Cleveland matches?

In that case, they fine him his salary for each game he misses and he doesn't get to play
in the NBA for two years, if he's stubborn enough to hold out that long. They've played
hardball with him thus far, I think they'd be willing to let him stew another month to get
him back.

dave m,

>>>Long Time has it right when he suggests that our only real shot is with losing
>>>teams and perhaps some bad contracts. Forget about David Lee though - NY
>>>isn't going to let that guy go. And uh, nooo on Starbury. Please no.

It's ironic that they won't start David Lee, but Isaiah is reluctant to trade him, even
in the Ron Artest discussion.

I forgot to mention one other facet of trading Lamar to New York. He's from New York,
and he lives there in the off-season, so it would kinda be going home for him. Close
to that would be New Jersey or Philadelphia, so let's consider those for a minute:

New Jersey - during the summer, they might have done Odom for Jefferson straight
up, but I doubt they would now. And Jersey doesn't have a lot of contracts they
could combine to add up to match Lamar's salary.

Philadelphia - they're talking about trading Andre Miller, which would make a nice
salary match, and they need better forwards, but adding a 5th point guard to the
Lakers isn't exactly ideal. Maybe they could work it with a third team that needs a
PG more than the Lakers do. Atlanta? Clippers? Cleveland? Miami?

I think a lot of the trades that y'all have mentioned would be useful to us. I just can't see many other teams going for it given the way LO is playing.

I do think that one trade that would have a shot of going through and would possibly help us would be sending LO to Memphis for Mike Miller and Brian Cardinal.

Memphis gets a longer, stronger, more athletic and more versatile F in LO while dumping their worst contract and save about $16 mil in salary in '09-'10. This would definitely make more sense than dumping your young quality big man for 50 cents.

Meanwhile, the Lakers gain a player who probably would be a better fit for Kobe in Mike Miller, who is a true perimeter 3 and is a more consistent scorer than LO (.494fg% & .443 3fg% this year, 18.5 ppg last year) but still provides some versatility (7.5 rpg & 3.8 apg this year). The bottom line is that T-Mac loved this guy, and T-Mac's game ain't all that different than Kobe's.

I think that Cardinal could even be useful to us as a less talented but harder working and tougher Brian Cook (dude is a career .401 from 3), although his contract would still be just plain bad (3 years- $18 mil)- nevertheless we have to pay some kind of price to get a #2 scorer.