[CBS Sports] Howard no lock for Lakers; interested in Rockets

From a long term perspective I can respect Buss not capitulating to Howard or any other player concerning coaching choices and personel decisions. The Lakers will always be attractive to free agents, and they do have a storied history. Further, the Lakers are not winning anything with or without Dwight Howard. Further, Howard isn't 21 years old.

From a long term perspective it is smart to seperate players and coaches. However in this case, I am not sure Buss is really sharp enough to be making these decisions. MDA is a terrible coach without the proper players around him.... and that doesn't include a bunch of 35 year old guys on the decline.

 

I thought the CBA Apron rules will prevent the Lakers from improving all that much through trades? Their best bet is to bring the band back together, pay the $80 mil or whatever in taxes (from the $200 mil they receive from Time Warner) and get the job done that they couldn't last year. They still had the 4th best record in the league after the all-star break and they never had more than 2 of their 4 stars at the same time for more than 3 games in a row. If they stay healthy (big if), they can compete for a title next year with Nash, Kobe, Metta, Gasol, and Howard.

 

Apron only comes into play if you are receiving a player through sign and trade. They can make trades.

Come back with the same group (minus Kobe for 75% of the season) and compete for a championship, eh? Good luck with that. I don't even know if trading for Garnett/Pierce makes them good enough to compete for a championship. I just don't see anything else out there that is realistic or that would possibly make them better. Bringing back the exact same bunch and paying $80+ million luxury tax won't work for sure.

 

Everything seems pretty quiet now. I think that the leak was plugged and it's going to be pretty quiet until July 1. The betting odds have gotten worse for us and the Lakers for some reason. We are at +300 from + 200 and they are -140 from -200.

 

Are these Vegas odds? Which teams went up in the odds? Interesting.

 

There was a rumor last year that the Lakers were going to send Pau Gasol to the T-Wolves for Kevin Love. This would unite Pau with Ricky Rubio and allow Love to get back to Los Angeles. Maybe they can revisit that trade which would open up the lane a bit for Dwight being that Love can shoot from outside. Nash, Kobe, Metta, Love, and Howard may have a better chance to knock off the Heat next year.

 

Pau, at $20 million for one season isn't anywhere close to Love, at $15 and $16 million over the next two seasons. The Lakers don't have anything else to offer.

 

And the idea that Flip Saunders gets hired and jettisons their franchise player for an aging Pau Gasol on a 1 yr deal is laughable.

 

What about Metta at $7.7 million next year?

 

C'mon guy. You're not even trying anymore. At least you were funny at first.

 

Tide goes in, tide goes out. You can't explain that.

 

Throwing in Metta is a little funny. No?

 

Actually, Rick Adelman and Kevin Love had a long meeting today during practice today. I think they might be trading Kevin Love to the Cavaliers for a package including the #1 pick in the draft. If this happens, he and Irving should play in their "Uncle Drew" and friend gear at the first media invited practice next season.

 

I think the addition of the Warriors to the equation lessened chances for all.

I'm using the odds on Sportsbook.

 

Are there odds on every team or is it just lakers, rockets, mavs, warriors, and other?

Strange that they would take bets on something like this. Could the crew representing multiple sources just bet on what they already know Dwight is going to do? Like, people close to him could just get the information the day before he announces and place their bet.

 

They get upset when you point out how screwed the lakers are for the next few years...

 

People are putting cash money on GSW managing to acquire Dwight Howard??!?

 

These are the current options.

 

That's terrible that they are actually taking bets on this. What's stopping one of Dwight's friends from placing a gigantic bet on his behalf once he's made his decision?? And why would anyone spend a dime of their hard-earned money betting on where Dwight Howard is going to sign a contract??

 

http://www.sportsbook.ag/livesports/indexmember.php?search=dwight howard