Yeah, Odom is crucial to the Lakers' success. His versatility creates great spacing for the team similar to what Rashard does in Orlando except with slashing/passing instead of 3 point shooting. Like Marion a few years ago, he's a tweener but in a good way. He's got the SF abilities but still gets on the boards like a big man. Unless the Lakers make a move for some other versatile 4, I don't see them winning another championship without Odom.
It's more and more looking like they're gonna overpay to keep Odom. So it would be Ariza for Artest basically.
Don't get me wrong. I hate the Jazz. But good for them because they said they are not " going to get bullied" to trade Boozer. If its true that the heat only offered Heaslem and Wright for Boozer, (I don't know how its possiable since the money don't match, but thats what I'm hearing) then the Heat needs a slap in the face. The only thing Heat has to offer is Beasly.
If the Jazz don't dump Boozer on one of the few teams that want him, then they can keep him the entire year, which is the last thing they want to do. He completely ruined their chemistry after returning last season. At this point for the Jazz, trading Boozer is addition by subtraction.
Boston: Have KG and R Walalce. No need for Boozer. Philadelphia Have Brand and probably would like to move him. Surely not interested in another PF with a history of injuries. New Jersey In a Financial Survival mode rather than a Contender mode. No reason to pursue Boozer. Toronto Has Bosh. Not interested in Boozer and would be foolish to agree to a swap. New York They have Darko, Curry and likely Lee. No desire for Boozer. Cleveland Traded for Shaq. They already have enough inside players. Chicago They have interest, but Utah doesn't want to take back much salary. They are going to need at least a third team (Portland?) to work something out. Detroit Thought about it, but lukewarm interest so far. Boozer wants 14 million @ year on his next contract and that makes Dumars cautious. Indiana Already overloaded at the 4 and drafted Tyler. They have some financial issues to work through and adding Boozer isn't going to solve them. Milwaukee They just dumped salary in the Richard Jefferson trade. Why would they be eager to add it back for Boozer? Orlando Signed Brandon Bass. No need for Boozer. Atlanta No need for Boozer with the young players that they have in the Front Court. Charlotte Rumored to have financial concerns. Will make do with the current roster Miami They are rumored to be interested Washington They already have Antawn Jamison. Denver Have KMart. Not interested. Portland Have L Aldridge. Minnesota Have Love & Jefferson. Not interested. Oklahoma City They aren't in a rush to be a Contender, so likely not much interest. Dallas Have Dirk & Marion. Not interested. New Orleans Have David West and financial problems. Not interested. San Antonio They have Duncan. Not interested. Memphis Traded for Zach Randolph. Not interested. Los Angeles Lakers Have Gasol, Odom and Artest if necessary. Not interested. Phoenix They already have Amare who is likely available. Not interested. Sacramento Rumored to have financial concerns and since Boozer probably wouldn't resign, no need to pursue a trade. Golden State They were interested in Amare, but doubtful about Boozer fitting in with the GS style of play. Los Angeles Clippers Drafted Blake Griffin. Not interested. Houston Rockets Have Scola. Not interested. After reviewing all of the teams, it looks like only Miami and Chicago have more than lukewarm interest. With limited competition for Boozer, Miami doesn't have to get into a bidding contest. Since Portland is the only team with significant Cap Space still available and Orlando is doubtful about adding more salary (Hedo Trade Exception), Utah has limited options at the moment. If Utah became desperate and offered some <i>sweetner</i> (NY Pick?), then teams that are lukewarm to not interested could become more interested. The last storyreport had
