If the proposed team is return next year, we are still not on par with Laker, but good enough for the western final.
I agree, except with a small twist. We need both Yao and a star-wing to be a championship contender. Gasol/Shaq-less-Kobe, Garnett-less-Pierce, Shaq-less-Wade, and Duncan-less-Parker/Manu will never make the championship. The only exception would be that Piston team, even then, both of their bigs are vital for their success...
"We are a 4-6 seed in the West and likely first round exit" Thats what I voted. Why? I think we won't be as good as last year where we had 2 lock down defenders in Artest and Battier. I doubt Yao will come back as good as before and to be honest, I think Artest had a bigger impact on this team than a Caron Butler. We won't be able to compete with LA, Cleveland, Boston or Orlando. You need an allstar for that, and I doubt Caron Butler or Andre Iguodala are true Allstars. Hopefully Yao will be able to play basketball again, but I doubt he will be a viable #1 option.
Should be a contender. Not sure about championship though. The best thing about this Butler trade is that we have massive cap space in 2011 so if things doesn't work out we can rebuild through free agency.
