http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-lakers4jul04a,1,3438870.story?coll=la-headlines-sports Excerpt: A Laker Makeover Could Be in the Mail By Tim Brown, Times Staff Writer The Lakers' negotiations with Karl Malone have gone so well that they are considering the possibility they could sign him and still offer their full mid-level exception to Gary Payton. Sources with knowledge of conversations between Malone and General Manager Mitch Kupchak said Malone expressed a desire to sign with the Lakers as well as an appreciation for their wish for a guard, namely Payton.
Looks like the lakers are again on the verge of being unbeatable Payton Malone Kobe Shaq would be sick I dont care if 3 of the 4 are past their primes. That team could possibly win 70+ games if they wanted to.
Karl Malone signing for the $1m veteran's minimum? I believe it when hell freezes over and pigs fly. It's not happening. The only way Malone and Payton play together in LA next year is if one of them agree to a sign-and-trade. The Lakers don't have anything the Jazz (who value their cap space) or Bucks (in rebuilding mode) would want, so that's moot.
LMAO, Karla's goals are to break the all time scoring record no matter what, make money, and to break the alltime scoring record no matter what. Title doesn't enter into that picture.
I also think that Malone rather want to be the all time scorer than to win a title. And in LA you got Kobe and Shaq, so LA isn't the best place for that.
All he has to do is avg 12.3 pts a game for 2 seasons and he has the record. Even with Kobe and Shaq, i think Malone could get those numbers easily.
would the bucks do Cook and Walton for Payton, i mean with Payton and Karla what would Phil use two rookies for, besides carrying the bags
yeah but he wouldn't take being the 3rd or 4th option. if payton and malone went to LA it would be a disaster. too many egos on one team. LA might work with just payton and pj brown but not malone and payton.
While a starting lineup of Kobe/Shaq/Malone/Payton looks unbeatable on paper, if you take a closer look at the possible disruption of team chemistry, I don't think it'll work out. All 4 of those players have huge egos & have demanded the ball be in their hands throughout their careers. Does anyone truely believe that this would not become a problem at some point in an 82 game season? However, it would be interesting to see if it could work. I just wish it were the Rockets in this position.
The Bucks would probably do that, but it wouldn't work cap-wise. Draft picks count 0 in trades until they are signed...and once signed, they can't be traded for 3 mos. or until Dec. 15th, whichever comes first. Payton would have to agree to a minimum salary for that, or the Bucks would have to take back a bunch of minimum contracts, neither of which I can see happening.
That's just scary man! Yikes! Lots of talent there. I am going to believe it when I see it with Karl and Payton BOTH going to LA. If it happens then that team begins to look like a Dream Team more than just a regular NBA team. I too have my concerns on if Karl and Payton could take "role player" roles on the team but if anybody can control all of those egos it is Phil Jackson. Bottom line, the more the team wins games the less the team has to worry about egos. Shaq and Kobe have had to be responsible for so much for so long they actually might like the change of pace of being able to give up some shots if others ARE getting the job done. If the Lakers can get Payton and Malone then that would be a coup no doubt!
On paper, I may dislike that team more than any team that ever existed, in any sport. Except the Cardinals and Mets.
I can accept Malone and Payton as a Laker, but how can this YoYao guy ever put himself in a Lakers' uniform? He should be a Rocket for life...
