Ok, this is RUMOR. But there was a post on the RealGM board that said... Later on in that thread they talk about the fact the trade would be for a "front court" player.... Knowing that Utah might be looking to move Boozer because they feel that AK47 is better equiped to play the PF position, could the Lakers be trying to make a move for Boozer? Perhaps a deal somewhere along the lines of Caron Butler, Deaven George and Divac for Boozer? That would give Utah two guys in George and Butler that can man the 2/3 spots and move AK down to 4 and they would rent Divac for 2 years. He seems like a Sloan guy anyway. It would also get Utah out from under Boozer's contract if they feel he just isnt fitting in with the team. The Lakers would then have Kobe, Odom and Boozer as their core and a VERY expensive backup PF in Grant. Maybe this is fantasy and nothing will come of this but not really that bad a trade if it goes down. In my mind it makes sense with both parties. Thoughts?
Comment: The Lakers are turning into the Oakland Raiders of the NBA, the team that everybody loves to hate, with rabid fans, that has a roster full of felons and players that were problems in other cities.
Boozer is a very good player, but I just don't know why this would "put the Lakers on the map" again. He's good, but maybe he's better than I'm thinking. Elton Brand is the type of player who could maybe do that, but I don't know if the Clippers are entertaining any thoughts of that ... and doubt they would deal him to the other L.A. squad. I don't know of any frontcourt player currently being mentioned as "on the block" that is going to shoot the Lakers to or near the top. Everyone has some sort of issue it seems.
"3 for 1" & "put the Lakers back on the map" sounds like it has to be someone of "star" quality making "star" money. My guess would be Artest. Indiana may be tired of his act and the Lakers have an abundance of 3's plus Divac to give the Pacers a true center next to O'Neal. Kidd may be an option as well, though I can't think of who the Nets would want in return.
The Lakers have plenty of assets to make something happen, and they have to do something. They are clinging to playoff contention, which isn't bad considering how long they played without Showbe. If they're going for a blockbuster, they have to trade Odom, and the player(s) they would receive in return better be damned good. Butler, Divac and George for Boozer? Then Utah would have a lot of swingmen. I know the Spazzholes were contemplating moving AK47 back to the power forward slot, where he creates hellish mismatches. I just don't want the Lakers back on top.
The trade just makes sense in terms of "fit". For the Lakers getting Boozer allows Odom to go back to his "natural" position at SF instead of PF. And for the Jazz it allows AK47 to go back to his PF position where they feel it is best for him. I agree Boozer isnt quite at the level of Brand. But Boozer would add some defense and rebounding to a team that has very little. The Lakers dont need a ton more offense, they need defense. They have Kobe and Odom to provide the offense. Although I do ultimately agree that the Lakers need a true "low post" threat and that is something they dont have with either Odom or Boozer if they got him. That is something someone like "Brand" would bring. But like Clutch said, I dont see the Clippers doing that.
Frontcourt players that "put you back on the map" Chris Bosh (Tor) Ben Wallace (Det) Jermaine O'Neal (Ind) Shaquille O'Neal (Mia) Emeka Okafur (Char) Tim Duncan (SA) Dirk Nowitzki (Dal) Yao Ming (Hou) Kevin Garnett (Min) Zach Randolph (Por) Andrei Kirrilenko (Uth) Amare Stoudemire (Pho) Chris Webber (Sac) Elton Brand (LAX) I've probably forgotten a few - but these are probably the highest profile guys out there in terms of 4/5's - there are other players, but these are probably the ones who put you "on the map" (which Eddy Curry does not!) Is that what they mean when referring to frontcourt - or is a small forward part of the classification? Looking at the list, my guess would be one that involved Randolph or Webber - the first 9 guys are probably untradeable (with what the Lakers have to offer) - and (as mentioned) Brand isn't going to his neighbour, and Stoudemire is also untradable! No secret that Portland is trying to make some moves - perhaps they could offload Randolph on the unsuspecting Lakers before they figure out what they're getting themselves into? Sacramento has been having some problems of late - perhaps they are looking to change things up significantly? Ditching Webber lets them go back to a Stojakovic oriented offense which has worked so well in the past, and if they managed to get some depth back (Odom/ Butler) or something for the future (picks?) then they may well jump at it.
There's always Antoine Walker, although I doubt he'll be anything that can "put a team on the map." However, Atlanta should be looking to trade him off, saving some cap room and possibly landing a few young players (Caron Butler, draft picks) that could help Atlanta's rebuilding mode. That way, they can work on their young rookie and pair him with Caron Butler, who also has a lot of potential.
I'm only slightly offened by the Raiders comment, but just because I'm a Raiders fan. Yeah, they do have a team of washed up convicted fellons. But not all us fans are crazy like the guys in the Black Hole (the one Raiders end zone). And besides that, I live in PA, go to school in WI, and have never been to Cali. Actually, come to think of it, I'm not even romotley offened by the comment. Infact, your actually right on the nose with the Raiders comment. This post is really uncessary, but oh well, I'm that far along now.
this is just some followup... http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=fanball-jazzboozerapossibili&prov=fanball&type=lgns I'm not really sure what an Odom/Boozer swap does for both teams, maybe it's just one of those mix up the chemistry moves that might pan out.
Still makes sense for Utah. Odom at SF, AK47 at PF. As for the Lakers, that puts Boozer at PF and Butler at SF. Not as good a deal for the Lakers. Seems like the Lakers tread water there.
the lakers would be stupid in trading odom and not getting another creator and playmaker in return. odom set up his teammates and is always a mismatch on offense with his length and quickness and the ability to put the ball on the floor. odom is actually rebounding the ball pretty well this year and while he isnt the traditional low post force pf he is loads better than boozer. if there is another injury to kobe this team would be totally lost without another play maker on there. butler is not a playmaker,atkins is not, there is no one else on that team now that not only can create their own shot, but also shots for their teammates except odom and butler. i am sorry but if they make this deal maybe it may work in the short run but not in the long run and utah next year will be in the playoff hunt again (barring injuries) with a forward combo of AK and Odom. Also Odom has been one (in my opinion) on the league worst underachievers with the talent and ability he has. Odom has the ability to be a 20ppg/10rpg/3apg player and be an above average defender with his length but he always to be mired in complacency. i couldnt believe how talented he was when he was a rookie on the clippers but he hasnt really improved too much since then and he is still young enough where he could be a top 15 player in the league if he works hard
I think it'd be a good fit for the Lakers. Boozer is that "large target" down low - scores well, and at a good clip. Gives them that consistent banger in the paint, something they are sorely missing. Odom's multi talents are somewhat deadened by Kobe's presence (Kobe can run the show better than Odom) - the main way I'd see the Lakers losing out would be in the intimidation department - Odom is a shotblocker and Boozer just isn't! Good for the Jazz too - gives them a looong frontline, and Odom is that "creative" player that they just don't have right now!
To me, if the Lakers are getting excited about making a trade, Boozer for Odom isnt that exciting. There are some gains and losses there. To me they are almost treading water. As a Rockets fan, I actually welcome that move. Odom was a mismatch the Lakers had in their favor. However if the Lakers gained Boozer and still have Odom and Kobe, to me that is something to be excited about. They have added a quality piece to the team without giving up much of their core.
the lakers are going nowhere fast ... IF they make the playoffs, it will be by backing in (Minny keeps losing, and Denver doesn't have enough time to catch up) I hope they do this deal, since Butler and Odem are nice players - Boozer is good, but he is undersized - ... oh yeah, and he can't be that dominate, since his former team is now in a top 4 in the east, and his current team sucks of course, the Jazz did just trade their starting PG Arroyo for a late first round pick
Boozer for Odom: Ehh. Lakers give up a talented player to get a talented player. It's pretty close to a wash. Boozer for Butler and change: B.S. I'm sure that some other team could scrounge up a better package than that.
