That's the thing with them. They had all kinds of talent but it was all on offense besides Camby. If they bring in Tay & Billups that bumps there offensive & defensive games up tremendously.

 

100% :thumb:

Where does Gilbert Arenas end up?

 

I heard a rumor that the Lakers would try to pick up Ron Artest. There was another rumor they might try to go after Antwan Jameson (sp?). That would give them leverage to trade Odom for a point guard. The Lakers might even look into Gilbert as a PG option.

 

Gasol is going nowhere imo. He is an all-star calliber player. Get Bynum and you have a front court that will be hard to stop offensively. Bynum is also a great defensive rebounder and a bigger body than Gasol or Odom to beat and bang down low.

Where does Gilbert Arenas end up?

 

I heard a rumor that the Lakers would try to pick up Ron Artest. There was another rumor they might try to go after Antwan Jameson (sp?). That would give them leverage to trade Odom for a point guard. The Lakers might even look into Gilbert as a PG option.

 

Gasol is going nowhere imo. He is an all-star calliber player. Get Bynum and you have a front court that will be hard to stop offensively. Bynum is also a great defensive rebounder and a bigger body than Gasol or Odom to beat and bang down low.

 

Free Agent Zero will probably end up back with the Wiz' unless of course they deal Jamison because Arenas said if Jamison goes, he goes.

Reports: Pacers, Raptors eye O'Neal-Ford trade

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3457325

 

The Indiana Pacers and Toronto Raptors have held discussions about a possible trade involving Jermaine O'Neal and T.J. Ford, according to reports in the Indianapolis Star and the Toronto Star.

 

The Raptors -- eager to move an unhappy Ford and make Jose Calderon their starting point guard -- also would include center Rasho Nesterovic and possibly their first-round pick in Thursday's draft, both newspapers reported.

...

 

Multiple reports surfaced this past weekend about a possible trade that would have the Raptors sending Ford and their first-round pick (No. 17 overall) to the Phoenix Suns for forward Boris Diaw.

Marion to not opt out of his contract according to his agent and ESPN.

Marion to not opt out of his contract according to his agent and ESPN.

 

http://www.hoopsvibe.com/nba/nba-news/shawn-marion-not-opting-out-of-miami-heat-deal-ar48518.html

 

Dan Fegan, agent for Heat forward Shawn Marion, said Sunday night it is "highly unlikely" that his client will opt out of his $17.8 million for next season.

 

Marion must finalize his decision by Tuesday at 6 p.m., but Fegan said unless there was a dramatic shift in talks with Heat President Pat Riley, "I don’t think we’re opting out."

I believe that Heat will be a top team this season with Marion, Wade, Haslem, and whoever they draft.

I could see the Lakers moving Gasol for some perimiter help if Bynum comes back playing well next year.

 

I really can't see the Lakers trading Gasol away...would be a huge mistake.

 

They don't need to trade anyone. They should keep Ariza, Turiaf and Vujacic and stick with the roster they currently have.

You start all three with Odom at SF...

 

:thumb:

 

They could go that route...or they could bring one of them off the bench to make it stronger.

 

As for the defensive questions about moving Odom to SF, I think having Gasol and Bynum defending the paint would help in that regard...knowing you have two seven footers defending the basket would allow Odom to guard the perimeter easier. Similar to what Detroit did to Kobe in the finals a few years ago...they had the big guys inside (Wallace and Wallace) to defend the paint and they put Prince on him to frustrate him from the perimeter. Tayshaun Prince isn't going to stop Kobe one-on-one, but when he knows Big Ben and Rasheed have his back, the balance shifts. Suddenly Kobe has to shoot jumpers over a 6-9 guy with a huge wingspan who doesn't have to worry so much about getting beat off the dribble.

 

I could see a similar situation with Odom at SF. I think the Lakers could work it either way. I really think they should keep their roster intact though...I don't like the idea of trading Gasol or Odom...unless they trade Odom for Prince. That wouldn't bother me.

I believe that Heat will be a top team this season with Marion, Wade, Haslem, and whoever they draft.

 

There was a trade rumor going around. Marion and the 2nd pick for Cory Maghettie(sp?) and the 4th pick. THAT would be a HUGE mistake for Pat Riley,

^ Yeah that would be a major mistake.

I would not trade the two pick...Beasley will be a great get for Miami (I think Rose will go number 1).

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/columnists/dmoore/stories/062408dnspomoore.39f9219.html

Trade winds start with an NBA draft

 

But what if a few other names are introduced to the conversation, such as Denver's Carmelo Anthony or Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal? What about Sacramento's Ron Artest, Toronto's T.J. Ford, Memphis' Mike Miller, Phoenix's Boris Diaw and Leandro Barbosa or Detroit's Rasheed Wallace and Tayshaun Prince? Is your interest piqued now?

 

Think of the biggest trades that have taken place in the last year. Kevin Garnett to Boston. Jason Kidd to Dallas. Pau Gasol to LA. Shaquille O'Neal and Shawn Marion trading places. All of these players, with the exception of O'Neal, were the focus of intense speculation in the days leading up to last year's draft.

 

And consider the draft itself. Seattle's Kevin Durant deservedly won the Rookie of the Year award at the end of this season. But did he have a better season than Ray Allen in Boston or Jason Richardson in Charlotte? Those were two of several veteran players traded on draft night.

 

There will be more this year. The names of Diaw, Ford and Miller are coming up too much among general managers in the last few days for something not to happen. Artest is something of a wild card. Big shock there.

Sources: Heat eye drafting guard, not Beasley

Sources say Heat like Mayo, Bayless, not Beasley at No. 2

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2...ory?id=3459696

 

With the first pick in the draft, the Chicago Bulls are leaning strongly toward drafting Memphis point guard Derrick Rose. While the Bulls say they won't announce their decision until draft night, Bulls GM John Paxson admits that the Bulls are "probably leaning a certain way."

 

With Rose likely going No. 1, the Miami Heat are on the clock with the No. 2 pick.

 

ESPN.com has been reporting since the draft lottery that Heat president Pat Riley has reservations about Michael Beasley. While the Kansas State forward is a talent, Riley seems to be uncomfortable with his personality and seems dead set on finding a point guard to pair in the backcourt with Dwyane Wade.

 

Two sources close to the Heat told ESPN.com that Riley staged two separate secret workouts in Miami on Tuesday. The first was for Arizona point guard Jerryd Bayless. The second was for USC guard O.J. Mayo.

^ Yeah I read somewhere that the Heat were not fond of Beasley with the #2 pick and that if they wanted to trade down to around 4-6th.