Kobe Bryant Fans!

Shawn Marion a Laker? I cringe at the thought of this (being a Laker fan), but it may happen according to this Eric Pincus article from Hoopshype:

Sep 26, 2007, 01:33

Should the Los Angeles Lakers seriously consider an offer from the Phoenix Suns to swap Lamar Odom for Shawn Marion?

At first glance an article in the Arizona Republic seemed innocuous. The author suggests the Lakers may be a possible destination . . . but it didn’t seem significant.

But according to several Suns sources, Marion seems to be unhappy that the team will not talk about a contract extension. The word is that the four-time All-Star, in his eighth year with the team, wants $60 million over three years. Marion, already the highest-paid Suns player, will make $16.4 million this season and $17.8 million for 2008-09. Trade rumors might not bother Marion much anymore, because there are indications that he would welcome a deal. The locker-room reviews on such an idea are mixed.

The two top trade possibilities involve Utah Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko, who is even more disgruntled with his team, and Los Angeles Lakers forward Lamar Odom and a teammate, possibly forward Brian Cook.

A Marion deal still is unlikely because of the stars and salaries attached. But wasn’t that also what we heard about the idea of a Kevin Garnett trade?

Interesting idea, but didn’t Odom dominate Marion in the playoffs a couple of years ago?

Laker General Manager Mitch Kupchak was on local radio suggesting the existing group is probably the team LA goes to camp with. A last minute trade would seem on face value to be far-fetched.

When a second article on SportingNews.com added more to the story, it would appear an Odom/Marion swap may not be so easily sloughed off.

According to a league source, the Lakers and Suns have been in discussions about a deal — a blockbuster deal — that would send the four-time All-Star to Los Angeles to play alongside Kobe Bryant. The Suns would get forward Lamar Odom and perhaps some salary-cap filler in return. The main obstacle appears to be Lakers owner Jerry Buss, who needs to OK the deal. Asked to handicap the likelihood of the deal going through, the source said, “50-50.”

Perhaps this isn’t just random speculation.

Marion himself appears to be all for the move telling SportingNews.com, “You have a great organization, great ownership there with the Lakers. I don’t see no problems with playing there.”It’s difficult at this point to get a sense from the Lakers directly. At this point aren’t discussing it publicly. Most trade notions come and go without resolution.

Do the Lakers feel any additional pressure to make a move, considering that hint of doubt that Kobe Bryant may not show for training camp?

Well considering he scheduled an appointment for his mandatory physical, that may not be an overwhelming factor.

Then again his yet to be rescinded trade demand may push the Lakers into making a lateral move more readily than they normally would.

Remember, there were rumors in early July that the Lakers had attempted to trade Odom for small forward Gerald Wallace. If true . . . perhaps they’re willing to give up Odom’s 6′10″ stature for a smaller forward who they may feel may be more effective next to Bryant.

Odom’s biggest strength is his rebounding at 9.8 rpg last season (a team high).

Marion happened to average the same number despite standing at just 6′7″.

Where the key difference lies is the additional 238 boards Marion brought down simply by playing more games.

In a perfect world, Odom may be the better all around player. He is a much better passer and a far more creative scorer in the post.

Neither is a true power forward but Odom is more naturally suited for the position.

Alas it’s not a perfect world. Reports are that Odom may not be 100% ready on opening night, still recovering from his second shoulder surgery in three years.

That’s the core of the issue . . . health.

Not including Marion’s rookie season (and the playoffs), he’s missed no more than three games in any one season. That’s 562 games over seven years or 80.3 per season.

Odom is the quite the opposite. Last year he played just 56 games; his first year with the Lakers only 64. Matching the numbers up to the same Marion seven, Odom has played in just 434 games or 62.0 per season.

That’s why Odom can average 4.8 apg but only total 270 . . . while Marion dished only 1.7 apg but totaled about half as many at 134.

A Laker offense with Marion instead of Odom would likely feature a dedicated focus on the scoring prowess of Bryant. Whereas Odom was partially brought in to both relieve Bryant of the ball handling duties and to provide a scoring option in the post, Marion would be looking for kick outs and crashing the boards.

LA would need their centers to provide the inside scoring, though all three have a lot to prove based on age (Andrew Bynum) and injury history (Kwame Brown and Chris Mihm).

It may not be the ideal lineup for the triangle offense but if the Lakers can get some 18 more games on the floor from Marion than Odom they’d certainly be better for it.

On paper the current squad has a shot at 50 wins if everyone stays healthy but frankly it’s an injury prone bunch. While 46 wins may be more likely, it’s not a stretch to think they face the same issues they did last season and settle again for 42.

At least Marion has greater potential to reduce the injury factor.

It will take more than just a lateral move to pacify Bryant but a Marion/Odom swap might be a step towards repairing the relationship between the team and its star.

If not, Marion only has a single guaranteed year on his contract. While there’s no guarantee he leaves nearly $18 million on the table, the prospect of signing a long term deal in the $45-55 million range will likely lead Marion to opt out of his final season.

If Bryant reiterated his trade demands, the Lakers could make a serious push for cap space and young talent.

If Brian Cook is included in the deal with Odom, LA may be able to achieve that cap space as early as next summer . . . if they let Marion, Mihm, Sasha Vujacic, Mo Evans and others go.

Some of the names potentially available include Elton Brand, Gilbert Arenas, Jermaine O’Neal, Allen Iverson, Baron Davis and/or Antawn Jamison.

Trading Odom for Marion may not be ideal but the team would at least have the option of financial flexibility one year sooner.

The Bottom Line
At this point it’s difficult to gauge whether or not the Lakers are seriously considering such a move. Ultimately it won’t catapult them to the elite of the conference.

They would still have movable pieces like Kwame Brown and Jordan Farmar to try and send out for additional help.

Chris Webber is still a free agent who might be able to help at the four in Odom’s absence.

If it all doesn’t pan out as well as hoped, Marion gives the Lakers additional financial flexibility.

While Marion may not be appreciably better than Odom, if they both remain true to their histories at least the Lakers would get a full season out of their eight-figure forward.

And that in itself may be enough . . .

KEY NEWSLINES
Arizona Republic: “But according to several Suns sources, Marion seems to be unhappy that the team will not talk about a contract extension. The word is that the four-time All-Star, in his eighth year with the team, wants $60 million over three years. Marion, already the highest-paid Suns player, will make $16.4 million this season and $17.8 million for 2008-09. Trade rumors might not bother Marion much anymore, because there are indications that he would welcome a deal. The locker-room reviews on such an idea are mixed. The two top trade possibilities involve Utah Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko, who is even more disgruntled with his team, and Los Angeles Lakers forward Lamar Odom and a teammate, possibly forward Brian Cook. A Marion deal still is unlikely because of the stars and salaries attached. But wasn’t that also what we heard about the idea of a Kevin Garnett trade?”

Salt Lake Tribune: “Williams, who criticized Kirilenko’s practice habits in a radio interview last week, revealed that he had spoken with Jazz coach Jerry Sloan about finding ways to better include Kirilenko. That would seemingly address Kirilenko’s biggest complaint. “I talked to Coach the other day,” Williams said. “We’re going to try to tweak some things in the offense for A.K. and try to get him more comfortable and put him in the best position for him to score.” How Kirilenko will be accepted, both by teammates and coaches, assuming he reports to camp, is another question.”

Tacoma News Tribune: “The City of Seattle filed a lawsuit in King County against the Seattle SuperSonics in King County Superior Court, seeking to keep the team from escaping a lease agreement that binds the club to playing at KeyArena through 2010. According to Carr, the city’s lawsuit is designed to keep the Sonics from breaking the lease. Specifically, the suit seeks to block the case from going to arbitration. It also seeks a judgment that upholds the specific performance clause of the lease, and it asks for the Sonics to pay for the city’s attorneys fees. “They made the kind of demands that, from my perspective, were almost designed not to be met,” Gorton said.”

Source: Hoopshype

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