Lakers and Bulls Trade that makes sense for both...

Odom, Farmar, Vujacic, Walton for Hinrich, Nocioni, Gooden

Bulls do this to rid themselves of long term contract commitments to players that are paid like starters (still young and capable of starting) but are currently being reduced to role players due to the talent that already fills those positions (Rose & Deng). To make the trade work, Lakers must include a combination of expiring contracts and young talent. An offer of Odom, Farmar, Vujacic, and Walton should draw interest since Odom can immediately start at PF(especially in the East) and will add some post offense in which they were lacking along with more ball movement. With only 1yr remaining in Odom‘s contract, the reward definitely outweighs the risk. They can let Odom walk at the end of the season if it doesn’t work out and gives Tyrus Thomas more time to develop. Farmar and Vujacic can be good for the Bulls since they can challenge Rose & Gordon in practice and also minimize drop-offs in game when subbed for. Walton is thrown in there to shed some of our glut at SF and to rid of his contract (might be the deal breaker in all this).

Lakers do this trade because they get back two possible starters in Hinrich & Nocioni that are capable of defending and knocking down shots. When healthy, Hinrich is one of the best defenders at the PG position which the Lakers so desperately need. He can shoot the ball respectably and penetrate with the ability to actually finish (sorry, but I’m tired of seeing Fisher force missed lay-ups). He seems to have a good feel for the game always looking to make the right play opposed to forcing the issue. Reminiscent of Rick Fox, Nocioni is a tough in your face defender that spreads the floor with his consistent outside shot. He may lack the foot speed to stay in front of his man at times, but having Gasol and Bynum along with some good defensive schemes should help disguise that. Drew Gooden would have to be thrown in to make the deal work salary wise but can be great off the bench adding depth to our frontcourt.

I prefer this trade be done earlier in the season due to the offense we run. It takes a while to learn all the nuances of the offense. But with our depth, these players can be transitioned into rotation and hopefully the starting role once they’ve had some time to feel comfortable with it. This trade helps with guard penetration, toughness, and outside shooting.

Lakers Depth
PG - Hinrich, Fisher, Yue
SG - Bryant, Brown
SF - Nocioni, Ariza, Morrison
PF - Gasol, Gooden, Powell
C - Bynum, Mihm, Mbenga

Bulls Depth
PG - Rose, Farmar, Hunter
SG - Gordon, Hughes, Vujacic
SF - Deng, Walton, Sefolosha, Nichols
PF - Odom, Thomas, Simmons
C - Noah, Gray

no way. That's too much, the Lakers aren't going to trade away so many pieces for people that don't know the offense, and may not work. If it ain't broke don't fix it.

therealdeal wrote:no way. That's too much, the Lakers aren't going to trade away so many pieces for people that don't know the offense, and may not work. If it ain't broke don't fix it.

Your right, "if it ain't broke don't fix it" applies this late in this season when your 42-10 but the idea of obtaining a point guard still young at 28 at a fair price tag that reduces each year at 10,000,000/$9,500,000/$9,000,000/$8,000,000 is definitely worth the risk to improve at that position. Fisher can still start or if Hinrich can pick-up the offense quickly (as did Gasol when he first got here, although the post is easier) come off the bench and still be effective as he was in Utah. So the loss of Farmar wouldn't be so bad. Hinrich>Farmar's potential (hate that word potential "look up Odom") Farmar's potential ceiling as a starter is what Hinrich already brings to the table. His best season so far...

2006-07 (CHICAGO): Averaged a career-high 16.6 ppg, 6.3 apg (13th in NBA), 3.4 rpg and 1.25 spg (26th in NBA) in 35.5 mpg … also had a career best shooting season, hitting .448 from the floor, including .415 (15th in NBA) from downtown, and .835 from the free throw line …

Nocioni's Scouting Report
Positives - Catches and shoots well, or can shoot on the move... Excellent free throw shooter ... Strong defensively ...... Negatives - Not a great passer, lacks great vision. But on this team, just needs to keep the defense honest and play within himself as he'll get open looks. Definitely an upgrade to Luke or Vlad starting at SF but at worst he can be a good sixth man for this team allowing Ariza to move in the starting line up. Would prefer him starting at his price tag $8,000,000/$7,500,000/$6,850,000/$6,650,000 with team option for 5th year.

I would do this trade now if weren't doing well or playing up to par. But having the number 1 record in the NBA makes you hesitant to do this along with a sophisticated offense to learn. If we were not to win the championship this year I would be definitely looking into getting Hinrich next year as Chicago see him as expendable. Both players have playoff experience and actually have stepped up their averages during the playoffs. I think playing alongside Bryant, Gasol, and Bynum will make it even easier for Hinrich and Nocioni to thrive on this team. The open looks from the post will be something new since they never had that in Chicago......

With Bynum out, we pretty much need LO. If Bynum was healthy we might hear about LO moving but I don't think there's any chance he gets traded.

Lamar Odom and Jordan Farmar

for

Baron Davis and Al Thornton



Baron / Fisher
Kobe / Sasha / Shannon Brown
Luke / Ariza / Morrison
Gasol / Powell / Thornton
Bynum / Mihm

nameant wrote:With Bynum out, we pretty much need LO. If Bynum was healthy we might hear about LO moving but I don't think there's any chance he gets traded.

Drew Gooden could help fill the void temporarily while Bynum is out. He usually averages close to a double double when starting, just not nearly as versatile as LO. When Bynum returns, Gooden and Powell could battle for minutes backing up at PF/C. If that doesn't work out, just make like DJ Unk and let him "Walk It Out" at the end of the season. I love LO but he frustrates the hell out of me when he teases you with flashes of greatness, then disappears when it counts . I give him credit as of late, but history shows this may be another teaser before the trade deadline so we keep him only to be disappointed once again. The Odom experiment has overstayed its welcome and we need to get some good players in return.

we would give up too many young players