If Odom and Ariza aren't willing to take hometown discounts, the Lakers need to strike while options like Artest are available

I say keep Odom & focus on getting a new younger pg,I like Fisher but he just can't hold the younger faster guards.Get rid of Walton to I think the only reason he is still there is cause of his father,he makes too many mistakes when he is on the floor,replace those two guys & I think we repeat!!

Kareem if I "keep my random thoughts to myself" what would you have to respond to? Everyone has an opinion, why does yours have to be to silence others? The best trades are the ones that aren't made and the best trades that aren't made are done because their is no concensus, in other words lots of discussion and varying opinions...just like this blog.

Gasol has proved he can play center and win a Championship, gets along with Kobe and is a great individual with trememdous upside and unlike Andrew has been doing it since day one ...at at least by the time Andrew was playing Varsity Basketball in the uSA...Gasol was playing on the International stage....Andrew for Artest now that Ariza seems to be gone.

Best of luck....either way Lakers can do no wrong in my mind....UNCONDITIONAL LOVE FOR DR. BUSS AND TEH LAKER ORGANIZATION

I say we keep Odom and Ariza. The Lakers would not be where they are without Ariza. Why are their talks of getting rid of Farmar? What about getting rid of Sasha? I also think Bynum needs to stay. His game will improve because when he is healthy, he is a force to be reckoned with. I say keep Luke Walton as well. Although I like Artest's game, I think he will be a distraction for LA, especially since him and Kobe doesn't seem to gel too well.

I disagree with you JSRT. Don't blame Andrew Bynum for his injuries and foul issues. He is just 21 and is still reaching his potential. Even Dwight Howard himself said that Andrew Bynum is far more advanced in his offensive skills than Howard. Bynum even turned down an invitation from the USA Basketball team to strengthen and rehab his leg during the summer. So keep your "Random Thoughts" to yourself. Bynum has a lot of potential and will be one of the best domininant Centers next to Dwight Howard.

First of all, trading for Amare Stoudemare for Andrew Bynum and Jordan Farmar is a big mistake. Amare Stoudemare is injury prone and he is getting up there in age. Andrew Bynum is just 21 and is showing potential as a promising Center for the Lakers, barring anymore freak injuries from his teammates the past 2 years. The best trades are the trades that were never made. Keep the roster intact for a back-to-back championship for the Lakers.

One thing to consider is Los Angeles changes people. Artest has played in low profile cities with the Pacers and the Kings before getting his head straight in Houston. Artest has shown he can be distracted with the nightlife and glamour of Music and Film so does he become Baron Davis with the Lakers or a poor man's version of Dennis Rodman? Who knows? I do think Kobe's influence on Le Bron and Wade during the Olymics has shown all NBA players how hard Kobe works and how that work ethic can and will increase their game. Anyone think Le Bron and Kobe do Nike commercials together without the Olympic experience and there new found friendship? The Lakers had an interesting playoffs this year as player after player auditioned for the Lakers while competing against them. Artest was clearly being on his best behavior while at the same time showing his competitive spirit and Shane Battier shown he was Ariza on steriods and teh only man with a plan to stop Kobe for small stretches or at least made Kobe exhaust more energy to get his.

In my mind Byum has to go for two reasons, he's injury and foul trouble prone and will be for the rest of his career, never seen a future great foul as often and as carelessly as he does. Over the years I've seen Magic, Jordan and Alcindor (Jabbar's UCLA eye inhury) come back from injuries stronger , smarter and more determined, Bymum came back slower, dumber and actually lost his edge so that's disturbing. The second reason he has to go is everyone needs abig man and therefore the Lakers get top dollar for him. I say trade Farmar and Bynum and throw in Walton and get Boozer or Williams from Utah. Booozer or Wiilliams make the Lakers a dynasty on the level of Showtime.

Either way Odom has his and might be better for it and Ariza will only get better as long as he's with Kobe so thta's got to weigh on their minds. Hopefully Ariza doesn't go to Boston and Odom doesn't leave LA...either one at Cleveland spells disaster for the Easr.

Just some random thoughts.

I've ALWAYS thought Artest was...is a great player and would have love to have him here before he went to houston but the only way he comes is if you get rid of Ariza. So to me, it's a preference thing, I'd like to keep Ariza (younger and upside) but I would not mind having Artest. As for Stou, well that I am not sold on, I would however love if the lakers went after Heinrich from Chitown, that would be a steal.... As for Odom, I think he feels comfortable here now so I "think" he stays but hey if someone throwns him a S*** load of money for say a 6 year deal, opposed to the Laker 3-4 year deal, then he might fly.

So let's say we keep both Ariza and Odom, what can we do to get Heinrich from Chitown? I just think he fits our style and needs at point...