Rumor: Melo to the Lakers?

[chenaren]

Not sure how he'd have the scoop, but former Laker (and Celtic) Tony Gaffney is claiming on his facebook that Carmelo Anthony wants to go to the Lakers and that the rumored deal would revolve around Lamar Odom and picks.

http://sportifi.com/news/NBA-Rumor-Melo-to-the-Lakers-283744.html

[Who]

Lamar Odom is too old to interest the Nuggets as the centerpiece to a Carmelo Anthony trade. Nothing to that rumour.

A (healthy) Andrew Bynum, on the other hand, could be very tempting.

[footey]

While I have no idea if Tony knows anything, it would not surprise me if the Lakers were looking into acquiring Melo. They need to get a guy like him to replace Kobe at some point as the go to guy. Their other pieces are still pretty young, and this would enable them to project forward for the next 5-7 years.  

[pearljammer10]

This would be devestating... But I feel like the Lakers have the pieces to do it. I would trade Bynum for Melo in a heartbeat and I think they Nuggets would be very interested in that.

The only thing that would hurt them is the fact that they really have no expiring deals.

[buellj814]

this trade would be great for the celtics esp if they trade odom to get him... imo this trade will NEVER happen... merry christmas everybody

[RMO]

Why wouldn't any player want to play for the lakers?  Dodgers haven't won a world series since 1988 (and fans in LA don't care unless the team is winning) and with no NFL team basketball is THE sport in town.  The weather is nice all year long and the media is nowhere near as brutal on their sports teams/athletes as they can be in other parts of the country.  I'm sure he wants to play there, as does Howard and any other star.  Doesn't mean it has any chance of happening.

I doubt the lakers would do this anyway (at least not mid-season).  Odom is too important to what they do.  A player good enough to be a starter coming off the bench.  What happens if they get Carmelo?  Artest would have to move to the bench.  He's been a starter his whole career and even if he graciously accepted this new role there would be some growing pains getting acclimated to his new role, just as there were when Odom moved to the bench.  Doubt the lakers want to cause this disruption in the middle of a championship campaign.

[Moranis]

Lakers make a lot of sense for both teams.

This works and is decent value for the Nuggets.

Bynum, Fisher, Walton, Artest, picks

for

Melo, Billups, Harrington

[Fafnir]

Lakers make a lot of sense for both teams.

This works and is decent value for the Nuggets.

Bynum, Fisher, Walton, Artest, picks

for

Melo, Billups, Harrington

They wouldn't want Artest with his contract.

[PosImpos]

Yeah, this would suck.

[RMO]

Lakers make a lot of sense for both teams.

This works and is decent value for the Nuggets.

Bynum, Fisher, Walton, Artest, picks

for

Melo, Billups, Harrington

Can't remember where I heard it but something about the Nuggets really wanting Chauncey to work for the organization after he retires and that affects their willingness to trade him.  Not to mention he's a hometown hero and it could be a PR hit.

[Who]

Lakers make a lot of sense for both teams.

This works and is decent value for the Nuggets.

Bynum, Fisher, Walton, Artest, picks

for

Melo, Billups, Harrington

Nene would help the Lakers much more than Billups

[Moranis]

Lakers make a lot of sense for both teams.

This works and is decent value for the Nuggets.

Bynum, Fisher, Walton, Artest, picks

for

Melo, Billups, Harrington

They wouldn't want Artest with his contract.

It was Artest or Odom for dollars.  If they keep Harrington you could just get rid of Artest, but I figured they would want the 5 years that is Harrington gone.

[snively]

Kobe and Melo on the same team?  Pau would never even see the ball.

[snively]

Lakers make a lot of sense for both teams.

This works and is decent value for the Nuggets.

Bynum, Fisher, Walton, Artest, picks

for

Melo, Billups, Harrington

Nene would help the Lakers much more than Billups

Of course he would, but Melo + Nene is a pretty steep price to pay for a guy who has missed significant playoff time or been limited in three consecutive seasons.

[screwedupmaniac]

Dealing an oft-injured Bynum and Candyman Odom for Melo? And the Nuggets dealing their superstar within the same conference? Seriously? I'll believe it when I see it. It's either gonna be an East Coast trade, or no trade at all. The last thing the Nuggets want to do in their desire for relevancy is to ensure that LA will stand in their way for the next 10 years.