wow...lakers in talks to obtain 'melo

[Scott]

Not sure how accurate this is but from the LA Times.

"What's out there is inaccurate," said a Lakers representative familiar with the negotiations.

The report said the deal would revolve around Bynum for Anthony, though a team source told The Times on Tuesday that the Lakers were unwilling to deal Bynum, the 23-year-old center who has been plagued by knee problems.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2011/02/dont-count-on-carmelo-anthony-coming-to-lakers.html

[CelticSooner]

I still think Denver was stupid to play games with the Nets, who made an unbeatable offer, but this seems like a smart move to get the most they can now that the Nets have walked away.

I don't think the Nuggets played any games. I imagine their trade offer was predicated on Melo signing an extension which he was reluctant to do.

Melo has all the control here unless he's traded to NY.

[StartOrien]

I still think Denver was stupid to play games with the Nets, who made an unbeatable offer, but this seems like a smart move to get the most they can now that the Nets have walked away.

I don't think the Nuggets played any games. I imagine their trade offer was predicated on Melo signing an extension which he was reluctant to do.

Melo has all the control here unless he's traded to NY.

It was reported that the Nuggets were acting a little childish, agreeing to deals and then trying to get more, then getting angwy when the rumors went public

[Tayo]

I personally think Carmelo Anthony will end up signing with the New York Knicks, however it would certainly change the dynamic in the Western Conference if Carmelo were to team up with the likes of Kobe Bryant.

The Los Angeles Lakers tend to stand out amongst all of the other competitive NBA teams in the Western Conference to the point where if another 'franchise player' from a competitive team were to be traded there then LA might gain a clear advantage out West for multiple seasons (the Lakers were easily the most successful NBA franchise last decade, followed by the San Antonio Spurs).

In other news, Kevin Durant's contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder doesn't expire until the 2015-16 season; in other words, quite a few talented NBA players will have likely retired by then.

It's not surprising that the Los Angeles Lakers are looking at another franchise-level player right now as Kobe Bryant is entering his mid-30's and the team will eventually have to rebuild as he continues to get older.

[Chris]

I still think Denver was stupid to play games with the Nets, who made an unbeatable offer, but this seems like a smart move to get the most they can now that the Nets have walked away.

I don't think the Nuggets played any games. I imagine their trade offer was predicated on Melo signing an extension which he was reluctant to do.

Melo has all the control here unless he's traded to NY.

Its all speculation at this point, but based on what I have read on it, as well as Prokorov's comments, I believe that the Nets made a very strong offer, and the Nuggets continued to ask for more and drag their feet on the deal, so the Nets walked away. 

[LakersFan_33]

I do it without even thinking and concede the championship to Boston this year, in exchange for setting us up for the next 3-5 years.

Bynum is too injury prone, and I can only pray that Denver overlooks this.

[Chris]

I do it without even thinking and concede the championship to Boston this year, in exchange for setting us up for the next 3-5 years.

Bynum is too injury prone, and I can only pray that Denver overlooks this.

Bynum for Melo doesn't concede anything.  That would be an incredibly scary team.

[Donoghus]

I do it without even thinking and concede the championship to Boston this year, in exchange for setting us up for the next 3-5 years.

Bynum is too injury prone, and I can only pray that Denver overlooks this.

I think that this year, they'd get worked up front and wouldn't make it out of the east.

However, it sets them up for the future pretty well.  They'd be able attract FA help.
Bynum for Melo doesn't concede anything.  That would be an incredibly scary team.

[Chris]

I do it without even thinking and concede the championship to Boston this year, in exchange for setting us up for the next 3-5 years.

Bynum is too injury prone, and I can only pray that Denver overlooks this.

Bynum for Melo doesn't concede anything.  That would be an incredibly scary team.

I think that this year, they'd get worked up front and wouldn't make it out of the east.

However, it sets them up for the future pretty well.  They'd be able attract FA help.

They did pretty well with Bynum out in 2008.  If they could find a decent player to come off the bench (certainly possible), a starting lineup of Fisher, Kobe, Melo, Odom, and Gasol would be hard to beat. 

[Donoghus]

I do it without even thinking and concede the championship to Boston this year, in exchange for setting us up for the next 3-5 years.

Bynum is too injury prone, and I can only pray that Denver overlooks this.

Bynum for Melo doesn't concede anything.  That would be an incredibly scary team.

I think that this year, they'd get worked up front and wouldn't make it out of the east.

However, it sets them up for the future pretty well.  They'd be able attract FA help.

They did pretty well with Bynum out in 2008.  If they could find a decent player to come off the bench (certainly possible), a starting lineup of Fisher, Kobe, Melo, Odom, and Gasol would be hard to beat. 

I'm not saying they'd, all of a sudden, tank or anything.  Probably still make the conference semis or finals.

Do they get by a healthy San Antonio this year?

[Donoghus]

I also happen to think there is no way in hell that DEN does Melo for Bynum straight up.

Not with the kid's injury concerns.  It'll take more to get that done.  Which, ultimately, may prove to be the killing point in a potential deal.

[barefacedmonk]

Lakers will need to play with two basketballs to keep Pau, Kobe and Melo happy...not enough shots for all three with just one ball on the court.

[heyvik]

Rumor denied by Lakers http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/210752/Lakers_Shoot_Down_Bynum_For_Anthony_Trade_Report

[Who]

I think Denver will either have confidence in Bynum's ability and health or they won't. It will be an absolute either way.

If they don't have any confidence in his health, then they'll immediately say "no" and shut off negotiations. It'll be a closed issue.

If they do have confidence in his health, they'll be willing to do the deal without any other major assets coming their way in the trade ... and it appears they are if today's report was (somewhat) accurate (at least from Denver's preferences).

So, my expectation, is that Bynum's injury issues will either be a non-issue or a deal breaker. An extreme ... but nothing in between. Not we're interested but we need more because he's missed some time and it's a risk. It'll be strong interest or non-interest right away.

[RJ87]

Is it bad that I want this deal to go down? They'd lost size inside, which is what hurt us in game 7 last year... and with Melo's extension + Pau and Bryant's longterm deals, it should kill all that Dwight Howard to LA chatter.

See you in Boston in 2012, Mr. Howard...