wow...lakers in talks to obtain 'melo

[Chris]

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.

Pau doesn't need the ball.  It would be interesting to see Melo and Kobe play together, but I actually think it would work. 

[acieEarl]

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.

Yea it sounds bad for the Nugs but I got a feeling the Nugs might panic as they want to get something in return. It wouldn't be that bad if Bynum wasn't so injury prone.

The scary thing is that I could see Melo changing his mind about NY if he ends up in LA and resigning with LA. I'm sure his wife would be happy with LA.

[greg683x]

just a thought....what if LA doesnt care about resigning Carmelo?  What if theyre unsure about Bynums knee and want to trade while his stock is still somewhat high?

On the surface, a trade that would send Bynum and a player like Artest to Denver for a one year rental of Carmelo sounds horrible for LA.  However, wouldnt this clear up a ton of cap space for the Lakers in the coming years when Dwight Howard becomes a free agent, and has already hinted he could see himself in LA?

Seems absolutely nuts to break up a title team before they can be defeated, but if Lakers management doesnt think they have a shot this year, and are buying into what Jerry West has said, they could be quietly trying to set themselves up for another dynasty a couple years down the road.

[Who]

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.

Pau doesn't need the ball.  It would be interesting to see Melo and Kobe play together, but I actually think it would work. 

I think the Triangle offense will help those two work together within a team concept offensively in a big way.

Keep the ball moving more than it might otherwise.

[GreenFaith1819]

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...

Exactly!

DHoward: "Let's see - what team has the best opportunity to get me the rock...LA? DFish? Nope."

"Boston? Rondo? Pass-first PG? I'll take the Green."

Previews of this coming during the All-Star game.

[Fafnir]

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.

Pau doesn't need the ball.  It would be interesting to see Melo and Kobe play together, but I actually think it would work. 

I think the Triangle offense will help those two work together within a team concept offensively in a big way.

Keep the ball moving more than it might otherwise.

The question is would Melo/Kobe run it enough to work? I have my doubts that they'd be able to when adding Melo mid-season.

[Mike-Dub]

Not so fast guys.

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/210752/Lakers_Shoot_Down_Bynum_For_Anthony_Trade_Report

A report from ESPN on Tuesday indicated that the Lakers and Nuggets were holding preliminary discussions about a trade involving Carmelo Anthony and Andrew Bynum.

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

Denver is also in discussions with the Knicks, the team Anthony is reportedly set on playing for by the 11-12 season.

This is via the LA Times.

[jsingh1699]

man i hope that trade goes down of bynum and odom for melo and harrington.

starting harrington at the 4 alongside gasol will make us a lock to beat the lakers. we will bully their front line to the pont where all 5 of their players will sit on the perimeter. please let this happen.

tho i must say if that trade goes down, it makes the heat vs lakers are very interesting match up. that would be fun to watch.

[snively]

I wonder if Kobe would have to defer to Carmelo Anthony down the stretch given Melo's superior clutch credentials. 

Seriously, though, with as weak as Pau has looked at the 5 spot, I can't believe the Lakers would trade Bynum without getting a legit big in return.  Melo's a nice offensive focal point, but Kobe and Pau are arguably better offensive focal points (and Bynum or Odom are fine 3rd wheels).  To me a straight up trade would be crippling their great strength (big man depth and dominance) to add something they might already have too much of (iso scoring ability from the wing).

[RJ87]

I wonder if Kobe would have to defer to Carmelo Anthony down the stretch given Melo's superior clutch credentials. 

Seriously, though, with as weak as Pau has looked at the 5 spot, I can't believe the Lakers would trade Bynum without getting a legit big in return.  Melo's a nice offensive focal point, but Kobe and Pau are arguably better offensive focal points (and Bynum or Odom are fine 3rd wheels).  To me a straight up trade would be crippling their great strength (big man depth and dominance) to add something they might already have too much of (iso scoring ability from the wing).

If LA managed to bring back Nene in a deal with Melo, it'd be better for them. But I don't see the working financially without Odom and just becomes pointless is he's included.

[Neurotic Guy]

Not worth it for LA if Odom is in the deal too.

How can it not be Bynum AND Odom.  It's not Chris Wallace their trading with.   Couldn't Denver do better than Bynum alone?   

Denver is crazy to trade Melo for risk when he can bring back sure talent.  I admit Bynum has a very high ceiling, but he's played in more than 65 games only once and he's not stayed healthy enough in 6 years to show what he can do consistently.  He's also worked most of his career with the the best player in the league and alongside a 7-foot offesnive machine -- both garnering high rates of attention.

I think Bynum's a risk but I could see a Bynum/Odom package enticing Denver - but not Bynum alone.  Please no.   

[GreenFaith1819]

I think that overall this talk about Melo and NOW LA getting involved in it? Right in the middle of a tough road trip?

Priceless.

These "rumors" make sense, though - even if I wear Green-tinted glasses. LA did beat MEM last night, but only after heroic efforts from Ron Ron and Odom.

Kobe? He truly looked Human in that fourth quarter.......I'm sure LA noticed, too. He's having more and more games like this...not his fault.

Kobe Bryant is getting Older...no doubt about it.

Will Matt Barnes fix most of this? Sure he will. He's a nice addition to the Lakers. But Melo?

I'm sure cosmetically he'll make LA better...but at what cost?

[hpantazo]

I think that overall this talk about Melo and NOW LA getting involved in it? Right in the middle of a tough road trip?

Priceless.

These "rumors" make sense, though - even if I wear Green-tinted glasses. LA did beat MEM last night, but only after heroic efforts from Ron Ron and Odom.

Kobe? He truly looked Human in that fourth quarter.......I'm sure LA noticed, too. He's having more and more games like this...not his fault.

Kobe Bryant is getting Older...no doubt about it.

Will Matt Barnes fix most of this? Sure he will. He's a nice addition to the Lakers. But Melo?

I'm sure cosmetically he'll make LA better...but at what cost?

I agree with you. At some point though, as you said, Kobe is getting old and slowing down. You need someone to sell tickets, and I don't think Bynum will do that. Getting Melo would give them someone that can sell tickets as Kobe begins to fade, and LA always attracts FA's. They would be in a nice position to transition from the Kobe era to the Melo and (FA to be named : Dwight Howard?) era. Yes, they take a chance on screwing up the three peat this year, but it's not a sure thing and Phil Jackson will be gone either way (hopefully) and Kobe will be older, and Fisher will be on the way to the retirement home.

[Eja117]

As much as I don't like Melo I'm not sure why we aren't trying to get him ourselves.

[LilRip]

i hope this happens. guarding a 6'8" jumpshooting SF is easier than a 7'0" with pretty good post moves and who gathers in a ton of rebounds. I'd also much rather play against a 6'8" SF who doesn't play much D than a 7'0" center who can block and alter a ton of shots, while also securing rebounds.

i'll take Dwight Howard over Melo (in the FA talk)