Crazy thought: Lamar Odom?

[Rastapopoulos]

I know Odom has made himself persona non grata amongst Blazer fans, but he really is a decent guy, and he's very underrated. He was unfairly blamed for all of the Lakers' breakdowns against the Celtics, when in fact he contributed as much as anyone to their success. He is a great defender, rebounder and passer and would give us the frontcourt depth we've been asking for. And of course, he WOULDN'T be on the Lakers.

I'd rather have him than Ariza, who is less talented, and a version of whom we have in Batum.

He's unrestricted, and the Lakers might lowball him....

(Granted I'd rather address our PG needs first, but if Sessions, Kidd and Miller go elsewhere I'd be happy to target Odom.)

 

[Wheels]

Very Versatile player.. are you thinking of using him at the backup 3 and 4? or starting 3 and backup 4?

 

[Nikolokolus]

I'd take him, but I think he's probably going to resign with the Lakers.

 

[maxiep]

I'm going to forget you ever posted this idea, Rasta.

 

[alex42083]

He makes Travis look like a rocket scientist.

 

[Wheels]

He makes Travis look like a rocket scientist.

And when they play.. it looks like an Nba Player physically matched up against a Rocket Scientist.. it just doesnt work out. I hate the Lakers as much as the next guy.. but That would be an upgrade IMO.

 

[bintim]

Best idea I've seen on here. Hate the Lakers, but not the player. He's got game......like Pippen a point forward if need be......front to the basket, back to the basket, rebound and assist.

 

[Masbee]

I know Odom has made himself persona non grata amongst Blazer fans, but he really is a decent guy, and he's very underrated. He was unfairly blamed for all of the Lakers' breakdowns against the Celtics, when in fact he contributed as much as anyone to their success. He is a great defender, rebounder and passer and would give us the frontcourt depth we've been asking for. And of course, he WOULDN'T be on the Lakers.

I'd rather have him than Ariza, who is less talented, and a version of whom we have in Batum.

He's unrestricted, and the Lakers might lowball him....

(Granted I'd rather address our PG needs first, but if Sessions, Kidd and Miller go elsewhere I'd be happy to target Odom.)

Yes, but think of this strategically.

Odom is a 4/3 and we have Aldridge playing 40 minutes in the playoffs. Ariza is a 3/2/4 and his strength - definsive wing player - is a better fit for our team, even if he is the far lesser talent.

Lakers have Ariza and Odom. Both unrestricted free agents.

They would like to keep both. Can't afford both.

In fact, they can't really afford Odom at all, unless he signs real cheap, which I doubt he would do unless he had no other offers, and the Lakers hang Ariza over his head to drive down his price.

The Lakers want to keep at least one of them.

If we use cap space to sign Ariza, then the Lakers 1) lose a player they like, and likely forces them to pay more to keep Odom, or end up having both walk for nothing. Don't look for a sign-and-trade of any real value involving Odom as the Lakers can't afford to take back a big, long contract (ie, no Richard Jefferson, Vince Carter, Gerald Wallace type guys coming back).

So, if we make a run at Odom, I think the Lakers let us take him, as they are torn about him, and worried about the money.

If we make a run at Ariza, either the Lakers are then forced to overpay for Ariza to keep him, forcing them to let Odom walk, or we get Ariza, weakinging a rival, and the Lakers are now in a much weaker position negotiating with Odom.

All that said, I would rather get a much better player with our cap space this summer.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

I like Odom as a player, but I think he'd be too expensive.

 

[Tince]

I don't think the Lakers are going to be able to resign both Ariza and Odom. Either of them would be good fits in Portland. Ariza is a great defender who can shoot the 3.

 

[SodaPopinski]

Are people honestly advocating for two of the three most hated current Lakers coming to the Blazers?

-Pop

 

[DaRizzle]

Are people honestly advocating for two of the three most hated current Lakers coming to the Blazers?

-Pop

Yes, thanks for the compliments, and no, you cant have them

 

[Wheels]

Are people honestly advocating for two of the three most hated current Lakers coming to the Blazers?

-Pop

I'll throw Kobe in there... I'll gladly sign him too.

 

[SodaPopinski]

I'll throw Kobe in there... I'll gladly sign him too.

Well ... yeah. I think I could overlook a few things in order to get one of the best players in NBA history.

Odom or Ariza, though?

Not so much.

-Pop

 

[Wheels]

Well ... yeah. I think I could overlook a few things in order to get one of the best players in NBA history.

Odom or Ariza, though?

Not so much.

-Pop

Upgrades are upgrades.. To me the people I wouldnt want would be guys like Vujacic, Walton, etc... I hear they hate Farmar.. he could be a decent backup for us.

 

[SodaPopinski]

See ... to me, I'd much rather have a guy like Tayshaun Prince. Proven player who helped his team win a championship. A small forward. Wouldn't take shots away from Brandon or LaMarcus but has the ability to hit open shots or drive when necessary. Can finish in the open floor. Can defend the other team's best wing player.

I'd be surprised if Detroit would part with him, but you never know after their implosion this year. They may be looking to rebuild. And the fact they kept their coaching staff in tact tells me that Dumars is probably looking to make some player moves instead.

They might be open to taking back some cap relief or draft picks from us in addition to guys like Frye, Sergio and Outlaw.

-Pop

 

[DaRizzle]

Lakers would probably willing to trade Farmar for draft picks...Shannon Brown (who?) has been kicking ass and has a good chance to be the Lakers backup PG next year.

Food for thought: Farmar, a PG, shoot 59% FT's!!

 

[Tince]

Are people honestly advocating for two of the three most hated current Lakers coming to the Blazers?

-Pop

Ariza is hated for one hard foul, where he wasn't trying to hurt Rudy. Ariza is a nice, humble you player by all accounts, so I've never hated him. I hated the foul, but if I hated every guy who committed a hard foul, I would have been mad if we got Brian Grant, Joel Pryzbilla, Buck Williams, and Greg Anthony coming to Portland.

 

[SodaPopinski]

Ariza is hated for one hard foul, where he wasn't trying to hurt Rudy. Ariza is a nice, humble you player by all accounts, so I've never hated him. I hated the foul, but if I hated every guy who committed a hard foul, I would have been mad if we got Brian Grant, Joel Pryzbilla, Buck Williams, and Greg Anthony coming to Portland.

Hard fouls are one thing. Crowing about it and trying to start a fight with anyone in the vicinity is another.

-Pop

 

[Tince]

I'd much rather Shannon Brown than Farmar.

 

[Tince]

Hard fouls are one thing. Crowing about it and trying to start a fight with anyone in the vicinity is another.

-Pop

He was attacked for his hard foul, what do you expect him to do, let guys get in his face and push him aruond? Did you turn a blind eye to everything he said after the game? You could tell he felt bad about the situation and understood why the Blazers came at him, after having a chance to reflect on everything.

Human nature would have caused me to do the same thing in the heat of the moment. Check around with Laker, Magic, and Arizona Wildcat fans about Ariza's record and personality.

 

[DaRizzle]

I'd much rather Shannon Brown than Farmar.

Lakers too, so dont get your hopes up

 

[Tince]

Lakers too, so dont get your hopes up

How are you guys going to afford to keep Odom, Ariza, Brown, while Bynum's big contract kicks in?

 

[DaRizzle]

How are you guys going to afford to keep Odom, Ariza, Brown, while Bynum's big contract kicks in?

Lamar and Ariza is a separate issue. Shannon is a journeyman who was ecstatic that he came to LA and played well in a small amount of time. $1.5mill for Brown wont change much of anything

 

[elcap15]

How are you guys going to afford to keep Odom, Ariza, Brown, while Bynum's big contract kicks in?

Its L.A. man. Dr Buss always pays players if they are worth it.

 

[Tince]

Lamar and Ariza is a separate issue. Shannon is a journeyman who was ecstatic that he came to LA and played well in a small amount of time. $1.5mill for Brown wont change much of anything

Do you think you can resign Odom and Ariza? If so, for how much? If not, which one will the keep?

 

[DaRizzle]

Do you think you can resign Odom and Ariza? If so, for how much? If not, which one will the keep?

Thats the million dollar question. Odom said towards the beginning of the year he would take a paycut to stay with the Lakers. Then after Bynum went down and Odom was in the starting lineup and had a couple of 20+ point 17+ rebounds he changed his tune. He stated something like he was content coming off the bench when Bynum comes back because he was able to show that he is a very quality starter. Sounds like he wants to get paid IMO.

its gonna be a tough decision.

 

[Crimson the Cat]

abso fucking lutely not!

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Anyone think the Lakers win this year without Odom? I always thought he was unfairly scapegoated last year (because, you know, otherwise some of the blame might've had to go to Kobe) and I think he proved his worth pretty clearly.

I think he stays with the Lakers, but I'd love to see some team throw big money at him, and I wouldn't even mind if it was us. He's a great talent, and a nice guy, except when the sugar rages take him.

 

[RickyRubio]

I know Odom has made himself persona non grata amongst Blazer fans, but he really is a decent guy, and he's very underrated.

And you know this how? You talk to him? And why would we want a pothead moron on our team?

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