This caught my eye today.
Reports are swirling around that Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak may "ditch the Buss" (pun intended) and deal management favorite (and oft injured and combustible) center Andrew Bynum for superstar point guard Chris Paul.
With a trade for Paul, Mike Brown manning the purple and gold in place of Hall of Fame mentor Phil Jackson, and Kobe Bryant aging but in denial of it, a new era seems to indeed be knocking on the Lakers' doorstep.
With Paul, the Lakers would receive immediate help at the 1 spot, where they have relied for years on savvy veteran and Players' Union Prez, Derek Fisher. While D-Fish is steady, he's in the twilight of his hoops life and would not mind handing the keys to CP3. By trading Bynum, the Lakers enable themselves to potentially play small ball, with Lamar Odom at center. I have a feeling that the Hornets and Lakers will do a straight up deal, and, while both Bynum and Paul are set to become free agents within the next 1-2 years, expect both franchises to work around the new CBA's restrictions and throw in a few picks and cash to make the swap work.
The Hornets seems to be in rebuilding mode, and, with a middle of the road salary cap situation, they might as well deal Paul now instead of him building up a coup and losing him for nothing. Bynum would give the Hornets an instant go-to-guy in the paint, the first one they've had since Alonzo Mourning was in town. How will Bynum rise up to being option A? I feel like he's going to relish the role, and emerge as an all-star. Could it be that the screws were on too tight in LA? Maybe so. Hence, the small market atmosphere of N.O. could fit Bynum like Gumbo does a starving soul.
This and many other intriguing tales make up the days leading up to the opening of free agency.
Next thing we know, a team's going to be sold for peanuts.
MC
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