Off-Season Game Plan: Lakers

A first-round playoff exit sent the Los Angeles Lakers into flux this off-season.

More specifically, the playoff loss sent Kobe Bryant over the edge and he demanded a trade, feeling that the Los Angeles Lakers haven't done enough to build a winning team around him.

Off-Season Game Plan tackles what should be an active summer on the trade market for the Los Angeles Lakers -- either bringing in help for Kobe Bryant, or doing the unthinkable and dealing the 28 year-old megastar.

Since team owner Jerry Buss has said that he doesn't intend to trade Kobe Bryant, and Kobe Bryant himself seems to have cooled down some after talking with head coach Phil Jackson, let's go on the assumption that the Los Angeles Lakers will get busy and build a contender this summer.

The first step is landing a legitimate big man to complement Kobe Bryant.

While Kevin Garnett is an intriguing option, and one that should at least be investigated, the Timberwolves have been steadfast in their refusal to offer up the Big Ticket.

That makes Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal, who is quite publicly available, the likely target of the Los Angeles Lakers.

O'Neal is an excellent player, but the question that will hang over the Los Angeles Lakers is: Will they trade Andrew Bynum?

The Los Angeles Lakers front office has been reluctant to surrender what they feel will be a future franchise centre, but for every year that they wait on Andrew Bynum to even be a legitimate NBA starter, they are wasting a year of Kobe Bryant's prime; and Kobe Bryant, understandably, doesn't want to wait anymore.

If the Los Angeles Lakers are finally willing to dangle Andrew Bynum, they'll have their pick of several big men (Pau Gasol and Amare Stoudemire are other possibilities) to pursue.

Trying to appease Kobe Bryant means that has to be the course of action. Going halfway, and acquiring a couple of decent veterans, just won't cut it anymore.

GM/COACH - Mitch Kupchak/Phil Jackson

Still a teenager, Andrew Bynum is the Los Angeles Lakers' most marketable commodity -- and the one they've been reluctant to give up in deals proposed over the past two seasons. The kid has soft hands and good footwork and his potential is there for all to see; which is what makes him such desirable trade bait.

Kwame Brown is another trade chip this summer, but only because his $9.5-million contract is expiring. The number one overall pick in 2001 has failed to deliver on his potential and now needs to focus on playing some defense just to be a useful rotation player.

Should the Los Angeles Lakers make a deal for Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal, for example, they'll have their starting centre issue taken care of, but another free agent or draft pick may be required to bolster the Los Angeles Lakers' big depth.

Lamar Odom is a versatile and talented player, but he also seems to be at the heart of much of the Los Angeles Lakers trade talk this summer because the Los Angeles Lakers need a better interior scorer to give the offense some semblance of balance.

Brian Cook is a solid enough contributor off the bench, but doesn't give any indication that he's more the a second-teamer.

After signing a hefty free agent deal, Vladimir Radmanovic had a terrible first season with the Los Angeles Lakers, averaging a career-low 6.6 points per game and lying about a snowboarding injury that cost him 24 games (and a $500,000 team fine). When he's on, Radmanovic can be a good sixth man with the ability to play both forward positions and hit the three, but it's tough to predict when he's actually going to be on.

Having overcome a career-threatening heart surgery, Turiaf has become a solid rotation player. He's big, plays with energy and battles defensively.

The Los Angeles Lakers are faced with the prospect of losing small forward Luke Walton who is an unrestricted free agent, but Walton's steady improvement in four NBA seasons should be a good indication that the Los Angeles Lakers try to re-sign him.

If not, perhaps a sign-and-trade can be worked out that would bring the Los Angeles Lakers something in return. There has been talk of the Los Angeles Lakers attempting to take on Kings bad boy Ron Artest, so that might be a viable replacement.

While his trade demand caused waves for a few days, Kobe Bryant is most assuredly the cornerstone of the Los Angeles Lakers. He's still the most talented individual player in the game, but needs help if the Los Angeles Lakers are going to make it out of the first round. That sense of frustration -- combined with hurt a distrust of the Los Angeles Lakers front office -- led to his trade request.

A driven performer, Kobe Bryant will be an elite player for several more seasons, so it makes sense to take advantage of his peak performance years.

Jordan Farmar showed some potential as a rookie, but he's not yet ready to lead a playoff team. If he can continue to develop, he can provide a nice jolt of energy off the bench.

Maurice Evans is a decent backup on the wing -- he's athletic and inexpensive.

Sasha Vujacic hasn't improved much in three NBA seasons, so there's little reason to expect his fourth season to be any different.

If the Los Angeles Lakers are going to find a free agent point guard to replace Smush Parker, they may be able to lure Mo Williams in free agency, but the Los Angeles Lakers may have to turn to the trade market in order to make a major upgrade.

Sacramento's Mike Bibby and Dallas' Jason Terry are a couple of veterans who have been in trade rumours already this off-season, though the Kings and Mavericks may not be thrilled with the prospect of aiding the Los Angeles Lakers' quest to appease Kobe Bryant.

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