i think its about when they want to win. If they want to win now, with kobe, they trade bynum. If they want to win 10 years down the track, keep bynum, move kobe, and get some picks or something.

There are only two names (well, three but I'm not counting Kobe) on the Lakers roster that teams will accept in trading for a elite player and that is Odom and Bynum.

As ELG stated the Lakers either need to bite the bullet and decided to win now or win in 5 years.

IMO the only two elite players (that could be had now) that would put LA on par with the other elite teams is Kidd and KG. I'm not sure if Jermaine O'Neal or Gasol would put them into elite status (would make them very very good though).

Oh they need to get rid of Smush (headcase) and Rad (costing to much $$ for a 3 point shooter), and hope that one day Kwame pulls his head from his ar$e and plays like the No 1 pick.

They have to resign Walton as well.

Also, Kobe has a 'no trade' clause in his contract so it's gonna have to be good bye Odom and Bynum.

Kobe & KG, now that would be an
allstar Duo..

I'd rate that over every other duo in the league..
- TMac & Yao
- Carter & Kidd
- Nash & Nash
- Shaq & Wayde
- Arenas & Arenas & Arenas & Arenas (& Arenas)

the thing is aswell kobe yes isnt getting any younger but he is getting better. if thats beleiveable.

TR,

Word out of Lakers camp is that Smush is gone already.

does not surprise me at all. what did smush get in the playoffs.. jack all court time really.. seriously the whole world could see that one coming.. good move to in my opion..

Does Kobe deserve one last hoorah? and would the Lakers as an organisation owe it to him to sign a big name soon or does he take what he gets for apparently running The Diesel out a town

IMO - Diesel & Kobe wouldnt of done hugely better than Diesel & Wade this season - sh*t the Heat got knocked out first round FFS!
Kobe needs some new bl00d - KG to the Lakers!

The Lakers need a solid point gaurd, they should sign Kidd and run the best team at the 2 gaurd positions in the league. keep bynum he will be a great player in the years 2 come he is developing amazingly at the moment so keep him trade odom he could bring some fresh faces 2 the lakers or possibly another star.

Add Duncan and Parker to that list of premium duos

With what the Lakers are truly likely to receive for what they are prepared to offer in trades, they may have to take a fly on some flawed players, whether that be coming back from long term injuries (say Bobby Simmons from the Bucks), have had issues with recent teams (Bonzi Wells at Houston or Steve Francis at New York) or maybe even in the Draft (Seann Williams from Boston - leading shotblocker in College Hoops and leading purchaser of Jamaica's finest!).

Just like KG (& Shaq), the only way Kobe is going to get another Championship (due to the amount of money he is getting paid) is to be surrounded by the right sort of role players (see Duncan, Tim for the recipe) or get lucky with a Draft Pick (see Miami - Wade, D) who can get him over the line. The only other way might be if a couple of veteran free agents are prepared to sign for low money to try and get a title (ala Payton & Malnoe). A name like Grant Hill might be one of those options.