If you’ve read this column the last two weeks you know I’m not encouraged by the Lakers’ recent movements, which have left them out of salary cap room while needing roster changes.
But in the NBA off-season maneuvering surprises can happen.
Last week the Lakers used up their final salary slot that could reward an elite player by acquiring Steve Nash in a trade with the Phoenix Suns.
The acquisition of Nash made some Laker fans and even some news outlets speculate on whether the Lakers could win next season’s championship.
I don’t think the deal elevates them that far. The Lakers haven’t been able to prevent swift point guards from penetrating their defense the last few years and Nash won’t help much with that problem. In addition the bench is quite weak.
The Lakers now have a three-year contract with a 38-year-old point guard. And they have 34-year-old Kobe Bryant as the other guard. No arguing how great these players have been but they have a lot of mileage. Can they go through an 82-game schedule and playoffs without missing time due to injuries?
However, another development could be on the horizon. If the Lakers can get Dwight Howard in a trade with the Orlando Magic they might, indeed, become a team to be taken seriously.
By the time you read this column the matter may be settled. Howard, the 24-year-old center who is unhappy in Orlando, wants to play for the Brooklyn Nets. But he signed to opt into his Orlando contract for next season, so he can’t escape unless the Magic trade him.
Oh, what a mess this has created.
Because of NBA rules involving financial limits, the Magic and Nets need a third team and maybe a fourth to complete a deal that would send Howard to Brooklyn.
Negotiations were fast and furious in the last week, but matters only became more complicated.
Kris Humphries, one of the Nets who would be traded, reportedly is holding out for a four-year contract from a new team.
Cleveland apparently was willing to be the third team in this drama, but the Cavaliers lost interest and Charlotte and Minnesota became interested.
It appears a fourth team will be required and the Clippers wanted in, with the possibility they’d acquire guard Marshan Brooks from the Nets. Another good player for their ever-improving roster.
Then, on Tuesday, the whole whacky deal seemed in jeopardy, and the Magic were looking elsewhere to trade Howard.
So there are the Lakers, who want Howard and would part with Andrew Bynum.
The Lakers believe they’re in a strong position because Bynum is close to Howard in ability. So Orlando would get a center for a center.
But not so fast.
Bynum, like Howard, will be a free agent in a year unless he signs an extension. And he’s given no indication he’ll sign one with Orlando. Without an extension Orlando is reluctant to take him.
But wait. Houston wants to get involved. The Rockets would take Bynum and the Magic would settle for a few young players, some the Rockets have recently acquired in the NBA draft.
So that’s where we were when this piece was written on Wednesday.
Nash was close to going with Toronto or New York but decided to stay closer to his seven-year-old twin daughters and 20-month-old son. He’s divorced.
Nash is a Canadian and is receiving harsh treatment from Toronto fans who say he’s not being loyal to his country. Then there are Phoenix fans who regard the Lakers as an enemy.
But Nash is brushing off the criticism because he believes it’s most important to be close to his children, who live in Phoenix.
“If I’m in Toronto or New York I wouldn’t see them often,” he said. “I can go from LA to Phoenix much more often, take them home from school, feed them and go back.”
Nash was offered $36 million for three years by Toronto but decided to accept the $27 million the Lakers were permitted to offer, using the salary exception they acquired for parting with Lamar Odom last season.
Nash thanked the Suns for trading him to the Lakers after he convinced owner Robert Sarver his children were the primary reason he wants to stay in the West.
Before making a decision Nash talked to long-time rival Kobe Bryant on the phone and the superstars agreed they could work together.
I think Nash makes the Lakers better but not a serious championship contender. But I think they could be if they acquire Howard.
Oh, by the way, Phoenix should be all right because the Suns have signed 26-year-old Goran Dragic for four years to replace Nash.
After Deron Williams and Nash, Dragic was considered the third best free agent point guard. He comes off an outstanding season with Houston.
Both Nash and Dragic have Bill Duffy as their agent, so while the Suns were nice to consider Nash’s feelings the agent made sure the Suns were rewarded too.
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