Free Agent And Trade Talk

Lots of Laker related free agent and trade talk going around the web. KCAL9 interviewer John Ireland says why he thinks a big trade hasn't went down yet, saying:

"They are waiting to make sure Kevin Garnett doesn't move. This isn't to suggest that Garnett will move to the Lakers, but if Minnesota decides to trade him, the Lakers want to have all of their available parts to make an offer. Remember that Garnett could leave at the end of the year, so it makes no sense for the Wolves not to move him. That could be in December, or just before the trade deadline, but I think the Lakers are smart to make sure they have a seat at that table."

Charley Rosen of Fox Sports answered a few Laker questions in his mailbag, including saying that Portland would be the best fit for Kobe if he were to get traded, and his views on trading for Kevin Garnett or Jermaine O'Neal. Said Rosen:

"Assuming they'd have to part with Odom (plus Bynum and/or Brown), obtaining Jermaine O'Neal would be a lateral move for the Lakers. He's too soft, foul- and injury-prone, empty-handed in the clutch, and reluctant to bang in the paint to be much of an improvement over Odom. Garnett is a different story. Having him play in Kobe's huge shadow would be a big plus."

Also, Hoopshype had an interview with various writers that cover the Lakers with some questions involving Garnett and O'Neal, the Kobe situation, and the Lakers front office.

Lastly, the Miami Heat have signed former Laker Smush Parker. If you're looking for a quote that is so off the wall that it's hilarious, check this out. The Palm Beach Post said, "Parker, 6-foot-4 and 180 pounds, also can play shooting guard and has a reputation as a strong on-the-ball defender." Are you kidding me? I literally laughed out loud when I read that they were calling Parker a "strong on-the-ball defender". They obviously didn't watch Laker games the past two seasons.