Lakers Trade Rumors

Lakers big men Bynum and Gasol likely out Friday against Memphis
Comment
November 6
L.A. Daily News
 
"Andrew Bynum's injured right elbow isn't as bad as originally thought, but he still might not play tonight against the Memphis Grizzlies. Bynum said it was doubtful he could play after an MRI exam revealed he has a strained elbow. Pau Gasol's strained right hamstring has healed, but he said it would be "very doubtful" that he could play tonight against his brother, Marc, and the Grizzlies. Gasol practiced with his teammates, but indicated he's not ready to play yet. Gasol did not participate in the full-contact portion of Thursday's practice. What might Lakers coach Phil Jackson do if neither of his 7-footers is sound enough to play against the Grizzlies? Well, he could give DJ Mbenga, the ..."
Lakers win, but Bynum leaves game with an elbow sprain
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November 5
Los Angeles Times
 
"The Lakers won another game but might have lost another big man. Pau Gasol is a little closer to returning, but Andrew Bynum was injured toward the end of the Lakers' 103-102 overtime victory Wednesday over the Houston Rockets. Bynum was fouled hard across his right arm while going up for a shot and sustained a sprained elbow with 24.7 seconds left in overtime. He will be re-evaluated today in Los Angeles. "I can't even lift my arm right now," Bynum said. "They just took a shot at me. That's that, I guess. It's not that bad. It just takes a little while to heal up." Anybody ready for Lamar Odom at center? On the day that Gasol was cleared to resume basketball-related activities, the Lakers ..."
Grizzlies courting Abdul-Jabbar
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October 28
L.A. Daily News
 
"The Memphis Grizzlies asked for and received permission to speak to Hall of Fame center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, possibly about a position with the team, a Lakers spokesman said Tuesday. Abdul-Jabbar attended opening night festivities at Staples Center, but declined to comment. Abdul-Jabbar, whose role as a special assistant to Lakers coach Phil Jackson has been decreased this season, attended the Grizzlies' practice Monday. He also had dinner with the Grizzlies' big men Sunday, according to a report in a Memphis newspaper. The Grizzlies declined comment when asked by a reporter from the Memphis Commercial-Appeal whether they would hire Abdul-Jabbar or what his role might be. Abdul-Jabbar, 62, ..."
Isiah 'blindsided' by Johnson's book
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October 23
New York Post
 
"A feud between Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas escalated yesterday when the former Knicks president lashed out at the Lakers legend for destroying him in a new book. That Johnson stated his longtime mistrust of Thomas smacks of irony. In 2004, Johnson strongly lobbied to then Garden president Steve Mills to hire Thomas to run the Knicks. Johnson was initially offered the Knicks presidency but turned it down. Mills left the Garden more than a year ago to work for Johnson. In the book, "When the Game was Ours," Johnson admitted he led the charge to have Thomas blackballed from the Olympic Dream Team in 1992 and, shockingly, accused Thomas of spreading rumors he was gay/bisexual after Johnson ..."
Gasol might miss Lakers' opener
Comment
October 23
Los Angeles Times
 
"When the Lakers boarded a row of double-decker buses for their championship parade in June, they should have left one seat open, reserved for Good Fortune. They managed to keep almost everybody off the injured list, an often-overlooked part of their successful season. Kobe Bryant played in all 105 of their games. Pau Gasol played in 104. So did Derek Fisher. Andrew Bynum missed 32 because of a torn knee ligament, but his replacement in the starting lineup, Lamar Odom, missed only four games. With a handful of days until they begin their title defense, however, the Lakers are already dealing with injuries. For starters, Gasol might be sidelined for the season opener."
Jackson promises peace vs. Bryant
Comment
October 20
Contra Costa Times
 
"Warriors swingman Stephen Jackson promises there won't be any drama between him and Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant when the two match up tonight in Ontario. "I guarantee you I won't feed into the nonsense," Jackson said after Monday's practice. "Because I know if it comes down to it, if we had a real fight, I know what would happen. So I'm just going to leave it alone and go out there and play basketball." The last time Jackson and Bryant matched up, on Oct. 9 at the Forum in Los Angeles, Jackson wound up getting suspended for two games after a run-in with coach Don Nelson. Tonight, though, Nelson won't be on the sidelines. He's with his wife, Joy, in Southern California after her ..."
Lamar Odom leaves game with right leg contusion
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October 16
Los Angeles Times
 
"Quick word from Lamar Odom after Friday's 97-92 win over the Kings in Las Vegas. LO limped to the locker room at the end of the first half after getting kicked in the right shin, possibly by Sacramento's Jon Brockman, who was locked in a scrum on the floor with Ron Artest. Josh Powell started the second half, and when Odom tried to enter the game he quickly had to check out, clearly in pain. After the game, he wasn't worried. "I'm alright. It'll be alright. They were wrestling down there, Ron, the wrestler and Brockman, they were wrestling and someone down there kicked me," Odom said. "Front side. Right side on my shin. Right on the muscle there. It's a tough place to get hit. Treatment, ..."
Rambis agrees to four-year, $8 million deal to coach Minnesota
Comment
August 9
L.A. Daily News
 
"Assistant coach Kurt Rambis will leave the Lakers to take over as head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves, according to an Internet report Saturday night. ESPN.com reported the Timberwolves will hire Rambis, who has spent the past 10 years as an assistant with the Lakers and served as interim head coach during the 1998-99 season. He went 24-13. According to reports from ESPN and the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Rambis will receive a four-year deal worth $8 million. ESPN reported Rambis will be introduced as the Timberwolves' new coach at a Tuesday news conference. Rambis' hiring would be an irony of sorts in that he would be replacing Kevin McHale, with whom he had an altercation during the ..."
Lakers assistant Rambis front-runner for Minnesota Timberwolves job
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August 6
L.A. Daily News
 
"Lakers assistant Kurt Rambis has emerged as the top candidate to fill the Minnesota Timberwolves' coaching vacancy, according to an Internet report Wednesday afternoon. Rambis was expected to be offered the job soon, Yahoo! Sports said. Rambis also interviewed with the Philadelphia 76 ers and the Sacramento Kings in June, while the Lakers were en route to winning the NBA title. The 76 ers hired Eddie Jordan. Rambis turned down an offer from the Kings, who then hired Paul Westphal. According to the Yahoo! Sports report, Rambis moved ahead of former NBA guard Mark Jackson and current Houston Rockets assistant Elston Turner. Rambis had yet to meet with Minnesota owner Glen Taylor, according ..."
Lamar Odom agrees to return to Lakers
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July 30
Los Angeles Times
 
"The Lakers reached a deal to re-sign free-agent forward Lamar Odom today, retaining an important, and versatile, part of last season's championship run, a source close to the negotiations told the Times. Odom, a 6-foot-10 forward, has been a key player on the Lakers for five seasons. He became an unrestricted free agent in July. ESPN.com reported that the deal was worth $33 million over the four years if the Lakers exercise the final year of the contract. It was widely known that Odom, who will be 30 in November, would have to take a pay cut because of his age, the declining economy and the small number of teams that were far enough under the NBA salary cap to make a legitimate offer to ..."
Source: Odom, Lakers agree on deal
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July 30
ESPN.com
 
"Free agent forward Lamar Odom will return to the Los Angeles Lakers, an NBA source said Thursday. One source with knowledge of the talks told ESPN.com the four-year deal is worth $33 million if the Lakers exercise the final season. One source close to the process said Odom will come away with a guaranteed $27 million from the new contract, matching the original value of the three-year, $27 million deal Lakers owner Jerry Buss pulled off the table earlier this month. It's believed that the structure of the new deal calls for Odom to earn $25 million over the first three seasons, with the Lakers owing him $2 million in the fourth year if they elect not to pick up their team option. Reached ..."
Pursuit of Lamar Odom puts Riley's negotiation skills to test
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July 29
Miami Herald
 
"As the story goes, team president Pat Riley was in a room a few months back with dozens of Miami Heat fans on the verge of canceling their season tickets. The reasons they gave ranged from having to make sacrifices in a slumping economy to the Heat's gradual drop off since the team won its lone NBA title in 2006. Riley listened to each concern, rubbed his chin and launched his best sales pitch. ``I had an opportunity to speak with three groups that were on the fence for a number of reasons -- the economy, the product, the price,'' Riley said as he recalled the impact of his message. ``And they all renewed. So just get in a room and let me talk.'' If only things were that simple with the ..."
Source: Lakers reduce offer for Odom
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July 27
ESPN.com
 
"As Lamar Odom continues to mull his future, still hopeful that an improved offer for the Los Angeles Lakers is forthcoming, Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade is trying as hard as he can to convince Odom to end his free-agent wait. Wade announced via his Twitter account late Sunday night that he has flown to Los Angeles to "bring Odom bac (sic)" to the Heat. That was Wade's follow-up to an earlier weekend tweet in which he implored Odom to "come back to where it started for the both of us." Although it's unclear how much impact Wade's ongoing recruiting efforts will have on his former teammate -- or if Heat president Pat Riley, who's also in L.A. this week, will be meeting face-to-face with Odom ..."
Lamar Odom apparently not the ultimate long shot for the Heat
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July 26
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"A Lamar Odom reunion with the Miami Heat apparently is not the ultimate longshot, even for a player coming off a championship season and facing a significant pay cut. Yahoo.com reported Saturday that the Los Angeles Lakers forward is "leaning strongly toward accepting" a Heat offer that would start next season at the $5.9 million mid-level salary-cap exception. Odom, who earned $14.1 million last season, on the final year of the deal he signed with the Heat in 2003 before being dealt a year later to the Lakers in a package for Shaquille O'Neal, entered the offseason aware he would have to take a reduced salary. However, amid negotiations with the Lakers that have included an offer limited ..."
Sources: Odom leaning toward signing with Heat
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July 25
Yahoo! Sports
 
"Lamar Odom is leaning strongly toward accepting the Miami Heat's contract offer and leaving the Los Angeles Lakers, multiple sources with knowledge of the talks said. Odom has not reached a final decision, the sources said, but there is growing belief he will ultimately return to the Heat unless the Lakers improve their current offer. "It's close, but it's not done," said one source. Lakers officials and Odom's representatives resumed talking after a weeklong standoff that began when Jerry Buss, the team's owner, withdrew a four-year, $36 million offer that guaranteed $30 million. Sources close to Odom said that while the two sides have since talked, Buss is now offering less than the ..."
Odom and Lakers resume talks
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July 23
Los Angeles Times
 
"Is the table being set again? A week after the Lakers pulled a pair of contract offers to Lamar Odom off the table, the sides resumed talks Wednesday. The discussions were labeled productive, but there was nothing to report "at the moment," according to a source familiar with negotiations who was not authorized to comment publicly. It didn't look great last week for Odom's return to the Lakers after the franchise yanked its offers of three years and $30 million or four years and $36 million, with the fourth year only partially guaranteed. But the sides began communicating in a more positive light Wednesday. Financial details were not immediately available, though the Lakers were not ..."
Fisher takes a shot at keeping Odom as a Lakers teammate
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July 22
Los Angeles Times
 
"It seemed like a clever gimmick when Lakers guard Derek Fisher, actor David Arquette and fast-food icon Ronald McDonald heaved 33-foot shots from a third-story balcony at L.A. Live on Tuesday to publicize the Lakers 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament to be held Aug. 14-16 and benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California. Under difficult circumstances, Fisher gave it his all. He tried flinging. He tried finessing. He shot from a running start. He shot from a standing start. Though known for his clutch long-range shooting, he couldn't get anything to fall and had to watch avid Lakers fan Arquette make the only shot while TV cameras were rolling. In an ideal world, Lamar Odom ..."
Latest chatter: Sessions over A.I.?
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July 17
ESPN.com
 
"Here is the latest assemblage of chatter culled from conversations with a variety of knowledgeable sources -- front-office executives, coaches, players and agents -- camped at the NBA's annual summer league here in Vegas. The distinct vibe in the stands at UNLV's Cox Pavilion is that the Clippers -- apart from owner Donald Sterling -- would greatly prefer to add more of a set-up man to a backcourt rotation that already features Baron Davis and emerging star Eric Gordon as opposed to signing Allen Iverson to a one-year deal up to the full $5.9 million midlevel exception. The top choice in that scenario? Extending an offer sheet to restricted free agent Ramon Sessions. Yet as we covered here ..."
Heat targeting both Boozer and Odom
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July 16
Yahoo! Sports
 
"Pat Riley has listened to Dwyane Wade(notes) express his unease with the Miami Heat sitting out the Eastern Conference's arms race this summer. As the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic elevated themselves as championship contenders, the Heat president sold his superstar on patience, promising a plan to surround him with talent for the long run. Now, the Heat are working furiously to deliver Lamar Odom(notes) and Carlos Boozer(notes) to the shores of Biscayne Bay. The Heat are trying to sell Odom on a five-year, $34 million contract at the mid-level exception, and a league executive with knowledge of the talks says Miami has also hatched a three-way proposal with the ..."
Heat finds itself as leverage in Odom's negotiations with Lakers
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July 16
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"If the Miami Heat is being used for leverage when it comes to Lamar Odom's free-agent negotiations with the Los Angeles Lakers, it is safe to say it is a willing participant. While the Heat is limited in the bidding to its $5.9 million mid-level exception, which is roughly one-third of what Odom earned last season and two-thirds of what the Lakers are currently offering, Odom long has remained a favorite of Heat President Pat Riley. Odom, in fact, is coming off of the final year of the free-agent contract he signed with the Heat in 2003, before he was traded the following season to the Lakers in a package for Shaquille O'Neal. Caron Butler, another forward who was sent from the Heat to the ..."
Talks break down between Lakers and Odom
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July 15
Orange County Register
 
"The Lakers have withdrawn their contract offer to Lamar Odom and talks have broken have broken off for the time being, a team spokesman said Tuesday. Neither Odom nor agent Jeff Schwartz has responded to the Lakers' latest offer of either $30 million over three years or $36 million over four years. Odom, who earned $11.4 million last season, is seeking $10 million a year. Neither Odom nor Schwartz could be reached Tuesday."
Wrong time for Odom to go free
Comment
July 12
L.A. Daily News
 columnist Ramona Shelburne
"In this week's edition of "While you were off winning an NBA championship last season," also known as the weekly "How the economic meltdown is affecting professional sports" report, versatile Lakers free agent forward Lamar Odom sits team-less and contract- less on July 12 trying to figure out how to swallow a rather large pay cut after the most successful season of his professional career. Meanwhile, the considerably less-accomplished free agent forward Paul Millsap inks an offer sheet with Portland that will pay him $32 million over the next four seasons. Besides a championship ring, talent-gap and experience, what's the difference between them? Age. Millsap is 24. Odom will 30 later ..."
Lakers GM Kupchak `hopeful' of Odom's return
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July 9
L.A. Daily News
 
"Because free agent Ron Artest took less money to sign with the Lakers than he might have received elsewhere, it now appears general manager Mitch Kupchak might have an easier time re-signing Lamar Odom. Kupchak said Wednesday he remained "hopeful" a deal could be struck soon. "If we would have gone down another avenue and agreed to something we didn't think made sense, I'm not sure we'd be in a position to bring everybody back," Kupchak said, referring to Odom and Shannon Brown. When negotiations on a new contract for free agent Trevor Ariza stalled after only a few hours last week, it became obvious to Kupchak that he needed to move in a different direction. So, Kupchak called David ..."
After getting Ron Artest, can they re-sign Lamar Odom?
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July 9
Los Angeles Times
 
"The Lakers officially signed Ron Artest, in case his smiling visage and lengthy entourage among a throng of reporters at a news conference Wednesday in El Segundo didn't confirm it. But will Artest be the Lakers' only big-name announcement this summer? The Lakers remain far apart in negotiations with unrestricted free agent Lamar Odom, a chasm that probably widened with the NBA's announcement of a lower salary cap for next season. In figures released by the NBA, the salary cap fell for only the second time since it was introduced in 1984, a nod to the severity of the economic slowdown. Of greater importance to the Lakers, who knew they were tens of millions of dollars over the salary cap, ..."
Lakers still unsure about Odom's future plans
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July 8
L.A. Daily News
 
"Ron Artest is coming. Shannon Brown is returning. Trevor Ariza is leaving. What about Lamar Odom? The Lakers' free-agent negotiations produced a surprising agreement with Artest and a predictable one with Brown, sandwiched around the loss of Ariza to the Houston Rockets. There has been hardly a trickle of information about Odom, however. Today is the first full day free agents can sign new contracts. Artest and Brown signed their deals with the Lakers on Tuesday night. Ariza could have done the same with the Rockets. It's uncertain what Odom's day will bring. He wants to re-sign with the Lakers and the Lakers want him back. There's been a near-total news blackout, however. Odom and the ..."
Trail Blazers interested in Lamar Odom
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July 7
OregonLive.com
 
"Ken Berger at cbssports.com is reporting that "a coaching source" said the Trail Blazers are interested in Lamar Odom. Despite reports that the Trail Blazers were preparing to make a major bid for Knicks restricted free agent David Lee, a coaching source familiar with the situation said Portland is more interested in the Lakers' Lamar Odom. And the source described the Odom situation with Portland as "lukewarm.""
Artest joins Lakers, Ariza set for Houston in virtual swap
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July 4
Denver Post
 
"Ron Artest, the mercurial forward who has bounced from Chicago to Indiana to Sacramento to Houston, has landed in Los Angeles, and Trevor Ariza is on his way to the Rockets. Artest, 29, said Thursday he has agreed to a contract that will make him a Laker next season. The Lakers cannot comment on pending deals - contracts cannot be signed until Wednesday - but Artest's agent, David Bauman, said the deal was for five years and between $34 million and $35 million. "I don't care about the money," said Artest, who played for the Rockets this past season. "I'll play there for nothing. L.A. was very interested in me, and they got me." Artest's presence meant the Lakers probably would have had to ..."
Trevor Ariza talks with Rockets
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July 2
Los Angeles Times
 
"The Trevor Ariza NBA tour has officially begun. The Lakers' free-agent forward is meeting today in Las Vegas with Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey and Coach Rick Adelman, according to Ariza's agent. "They both flew in to meet him," agent David Lee said. Ariza has also had a discussion with Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James about joining the Cavaliers."
Cleveland Cavaliers reportedly make a play for Ron Artest and Trevor Ariza
Comment
July 2
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Two players who didn't seem like they were going to be available to the Cavaliers ended up in the team's crosshairs at the end of day one of the NBA free-agency period. According to several league sources, the Cavs are attempting to land Houston Rockets free-agent forward Ron Artest, and the pitch included a meeting with LeBron James on Tuesday night in Los Angeles as both were in Southern California for various events. In addition, a league source indicated the team is trying to attract Los Angeles Lakers swingman Trevor Ariza, who appears to be disgruntled with the Lakers' early attempts to re-sign him. Ariza's agent, David Lee, told the Riverside, Calif., Press-Enterprise Wednesday, ..."
Ariza keeps his intentions unknown
Comment
July 2
Orange County Register
 
"Trevor Ariza wants to remain with the Lakers. He said as much during his exit interview. But the free agent didn't say much more than that during a radio interview Wednesday, declining to reveal if he will re-sign with the team. Ariza, Lamar Odom and Shannon Brown became free agents Tuesday night. Ariza is expected to be one of the hottest free agents on the market because of his athleticism and defensive abilities. He is expected try to double his current $3.1 million Lakers contract. "It's a business and I understand that business side of it," Ariza said on KSPN/710. "(And) I have to do what I have to do in the business side of things. It's exciting, it's a good experience for me and I'm ..."
Lakers are far apart with free agents Trevor Ariza and Lamar Odom
Comment
July 2
Los Angeles Times
 
"The Lakers had a near-perfect June, breezing through the NBA Finals in five games and capping it off with a victory parade and championship rally under sunny Southern California skies. The first day of July, however, wasn't as picturesque. The Lakers remained far apart on negotiations Wednesday with their two main free-agent pieces, forwards Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza. In particular, Ariza and his agent weren't thrilled by the Lakers' annual offer of $5.6 million over an unspecified number of years. Ariza, 24, was hoping for $7 million to $8 million a year. Odom, 29, is believed to be seeking $10 million a year, though it was unclear what the Lakers offered him. Ariza's agent, David Lee, ..."
Bryant decides not to opt out
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July 1
Orange County Register
 
"Kobe Bryant isn't going anywhere, just as he said. At least it seems not for the coming year. By not contacting the Lakers via phone or fax by Tuesday's 9 p.m. deadline, indications are the star guard elected not to terminate his contract early and become an unrestricted free agent, a move that could give him leverage down the road. Bryant, who will earn $23 million next season, is believed to be seeking a new five-year deal from the Lakers worth $135 million. "This is my home," Bryant told the crowd during a rally at the Coliseum after the team's celebratory parade. Bryant, who turns 31 in August, could have opted out and sought another team to pay his hefty asking price. But only ..."
Can Lakers keep pieces to championship puzzle?
Comment
July 1
Orange County Register
 columnist Jeff Miller
"Even fate, it now appears, is a Lakers fan. Can't you just see fate, in a purple-and-gold feather boa, Kobe jersey and Kurt Rambis glasses, looking cheerleader enough to work in local radio? That can be the only explanation for why everything keeps coming up Laker these days. From the forgiving end of the regular season to the accommodating run through the playoffs to the friendly pairing with overmatched Orlando to this: A free-agent period thin enough on money and buyers that the Lakers might be able to keep both Trevor Ariza and Lamar Odom. What next, Vic the Brick's beard refereeing next season's Lakers-Cavaliers Finals? In a normal world, the economy wouldn't have eroded to the point ..."
Duke coach Krzyzewski: `I'm not going to the Lakers'
Comment
July 1
L.A. Daily News
 
"Longtime Duke coach quashes rumors about him taking over NBA champions should Jackson decide to retire. DURHAM, N.C. - Mike Krzyzewski made it clear: He's not ever going to coach the Lakers. During his annual summer meeting with reporters Tuesday, one of the first topics covered by the Duke coach was the simmering buzz that had him leaving the Blue Devils for the Lakers if Phil Jackson retires. "I'm not going to the Lakers. They have one of the great coaches in the game," Krzyzewski said. "I don't know where that rumor started, but there has been nothing done like that, and I'm not leaving Duke. Whatever you hear about anything like that, I will never leave Duke until I leave coaching." ..."
If Kobe Bryant wants a new contract, today's the deadline to ask
Comment
June 30
Los Angeles Times
 
"Where's Kobe Bryant? Today is the last day for Bryant to terminate his contract and become an unrestricted free agent, but the Lakers hadn't received any notice as of Monday night from the NBA Finals MVP. If Bryant wants to opt out of his contract, he needs to officially notify the Lakers via fax by the end of today. The Lakers declined to comment. Bryant's agent, Rob Pelinka, did not return a phone call. Knowing Bryant's flair for the dramatic, it could be a wait-until-the-last-minute decision. It wouldn't be the first time. As a free agent in 2004, he made the Lakers and Clippers wait until the last possible second before announcing he would sign a seven-year contract with the Lakers. ..."
Ariza bleeds purple and gold
Comment
June 30
Orange County Register
 
"Having just gotten off the phone with Trevor Ariza's agent, it seems the Lakers forward seriously wants to re-sign with the team. How much? Well, for one he is a Los Angeles guy, having grown up here and played high school (Westchester) and college (UCLA) here. Plus, having grown up here, he has been a lifelong Lakers fan. "If Trevor falls down and bruises his knee, he bleeds purple and gold," said Ariza's agent, David Lee said Tuesday morning. Lee doesn't beat around the bush. He said the Lakers should make Ariza a priority, however, he also expects his cell phone to be ringing constantly after 9 p.m. today, when free agency begins. Ariza is considered a hot (hottest) commodity on the ..."
Will Lakers -- or someone else -- show them the money?
Comment
June 30
L.A. Daily News
 
"One by one, they said they hoped to come back to play for another NBA championship next season. Trevor Ariza, Lamar Odom and Shannon Brown said they were happy and at home with the Lakers and wanted to re-sign with the team. The Lakers want them back, too. General manager Mitch Kupchak and coach Phil Jackson each said the journey to a second consecutive league title begins by re-signing the three unrestricted free agents. Kupchak made two moves toward retaining the services of Ariza, Odom and Brown when he traded two of the Lakers' three draft picks for cash and future selections. He didn't want to add players or their salaries to the roster. The next and most important step begins at 9 ..."
Knicks buy Lakers' pick
Comment
June 25
Yahoo! Sports
 
"New York Knicks officials are telling peers they have purchased the Lakers' No. 29 pick. The Knicks are planning to draft a point guard with their choice at No. 8, and sources say they're targeting a big man at 29. Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak said on Wednesday the team hoped to sell its pick and use to money to help re-sign free agents Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza."
Rumor Roundup: Brand, McGrady, Rondo, Darko, Farmar
Comment
June 25
SI.com
 
"The 76ers have shopped Elton Brand. ... Other teams "very aggressive" in pursuit of Tracy McGrady, according to Rockets GM Daryl Morey. ... The agent for Rajon Rondo, the subject of trade rumors, is unhappy with Celtics boss Danny Ainge. ... The Knicks are close to acquiring Darko Milicic. ... The Lakers have contacted Houston about acquiring Jordan Farmar or buying their first-round pick."
Lakers likely to stay put, trade top pick
Comment
June 25
Orange County Register
 
"Mitch Kupchak has his eye on specific players in today's NBA draft. The Lakers general manager knows exactly which players he wants to take with the team's three draft picks. "Blake Griffin, Ricky Rubio and (Hasheem) Thabeet," Kupchak said Wednesday with a straight face, adding, "if they're available." Kupchak's glib remark evoked laughter from the media that attended Wednesday's briefing on which players the Lakers might choose with their three picks. Kupchak's other answers were not as quick or easily forthcoming. With three potential free agents, Kobe Bryant opting out and the Lakers' desire to keep intact their NBA championship team, Kupchak doesn't possess clear-cut ideas of how the ..."
Lakers prefer a deal to a draft pick
Comment
June 25
Los Angeles Times
 
"The Lakers just won the NBA championship with a deep, young and talented team that could remain that way if they sign their three free agents. The Lakers also have three picks in today's NBA draft, but the players available are not likely to make their roster next season, so they'd rather make a deal to have the money available to sign Lamar Odom, Trevor Ariza and Shannon Brown, who become unrestricted free agents next month. "There is a better than even likelihood that we'll move one of our picks," Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak said Wednesday. That means the Lakers, who have a first-round pick (No. 29) and two second-round selections (Nos. 42 and 59), could make a trade in a ..."
Bryant: 'I'm not going anywhere'
Comment
June 20
ESPN.com
 
"Kobe Bryant said he plans to stay with the NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers even if he opts out of his contract this summer. Phil Jackson said his health will dictate whether he returns as coach. Bryant met with Jackson and general manager Mitch Kupchak for an individual exit interview Friday. The finals MVP can terminate the last two years of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He's spent his entire 13-year career with the Lakers, winning four NBA championships. But he could get a new, longer deal if he opted out, but he wouldn't necessarily make more money.. Asked by reporters if he would opt out, Bryant said, "I've been deflecting that all year and I ain't going ..."
Phil Jackson says his future with Lakers depends on his health
Comment
June 20
Los Angeles Times
 
"Lakers Coach Phil Jackson sat in a chair today with his hands crossed, his voice strong and deep as usual while he talked about his future with the team, saying much of his decision will hang on his health. Jackson said at a news conference that he hasn't made a decision on whether or not to return as coach, even after talks with Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak about it over the last two days. Jackson, who is due to earn $12 million next season, said he needs a few more medical tests soon to get a gauge on his health concerns. Jackson, who'll be 64 in September, said he has a date in his contract in which he has to inform the Lakers of his decision; he wouldn't divulge the date. "That ..."
Lakers give Jackson more time to decide about whether to return
Comment
June 20
L.A. Daily News
 
"Phil Jackson's future as the Lakers' coach could depend on a battery of medical tests that will be performed in the next few weeks. If all goes well, then Jackson will return to coach the NBA champions for the final season of his contract. Jackson faced a deadline next week to let the Lakers know whether he intended to coach again next season, but he and general manager Mitch Kupchak agreed this week to push back the deadline until after the medical examinations are completed. "There are a couple of appointments I have that have to be made and fulfilled before I can make that decision," Jackson said Friday. "I'm feeling good, got a couple of good nights sleep, so that's been great. I ..."
Jackson's health will dictate future
Comment
June 19
ESPN.com
 
"Phil Jackson said he'd like to coach another year, but "medical issues" will have to be addressed in the next couple of weeks before he can commit to the grind of another NBA season. Jackson, who turns 64 in September, was on the "Waddle & Silvy" show on ESPN 1000, and he talked about the possibility of chasing his 11th NBA title after guiding the Los Angeles Lakers to his record-setting 10th championship on Sunday. "No, I'm not," he said when asked if he's set on pursuing another championship. "I have some medical issues that I have to resolve, and I have to take care of those in the next couple weeks before I recommit to this thing." Jackson reportedly has undergone two hip replacement ..."
Odom faces tough choice: Stay or get bigger payday
Comment
June 19
Orange County Register
 columnist Kevin Ding
"There was Lamar Odom, discussing his hopes of re-signing with the Lakers, in the middle of the season: "I feel like winning is the cure to all that." Here was Lamar Odom, having won, speaking Thursday: "Three years, $80 million." Odom was just jesting, drawing big laughs from reporters in suggesting those were the terms he threw at Coach Phil Jackson and GM Mitch Kupchak in their just-completed season-ending meeting. Odom was his typical entertaining self, even though he said he was "tired as hell" from wild ride that the past several days have been since the Lakers won the NBA championship Sunday night in Orlando. He needed to get geared back up again for the "official" team party ..."
Lamar Odom hopes to remain with Lakers
Comment
June 19
Los Angeles Times
 
"Lamar Odom cleaned out his locker Thursday and left the Lakers' training facility, perhaps for the last time as part of the franchise that has employed him the last five years. Odom will be an unrestricted free agent July 1, one of two forwards the Lakers hope to re-sign to keep their frontcourt intact. Trevor Ariza is younger and has plenty of potential, but Odom can play three positions and provide much-needed backup help whenever Andrew Bynum gets in foul trouble. The Lakers hope to sign both Ariza and Odom, but owner Jerry Buss will first have to evaluate how much to offer Odom, a non-starter on a championship team. Odom was on the Lakers' books for $14.1 million this season, though he ..."
Money talks; will any Lakers walk?
Comment
June 16
Los Angeles Times
 
"The Lakers will officially close the books on their championship season with Wednesday's victory parade and a few days' worth of individual exit meetings, but one question won't be answered amid all the confetti and congratulations. What's next? The Lakers will experience a flurry of activity between now and mid-July, starting with the draft June 25, in which they have the 29th, 42nd and 59th picks. Then the real decisions begin with free agency. Kobe Bryant can terminate the last two years of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent July 1. Forwards Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza officially become unrestricted free agents that day, as does reserve guard Shannon Brown. The Lakers ..."
Lakers assistants are interested in coaching position at USC
Comment
June 11
Los Angeles Times
 
"The direction USC Athletic Director Mike Garrett could take with his beleaguered basketball program is up Figueroa Avenue to Staples Center. Lakers assistants Jim Cleamons and Brian Shaw are trying to win an NBA championship with one eye on the Trojans' job that opened when Tim Floyd announced his resignation Tuesday. Both coaches are interested in the position, according to sources close to them who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Garrett is expected to move quickly to replace Floyd, though the circumstances surrounding the program might make the process difficult. USC's football and basketball programs are being investigated by the NCAA. The basketball portion of that examination ..."