RealGM Analysis
Kobe Bryant tried to trade Andrew Bynum and even himself, but the way in which he tried to trade Lamar Odom for Jermaine O'Neal could have been the biggest mistake of all.
The Lakers and Kobe need to do an about-turn in considering Odom's future in Los Angeles. On Sunday, Odom didn't score in the 30's like Pau Gasol and Kobe, but he was their most valuable player and it is he, not Kobe or Gasol who stirs the Lakers' drink.
Odom (23.0 FIC score) was controlling the tempo, controlling the glass, and making the Lakers look indestructible. If Gasol's 37.3 FIC score (36 points, 16 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 blocks) was the whipped cream, Kobe's 32 (10.0 FIc score) was the cherry, Odom's 17, 14, and 6 was the ice cream. Gasol has never scored such an easy 36 points, and that was clearly a byproduct of Marcus Camby's focus on both Odom and Bryant.
Between brilliant touch passes and coast-to-coast finishes on defensive rebounds, Odom was not as typically understated in his brilliance as he so often is because of his unique versatility. He is the perfect connector between Bryant and Gasol and the most lethal 'third-best' player in the game right now.
Sunday's game continues Odom's good postseason numbers with the Lakers, particularly in comparison to Kobe:
2006 Playoffs
April 23, at Phoenix (102-107)- Kobe: 9.5, Lamar: 16.5
April 26, at Phoenix (99-93)- Kobe: 16.3, Lamar: 20.0
April 28, Phoenix (99-92)- Kobe: 11.3, Lamar: 18.3
April 30, Phoenix (99-98)- Kobe: 12.3, Lamar: 14.8
May 2, at Phoenix (97-114)- Kobe: 17.6, Lamar: 20.9
May 4, Phoenix (118-126)-Kobe: 26.8, Lamar: 19.5
May 6, at Phoenix (90-121)- Kobe: 10.1, Lamar: 5.0
2007 Playoffs
April 22, at Phoenix (87-95)- Kobe: 12.9, Lamar: 15.3
April 24, at Phoenix (98-126)- Kobe: 10.0, Lamar: 5.4
April 26, Phoenix (95-89)- Kobe: 26.6, Lamar: 20.0
April 29, Phoenix (100-113)- Kobe: 20.3, Lamar: 15.3
May 2, at Phoenix (110-119)- Kobe: 4.6, Lamar: 11.6
Odom was ranked 17th among all players this season, posting a per 40 FIC of 16.3. His excellent season, more than any uptick in Kobe's game and equal to the first half impact by Andrew Bynum and second half impact of the Gasol trade, is why the Lakers finished the regular season with the best record in the Western Conference.
Despite making $13.248 million, Odom 'deserved' to make $15.368 million, and Mitch Kupchak appears hesitant to talk extension with him this summer. Odom has one more season at $14.148 million, and with Bynum soon coming out of his rookie contract after the approaching season, cap hell would be especially troublesome with ten-figure deals to Bryant, Gasol, Odom, and Bynum.
But I don't see how a Lakers' team without Odom would be talented enough at that 3/4 caddy position without him. A David West-type of front-loaded extension in the $10 million annual range would be ideal, but that is too big of a paycut for Odom and Jeff Schwartz.
Sadly, Odom will be low balled or shopped, and the neo-dynasty dreams being prematurely talked about in Los Angeles may not be sustained without Odom's straw.
