The Thunder have taken down their playoff nemesis, Los Angeles Lakers, and the future remains bright for the young, talented team. But let's take a moment to discuss the Lakers and their not so bright future. Seriously, don't talk about Kobe. The man can still play. He is a winner, and combined with the right pieces around him the Lakers can contend for titles over the next few years.
Big change needs to come to the Lakers franchise. I'm talking blowing things up on a massive scale to right the ship and put a playoff competitive, complete, younger team. Let's get a little crazy and think outside the box. First, trade or release, or do whatever it takes to get rid of Pau Gasol. He is an extremely talented player that never shows up when it matters. Maybe a change of scenery will boost his career, but he needs to be done in LA without question. The best thing the Lakers could do is get cap room for Gasol. There are not too many big men with high skill that would be worth trading for, but no matter what Gasol is gone.
Complete the Bynum for Dwight Howard trade. I do not care that the Magic cleaned house for Howard, he is done in Orlando. He went down a dark path this season and needs that same change of scenery as Pau. And the same can be said for Bynum. Yes he is showing promise as a big man in the NBA, but his mental state is not built for success. He will always be a good player in the league, but not a championship piece. Howard can come to LA, not be the center piece, and play his game of rebounding and defense. He does those two things better than anyone and having the scoring burden taken off of him a bit would make him dominant again.
A few others to cut loose. Lose Metta World Peace. He is insane, not even Kobe can keep him in check. You can count on some sort of suspension each season, and Metta brings little to the court anymore. Ramon Sessions must either be a backup PG or gotten rid of. He is just simply not an NBA caliber point guard. The Matt Barnes experiment has not worked, lose him as well.
Now who to add. These are still the Lakers and they can make things happen in the off season. Trade Pau for Steve Nash. Yes the number of years you get out of Nash will not be big, but the man can still ball and would give LA a legit point guard for the first time in many years. Nash will also be willing to take a pay cut because his career is winding down and he is desperate for that championship. This is a big move on and off the court and with Nash, Kobe, and Dwight you have an amazing core group of players.
The Lakers need to go and get Monte Ellis and Stephen Curry. Reunite these two dynamic shooters and help the Lakers field goal percentage go up to a respectable level. These two will be interchangeable as to who starts and who comes off the bench and each will raise their level with, again, not having to be the main scoring focus. Another piece to add is Lamar Odom. Kiss and make up with the man, have Kobe give him massages, do whatever to get Odom's head back on straight and playing to the level he was at last season. One last piece is Tyreke Evans. He is not wanted in Sacramento anymore and he can come to LA and be big points off the bench. He is young and athletic and needs to play in a new place. He would grow a lot around Nash and Kobe and would compete with Ellis and Curry for playing time making all three better or weeding out the one that doesn't want it.
This would become a team that is younger instantly and able to put the ball in the basket. The defense would also be improved with the younger, more dedicated players. There would be hope and optimism for a big run that could last more than just one year. Kobe is still a huge piece for a team to build around. With a younger team that is hungry for success, Kobe will be happier with the outlook of the team. Nash will be reinvigorated for a two year run at winning a title. This will be an exciting team for Hollywood and a team that can make noise for a championship.
Starters: Nash, Kobe, Dwight, Odom, Curry
Bench: Evans, Ellis, Blake, Josh McRoberts, Jordan Hill, Sessions, Troy Murphy, (insert a defender that can play the 3/4)
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