04/19/24
July 14, 2005
Kwame Brown for Caron Butler and (likely) Chucky Atkins: A number of sources are reporting that the Washington Wizards have traded Kwame Brown to the Los Angeles Lakers.
posted by scully to basketball at 01:32 PM - 13 comments
Now the Lakers have a triumvirate of talented misfit malcontents: Kobe, Kwame and Odom. There is some reason for hope, though: Odom was quiet and good last year and I expect he'll be much better with Phil Jackson. He wanted to play for Phil, if I remember correctly (and Pat Riley before that, poor guy). Maybe Kwame will play better with Phil, too? Here's how I see the depth chart: C: Mihm / Vlade / Bynum PF: Kwame / Turiaf / Cook / Medvedenko SF: Odom / Jones / Walton SG: Kobe / Vujacic PG: Smush Parker or Walton??? Yikes! Also, I just saw a report that Vlade is retiring and that Antonio Daniels wants to sign with the Blazers. Both of those news items will dent the Lakers' hopes for next season.
posted by dusted at 02:12 PM on July 14, 2005
dusted, I agree that the PG situation looks quite desperate in La-La Land, but remember that the triangle (should Phil still use it) doesn't require a penetrating point guard, but rather several forwards that can pass and moving guards that don't always need the ball in their hands. Odom, Walton and Vlade (should he keep playing) all fot the bill of passing forwards, and Kobe moves great without the ... forget it, the Lakers are fucked.
posted by smithers at 02:29 PM on July 14, 2005
When this trade was first rumored a few days ago, several Laker fans were averse to trading Butler and his scoring. Which doesn't make much sense considering that Caron seemed to score in games when Kobe and Lamar were out. Atkins was largely derided for his "matador defense" which many believe kept Chris Mihm in foul trouble from covering up for Chucky's mistakes. Washington did good here, by trading for Butler they gain a physical SG/SF who can ably fill in for the departed Larry Hughes as well as a backup PG who is a definite upgrade over Steve Blake. For the Lakers, trading Butler slightly weeds the glut of small forwards and allows for Odom to return to the 3. However, moving Atkins may mean that Kobe returns to the point much during Phil's first tenure. Projected starting 5: C: Mihm PF: Brown SF: Odom SG: Jones PG: Bryant Jones is a streaky scorer, but I think his defense and rebounding earns him a spot in the starting rotation. As for Vlade, yes, it is pretty likely that he retires but it isn't known how he and the Lakers will part ways (via trade and cut, buyout, etc.). But they have until (I believe) Sept. 30 to decide. Vlade has already gone on record as being willing to tutor Bynum (we can only hope). Signing Daniels would allow Kobe to return to the 2, but its doubtful that the Lakers would make a good offer. Portland is the more likely suitor because they will offer more money, and because Nate McMillan is the only coach to give Daniels consistent playing time and a consistent role in the offense.
posted by lilnemo at 02:31 PM on July 14, 2005
BTW, I like the trade for L.A. You knew the Wiz would have a fire sale to get rid of Kwame, so might as well be the team at the other end ... plus Butler and Kobe never really meshed, so there is tremendous upside potential here for L.A.
posted by smithers at 02:33 PM on July 14, 2005
Shit, lilnemo, if it works out like that I'll eat my hat.
posted by dusted at 03:50 PM on July 14, 2005
Caron Butler is useless. However dealing Atkins, who was quietly very good last year, seems insane... can they at least get the Wiz to throw in Steve Blake?
posted by drjimmy11 at 04:16 PM on July 14, 2005
However dealing Atkins, who was quietly very good last year, seems insane... Chucky may have shot the ball from 3 pretty well last year but more often than not he gave up more points than he scored. And his inability to keep his man in front of him, kept Chris Mihm in constant foul trouble.
posted by lilnemo at 04:57 PM on July 14, 2005
Caron Butler is useless. Sssshhh! You want to get us all in trouble?
posted by yerfatma at 05:03 PM on July 14, 2005
Earlier this week, Divac told the Los Angeles Times: "Whatever [the Lakers] want to do with me is fine. I'd still love to be a part of the Lakers somehow as a player or as a coach. They brought that kid from high school [Kwame Brown]; I could help work with him, at least. I didn't like the way I finished my career with the injury and not playing. That's the only thing that's kind of holding me to go one more year." I don't think that is the player to whom Vlade was referring. Bad editor!
posted by geekyguy at 07:47 AM on July 15, 2005
Kobe Bryant was injured from Jan 14 - Feb 12. Take a look at what Caron did during those days. I'm no expert, but I'd imagine the player leaving is a little more "useless" than the one arriving.
posted by YukonGold at 11:58 AM on July 15, 2005
I (foolishly) watched almost every lakers game last year. sometimes stats just dont tell the whole story- I just never saw Caron make any impact on a game, except maybe once or twice. I think we all know there are players (*ahem*Grant Hill*ahem*) who fill up the scorebook with soft stats piled up when the game isn't on the line.
posted by drjimmy11 at 02:19 PM on July 15, 2005
Brown - 7.0 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 0.9 apg Butler - 15.5 ppg (2nd on Lakers), 5.8 rpg, 1.9 apg Atkins - 13.6 ppg (4th on Lakers), 4.4 apg (2nd on Lakers) Watch out, Lamar, you may be next! Kobe doesn't share the spotlight.