The trade speculation will continue throughout the Summer until Lamar Odom finally gets traded, if he gets traded at all. It’s been a tough road for him always being involved in trade talks however he should look at it as a copmliment. Every team is interested in acquiring his services, even at the $15 million he is owed this upcoming season.

One may argue that other teams are looking for expiring contracts, but I would argue otherwise, Lamar is a very versatile player and in the right spot can do a lot of damage. Unfortunately, from what we’ve seen from him over the years, is that he is too inconsistent to rely on for going deep into the playoffs.

Every player in the NBA has a minimum that you can require from them. For some of those player the bar is set to solid defense and solid free throw shooting, even an off night of shooting from the field. For Lamar, we just never know, as one of the best rebounders out there and most able 6′10″ ball handler in the league, the parts of his game that are questionable are his shooting and his heart.

Apparently though, not everyone questions Lamar Odom. His old team, the Miami Heat actually happen to like him a lot. “I love L.O. as a person and, of course, as a player,” Wade said. “We had one year together. I wish we could have had more.

“It’s a guy who I’ve always said it’s a possibility when he left that he can maybe come back. … A player like that, we would love to have a chance to get because he’s so versatile.”

How would Miami get Lamar Odom? A swap of expiring contracts. The Los Angeles Lakers would have to send Lamar Odom, and probably a 2nd round pick or something to that effect to the Miami Heat for Shawn Marion. For the Heat the move makes sense because resigning Marion is unlikely, at least in my opinion, and Lamar Odom can be retained for a lot less money next season.

For the Lakers the deal makes incredible sense as the shooting guard, power forward, and center positions are all filled with starters that will no be replaced. The point guard position can be easily filled as the triangle offense requires a solid shooter to drop the ball at the right time form beyond the three point line. The small forward position will showcase Trevor Ariza next season, but obviously a guy like Shawn Marion is far superior in the starting line up. Also, the defensive precense of Marion would be of great assistance for the Lakers.

The question remains however, would you rather have Shawn Marion or Ron Artest and Kenny Thomas?

Last year the Memphis Grizzlies gave away Pau Gasol for some money and the potential of a young kid. That young kid was Javaris Crittenton and is now just another guard on a team with an infinite amount of ones and twos.

There is one team in the league that’s lacking a back up point guard, that would be the Orlando Magic. With just about all hopes of resigning Keyon Dooling out the window, the Magic are hoping Jameer Nelson’s new back up will be Javaris Crittenton.

The Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies are apparently having legitimate talks about acquiring Javaris Crittenton. The report says that the Orlando Magic would most likely surrender one of their shooting guards such as JJ Redick (not likely to be of any value) or possibly Keith Bogans who is a bit more likely to draw interest from other teams.

Either way, as a former Laker, we wish him all the best and all the success in his future, where ever he may be playing!

The Los Angeles Lakers highest energy guy off the bench has signed a contract to leave the organization that gave him life, literally.

For those that don’t remember, the Lakers franchise, otherwise known as Jerry Buss’ wallet, dished out the money to pay for his open heart surgery. They also continued to pay his salary and have supplied him with the best coaching staff to turn him into the player he is today.

Ronny still remains a mildly above average bench player but his energy and enthusiasm are very difficult to match. If Turiaf were to leave the Lakers, Mitch Kupchak would have many problems in finding a replacement.

Sources are reporting that the Warriors have offered Turiaf a 4 year deal worth approximately $17 million. For the Lakers this means severe luxury tax territory, especially for years 3 and 4 of the contract. With the Andrew Bynum era slowly approaching, Pau Gasol availability in the starting line up, and a healthy Chris Mihm, the Lakers may not even need the services of Ronny Turiaf next season. Perhaps resigning a player such as DJ Mbenga or even picking up Kurt Thomas wil prove to be more beneficial as this young team can use some veteran leadership besides Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher.

If Turiaf was able to command $4+ million a year, how much will Sasha’s next contract be worth?

Thank god I’m not that one dishing out the money to these players, o wait, I am, ticket prices just went up almost 9%… dammet, this sucks…

Elton Brand has opened his mouth and said one thing, and is now opening his wallet acting in a different way.

The Philadelphia Sixers have apparently received confirmation from Elton Brand and his agent that he will be joining Andre Miller and Andrew Igoudala along with Samuel Dalembert in the slowly improving Eastern Conference.

David Falk and Elton Brand originally came out as the free agency market opened up and stated that Brand’s intentions are to remain with the Los Angeles Clippers while taking a pay cut to bring in more talent to surround Brand with. After the Clippers acquired the services of Baron Davis, the Clippers looked well underway to finally compete in the West with two legitimate superstars.

Like I mentioned earlier, it’s not quite the way it worked out.

Elton Brand has decided to follow the money, and potentially a great opportunity in Philadelphia, while the Clippers were given a word and left with a big hole at the power forward spot.

Now here’s the question, who do you feel worse for… Baron Davis or the Los Angeles Clippers.

Baron Davis wanted to go to LA where he can play in front of his home crowd and pair up with Elton Brand to make some noise.

The Los Angeles Clippers’ owner Donald Sterling finally dished out big money for a superstar free agent and got stabbed in the back by his long time hero Elton Brand.

You be the judge, but either way, with Elton Brand out of the picture, perhaps even Baron Davis may want to reconsider his recent decision.

The crosstown rival of the Los Angeles Lakers has finally decided to invest money into building a contending team. Often being overshadowed by the accomplishments of the Los Angeles Lakers, the Clippers’ owner Donald Sterling finally decided enough was enough.

As Baron Davis opted out of his contract in Golden State late last night, he soon found himself a new home. Actually, he’s back in his old home. A Los Angeles native and former student at UCLA, Davis returns to his hometown. Unfortunately, it’s for the 2nd best team in town, but either way, home is home.

It has been reported that the new contract is for five years and is worth approximately $65 million. This is a good deal for the Clippers in my opinion. No need for Correy Maggette now and there is still enough cap space to sign Elton Brand to a lucrative deal. Let’s not forget that the Clippers aren’t the only ones that broke the bank to make this happen, with cutting his contract to well under $15 million for next season, Baron Davis has taken a significant pay cut, short term, from the $17.8 million he was due from the Warriors next season.

I truly believe that with all the youngster on the current Clippers roster, the developing Chris Kaman, and the always ready to go Elton Brand, the Clippers will be ready to go at the beginning of the season and will give every other NBA team a run for their money, except the Lakers of course who are still loaded with last year’s roster plus Andrew Bynum and a healthy Trevor Ariza.

The NBA was fun last season, but this next season just seems to be that much more promising.

O yeah, and for those of you who believe the Warriors won’t be able to compete next year, think again, Monta Ellis has developed into a fine young point guard and is sure to be a great leader for years to come.