Ben Maller: Andrew Bynum to New Jersey for Harris/Lopez???

Jan 22, 2010 10:01 AM

Lakers down on Andrew Bynum

Andrew Bynum hasn’t made enough progress this season to keep Lakers executives happy. Bynum has been such a disappointment, he’s been made available on the trading block, two different Eastern Conference sources confirmed to me this week.

While Bynum’s overall numbers are pretty good (15 ppg 8.4ppg, but he’s been far too quiet most nights. Bynum has also struggled to perform along side talented teammate Pau Gasol.

A source confirmed to me this week that the Lakers have taken Bynum’s name off the untouchable list and would deal him for a player that they feel will give them the best chance to win another championship this season.

Peter Vecsey tossed out Raptors star Chris Bosh’s name last week. This is a longshot but I’m told told Bosh loves the idea of playing in Los Angeles.

A person in the know tossed out the idea of a blockbuster trade that would send Andrew Bynum back to his home state of New Jersey. In a multi-player deal the Lakers would end up with Brook Lopez and Devin Harris of the Nets.

Lopez is averaging 19 ppg and 9.6 rpg for the Nets this season and would give the Lakers another dominant inside presence and more toughness.

– As good as Pau Gasol can be, he’s the last guy you want to have the basketball late in games for the Lakers…

My thoughts: Andrew Bynum for Devin Harris and Brook Lopez…take the trade! Only because we could get them both. Right now with the numbers Lopez racking up, it shows me that he would have no problem doing exactly what Phil Jackson been asking of Bynum: REBOUND/BLOCK SHOTS. Now as a Laker fan, understand that I love Bynum, and honestly I think he is one of the top 3 centers in the league, but unless he can find a way to get his “head” in the game consistently, he will be shipped. Bynum is in the perfect system right now, and he must learn to play with Pau Gasol, because we know he is not going anywhere. I only pull the trigger though if it gives us Devin Harris, because we need someone who can take the minutes away from Derek Fisher in his “waning” years. Other than that, like Lopez straight up for Bynum, I would not do it. LakerFam sound off…what would you do? And can someone tell me where we can find THAT ANDREW BYNUM IN THE PICTURE ABOVE.

 

ESPN’S RIC BUCHER: LAKERS INQUIRE BOUT DEVIN HARRIS

This from ESPN’s Ric Bucher on his podcast today. No further details from Ric about when this inquiry incurred or what, if anything specific, the Lakers offered to give up. No handicapping from him, either, on the odds of a deal, so just throw it on the rumor pile.
For what it’s worth, a trade for Devin Harris would be pretty easy to get done under the salary cap. He makes a relatively modest $8.4 million this year and has three years (after this one) left on this contract.
A combination of Adam Morrison and either Jordan Farmar or Shannon Brown would satisfy salary-matching rules and free up money for New Jersey to make their offseason free-agent push.

My thoughts on this trade happening is this: get it done Mitch, only if the deal does NOT include Shannon Brown. Devin Harris is definitely a point guard for the future. Devin is averaging 16pts/6asst, which would be a great boost in both departments for my Laker team at the point guard position. Honestly I believe this “rumor” because I know Mitch is looking for our next point guard to take over for Derek.Though Jordan Farmar has gotten better, he is just not consistent enough for this team. He has more of a score first mentality, and a player like Devin would  be like a kid in a candy store on this team, becoming an assist leader like Chris Paul, or even Steve Nash. I have a feeling the only thing “holding” up this deal, would be the Lakers reluctance to give up Shannon Brown in the deal. And no matter what Mitch, don’t give up Shannon Brown!..lol

Sidenote: Shannon Brown is set to co-star in singer Teyana Taylor’s new video. Check out Teyana’s tweets from earlier today between her and her assistant Eli

Shannon Brown with Jordan Farmar at Shannon’s birthday party! Great Choice Teyana!

TeyanaTaylor rt @ELISHAH YES FOr having S.Brown12 FUCKING SEXY ASS in YOUr next VIDEO @TEYANATAYLOR , yesssssss,,i respect it. < about 8 hours ago from web