NBA News 2012: Jim Buss is frustrated with Lakers production, too

President Barack Obama makes remarks at service event with 2010 NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers at the THEARC Boys and Girls Club in Washington, District of Columbia. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Jim Buss is just like every Lakers fan, frustrated by the 9-13 start, the lackluster defensive rotations, the lack of any team identity, the injuries and more.

Except, he is part of the reason the Lakers are where they are — he’s the defacto owner now. He gets part of the blame.

In a text to Sam Amick of USA Today he simply sounded frustrated, like a lot of Lakers fans (just less angry).

“It’s very frustrating, because I think there are many little factors that are causing the issues that we’re having,” Buss wrote in a text message to USA TODAY Sports on Wednesday. “Nash, injuries, (a) new system. Like I said before, there are a lot of little ones, but the ones that figure to help the most would be Nash returning (and) Gasol returning and just playing together in a new system.”

Getting healthy certainly is the first step for the Lakers. As GM Mitch Kupchak has said, right now it is impossible to evaluate these Lakers because all the pieces aren’t there.

But the Lakers are a team without an identity, and if Buss wants to blame someone for that he can go find a mirror. The Lakers brought in two key new players in Steve Nash and Dwight Howard. They chose not to make a move with Mike Brown over the summer, bringing him back with a brand new offense installed during training camp. Then despite injuries that never allowed him to get his new offense running right, management moved to fire Brown and bring in Mike D’Antoni and his radically different offense and philosophy. On the fly with the season underway and injuries already hitting the roster.

And you wonder why this team has no identity?

The Lakers will start to find that identity at some point once they start to get healthy and the team plays together. The problem is the hole they dug themselves with the start will come back to haunt them when they play a lot of road playoff games.

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/12/13/jim-buss-is-frustrated-with-lakers-production-too/

Related articles

• NBA News 2012: Superteam On Life Support (nbabasketballphilippines.blogspot.com)
• Updated Blame Meter for Every Los Angeles Lakers Player and Coach (bleacherreport.com)
• Why I Still Believe in This Los Angeles Lakers Team (bleacherreport.com)
• You: Can the Los Angeles Lakers Be Fixed? (bleacherreport.com)
• Los Angeles Lakers NBA Apparel & Accessories on sale at NBAInside.com (prweb.com)
• The Lakers have reportedly fired coach Mike Brown after a 1-4 start. (nba.si.com)
• Lakers Fire Head Coach Mike Brown (laist.com)
• Mike Brown Fired As Lakers Coach (hangtime.blogs.nba.com)
• Lakers Fire Coach Mike Brown (abcnews.go.com)
• Winderman mailbag: Too early to judge NBA teams? (nbcsports.msnbc.com)

NBA News 2012: Rediscovering Pau Gasol

Pau Gasol (Photo credit: Keith Allison)

Perhaps the key question this year for the Lakers is whether or not Pau Gasol can fit into Coach Mike D'Antoni's system and play alongside fellow big man Dwight Howard.

Gasol's best years were alongside Lamar Odom but Gasol has gradually been pushed further and further from the basket with the emergence of Andrew Bynum (and now Howard).

In the Lakers' 118-115 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Saturday night, the first game under D'Antoni with Steve Nash in the lineup, the team went often to Gasol in the high post.  The forward/center would watch for cutting players, looking first for the pass and then the shot (six assists total).

"It feels good.  From the elbow, from the post, there's some movement.  There's some action," said Gasol. "I will try to find the open guy and get easy looks from those positions."

It's a role similar to the one Chris Webber played in Sacramento when paired with center Vlade Divac.  With Howard more likely to be in the low post, it could be the way D'Antoni gets the most out of Gasol.

"That's a way," said Gasol. "It's a good way for us to have good spacing, to have movement and to find easy looks or good looks at least on offense."

Kobe Bryant is confident in Gasol helping to quarterback the offense.

"Oh, he's great at it. He's the best big in the league at it," said Bryant.  "We run the offense through him a lot and he makes plays for a lot of people, makes a lot of guys better because of that. Dwight can feast off of that."

Gasol looked uncomfortable earlier in the season.  Some of that had to do with tendinitis in both knees but he was admittedly searching in his initial role, trying to play as a stretch four.  It's still a work in progress but some rest (and the return of Nash) may help rejuvenate Gasol's season.

D'Antoni was happy with how his offense ran late in the game against the Warriors, despite Howard's foul trouble.

"A little bit better, better, much better," said D'Antoni. "We're going to have some bumps.  We're still not there. We're running better. Again, Steve's the best at running any offense you can design.  It had to get better."

Bryant said he's happy to shift to a role of scorer/finisher instead of the team's primary offensive initiator, a role he had to take on while Nash sat out seven weeks with a leg injury.

"You saw me and Steve in the last game, I just slid right off the ball and let Steve do what he does best," said Bryant.

The Lakers have resisted the urge to trade Gasol, instead opting to give this team's core a chance to prove itself.  Nash is another fan of what Gasol brings to the floor.

"I think that's something that should become a huge part of our team," said Nash of Gasol's play in the high post.  "His size, his ability to pass and shoot should be deadly in the elbows and at the foul lines.  Hopefully we can find a rhythm and timing together where he can really exploit that position where he's catching the ball with people trying to recover to him."

So far much of the Lakers' 13-14 record was the result playing through injuries.  Now that the team is nearer to full strength, D'Antoni has the opportunity to mix together a talented squad of players.

It's still not clear if the Lakers have the perfect combination of players.  Gasol is still playing far from the basket and will be relied on to hit jump shots instead of playing in the low post.

Defensively the Lakers have size but lack in speed and quickness, even if Howard is far more agile than Bynum ever was.  D'Antoni is still searching for a rotation to offset the team's flaws.

http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakersnow/la-sp-ln-lakers-rediscovering-pau-gasol-20121225,0,1630300.story

Related articles

• How Steve Nash Alters the Pau Gasol/Dwight Howard Pairing (bleacherreport.com)
• Steve Nash Will Turn Pau Gasol into Versatile Weapon LA Lakers Desperately Need (bleacherreport.com)
• Steve Nash's Return Will Bring out the Best and Worst of Kobe Bryant (bleacherreport.com)
• Lakers' Gasol, Nash both practice, eye return (espn.go.com)
• NBA News 2012: Is the Lakers biggest problem really Kobe Bryant? No. (nbabasketballphilippines.blogspot.com)
• Showtime for Melo-Kobe as Knicks take on Lakers (nypost.com)
• NBA News 2012: Nash explains the Lakers' struggles in D'Antoni's system (nbabasketballphilippines.blogspot.com)
• Knicks at Lakers, 3 P.m. Et (tbt.blogs.nba.com)
• Kobe staying patient during Lakers' struggles (espn.go.com)
• The Silence of the Lakers - ESPN (blog) (espn.go.com)

NBA News 2012: Is the Lakers biggest problem really Kobe Bryant? No.

Kobe Bryant (Photo credit: Boixoesnois)

While Steve Nash and Pau Gasol were out, Kobe Bryant has carried the Lakers. He is leading the league with 29.5 points per game, scoring more points per game than he has since before Pau Gasol arrived as a Laker. Back when Kobe had to carry Kwame Brown and Smush Parker (remember they both started).

But the Lakers have struggled to a 12-14 record — and that is after a three game win streak.

It has led some people to say, “Kobe Bryant is shooting too much.” He is back to being a ball hog and that is what is holding the Lakers back.

I think those people are wrong — Kobe is playing as many minutes but taking fewer shots per game than either of the Lakers most recent title years. With Nash out, the playmaking has to fall to him because you can’t let Chris Duhon do it. But that is different than being an inefficient gunner.

Still you hear it — “Kobe is shooting too much.” And it’s not just fans. This is an assistant coach from another team, speaking to Chris Broussard if ESPN (the story is behind their pay wall).

Thing is, who else on that roster (with Nash out) do you want to handle the ball? Darius Morris?

I think this scout hits the nail more on the head.

“Watching the Lakers play the Knicks this year was hard to watch because the other Lakers were just so bad. It was like Kobe was trying to do all he could just to keep that game close. And hey, if Dwight’s not going to try his butt off and if other guys aren’t going to try their butts off, then I’m going to give the ball to the guy that’s going to go for it, and that’s Kobe. I don’t think it’s that Kobe doesn’t trust his teammates; it’s just that he trusts himself more. A questionable shot by him still might be better than a good look for one of those other guys.

That has always been Kobe — he trusts himself to make plays more than he trusts anyone. If other guys are not knocking down shots early he will do it. The only question was always was he hitting shots and efficient or was he a gunner? This season has been his most efficient in a long, long time.

But it is no different than Kobe from any of the Lakers title years, particularly the most recent. He is who he is.

Let’s see what Kobe and the Lakers look like with Steve Nash in the lineup, then we can discuss what needs to change. But through it all, Kobe is not.

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/12/19/is-the-lakers-biggest-problem-really-kobe-bryant-no/

Related articles

• 5 Predictions for L.A. Lakers Once Steve Nash Returns (bleacherreport.com)
• Breaking Down Why Mike D'Antoni System Doesn't Work for LA Lakers (bleacherreport.com)
• 5 Reasons Steve Nash Will Reignite Pau Gasol for LA Lakers (bleacherreport.com)
• Report: Keeping Pau Gasol Was A Prerequisite For Steve Nash Signing With Los Angeles (sportsgrid.com)
• Kobe Bryant: I Stunted Andrew Bynum's Growth (atlantablackstar.com)
• Kobe Bryant Turns To Magic Johnson For Lakers Advice (atlantablackstar.com)
• Kobe staying patient during Lakers' struggles (espn.go.com)
• Lakers Can't Just Wait On Nash (hangtime.blogs.nba.com)
• Kobe calls Magic to talk Lakers: 'Very helpful' (espn.go.com)
• Magic Johnson Not Happy With Use of Pau Gasol (atlantablackstar.com)

NBA News 2012: Nash explains the Lakers' struggles in D'Antoni's system

Pau Gasol of the Los Angeles Lakers, Spain (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

For weeks everybody but Steve Nash has had a say on how he will change things for the Los Angeles Lakers once he finally returns from a broken left leg.

How will he make Pau Gasol better? How will he make Mike D'Antoni's offense flow? How will he ease the burden on Kobe Bryant?

Fixing just one of these issues would help tremendously because while he's been out, it's been hard to even find where to start diagnosing exactly what ails the Lakers.

But with his return now in sight, potentially as early as Saturday against the Golden State Warriors, Nash has opened up a little about what he's seen while watching the Lakers play these past six weeks without him.

Hint: It hasn't been a pretty sight.

"We got in a rut there where we lost our confidence and we weren't playing with any fire or spirit or energy," Nash said Tuesday morning. "We weren't a proactive team defensively and our defense slipped. But when you're going through this transition with a new coach and new players and no training camp, we get a little down when we didn't play well and I think we lost our energy defensively."

At the offensive end it hasn't been much prettier. D'Antoni often speaks about looking for "energy" on offense, that if his system is being run correctly, the ball should move freely and find the natural weaknesses in the defense. His tone is usually philosophical, like he's speaking in a language only he is fluent in right now.

Tuesday Nash expounded on all that, and offered what is quite simply the best explanation I've heard for how and why the Lakers have struggled to implement and adjust to D'Antoni's system so far.

"The wings have to get to the corner to create space," Nash said. "The bigs have to run their man to create separation, and when they can get out quickly to create separation, when they can get a piece of their guy and get out quickly to the basket and when we create an advantage and that point guard is guarded by the big, then the flow opens up.

"But if we don't get any separation from our men, we don't set good picks, and we don't get off the pick quickly, then they can just slide through and cover us and we're back to 5-on-5.

"I think that's a dangerous position for our team because we don't create easy shots for each other and we have to take long, guarded shots which ends up killing our defense because then they run out on them. We need to get it going downhill a little bit, open up their defense and make them scramble a little bit to make room for our bigs down low and our point guards."

Yeah, there's a reason D'Antoni's been jonesing to get this guy back.

http://espn.go.com/blog/los-angeles/lakers/post/_/id/35095/nash-explains-the-lakers-struggles-in-dantonis-system

Related articles

• Mike D'Antoni May Not 'Need Public Approval', but He Deserves It (bleacherreport.com)
• Breaking Down Why Mike D'Antoni System Doesn't Work for LA Lakers (bleacherreport.com)
• Lakers at Knicks, 8 P.m. Et (tbt.blogs.nba.com)
• Kobe Bryant Takes Advice from Magic Johnson as LA Lakers Search for Identity (bleacherreport.com)
• NBA News 2012: Lakers found fill-in for Phil Jackson (nbabasketballphilippines.blogspot.com)
• Mike D'Antoni Is Heading Back to the Garden (nbcnewyork.com)
• Lakers hire Mike D'Antoni as new coach (miamiherald.com)
• Kobe calls Magic to talk Lakers: 'Very helpful' (espn.go.com)
• Examining the Lakers Problems (thefarmclub.net)
• Lakers Can't Just Wait On Nash (hangtime.blogs.nba.com)

NBA News 2012: Kobe's ego is Lakers' big problem

Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket against the Washington Wizards in Washington, D.C., USA on February 3, 2007 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The return of Pau Gasol and Steve Nash to the lineup is likely to mask most, if not all, the symptoms afflicting the underachieving Los Angeles Lakers. But the perennial all-stars will do nothing to address the disease lurking deep inside the foundation of the Lakers, the malady that will prevent the high-priced collection of veterans from getting past the Thunder, Spurs or even the Grizzlies come playoff time.

The disease isn’t bungling, overmatched executive vice president Jim Buss. It’s not bungling, overmatched coach Mike D’Antoni.

The root cause of the Lakers’ dysfunction has been consistent for 15 years. It is Kobe Bryant’s ego, his desperate pursuit of Michael Jordan’s legacy. L.A.’s Dwight Howard experiment is going to explode and implode in spectacular fashion unless someone in the Lakers organization is bold enough to kill Kobe’s Michael Jordan avatar so that Howard’s Bill Russell avatar can emerge and lead the Lakers.

You follow?

The wrong player is driving the Lakers. Dwight Howard is the second-most talented player in the league. He’s the single-most gifted defensive player the NBA has seen since Bill Russell. On a properly functioning, championship-chasing team, Howard cannot be a sidekick, a No. 2, Scottie Pippen. Can’t happen. The Heat tried it with LeBron James in Year 1 of the Big Three, and we know how that ended. Dwyane Wade is an awesome basketball player and a terrific leader, but he had to surrender the soul of the Heat to LeBron in order for the Heat to win a title.

Kobe has to let go and let D12. Has to.

Kobe has to accept that he is not the 34-year-old Michael Jordan. You see, at 34 Jordan was taking his final victory lap in Chicago, completing his second three-peat, securing his sixth title, winning his fifth MVP award and 10th scoring title. Kobe wants to duplicate that feat. He’s putting up MVP-like numbers. He leads the league in scoring. He’s shooting a career-high 47.8 percent from the field. He’s averaging five rebounds and five assists. He’s knocking down 38 percent of his 3-pointers. Oh, the numbers look great. The results? The Lakers stink.

You can blame that on the injuries to Gasol and Nash. You can blame it on the incompetence of D’Antoni.

I blame Kobe. He’s the guy stopping Howard from eating. Kobe is the guy giving Howard room to lose himself in his immaturity and hide. Here’s what Kobe has never understood about the Los Angeles Lakers. It’s an organization built to house and nurture giants. From George Mikan to Wilt Chamberlain to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to Shaquille O’Neal, the Lakers function best when the once-in-a-generation big man the organization acquires is allowed to be the man of the house.

Kobe emasculates his big men. Andrew Bynum politely admitted this week that Kobe stunted his growth.

“I think Dwight is a great player, but he’s going to have to get accustomed to playing with Kobe and not touching the ball every single play,” Bynum said.

The problem is deeper than touches. It’s a mentality that a big man must have in order to lead his team. Dwight Howard must enter every NBA arena with this mindset: “If I don’t hunt and kill, no one eats tonight.”

That’s Kobe’s mindset. But at 34, having played 1,186 regular-season games and 220 playoff games, Kobe doesn’t hunt and kill as effectively as Howard. Kobe isn’t the same as a 34-year-old Jordan. At this stage in his career, Jordan had played 873 regular-season games and 158 playoff games. Jordan was still a force of nature. Don’t get fooled by Kobe’s numbers. He’s not Kevin Durant or Carmelo Anthony, and Kobe damn sure isn’t LeBron James.

James, Durant and Melo can impose their will on the opposition. Over the course of a seven-game playoff series, they can mentally bludgeon an opponent into submission. We saw James do it to the Pacers and the Celtics in last year’s playoffs. Kobe is smart. He can be efficient. But he’s trying too hard right now. That’s why he leads the league in turnovers with 97. Kobe’s days of imposing his will in a playoff series are over. Howard’s days should just be beginning.

But Kobe’s ego is in the way. Howard can’t be the man of the house with Kobe sitting at the head of the table eating the biggest plate of food. As long as everything revolves around Kobe, as long as Kobe is on TV sitting across from Stephen A. Smith speaking in hushed, dark tones about the state of the Lakers, Howard gets to hide, gets to feel like the Lakers family can eat regardless of whether he chooses to hunt or not.

Kobe needs to fall back. He’s Dr. J right now and he needs to let Dwight Howard be Moses Malone. That does not mean turn the offense over to Howard. It means building a strategy and philosophy that revolves around Howard’s many gifts, which are mostly at the defensive end (and make the hiring of D’Antoni even more ridiculous). It means forcing Howard to mentally and verbally take full responsibility for the success of the team.

Howard is immature. We know that. We watched him in Orlando. Put some pressure on his ass. Make Howard explain why this team is underachieving.

I know this column will appear to many as hatred of Kobe. I don’t hate Kobe. He’s a wonderful player and terrific competitor. He simply has to make the mental adjustment that Dwyane Wade made last season. Come May and June, the Lakers are going as far as Dwight Howard can take them. Nash and Gasol might help the Lakers recover and get into the playoffs. And Kobe is certainly capable of continuing to put up big numbers.

But the Lakers are not winning a title if their second-best player continues to stunt the growth of their best player.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/kobe-bryant-ego-hampers-dwight-hoard-los-angeles-lakers-downfall-121812

Related articles

• You: Kobe's Back Issue Couldn't Come at Worse Time for Lakers (bleacherreport.com)
• Los Angeles Lakers NBA Apparel & Accessories on sale at NBAInside.com (prweb.com)
• 5 Predictions for L.A. Lakers Once Steve Nash Returns (bleacherreport.com)
• Metta World Peace Says 'Kobe Show' is Not Good for the Lakers (slamonline.com)
• T.J. Simers: For Lakers' Bryant, it's a question of characters (sacbee.com)
• Kobe Bryant Will Put Up MVP Numbers Facilitating in 'Striker' Role (bleacherreport.com)
• Dwight Howard Makes Fun of Kobe Bryant on the Lakers Team Plane (VIDEO) (slamonline.com)
• T.J. Simers: Dwight Howard cares so much it hurts (sacbee.com)
• Andrew Bynum claims Kobe hampered his growth as NBA big man (gantdaily.com)
• Dwight Howard Screamed at Kobe Bryant About His Poor Defense (slamonline.com)

NBA News 2012: NBA's top trade candidates

Andrea Bargnani (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Most NBA players who signed contracts during the past offseason become eligible on Saturday to be traded. What that means: With a much larger pool of players available for deals, NBA general managers will start spending a lot more time on the phone in the coming weeks.

"It's about to heat up on Dec. 15," one Eastern Conference general manager said. "Conversations are definitely happening because once Dec. 15 comes, the pool increases. You've heard a lot of rumors about Pau Gasol, Andrea Bargnani. The names are only going to grow on Dec. 15."

From conversations with several NBA executives, here's a list of players whose names figure to frequently surface in trade talks between now and the league's Feb. 21 deadline for deals.

Andrea Bargnani: Toronto Raptors, 27, PF-C
Contract status: Three years, $33.25 million remaining. Player opt-out in 2014. Due 5 percent bonus if traded.
Buzz: Bargnani is sidelined with elbow and wrist injuries, tempering his short-term value. He hasn't lived up to the hype and injuries have been a concern throughout his career. Still, the young 7-footer can score and remains a sharp 3-point threat.
"Toronto definitely wants to move Bargnani," one NBA GM said.

Marshon Brooks: Brooklyn Nets, 23, SG
Contract status: Making $1.1 million in second year of rookie contract.
Buzz: Brooks had a sensational rookie season averaging 12.6 points. But with the addition of Joe Johnson, Brooks has averaged just 6.2 points through his first 14 games this season. Sources said the Nets dangled Brooks in offseason trade talks, but his low contract number makes it difficult to get much of a return for him in a deal.
"They are one of the rare teams that can afford to keep their team at a championship level financially," an NBA GM said. "For them, the development of young players isn't important because they can overspend."

Andrew Bynum: Philadelphia 76ers, 25, C
Contract status: Making $16.1 million in last year of contract.
Buzz: Bynum is still experiencing left knee pain that has kept him from making his debut with the Sixers, but is hopeful he can return sometime in 2013. He becomes a free agent at the end of the season and was expected to command a five-year contract approaching $100 million. His health problems threaten to substantially reduce that number.
One NBA general manager said the Sixers have been making trade inquiries about adding a starting caliber center.
"They got to be a little panicked now," one GM said. "They could get a really interesting deal for him. I could see them doing that."

Jose Calderon: Toronto Raptors, 27, PG
Contract status: Making $10.5 million in last year of contract. Due a 10 percent bonus if traded.
Buzz: Calderon has been mentioned as a possible trade candidate for years and has been linked with the Los Angeles Lakers in the past. Raptors starting point guard Kyle Lowry is expected to be sidelined another week with a partial tear to his right triceps muscle, but that shouldn't keep Calderon from being shopped.
"I believe 100 percent that they're trying to trade him," one GM said.

Tyreke Evans: Sacramento Kings, G-F, 23
Contact status: Making $5.2 million in final year of contract year. Will be a restricted free agent at end of the season.
Buzz: Evans recently had a positive conversation about his future with Kings general manager Geoff Petrie, a source close to the guard said. Evans thinks the franchise could match any offer sheet he potentially signs next offseason and would prefer to return to the Kings to prove he is a franchise player. But can the Kings afford him?
"If they can't pay him, they'll just move him," one GM said.

Pau Gasol: Los Angeles Lakers, 32, PF
Contract status: Making $19 million this season and due $19.2 million next season. Due a 15 percent bonus if traded.
Buzz: Gasol was nearly dealt to the Houston Rockets last year and continued to be the center of trade whispers. The Lakers, however, aren't expected to seriously consider any deals for him until after he returns and gets a chance to play with Steve Nash, who is also currently sidelined. If a move does happen with Gasol, it will likely be much closer to the trade deadline.
"I believe that the message being conveyed to wait and see with Nash is accurate," one GM said.

Tyler Hansbrough: Indiana Pacers, 27, PF
Contract status: Making $3.1 million in final contract year. Will be restricted free agent at end of the season. Buzz: Hansbrough is averaging career-lows of six points, 4.2 rebounds and 16.1 minutes, but could be a good frontcourt addition for needy teams. By moving Hansbrough, the Pacers could potentially add a wing player to help soothe the loss of injured small forward Danny Granger.
"I'm surprised they haven't been playing him," one GM said of Hansbrough.

Gerald Henderson: Charlotte Bobcats, G-F, 25
Contract status: Making $3.1 million in final contract year. Will be a restricted free agent at end of the season.
Buzz: Henderson averaged 15.1 points last season and seemed to be coming into his own. A foot injury early this season, however, forced him to miss 13 games. The Bobcats have since primarily started rookie Jeff Taylor instead and a league source said the team is open to trading Henderson.
"If they don't look like they can afford him, they are probably going to move him," one NBA GM said. "They were playing their best basketball when he was hurt."

Kevin Love: Minnesota Timberwolves, 24, PF
Contract status: In first year of a four-year, $60 million contract. Can opt out after the 2014-15 season.
Buzz: In an interview with Yahoo! Sports NBA columnist Adrian Wojnarowski, Love recently questioned the direction of the franchise under owner Glen Taylor and general manager David Kahn. Love isn't happy about not getting a five-year maximum contract, and some teams might try to explore acquiring him from Minnesota.
"I don't think that's a match that is permanent in Minnesota," a rival assistant GM said. "I'm not saying they're shopping, but if they can get the right deal they would look at it. And I don't think he wants to be there."

Paul Millsap: Utah Jazz, 27, PF
Contract status: Making $8.6 million in final contract year.
Buzz: The Utah Jazz are in the playoff hunt and have two starting big men in the last years of their deals in Millsap and Al Jefferson. Utah also has two talented young big men in Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter. Any big move by new general manager Dennis Lindsey, however, could disrupt Utah's playoff hopes.
"I would think they would more likely trade Millsap over Jefferson because he is going to be harder to keep," one GM said. "He's made less money than Jefferson and he will go to the highest bidder."

Timofey Mozgov: Denver Nuggets, 26, C
Contract status: Making $3.1 million in last year of contract. Will be a restricted free agent at end of the season.
Buzz: Of their three centers, the Nuggets are most willing to part with Mozgov, who has proven in his short NBA career and Olympic play that he is a serviceable big man. The Nuggets probably won't try to re-sign him with two other free agents on the horizon: guard Andre Iguodala and reserve swingman Corey Brewer.
"It's logical because they have three centers and it's hard for [coach George] Karl to play them all," one NBA GM said. "The Nuggets are not a big revenue-generating team and they're not going to pay the tax."

Anderson Varejao: Cleveland Cavaliers, 30, PF-C
Contract status: Has $27.1 million remaining over final three years of contract. Due 5 percent bonus if traded.
Buzz: Varejao is having an All-Star season, averaging 14.3 points and 14.8 rebounds through 22 games. Cleveland, however, has one of the NBA's worst records so teams will at least ask about the availability of Varejao, whose stock is rising by the day.
"He is a target for trade, but I don't think Cleveland wants to trade him," one GM said. "There is a distinction between players teams might want to move and players teams want to have."

Derrick Williams: Minnesota Timberwolves, 21, F
Contract status: Making $4.8 million in second year of rookie deal.
Buzz: Williams has had a disappointing career in Minnesota after being selected second overall in the 2011 draft. The highest draft choice in franchise history has been earning DNP-CDs or short-minute stints under coach Rick Adelman. Both sides would be happy with a move.
"They will move him in a heartbeat if they could," one rival team executive said. "I don't think the coaches are that high on him. You have to get something for him now because the longer he sits, the more people think he can't play."

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--nba-s-top-trade-candidates-000418190.html

Related articles

• Andrea Bargnani Calls Toronto Raptors the Worst Team in the NBA (slamonline.com)
• Sources: Lakers rebuff trade inquiries for Gasol (espn.go.com)
• Lakers Rumors: Breaking Down What Needs to Happen for LA to Trade Pau Gasol (bleacherreport.com)
• Haberstroh: Why a Millsap-Gasol trade works (insider.espn.go.com)
• NBA Trade Rumors: Latest Updates and Buzz from Around League (bleacherreport.com)
• NBA Rumors: Analyzing Latest Free Agency and Trade Speculation Around the League (bleacherreport.com)
• Raptors using Bargnani as trade bait (o.canada.com)
• Toronto Raptors Technically Aren't The Worst Team In The NBA, Even If Andrea Bargnani Thinks They Are (sportsgrid.com)
• Andrea Bargnani calls Raps 'worst team in NBA' (gantdaily.com)
• Andrea Bargnani for Pau Gasol: Unlikely but not unreasonable (thecheapseats.ca)

NBA News 2012: Lakers found fill-in for Phil Jackson

Los Angeles Lakers Wordmark (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The saga surrounding the surprising hiring of Mike D’Antoni, and not Phil Jackson, to be the Los Angeles Lakers’ next coach continues to unravel.

The story will remain front and center for now, in part, because D’Antoni isn’t even here yet. A recent knee replacement surgery is making travel difficult for D’Antoni, and team officials said he was trying to make the trip from his home in the New York area to Los Angeles by Wednesday in time to possibly coach against his old Phoenix Suns team Friday night.

Adding to the strangeness of Monday at Lakers camp in addition to D’Antoni not being there, the two most obvious Lakers who could put a positive spin on his hiring — Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash — had departed the Lakers training facility before news reporters were allowed in.

Nash won two MVP awards playing in D’Antoni’s system with the Suns and said in recent days that a reunion with his old coach would be fine by him.

Bryant chose No. 8 for his original Lakers jersey number because, when he was a kid growing up in Italy, where his father played in the pro league, his basketball hero was a crafty point guard named Mike D’Antoni, who wore No. 8 for one of the Italian league teams.

That left forward Pau Gasol, who never played on a team coached by D’Antoni, as the most veteran Laker available.

“Everybody had expectations, and they were all pretty high,” Gasol said at Monday’s practice of the feeling that Jackson was on his way back. “We understand what Phil brings to the table and how successful he’s been and what he means to the city and the franchise. But it couldn’t happen, for whatever reason, so we move forward. That’s what we do as professionals.”

http://www.hoopsworld.com/mike-dantoni-hire-wasnt-smooth-but-lakers-found-fill-in-for-phil-jackson/

Related articles

• Why Mike D'Antoni is Right for Lakers (everyjoe.com)
• Lakers Hire Mike D'Antoni (hangtime.blogs.nba.com)
• Mike D'Antoni to be next coach of the Lakers (miamiherald.com)
• Winners and Losers from Mike D'Antoni to Lakers Hiring (bleacherreport.com)
• Lakers hire Mike D'Antoni as new coach (miamiherald.com)
• Kobe Bryant Reacts to Lakers Hiring Mike D'Antoni Instead of Phil Jackson (bleacherreport.com)
• 23 People Who Think The Lakers' New Coach Is Named "Mike Dan Tony" (buzzfeed.com)
• Phil Jackson Reportedly Stunned By Lakers Hiring Mike D'Antoni (slamonline.com)
• Mike D'Antoni to Be Named Head Coach of the Los Angeles Lakers (bleacherreport.com)
• Lakers Surprise: Mike D'Antoni Over Phil Jackson As Coach (atlantablackstar.com)

NBA News 2012: Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak sees his window of opportunity

EL SEGUNDO, CA - AUGUST 10: Dwight Howard (L) is introduced to the media as the newest member of the Los Angeles Lakers by General Manager Mitch Kupchak during a news conference at the Toyota Sports Center on August 10, 2012 in El Segundo, California. The Lakers aquired Howard from Orlando Magic in a four-team trade. In addition, Lakers wil receive Chris Duhon and Earl Clark from the Magic. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)

By peering outside his office window, Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak has an intimate view of the roster he recently constructed playing in the team's practice facility.

He can marvel at Dwight Howard throwing down a powerful dunk. Kupchak can admire Steve Nash running a revamped offense that includes elements of the Princeton system. Kupchak can see whether his upgraded bench will actually provide improved secondary scoring (Antawn Jamison), 3-point shooting (Jodie Meeks), energy (Jordan Hill) and length (Devin Ebanks).

The sight usually appears visually pleasing, at least enough for Kupchak to say "we have enough players to be in the hunt" for an NBA championship.

Kupchak qualifies his remarks, though, by saying "every general manager at this time of the year likes their team." His concerns have nothing to do with the team's 0-6 preseason record.

"You have to be healthy and you have to have a couple of calls go your way and the ball to bounce your way a couple of times," Kupchak said in his office this week in a wide-ranging exclusive interview. "It's not easy to get into the Finals and win a championship."

Yet, Kupchak says he feels encouraged because Howard rehabbed from his six-month old back surgery quickly enough to make his Lakers debut in in the team's sixth preseason game, a 99-92 loss Sunday to the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center. Howard's opening act entailed 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting, 12 rebounds and four blocks in 33 minutes.

"The most encouraging thing for me is Dwight really hasn't missed a practice," Kupchak said. "He has exceeded my expectations in terms of recovery."

The Lakers acquired Howard from the Orlando Magic in a four-team, 12-player trade that involved Andrew Bynum as the centerpiece to the Philadelphia 76 ers. At the time, Kupchak expressed little worry surrounding the uncertainty when Howard would return to the court. The Lakers' general manager conceded the difficulty the team, hypothetically, might have had to absorb Howard's absence through January. Kupchak set his eyes on whether Howard would put the Lakers in a better position to collect their 17 th NBA championship, tying the Boston Celtics.

There's also another pressing issue. Has Kupchak received assurances Howard will re-sign with the Lakers after this season?

"I have not asked that question nor do I intend to ask the question," Kupchak said. "I hear he's embraced the city. Certainly, everything he says publicly is positive. But there really is nothing to pursue there from that point of view. It doesn't make any sense for him to do anything other than wait for this summer."

What would it take to ensure Howard stays?

"Winning a championship wouldn't hurt," Kupchak said. "If we didn't win it this year, would that factor into his decision? I don't know. I would think that if he has a great year and there's great chemistry and the city embraces him like I think we do and will, I'm not sure it would be a factor. But that's something that he'll have to decide. He doesn't have to decide that now."

Kupchak also appeared in no rush to predict how the Lakers will plan for Kobe Bryant's pending retirement. The Lakers star has indicated publicly he might end his storied career after his contract ends following the 2013-14 season.

"I don't know how you replace a guy like Kobe Bryant," Kupchak said. "In terms of the big picture, we want to stay healthy and want to get better every day this year. But our best strategic challenge would be to sign Dwight back. Beyond that, I don't know how you go out further than a year." Still, the Lakers could enter the 2014 offseason with more cap flexibility. Should Howard re-sign, Nash would be the only other player currently under contract in 2014. Pau Gasol and Metta World Peace also have two years left on their contracts that expire after the 2013-14 season.

Will the Lakers pursue a high profile free agent in 2014?

"Even if we sign back Dwight, we'll have cap flexibility," Kupchak said. "But I don't know who's going to be available two years down the road. I don't know what will happen in the next year or two. There may be a trade that comes along. Right now, we do have financial flexibility."

Kupchak also downplayed reports suggesting the Lakers were looking to unload their heavy backcourt, including backup point guards Steve Blake and Chris Duhon.

"This time of year nobody is looking to make trades," Kupchak said.

The uncertain future sure pales to what the Lakers recently faced.

http://www.dailynews.com/sports/ci_21838861/lakers-general-manager-mitch-kupchak-sees-his-window

Related articles

• Lakers Rumors: Updates on Potential Return of Derek Fisher and Backup PG Spot (bleacherreport.com)
• You: Lakers Trade Rumors: LA Should Keep Steve Blake over Chris Duhon (bleacherreport.com)
• You: Dwight Howard: Los Angeles Lakers Big Man Doesn't Need Preseason Warmup (bleacherreport.com)
• Report: Lakers Believed to Be Positioning Themselves to Make Run at LeBron James in 2014 (nesn.com)
• Windhorst: How the Lakers might court the King (espn.go.com)
• You: Lee Jenkins: 2012-13 NBA Preview: Pacific Division (sportsillustrated.cnn.com)
• Mitch Kupchak: '[Dwight Howard] is on Track. He Should Recover Completely' (slamonline.com)
• Lakers say Howard will miss beginning of camp (espn.go.com)
• Dwight Howard, Steve Nash on hand as bolstered Lakers open camp (cbc.ca)

NBA News 2012: Kupchak: We thought Howard deal was dead

EL SEGUNDO, CA - AUGUST 10: Dwight Howard (L) is introduced to the media as the newest member of the Los Angeles Lakers by General Manager Mitch Kupchak during a news conference at the Toyota Sports Center on August 10, 2012 in El Segundo, California. The Lakers aquired Howard from Orlando Magic in a four-team trade. In addition, Lakers wil receive Chris Duhon and Earl Clark from the Magic. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)Prior to the deal that sent Dwight Howard to the Los Angeles Lakers, you couldn't blame Mitch Kupchak for failing to land the MVP-caliber center. Apparently the Lakers GM had been attempting for months, back to the midpoint of the 2011-12 season, to turn any number of Andrew Bynum-led packages into a deal for the former Orlando Magic big man, but had been rebuffed by two different GMs (and, in a way, Howard himself). And after grabbing Steve Nash for a song and retaining the team's three All-Star level starters, nobody could criticize Kupchak for going on the family vacation he had committed to during the second week of August.

To him, the Howard deal was "over," as the Magic mulled their options. Apparently the relaxed trade restrictions on rookie forward Moe Harkless sent new Orlando GM Rob Hennigan over the moon, and the Lakers were able to make a massive upgrade from the league's second to best center in time enough for Kupchak to make that family holiday.

Of course, this is a man who is thanking the GM that just sent him Dwight Howard. Even without that, GMs will never criticize each other on record, so just take Mitch's words with a grain of salt. Especially when this column appears as if Hennigan was tapping his foot and counting the days until a deal for Harkless (a rookie who has yet to play an NBA game) was made league-legal.

Kupchak was right to believe that Howard was going to re-sign with the team following the creation of his status as a 2013 unrestricted free agent, but the Houston Rockets should have been nearly as confident had Orlando accepted their deal for Howard. So should have been the Philadelphia 76ers (who ended up with Bynum) even before Andrew's presser with the team last week. The sheer amount of money that incumbent teams can throw at their free agents establishes that confidence well in advance.

It's noble for Kupchak to publicly praise Hennigan, a GM nearly half his age, for various reasons. Chief among them, obviously, is the unwritten code of on-record conduct between GMs. Second is the part that tells you that Magic CEO Alex Martins (a person with no basketball history entering his ascension to that position in 2011-12) may have had more to do with this deal than is being let on.

There's also the part where Kupchak says things that are far from incorrect. Hennigan did take his time. He did narrow things down, negotiate, and deal with several teams.

We — and we're not alone in the NBA community in this criticism — just think that Orlando could have taken more time (we're still five weeks removed from Howard having to show up to camp), narrow things down further (Houston, perhaps, and more cap space for 2013 instead of 2014 along with better draft picks?), and deal with different teams. The Rox, again, or actually grabbing Bynum from Los Angeles and putting the onus on Andrew to turn down tens of millions of dollars to leave that team as a free agent in the summer of 2013.

Though we're great fans of Pau Gasol, it's easy to understand why a rebuilding team in Orlando didn't want a player over 30 making nearly $20 million a year to start over with. We like Harkless, and aren't as down on Nikola Vucevic as others. Orlando's eventual Howard deal didn't change much, though, and it didn't affect much in terms of the team's eventual flexibility.

That's for another, possibly spurred on by the words of former Magic coach Stan Van Gundy, column. For now the focus is on Kupchak — a GM who has had incredible fortune and good luck, but has also put himself in the position to have such great luck (by agreeing with Jim Buss to draft Bynum, and by smartly trading Caron Butler in his prime for Kwame Brown because he knew the Memphis Grizzlies would want Kwame for Pau Gasol so badly).

Bad jokes aside, Kupchak has delivered a roster that, while flawed in parts, should be rightfully regarded as the championship favorite even after Miami's impressive run to the title last June. We're aware that the shot selection was dodgy, the defense lacking, and the bench was awful last season; but that's why you trade for Steve Nash, Dwight Howard, and sign Antawn Jamison and Jodie Meeks. Kupchak, in ways that can't be dismissed because his owners are willing to pay more, has done a brilliant job.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/lakers-gm-mitch-kupchak-dwight-howard-deal-thought-160921284--nba.html

Related articles

• Lakers Rumors: How Andrew Bynum Extension Would Impact Dwight Howard (bleacherreport.com)
• Jeff Van Gundy: "I think every league should model themselves after the NFL." (sportsradiointerviews.com)
• NBA Trade Rumors: Lakers More Likely to Land Dwight Howard If Deal Happens Soon (bleacherreport.com)
• Kupchak: Door isn't closed on Howard-to-Lakers (espn.go.com)
• Why Dwight Howard Won't Leave the L.A. Lakers in 2013 NBA Free Agency (bleacherreport.com)
• Sources: Dwight Howard wants trade - ESPN (espn.go.com)
• Magic Trick Surprised Kupchak (hangtime.blogs.nba.com)
• NBA Capsules: Howard to Lakers in four-team, 12-player deal (brownsvilleherald.com)
• Dwight Howard headed to Lakers in four-team blockbuster trade (sportsillustrated.cnn.com)
• Dwight Howard to Lakers in 4-team, 12-player deal (hosted.ap.org)

NBA News 2012: Are the Los Angeles Lakers Dependent on Kobe Bryant Staying with Team?

English: Kobe Bryant, Lakers shooting guard, stands ready to shoot a free throw during Tuesday nights pre-season game against the Golden State Warriors. Bryant was essential in bringing together a large point gap late in the second quarter, after the Warriors took the early lead. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The Lakers should be fine without Kobe Bryant, so long as Dwight Howard's back is fixable.

They have positioned themselves well for the distant future, even if they have an incredibly pricey immediate future. In the 2014-15 season—when Kobe's current deal runs out—Los Angeles has no money committed. Between now and then, recent moves have ensured that they stay competitive.

Kobe Bryant is always a captivating presence, but in this season, it's especially true.

It's a transitional year for Kobe, as he must hand over the reins of the Los Angeles offense for that offense to thrive. And though Bryant is among the smartest players in the league (a subjective judgment, based on his interviews), recent returns suggest he might be unwilling to make the necessary move.

He played well in the Olympic gold-medal game against Spain, but would often sling contested shots throughout the NBA playoffs. Last season, despite having Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol as viable options, Bryant shot 23 times per game, the most since 2006-07. He also shot only .527 in true shooting percentage, less than the team average.

It's especially interesting that Kobe needs to let go because he's the NBA's highest-paid player.

Next season, he's set to make $27,849,149, and $30,453,805 in the season after that. You could be sympathetic to the Laker star, insofar as you can be sympathetic to someone making that much money. He's paid to be "the guy," and it might be hard to process the need for a lesser role under such circumstances.

But a lesser role is needed, as is a Kobe Bryant evolution.

The Lakers added Steve Nash, who has a history of running potent offense via the pick-and-roll. The "PnR" Nash action usually has to involve a big man, so as to stretch a defense. Perhaps you recall seeing this about 1,000 times over the course of Nash's seven-seconds-or-less reign of offensive terror.

To get Nash at his best, it likely means a heaping of plays that do not involve Kobe Bryant. For Bryant to be at his most helpful, the "off guard" must play off the ball.

The Lakers have to squander someone's skills, just because they have so much talent. There is only one basketball, and the shot clock goes for 24 seconds—not infinity.

In the meantime, the Lakers do need some iteration of Kobe. While they must be less dependent on him than ever before, he's nearly irreplaceable when you consider L.A.'s wing depth.

Metta World Peace (yes, that is still his name) put up an 11.0 PER last season. He can create little offense outside of the open three-pointer and he shot a meager .296 on threes last year. And yes, I know he has a habit of hitting the big ones.

The Lakers must actually get themselves in such a position where Metta's pressure-impervious ways can help them first.

In short, Kobe fills a need in the short term, but they also need less of him.

It's a bit of a paradox and might increasingly be one as the next two years pass. But, if the Lakers can sign Dwight Howard for the next five years, they should be creating a team from a position of strength.

Dwight is quite the building block, as wishy-washy as he may be. The Lakers will eventually, in theory, begin an era of Dwight Howard, plus no other commitments. It's no assurance of future success, but it's an excellent place to start anew.

Yes, the Lakers are dependent on Kobe. No, they shouldn't be in the future.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1301665-are-the-los-angeles-lakers-dependent-on-kobe-staying-with-team 

Related articles

• Are the Los Angeles Lakers Dependent on Kobe Bryant Staying with Team? (bleacherreport.com)
• Dwight Howard to Lakers: How Steve Nash and Kobe Bryant Will Impact D12 (bleacherreport.com)
• LA Lakers Should Trade Dwight Howard to Grizzlies for Rudy Gay and Marc Gasol (bleacherreport.com)
• Vanessa Bryant Doesn't Want To Be Married To Someone Who Can't Win Championships [Shots Fired] (craniumfitteds.com)
• Steve Nash and Kobe Bryant, contrasts in leadership (espn.go.com)
• Kobe Bryant I'm FIRED UP About Dwight Howard (oldschool945.com)
• Will there be a Lakers and Heat Finals show-down? (110sportztalk.com)
• Kobe Bryant Says Pau Gasol Will Be A Laker As Long As Kobe Bryant Is A Laker (sportsgrid.com)
• Dwight Howard trade: Lakers, Kobe got what they wanted, but did Superman? (aol.sportingnews.com)
• Kobe Bryant: Steve Nash gives Lakers a 'much, much better chance' at title (tracking.si.com)

NBA News 2012: Dwight Howard Trade Will Make Pau Gasol Elite Again

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 20: Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers and the Western Conference dunks the ball over Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic and the Eastern Conference in the first quarter of the 2011 NBA All-Star Game at Staples Center on February 20, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)
If they handed out an award in the NBA for being a class act, The Los Angeles Lakers' Pau Gasol would be this year's runaway winner.

Bruised and battered on and off the court and the subject of constant trade rumors for the better part of a year, the seven-foot Spaniard could finally let out a sigh of relief upon learning late last week that the Lakers had orchestrated a blockbuster deal to bring Dwight Howard to Los Angeles.

"That's big news," Gasol told Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times last Friday following Spain's eight-point victory over Russia at the London Summer Games. "That's huge.... It puts us in position to be a powerful team."

"I've been involved in so many talks and so many rumors. I feel relieved. I'm anxious and excited to be back with our team, fully committed, fully focused on just working extremely hard and helping our team as much as I can."

The thought of playing alongside the league's top defensive center in Dwight Howard has Gasol almost giddy with anticipation. Though he was sad to see his "friend" Andrew Bynum leave the team, Gasol is well aware that D12 may be the catalyst to help him regain his position as one of the NBA's premier offensive big man at the power forward position.

Take nothing away from Bynum, who emerged last season as an All-Star center with smooth post-up moves and the knack for pulling down large chunks of rebounds on the defensive end. Pau Gasol is still better off playing in the post next to Howard. Come on, who wouldn't be?

D12 scores the majority of his points close to the basket and will regularly attract double-teams, freeing Gasol for his forte, the short-to-midrange jump shot. In fact, because of their clashing skill sets, they will complement one another very well.

Howard is brute strength, great at picks, a beast on the boards. Gasol, who stands a few inches taller than his new teammate, is a finesse player, a point guard trapped in a seven-foot body. Perhaps the best passing big man in the league, Gasol will now have the freedom to do what he does best, even with the Princeton offense.

Endorsed wholeheartedly by Kobe Bryant after spending time in Las Vegas with former Sixers assistant Eddie Jordan, Mike Brown and management went out and got Jordan to run the new offensive scheme for the Lakers.

For all those "nervous Nellie, sky is falling" Lakers fans, expect the Princeton offense to be employed some of the time. If run properly, it will surely help players like Gasol because the ball moves from side to side with screens and picks, forcing defenses to chase rather than double- and triple-team a stagnant offense with set plays.  

Much of the pressure to make this all happen rests on second-year head coach Mike Brown. Criticized last year for not utilizing Gasol properly, Brown now has four future Hall of Fame players in his starting lineup including Steve Nash, one of the most gifted passing point guards to ever suit up.

With Howard and Bryant drawing so much attention, expect to see Gasol on the receiving end of numerous gems from Nash. He could easily average 20 points a game this season.

Can you imagine now if the Lakers had given up both Bynum and Gasol in order to get Howard?

Losing both big men would have been disastrous for this team—thankfully, cooler heads (Mitch Kupchak and Jim Buss, with some prodding from Kobe perhaps?) prevailed, and the Lakers pulled off one of their best trades since, well, since they traded for Gasol in 2008.

As good as Gasol has been, helping the Lakers win back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010, having Dwight Howard in the frontcourt will bring out the very best in Pau.

Just look at the way he played alongside brother Marc in the Olympics; now imagine how free his game becomes when he has D12 clearing space and doing most of the dirty work inside.

In an 11-year career that has seen him average almost 19 points, nine rebounds and three assists per game, 2012-13 may very well turn out to be Pau Gasol's best ever.

And, he'll be able to thank Dwight Howard for much of that.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1301013-la-lakers-dwight-howard-trade-will-make-pau-gasol-elite-again

Related articles

• LA Lakers: Dwight Howard Trade Will Make Pau Gasol Elite Again (bleacherreport.com)
• Dwight Howard Trade: Pau Gasol Reportedly Staying With Lakers (losangeles.sbnation.com)
• Dwight Howard to Lakers: How Steve Nash and Kobe Bryant Will Impact D12 (bleacherreport.com)
• NBA Rumors: Why Josh Smith to the Los Angeles Lakers Makes Sense (bleacherreport.com)
• Dwight Howard On Verge Of Coming To Lakers (losangeles.cbslocal.com)
• Done Deal: Dwight Howard Is Officially A Laker (losangeles.cbslocal.com)
• PBT: Dwight Howard traded to Lakers in 4-team deal (probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com)
• Kobe Bryant on Pau Gasol with Lakers: 'As long as I'm there, he's going to be there' (tracking.si.com)
• McKayla Maroney Is Not Impressed With Dwight Howard Joining Lakers (Photo) (nesn.com)
• Sources: Howard-to-Lakers deal 'very close' (espn.go.com)