What to do with Kwame's contract?

With Bynum clearly establishing himself as our legit starting center from now to infinity, lets start to figure out what we should do with the ever so popular expiring deal of Kwame Brown. Let me list some options: Keep Kwame. He will now be the backup to Andrew. The problem is that Kwame is only good for his defensive game and cannot play alongside Bynum at the same time. He will be more important to others teams for his expiring deal rather then being a Laker and always on the IL. Trade Kwame. Here's some deals that I like: Kwame and a second rounder for Kurt Thomas. Kwame is young enough to fit in the plans of the Sonics for the future and Kurt Thomas can help LA immediatly with his veteran play at both the PF and C positions off the bench. Thomas isn't going to be a Sonic after this year so might as well trade him for an asset that might be a part of the future. I think it's a win win for both teams. Kwame, Ariza, and a 1st for Artest and Mikki Moore. We get 2 vetern players who will fit our team perfectly. Artest will start at the 3 and help our perimiter defense. Moore will be a backup at mostly the 5 and some of the 4 if needed. Meanwhile, Sac gets cap relief, a young player in Ariza, and a first rounder this summer. It's a bit of a gamble for Artest, but it can result in a title and we can't pass that up. Kwame, Farmar, Rad and a 1st for Jason Kidd. People need to wake up and realize that Jason Kidd is still an all-star calibar PG and if all it costs is role players and Farmar....

Your unrelated note is so random. It sounds like you are giving Kobe advise on how to play. I think Kobe knows what he needs to do. The Lakers won and that's what matters. Lamar missed a wide open layup but people here realize he had a good game, the team won and it would be a waste of time to bash on him for the miss. I don't see your point.

i'd love to have kidd, and to be honest i think that the only hang up on us getting him is the contract extension that he wants.

Well since miami's backup center's career is likely to be over, we have to start talking with Miami. A trade involving kwame brown to the heat for players including haslem would work for me but would miami accept this?

I think they can play Mark Blount. I don't see them giving up Haslem for Kwame.

well, would you really want haslem would you could get artest in the off-season?

Your 1st trade for Kurt Thomas is the best by far. You get a veteran who plays good defense and rebounds (which is what Kwame gives us). However, Thomas can also hit the 15-18 ft jumper and passes well from the post. It would be a great pickup for LA. Then after the season see if you can sign him for the vet minimum for a couple of seasons. Now you have a guy who can truly backup Bynum and Odom at the center and power forward and best of all we do not have to watch stone hands (Kwame) anymore.

Just think getting rid of Cook and Kwame in the same year. That is almost better than a playoff win (ok maybe not that good, but close).

we should make kwame return the money for being such a lemon! and pay damages to all the laker fans for causing headaches, stress related illnesses and near-cardiac arrests.

seriously, Kwame is worth keeping, unless a trade for a (JO, Gasol) comes up. We'd be too thin up front if we give him up on a Kidd deal, unless a Jason Collins or boone is included. If he is kept, he fits well with the starting unit, providing defense and some rebounding prescence against the 1st string centers. Bynum comes off the bench, faces lesser opposition where he can destroy the defenses of the opposing team's second unit and gets to preserve his energy and fouls for the stretch run. I think this is a good idea to keep bynum fresh and hungry towards the latter part of the season. Kwame is still a good fit for this team, he can push around shaq, howard, amare, duncan and the top centers. Offense on the C spot will come from Bynum. then next season, keep kwame for about 3mil per

Well, since Kwame's contract comes off the books, we can resign our players and possibly get a nice little addition this off season if not before via trade.

If we trade Kwame it should be for Kidd...Kwame, Farmar, Radman, & picks for Kidd...if not then we should just keep him & his expiring contract...Bynum will need an extension...so will Ronny...so we might as well...

Lots to consider will all the contracts up next year, Kwame's 9 mill will fill a lot of Laker player pockets. Sasha and Turiaf's contracts are up, and I believe Arriza can opt out if he wants to. We have Gasol playing in EU who the Lakers may want to bring in, plus another draft pick next year to pay, and the MLE to pick up. I would swear I heard Mihm has an opt out of next years contract also, but can't find proof of it; we will need bigs to back up Bynum, that will cost us $$.

If Kwame isn't traded, I'd sign him to a short term contract 1-2 years maybe third team option for around MLE type money or less. Gasol will likely be brought in next year (at least to training camp) and possibly Yue as well. Mihm has an opt out next year but I'm not sure if he'll find a better deal elsewhere considering his lack of PT

Kwame provides a real conundrum. There is no way we can sign any big of his quality for the MLE or without making an expensive trade, but 9 million is a lot for his injury prone abilities; he has not proven he is worthy of that salary. So can we get him for less than 9 mill? We would likely have to let him expire and wait out the bidding to see what he is worth. There are certainly teams out there desperate for a big guy, so he may have some legs there. But his trade value as cap relief provides some real opportunity for the Lakers, so what to do? And don’t think the Suns won’t have their eyes on him, they desperately need a big, and they kill two birds with a single stone �" take him away from us, and fill their own needs; plus Kwame has and inside look at the Lakers �" make that three birds.

Still thinking on it, but we have to keep our eyes pealed on the future, and the future at C is not Kwame, its Byno. We will likely have to let Kwame go, the only way he stays is if he just wants to settle for less and stay here. Will he? Don’t know. Other wise, don’t let him fall to the Suns or Spurs, trade him off to the east.

Kwame's contract won't be that much...the Suns have alot already on their salary...all they would have is the MLE...but other teams would have more...if Kwame goes to Phoenix he would be dumb...I've heard that Marion wants to leave after this year, so maybe Phoenix would have enough to sign him, but they won't be the same team...Nash will be older..and Stoudamire will be, well, Stoudamire...

I believe we own Kwame's bird rights, I'm not 100% sure on that though so don't quote me

He is in his third season with the Lakers now. So yes, at the end of this season we own his bird rights!!

http://members.cox.net/lmcoon/salarycap.htm#26

If we can get Kidd for Farmar and Kwame, I would do that but we need Rad's 3 pointers although he has off nights. Since Bynum has proven to play full games well and since we are getting Gasol from the Euro league soon, Gasol can back up Bynum along with Turiaf if needed. Kidd would add valuable vet leadership for the Lakers young players.

I really believe Kwame will be gone by the deadline. His expiring contract is such a huge asset, and I don't believe Mitch will hold onto it. I do like a trade for Artest and Moore. Artest is definitely available, and would be a great addition to the team. Miki Moore is sick, and would solidify our bench. The dude plays to grab boards and defense.

Ideally it would be great to trade Kwame away for stronger pieces, and then sign him in the off-season for a minimum amount of money. I do feel Kwame has value, but it's not at the $9mil level.

These are the only deals I would make with Kwame (Most are unlikely)

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/features/traderesult?players=981~549~883&teams=8~8~13&te=&cash=

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/features/traderesult?players=981~3197~308~2173&teams=9~9~13~13&te=&cash=

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/features/traderesult?players=981~3251~1708~2760&teams=11~11~13~13&te=&cash=

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/features/traderesult?players=981~3197~1016~497~847~923&teams=12~12~12~13~13~13&te=&cash=

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/features/traderesult?players=981~3197~558~2794&teams=29~29~13~13&te=&cash=

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/features/traderesult?players=981~3251~687&teams=16~16~13&te=&cash= (for more cap space)

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/features/traderesult?players=981~991&teams=20~13&te=&cash=

Let his contract expire.

Hey Gryzz, long time since I saw your name here. welcome back!

Thanks. I finally found a place to call my own. I should be on more frequently as the playoffs creep up on us.

Expire and do not renew unless we get a bargain. The cap space should give us some room for a decent PF who can catch the ball and be effective in the triangle. Period.

I agree. Let his contract expire and if he wants to come back to the Lakers, he needs to take a serious pay cut.

We own his bird rights. Doesn't matter anyway since we'd still be over the cap even if we let his contract expire. Sign him to around MLE (4-5 mil) type money or less. I have a feeling Kwame will get offers from a lot of teams looking for a defensive big (PHX, GSW)...fortunately we can match any offer.