LAHoops.com | Los Angeles Lakers community site for news, analysis, and fan dialogue.

Came across this video pleading to help Gasol find a new home. Bwahahahaa!

As the Miami Heat handed the Lakers a burning defeat at the scorching hands of LeBron James last night, the team is still on the hot burner—to make a significant trade that propels them into contention. As the Lakers get ready to tip off against the Orlando Magic tonight, let’s hope that the team brought one of its most valuable assets to the Magic Kingdom. That’s right. Let’s hope Mitch Kupchack is traveling with the team and planning to schmooze up a storm with Otis Smith—and work a little magic to set the foundation for a blockbuster trade right after the All Star game. With D-Howard in the mix, the Lakers might find the winds of contention blowing quite favorably.

Yahoo! Sports—one of the only media outlets to examine the credibility of the NBA with any degree of objectivity—highlights the league’s shady dealings with the Chris Paul trade. Take a look at an insightful article written by Adrian Wojnarowski—and get the inside scoop at how the NBA appears to be willing to chose winners and losers at all cost.

Read the entire article here: Chris Paul Trade Stained NBA’s Credibility.

After David Stern burns the Lakers by blocking a trade for CP3, the team burns itself by making a trade to the Dallas Mavericks. LO for a draft pick? Really? That’s right. The Lakers are sending Lamar Odom to the Dallas Mavericks for a first round pick and future considerations. Doesn’t “future considerations” sound a little too nebulous for the reigning sixth man of the year? As Kobe Bryant said: “Now I’m getting pissed off.” He’s not alone. Unless this gives the Lakers leverage for a bigger trade down the road, it’s a huge mistake on a road that’s usually traveled by the Clippers. Lamar’s a unique player. The ability to play multiple positions,  grab a defensive rebound, and push the ball up the floor is a rare attribute for a 6-10 player.  As the loss of Lamar Odom creates a big void in the Lakers lineup, let’s hope that management is working a little MAGIC behind the scenes.

As teams around the league scramble to land CP3 before the season starts, the Lakers are at the forefront of the discussion. According to ESPN, the Lakers are attempting to work a three way trade with the Rockets and NOLA. As reported here, the Rockets appear willing to send a variety of key assets (e.g., Kevin Martin, draft picks, etc.) to NOLA to land Gasol in a three way deal, giving the Lakers the fuel it needs to get the explosive point guard from NOLA to the City of Angels. The problem? The New York Knicks are now exploring the possibility of trading Amare Stoudemire for CP3. If this materializes, all the California Dreamin’ is likely to turn into a New York State of Mind.

Locked and loaded. By acquiring Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson, the Oklahoma City Thunder immediately emerge as the biggest threat to the Lakers in the West (surpassing a stacked Dallas team). With a team that’s already loaded with athleticism, the NBA’s leading scorer, and an emerging superstar in Westbrook, the Thunder get the last piece it needs to become a legitimate title contender. By adding a defensive presence in the paint, OKC gets more than a big body—it gets added toughness. While this trade doesn’t vault the Thunder over the Lakers as the favorites to emerge from the West, it does give the Thunder the power surge it needs to make it rain on the Westside during the playoffs.