Lakers Hope NBA Will Reduce Bynum's Suspension

The Los Angeles Lakers will appeal the 5-game suspension on Andrew Bynum, reports say. Bynum was suspended for his game 4 flagrant hit on Maverick's guard JJ Barea. The NBA has lost about 19% of its game due to the lockout. Lakers hope that the league will trim Bynum's suspension to possibly 2-4 games.

Darius Morris on Team Voluntary Workouts

Laker's rookie point guard Darius Morris answers questions from the media after his voluntary workout.

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Dwight Howard & Chris Paul Updates

Quotes from sources close to the situation:

Orlando Magic not actively entertaining offers on Dwight Howard... not that that means much... Magic are trying to make their own deals.
Continuing to hear same song from Dwight Howard camp... he wants to finish what he started...needs Magic to get him help...
Until Howard's tune changes, Magic operating as though he is staying and they will spare no expense.
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Lakers had "cursory" talks today w/ ORL about Dwight Howard, The Times has learned. Translation: Unproductive. No trade proposals exchanged.
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The New Orleans Hornets are ready to trade Chris Paul, says source. He refused to sign extension so they'll deal him "as soon as possible."
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The Hornets were calling teams before, but now talks are getting serious. Source says the Clippers and Warriors have made the best offers.

Lakers Full 66 Game Schedule Released

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The NBA has announced the schedules for all 30 teams in the league. The Lakers, like every team, have 1 back-to-back-to-back games in a row, and have 18 back-to-back games scheduled this season. To view to the complete Laker schedule, click here.

Howard Or Paul?

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Clippers Not Chasing Dwight Anymore

ESPN's Ric Bucher is reporting that the Los Angeles Clippers will not pursue Orlando's Dwight Howard. This may be a sign that the Clippers's will look to acquire a point gaurd, possibly Chris Paul, to accommodate the rookie of the year Blake Griffin (forward). More info will be coming soon as news gets in.

All I want for Christmas is........

Well Laker fans, competition just may of slightly got a little bit tougher now for the race to acquire the services of Hornet's point guard Chris Paul. Fans of the Orlando Magic have launched a billboard campaign that they hope will convince Magic general manager Otis Smith to acquire Paul. The billboard pictures Paul in a Magic uniform. Below that, a line of text states, "Otis, Make It Happen!". If a deal if likely to be done, Orlando will almost certainly need assistance from other teams to acquire the all-star guard, as all they have are old guys and toxic contracts. An internet campaign, www.BringChrisPaul.com, was also launched. Paul can opt out of his contract at the end of the season, but the Hornets look  to trade him before the trade deadline for some compensation. Sources close to Paul say his first preference are the Knicks.

Lakers Eyeing Delonte West

According to ESPN:

The Lakers have interest in Delonte West, who played for coach Mike Brown in Cleveland and last played for Boston, as a potential fill-in at guard and also are keen on Indiana free agent Josh McRoberts, according to a source with knowledge of their thinking.

Delonte West played under Mike Brown during his time in Cleveland. West is known as a solid defender and a 3-point shooter. He averaged 5.6 points a game in his season with the Boston Celtics last season. 

More Drama into the Dwight Howard - Laker Rumor

According to an anonymous NBA GM, the Orlando Magic would prefer to let all-star center Dwight Howard leave rather than receiving what the Lakers would offer. Orlando Magic general manager Otis Smith has stated that he will not engage in trade talks until he sits down with Howard to discuss his future with the Magic organization. A source close to Howard said that Howard would like to stay in Orlando where he has played his whole career, but his number one priority is winning. The top teams that are rumored interested in Howard the Mavericks, Lakers, and the Clippers.

Free Agents Try to Impress Laker's Front Office

More free agents shows up at the Laker's practice facility than the actual players today, LA Times reports. The only Laker players that attended the voluntary work outs were Derek Fisher (guard), and Devin Ebanks (forward). Some of those free agents were Rashad Mccants,Leon Powe, and Marcus Banks. One player in particular, Rashad McCants, had his goals set. McCants said the Lakers were an, "ideal team". McCants is known as a player with bad attitude however. For instance, he never showed up at the Cleveland Caveliers' camp last off-season. B


Reminder: Free Agency official beings on December 9th


CLICK HERE TO WATCH RASHAD MCCANTS INTERVIEW

ESPN: Lakers trying to Acquire Both Paul & Howard

Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak has decisions to make regarding the team's current roster.



It should not be a surprise to anyone that the Lakers are looking for a trade to acquire Chris Paul or Dwight Howard. But what about if I tell you this. The Lakers are looking to acquire both Chris Paul and Dwight Howard. Yes, that is right, both of them. You are talking about a team with Paul, Howard, and Bryant. This must be good for Laker fans, but scary for the others. According to ESPN, source indicate that the Lakers are hoping to pull off a blockbuster deal that will land them both Hornets guard Chris Paul, and Magic center Dwight Howard. The Lakers, with their financial capability and talent on their roster, especially the young center Andrew Bynum, there is no doubt that a deal can strike. The Lakers have spoken with the Hornets regarding their young star Chris Paul, you can opt out of his contract at the end of season. There is no official indication yet whether the Lakers have spoken with the Orlando Magic yet. Lakers vice-president and general manager stated that he and the organization believes that they can compete with the roster they currently have. Dwight Howard has not yet spoken and informed the Orlando front office about his decision yet, but Paul, according to sources close to the situation, state that his first preference would be New York, but he is keeping his options open. Lets be honest, who does not want to play for the Lakers? You get payed in advance, you play in the largest tv market in the nation, lets not forget Hollywood, the tradition, and a front-office and ownership that wants to win. Sources also say that Paul and Howard have had conversation regarding the idea of playing with each other. An anonymous Western Conference team executive stated that "The Lakers are interested in trying to do something for both (Paul and Howard".

Reminder: Free Agency does not official begin until December 9th.

Andrew Bynum Deletes Twitter Account

Laker center Andrew Bynum suspended his Twitter Account today. Bynum's agent has not yet to give a reason for this action. People who visited Bynum's online profiel were greeted by this message:

Sorry, that page doesn’t exist!

This coems after Bynum's name is being circulated across the web due to possible trade rumors, mostly associated with Dwight Howard and Chris Paul.

Sharpshooter visits the Lakers

According to Yahoo! Sports, free agent point guard Jason Kapono visited the Laker's Facility today. Kapano is known for his 3-point ability, shooting 43% in his career beyond the arc. Free agency does not official until December 9th, but teams are allowed to start talking with free agents and their representatives today.

Lakers will play Back to Back to Back Games when NBA Season Begins

Mike Breshnahan of the LA Times is reporting that the Lakers will play back to back to back games starting on December 25, the day the NBA season is scheduled to tip off. Each team, according to sources will have to play one back to back to back games down the stretch in their season. The question now lies on if the so called "old" Lakers can keep up with the fast, young, and athletic teams in the conference.

Sources: Lakers, Hornets discussed Possible Chris Paul Deal

According to Yahoo! Sports, sources say that the Orlando Magic and the New Orleans Hornets are in a race to acquire Laker center Andrew Bynum. Sources say that the Hornets and the Lakers exchanged talks, but there was no formal or verbal offer. Both teams exchanged possible trade scenarios, according to multiple league sources. Both teams are expected to resume talk this week. This is not the first Andrew Bynum has been mentioned in trade discussions. If you go back earlier to the 2006-2007 season, Kobe wanted Bynum gone for point guard Jason Kidd, who was playing with the Nets during that time. Just last year, Bynum was mentioned in the Carmelo Anthony saga. No offer was made, just rumors though. But now, he is the focus for two teams, the Magic and the Hornets.

Chris Paul Update

According to sources, if a Chris Paul-New York deal can not be made, Chris Paul would like to be traded to the Clippers or the Magic. Both teams have young big men. The Clippers have the young and yet very talented Blake Griffin, while the Magic have Dwight Howard. Chris Paul to Orlando will almost certainly lure Dwight Howard to stay in Orlando. There has been many speculation that Dwight will opt out of his contract and join another team, such as the Lakers. The question now lies on the Orlando Magic. How can they acquire Chris Paul with their terrible contracts and no trade assets. They would most likely use the amnesty clause on Gilbert Arenas, but still, who can they give up. There best player other than Dwight Howard in Jameer Nelson. Orlando will need to find help from other teams to make this happen. Buckle up fans, we are in for one wild NBA season. 


Source:
While Chris Paul's first choice may be the Knicks, sources say he is also open to being traded to the Magic and Clippers.

Paul can opt out of his contract after the coming season to become a free agent and the Hornets are considering trading him to help in their rebuilding process.

Via Jarrod Rudolph/RealGM


Read more: http://basketball.re...s#ixzz1fWgeidKN

Lakers interested in Jose Juan Barea

The Lakers have contacted the representatives for Maverick's point guard Jose Juan (JJ) Barea.

According to ESPN:

The Miami Heat, who open the regular season in Dallas on Christmas Day, the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, and Sacramento Kings have all made contact with Barea's agent, Dan Fegan, a source close to the situation confirmed Friday. ESPN.com

Jim Buss drops stance on trading Bynum.

According to CBS SPORTS:

It's no surprise to anyone that the Lakers will be one of the primary suitors in a possible trade for Howard, and a person with knowledge of the team's strategy told CBSSports.com that executive Jim Buss finally has dropped his opposition to trading center Andrew Bynum "for the right deal." That's code for "a deal for Dwight Howard," and it's clear from those familiar with Howard's thinking that he'd like to join the Lakers. Bynum may or may not be on the Magic's list of suitable replacements for Howard in a potential deal that also would have to include young players on rookie contracts and draft picks.

 For those of you who do not know by now, Jim buss will be taking on the role as executive president and chief executive officer of the Los Angeles Lakers. Jerry Buss previously held that position with the organization. But the power is shifting now from Jerry to Jim. Jim Buss, who considers Laker's center Andrew Bynum his own personal project, has been reportedly open to trade the 7'0 center. Jim Buss was the guy who drafted Bynum in the 2005 NBA Draft (10th overall). Since then, he has been adamantly against trading Bynum. But now, reports indicate that he is willing to trade him if the offer is "right". And by "right", that means if only they can acquire all-star center Dwight Howard from the Orlando Magic. The rumor of Dwight Howard going to the Lakers has circulated throughout the media ever since the Laker's last season post-season embarrassment and collapse. Dwight, who can opt out of his contract and test free agency, has not directly indicated that he wants to join the Lakers. When asked if there was anyone who can play with, Dwight responded by saying Kobe Bryant. 

Dwight loves Hollywood and his fiance is pursuing a singing career here in Los Angeles. The question now lies on the the Orlando Magic front office. Do you keep Dwight and play it throughout the season even with the risk of him leaving for nothing, or do you deal him and receive compensation to enter rebuilding mode. ESPN's Marc Stein reported on Twitter that a growing number of execs starting to believe that Magic will indeed give strong consideration to doing Dwight deal before season starts. Who knows, we just have to wait and see. He may be dealt before the season, before the trade deadline, or they just may not deal him and play the him through the season. I guess we just may have to play the waiting game and see.