Lakers: Kirilenko an Unlikely Target



With recent word that Andrei Kirilenko of the Utah Jazz has requested a trade, naturally fans of the Los Angeles Lakers want to know what their chances are in acquiring the EuroBasket MVP.

Unfortunately they're not very good at all.

Assuming for a moment that the Los Angeles Lakers would be interested in Kirilenko's $63 million dollar, four-year contract . . . there's the issue of how exactly do they entice Utah to make such a deal?

Just because Kirilenko wants to leave doesn't mean the Jazz are any more willing to trade him away than the Los Angeles Lakers are willing to trade Kobe Bryant.

Obviously Kirilenko's price tag is a lot cheaper than Kobe Bryant's but the Jazz recently discussed a trade with the Phoenix Suns for Shawn Marion. That's the level of talent Utah is looking for in return.

Now there's a good chance the Suns don't want to take on that massive contract and the Jazz may find a very short list of teams willing to do so as well.

Still . . . they own all the leverage. Kirilenko has no contract opt out. He only stands to earn a significant suspension if his doesn't show up for work.

Playing injured and sporting a questionable attitude won't get him very far, remember how patient the Jazz were with Carlos Boozer?

Simply put the Jazz aren't going to entertain a Laker offer consisting of players like Kwame Brown, Jordan Farmar, Sasha Vujacic and the like.

Although center Andrew Bynum is an intriguing prospect to many teams around the league, the Jazz would probably be hesitant to take on a developing player when they're trying to win in the here and now.

Lamar Odom would seem to be the most reasonable offer the Los Angeles Lakers can make but is that really an upgrade?

Subjectively Odom might be considered a better all-around player. Kirilenko is the better defender. Both are extremely versatile and somewhat injury prone; neither are consistent 20 ppg scorers.

Kirilenko would be a nice addition for the Los Angeles Lakers but there just doesn't seem to be an easy way to get him.

Perhaps the situation will change as the season finally starts but it would appear that IF the Jazz decide to trade Kirilenko . . . the Los Angeles Lakers will not be his destination.

One last note . . . a rumor out of USC has undrafted shooting guard Lodrick Stewart signing with the Los Angeles Lakers as a camp invite. More on that as it develops.

KEY NEWSLINES
HOOPSWORLD: "While Plan A (Kevin Garnett) and perhaps Plan D (Yi Jianlian) are officially dead and buried, Plan B (Jermaine O'Neal) and Plan C (Ron Artest) are still theoretical possibilities. While there's always the chance LA gets some kind of deal done before the season starts, at this point it would appear to be unlikely. Should Kobe Bryant chose to continue his protest by skipping Media Day (or the like) . . . the Los Angeles Lakers will simply hold fast. They aren't interested in dealing him. While LA may not be among the elite teams they do boast Kobe Bryant, Jackson and reasonable depth at every position. How effective they'll be as a team is difficult to anticipate. They've got a chance to near 50 wins if healthy though the ceiling would appear to be the second round of the playoffs if they draw a favorable match up."

HOOPSWORLD: "Trade rumors have followed Artest and Bibby since midway through last season, and it continues to appear as if one – or both – is not long for Sacramento. Bibby, in particular, has been discussed in possible deals with Cleveland and Miami, and Artest - whose 2006-07 campaign was marred by his legal troubles - has drawn the attention of his hometown New York Knicks in trade talks yet to materialize. Nonetheless, the Kings are looking to get younger and move further into a new era, as evidenced by their recent commitment to Martin."

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: "The Heat made a strong run at the Bucks' starting point guard in July, offering him a five-year, $31 million contract. But Williams, an unrestricted free agent, eventually signed a six-year, $52 million contract with the Bucks. Bucks general manager Larry Harris confirmed that the Bucks received the $18 million offer sheet from the Heat on Monday. "We will be evaluating it and hope to come to some resolution shortly," Harris said."

See more at www.hoopsworld.com