Lakers And Wizards Agree To Kwame Trade

[MavsFanFinley]

Lakers And Wizards Agree To Kwame Trade

14th July, 2005 - 3:28 am

LA Times - The Lakers have taken another bold step to remake their roster, agreeing in principle on a trade that would bring forward-center Kwame Brown from the Washington Wizards and would send Caron Butler and likely Chucky Atkins to Washington.

Brown, 6 feet 11, was drafted No. 1 overall in 2001 and fell on hard times last season with the Wizards, but he has the potential to be an impact post player.

Laker General Manager Mitch Kupchak and Wizard President Ernie Grunfeld declined to comment Wednesday, but sources said the components of the deal were in place involving Brown and Butler. The Wizards could choose small forward Devean George instead of Atkins to complete the deal.

NBA teams cannot announce free-agent signings or sign-and-trade transactions until a league moratorium is lifted July 22.

[Nash13]

Good trade for the Lakers. Although it wouldn't surprise me in the least bit if Kwame averaged 18/9 next season, they are putting a lot of hope on he and Bynum.

[MavKikiNYC]

Wonder where this leaves Odom.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Seems like a lot to give up for an un-proven F/C. Butler AND Atkins provided a lot for them last year. Hopefully its George, otherwise they have a huge hole at point guard.

Good trade for the Wizards though. It was a good thing after losing Hughes for nothing. If they get the athletic George, then they could start as the 2-3 with Jamison at the PF. If Atkins, then a solid back-up to Arenas. Overall a solid move.

[DubOverdose]

Pretty fair trade. I have to say I think its better for the Lakers. Bynum, Odom, Brown is a pretty athletic and big frontline. They just need to pick up a good PG and they'll be in business again, assuming they don't have serious chemistry issues.

[ocelot_ark]

The reward for the Lakers could be HUGE...Jermaine O'Neal anyone?

[dirt_dobber]

Didn't the GM (Kobe) and Butler have problems with each other last year?

.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Jemaine O'neal? A ridiculous comparison. Kwame had every chance to be an elite power forward on the wizards. O'neal had to battle for minutes behind Sabonis, Rasheed Wallace, Dale Davis.

This is all blinded optimism. The fact is, the Lakers gave up more actual production on the court for an un-proven player. I'm sorry but I don't see what there is to get that excited about. Maybe 3 years down the road the lakers can be good with that front court. Maybe.

[alby]

if bynum is part of that frontline rotation, then they are in trouble lol..

kwame is 22, 23 years old?

jermaine's first breakout year (double digit scoring average) came when he was 22, 23 years old..
first year in indiana, he averaged 12 points

i dont think that is farfetched for kwame, to be techincal about it, he may be ahead of jermaine =\

[seal614]

Originally posted by: DubOverdose
they'll be in business again, assuming they don't have serious chemistry issues.

chemistry issues? no way, they have Kobe... he's good at everything (especially making friends)

[LRB]

Kobe and Kwame, can't think of a couple more deserving of each other. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-disgusted.gif[/img]

[Drbio]

Originally posted by: dirt_dobber
Didn't the GM (Kobe) and Butler have problems with each other last year?

.

Yes. I'm in Los Angeles right now and that is all the talk shows are talking about. They are not being kind to GM Showbe the drama puss....nor should they be. Butler was obviously very well liked here.

[ocelot_ark]

The fact is...the Lakers were never going to win a championship with Butler and Atkins...they're not even a playoff team. However, if Kwame can, under the instruction of PJAX, find his game...they have the potential to be very good.

[alby]

kobe/odom/brown looks pretty good to me, you have athelticsm and size for your top 3 guys, they need a spot up shooter and they can probably finish around 6th in the west..

what about fin. ouch

[FilthyFinMavs]

I just see this as a very lop-sided trade for the Wiz. Kwame could not only start for the Wiz but hell he couldn't even back up for them either. Was this guy not about to be let go by the Wiz? You could've probably went after him in free agency and kept Atkins and Butler or traded them for something better. Seems like the Lakers are really trading for potential that I just don't see.

[LRB]

Originally posted by: alby
kobe/odom/brown looks pretty good to me, you have athelticsm and size for your top 3 guys, they need a spot up shooter and they can probably finish around 6th in the west..

what about fin. ouch

"kobe/odom/brown " sounds like a future episode of American Justice.