Just two years ago Lamar Odom was the undisputed 2nd best player on the Lakers roster. Bynum was just hopes and dreams, Luke was actually earning his future contract, and the starting lineup included Smush and Kwame, two players that need only be mentioned by first name. Lamar was quietly battling through injury and off court tragedy along with the pressure of being Kobe's sidekick. Fast forward to this offseason and Lamar is the 4th best player on the team, looking to fit into a sf position that he has failed at his entire duration with the lakers. It didn't work with Odom/Kwame/Mihm and it didn't work with Odom/Turiaf/Kwame. Will it work with Odom/Gasol/Bynum? I'd rather not wait to find out. The alternative? send him to the bench. He'll maximize his minutes at backup pf, allowing Gasol to slide over to center while Bynum rests. A big man rotation of those three would be devastating. Odom/Gasol is Western Conference champion quality, Odom/Bynum was 1st place in the west, Gasol/Bynum should be elite, now imagine one of those three duos every game, all game...yeah, nice. Odom can get the rest of his minutes at sf, letting him do what he does best. some will say, but Lamar is in a contract year....I say this move is better for the Lakers and Odom. Lamar can start and struggle at small forward, but is that really what's going to get him his next contract?
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