World Champions struggle to keep the core together

Update: Deals in stone, Artest to LA, Ariza to Houston

Only two days into the free-agent singing period our question was answered if the defending champs were going to be able to keep the club together for one more title run. The quick answer is no, but the retort might be “are the Lakers even better now?” LA traded youth and the future for the present as 24 yr old Trevor Ariza, LA native, UCLA product, and local favorite is swapped with the ever unpredictable Ron Artest 29. The Lakers' decision to go with Artest instead of younger Ariza shows they're putting everything into these next three years and not worrying too much about the future. Ariza would have wanted a five-year contract; Artest was willing to come for three. The end of Artest's contract coincides with the reported opt-out clause for Bryant. We don't know whether Kobe will choose to leave in 2012, but we do know this: He'll be 33 that summer and either way the clouds will be clearing in the West and the Purple Reign will be ending.


As soon as the parade was over, well actually during the parade, the questions were swarming if the Lakers were going to be able to keep their championship team in tact. Mainly free agents Lamar Odom, Trevor Ariza, and Shannon Brown. The feeling in LA is that they have the components to make another trip back (and win) a second consecutive NBA title. After Kobe stated that he would not opt out of his extension it appeared that the off season in La-La Land would be as beautiful as the weather. Unfortunately there are some flaws in the planning of the “Purple Reign” sequel. Firstly, the Lakers need to get their house in order as they appear to be unclear on the Odom (10 million) deal and even further away from Ariza (5.6 vs. 8million) that his agent was looking for, and the Shannon Brown talks have yet to get off the ground. Even if LA can miraculously come to terms with all three that doesn’t ensure their ticket for a return engagement as the rest of the league has made additions in the draft the Lakers felt they had enough in the cubborad to stand pat, a major mistake. The move that may come back to haunt them is passing on the Pittsburgh twins (Blair and Young) who could have immediately helped their one blaring deficiency, getting out “physicaled” on the boards. They got plenty of firepower on offense what they need is an enforcer (aka Rick Fox, Coach Rambis). Although not complacent, perhaps too confident that their current hand will be good enough to withstand another flop, and even though they may be playing with house money as the last team to repeat, if the chips don’t fall into place USC can feel comfortable re-painting the Coliseum Cardinal and Gold again. Are the Lakers the team to beat again in 2010? Let us know here and in the NBA chat rooms and team pages.