Quote:If the Lakers are trying to get Kobe Bryant to change his mind about leaving, they're off to a good start.

The Los Angeles Times cited league sources on Monday saying that the Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves are in discussions that could bring Kevin Garnett to Los Angeles.

Trade discussions have involved the Lakers, Wolves, Pacers and possibly a fourth team. The report says that the Lakers would get Garnett, while the Pacers would land Los Angeles forward Lamar Odom and center Andrew Bynum. The Wolves would likely acquire a lottery pick and young players. Another team would also have to be involved to make the deal work financially.

Sources told ESPN and ESPN.com that the fourth team at this point is the Celtics, who would get Jermaine O'Neal from the Pacers.


The Timberwolves will have to get enough in return to make this deal work, ESPN Insider's Chad Ford writes. He offers some possible scenarios. Blog

According to the Times, Lakers owner Jerry Buss and Wolves owner Glen Taylor spoke on the phone for about 20 minutes on Friday. Buss then suggested that Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak and Timberwolves GM Kevin McHale carry on the discussions on Monday.

Bryant has repeatedly asked for a trade over the past month, saying that he doesn't feel that the Lakers are trying hard enough to improve. After losing in the NBA Finals four years ago, the Lakers missed the playoffs in 2004-05 and were out of the postseason in the first round the past two years.

Garnett has never publicly requested a trade despite the fact that the Wolves have struggled to remain competitive in recent years. Minnesota finished with a 32-50 record last season. The Wolves haven't been to the playoffs since 2004.

With Garnett able to opt out of his contract after next season, the time might be right for the Wolves to pull the trigger on a deal. McHale said last week that he has not been actively shopping his star, but that was a bit of a departure from previous statements in which he said he would not trade Garnett.

The 12-year veteran is owed $22 million next season and $23 million in 2008-09, the final year of his contract. He has requested an extension and the Times is reporting that Buss has told Taylor he would be willing to do that.

Garnett averaged 22.4 points, 12.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists last season. He is a 10-time All-Star.

Bynum's name has come up often in any trade talks concerning the Lakers recently. He averaged 7.8 points and 5.9 rebounds last season but is only 19 years old and 7 feet tall.

Odom averaged 15.9 points, 9.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists last season, but he did miss 26 games because of injuries. He has shoulder surgery in May but is expected to return for next season.

[url="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2916217"]http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2916217[/url]

Uhh, I would approve reatly of this. Please get it done.

I'd do this deal in a heartbeat. You can't be upset if you're any GM because this is what you get:

Lakers get Kevin Garnett

Pacers get Lamar Odom & Andrew Bynum

Celtics get Jermaine O'Neal

Timberwolves get the 5th & 19th picks in this years draft & $20 Million in cap relief. If you're the T-Wolves you then have 3 of the first 19 picks.

Like I said if I am any of these general managers, I see this as a very fair a good deal.

I think we might actually see this deal get done before Thursdays Draft.

7 Which team are you a fan of ?

HuskieFan84 Wrote:7 Which team are you a fan of ?

Lakers

But then Kobe will want to leave once he realized Garnett is indeed a star, and might eat up some of his headlines. Although Garnett maybe is someone Bryant would be ok playing with, since he is a lower profile star and does not need alot of attention. That might be the type of player Bryant would like to keep the focus on himself.