Lakers Won't Trade Bynum for Melo

The report of discussions to trade Andrew Bynum for Carmelo Anthony is purely gamesmanship on the Lakers part. They can't give up Bynum this year and win an NBA Finals. Letting this "rumor" out serves them two purposes. 

1) It lets Carmelo know when he becomes a free-agent in the off-season, the Knicks aren't the only major market team interested. 

2) It motivates Bynum. He picks up his play to prove how much they need him and it gives the team, who had been in another lull, a boost with all eyes and doubters focused on them.  

Melo isn't going to be a Laker....this year

Both things will serve them will moving forward. I believe Chris Broussard was hoodwinked again by Lakers or Nuggets executives and his "sources." The Lakers wanted the rumor to get out. Not because they were actually going to make the trade, but to put the image of Melo in a Lakers uniform in everyone's head. And what a sight that would be.

Can you imagine? You wanna talk "Big Threes?" Try Kobe, Melo and Pau. "Big Four" like Boston is boasting these days with Rondo? Just add Lamar.

But that's only if Melo decides to sign up with Los Angeles in free-agency. The Lakers aren't going to trade for him, and they shouldn't. They can't give up Bynum and expect to beat Boston in the Finals. Boston a serious road block on the path to another Phil Jackson three-peat. Right now, Boston is the favorite to win the Finals. 

While adding Carmelo adds a top-3 player in the league, he doesn't play center. An unquestioned talent and the most effortless scorer in the league, Carmelo can add so many things it's worth making a sacrifice.  But this year's Lakers cannot give up Bynum's size, power, presence and expect to compete with Boston's bruising frontcourt.

If Bynum isn't there, Pau is forced to bang on fives and play center. That's not where he lives. This was proved in the 2008 Finals. Bynum was injured and LA got worked over physically and overall. You can't replace Bynum with Carmelo based on size and position. 

The Lakers know this, but they still would like Carmelo to consider playing for them. They'll be needing a three next season to replace Ron Artest, who helped get them one ring and possibly another but is near the end of the line. 

If the Knicks  become contenders if they can simply sign Carmelo without giving up some of their young talent, the Lakers would become an unstoppable force. It's a long shot for the Lakers but a shrewdly played by the front office. Knowing Broussard will report anything and ESPN will make it a top story, it caused a stir. More "motivating through the media" from Phil and Lakers brass. But if they could land the biggest free-agent since, well, last summer, that might even make Phil pull a Favre and renege on his "last season" statement.