So the Lakers give up an overpaid big man who doesn't produce, a very promising prospect who's still a few years away, and two first round picks to get one of the most established low post scorer's in the league? That's a very nice trade for them.

And it's awful for the Suns. The Lakers with a starting lineup of Bryant, Fisher, Odom, Bynum, and Gasol with Walton, Turiaf, Vujacic, Farmar, and Vujacic is just downright scary for the next few years. The only plus is that they'll be way over the luxury tax next season, so I would say look for Odom to be moved this summer.

This looks pretty good for Memphis too though. They get 9M of cap relief this summer, a solid prospect in Crittenton, two more picks (though they'll like be late first rounders), and what looks like a large trade exception.

I'm not really sure what they're going to do with Crittenton, since now they have three prospects at PG (Conley and Lowry plus Crittenton). I wouldn't be surprised to see them sell out for Michael Beasley by trading two first rounders and Crittenton this summer for the number one pick (if they don't just get it anyway). The trade exception will help. They'll have to make some kind of a move within the next year though if they did get the exception.

But with their cap space, and the picks, and the exception, they might improve very quickly by next year (especially if they offer all they've got for Iguodala. I mean, Iguodala, Gay and Conley? That's ridiculous at the 1, 2, and 3).

So moral of the story: The West keeps on getting much better while the East and the Suns are standing pat.

Bummer. Update [2008-2-1 16:19:25 by rosewood]: Apparently, the Lakers are adding a sign and trade with Mckie to make the salaries work, so it is a simultaneous trade with no exceptions. Doesn't change much though. Still a sad, sad day.