Apparently Odom's return to the Lake's isn't moving very smoothly.   Apparently the Suns covet Odom, having tried to land him multiple times over the past couple years.  I'm not saying this is going to happen - with us cutting Wallace instead of trading him for Chandler, we do seem to be in 2010 mode.  It just seems a weird strategy to me, if we gave Hill and Frye money for 2010, as well as extending Nash, and with J-Rich and Barbosa getting paid in 2010 - the most we might have is Amare's expiring contract, which would mean we are letting him walk.  Just weird all around.  Instead, I suggest we try the following Sign-and-Trade:

Odom at $9 a year to the Suns

Earl Clark, Alando Tucker, and Pavlovic to the Lakers.

This works at the cap level because of the $2 million trade exception we have with the Shaq trade.  We end up not saving any money overall - I think we go right back to where we were pre-Shaq trade, but gives us the following lineup:

Nash-Dragic

Richardson-Barbosa

Hill-Dudley

Odom-Frye

Stoudemire-Lopez

That team is 10 deep! Well, nine, not counting Dragic.  But I think this team would be the best since 2004 - J-Rich can pull off JJ's offense, Barbosa is still on the bench, goodness knows Hill is better than Q, and can defend, Odom puts up way better offensive numbers than marion, and rebounds just as well, and doesn't clog the paint for Amare.  We've also got two legit backup big men, not even counting Lou.

Who, in the west, could stop this team besides the Lakers? Hill is at least = Jefferson, and Duncan can't keep up with Amare and Odom.  The Mavs would get absolutely shredded in the front court, as would the Blazers.  The Rockets, Jazz are falling apart.  Isn't it worth trying?