According to internet rumoring of the most imaginative kind the Lakers are looking to unload Metta World Peace in order to slide into the late first round of the 2012 NBA Draft.
Yeah…Good luck with all of that.
Can’t imagine there is much demand out there for a past-his-prime player that’s owed $15-million over the next two years and comes with more baggage than Diana Ross on a summer’s long tour. As improbable as it is to dream up a sucker of a trade partner willing to take on World Peace it’s even more unlikely a team will part with a first round pick for his services.
But, hey, this what we’ve come to expect of the L.A. Lakers and their completely gonzo front office that’s convinced a championship caliber team still resides in Staples.
If the indeed Jim Buss and Mitch Kupchak are sincere in their desire to avoid “major moves” then how do they expect to seriously creep into the first round?
You could easily see any number of teams willing to part with a premium pick for Pau Gasol. Andrew Bynum is sure to draw even more interest in the form of future picks.
Metta World Peace, though? Really?
What team out there is 7 points a night and one ill-timed seven game suspension away from contending that they’d welcome World Peace with open arms?
I know, I know, dude actually balled when he finally got in shape this past season. Just think about that for a second though. Is that the sales pitch Kupchak is going to use when calling around? That’s not at all different from a shady Quin Snyder looking used car salesman saying “the thing runs great when there’s a motor in it”.
All that said if Kupchak can unload World Peace and get a first round pick in return then more power to him. It might be a foolish move but it couldn’t be any worse than trading Vlade Divac for Kobe Bryant. You’d have to be an idiot to make that trade…