Here is my off-season plan to re-tool the Lakers:

-Hire Phil Jackson. Phil is familiar with the Lakers and knows how to coach Kobe Bryant. The Lakers are running the triangle now so it looks like Phil is coming back. Hamblen is trying but doesn't even want to be the head coach.

-Trade Luke Walton for Marcus Banks, who is a good, speedy defender. This would clear up a log jam at the small forward spot and would give the Lakers some defense, which Chucky Atkins does not bring.

-I like Chucky Atkins as a bench player but nothing more. He seems like he could be a spark off the bench, similar to Bobby Jackson, Troy Hudson, or Fred Hoiberg. But if he is going to continue to bash Kobe and Hamblen, then trade him right away.

-I like Odom since he is so versitile, but the power forward is not his natural spot. Butler has been stepping up lately but I still don't think he is as good as Odom. Butler and Kobe are good friends, but this is a business.. Trade Butler and Cook for Drew Gooden, which would enable Odom to switch to the 3 slot and Gooden could help on the boards. That would be sweet if Cleveland did that deal. If they resist, throw in one of our worthless 2nd-round picks.

-Package some expiring contracts such as Brian Grant or Devean George (sorry Dev!) for a good player, such as Marcus Camby. I don't know if the Nuggets would even want to do that deal, but he is just an example of a player that could help.

-Draft a reliable point guard in the lottery. DeRon Williams isn't too hard to get. I would like Raymond Felton but the Lakers would have to trade up, unless they get lucky and keep sliding. Brevin Knight is a cheap option and is a good passer, but he might not get a ton of minutes on the Lakers and would get more shots on the Bobcats.

-I am not so sure about re-signing Vlade, since he is sooo old and often injured. But when he does play, he opens up the offensive end but our defense suffers a bit. If we could bring him back for $2 million a year instead of the $5 million, I would be in favor of him returning.

-Draft a young shot-blocker or bring Marcus Douthit from the Euro league onto the roster.

C- Camby/Mihm/Vlade
F- Gooden/Slava
F- Odom/Jones/George
G- Kobe/Banks
G- D. Williams/Atkins
IR: Sasha, Douthit, Draft pick

That could be a pretty good team, possibly even contenders as long as they stayed healthy and understood the triangle offense. I like the mix of vets and youngsters, and it seems fairly balanced.

NOTE: I'm not sure if the contracts match up in the whole Brian Grant for Marcus Camby deal, but I am assuming both sides could work it out.

-phil jackson is essential, i agree.

-i have been really impressed with luke, i think we should keep him. i dont think banks has proven to be starter quality. resign luke for what it takes.

-atkins seems to be getting an attitude, if he's ok with being a backup, keep him, but if we can get something for his ending contract, do it!

-odom just doesnt seem to fit with this team, maybe phil jackson could work his magic, but im not sure. if we can get some real talent for him (moreso than for butler anyway), i would not be opposed to a trade.

-we have plenty of expiring contracts, but grant is not an expiring. we have george, atkins, slava, butler, jones, cook (if we dont pick up his option), and vlade. camby, boozer, okur, and anyone else who might have been signed to an oversize contract would be available.

-i am loving what i am seeing from vlade. he only wants to play for LA or Sacramento, so i am leaning toward the idea of trading him with cash (for the other team to buy him out) as an expiring contract and then signing him for the minimum.

-sign a defensive minded pg for the MLE, i like antonio daniels, earl watson, larry hughes (in my dreams), then sign a PF/big man for the LLE.

-draft a PF, then a pg; i dunno whateva.