Lakers trade Sasha, acquire a former #1 pick!

**Frolov24** · December 14th, 2010, 05:03 PM

Well, it's just Joe Smith but it's not everyday a team like the Lakers can trade for a former #1 overall pick! He'll likely be waived or get to sit courtside and watch the show. the Lakers essentially had to include a first round pick to dump Sasha's contract, but it's something they were glad to do.

http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angele...ory?id=5920357

**Diehard** · December 14th, 2010, 06:40 PM

I really hate the trade, not that I like Sasha or anything. Always thought he was a ****ing pussy and was my least favorite Laker on the roster. I just don't like giving up a 1st rounder for nothing. I know Buss did it primarily to get financial relief, he'll be saving over $9 million by making this deal. But yea, I ****ing hate this trade.

**Frolov24** · December 14th, 2010, 07:30 PM

Originally Posted by DiehardKingsFan

I really hate the trade, not that I like Sasha or anything. Always thought he was a ****ing pussy and was my least favorite Laker on the roster. I just don't like giving up a 1st rounder for nothing. I know Buss did it primarily to get financial relief, he'll be saving over $9 million by making this deal. But yea, I ****ing hate this trade.

Yeah, this is a straight money saving trade for LA. But late 1st round picks are useless for a team like the Lakers, they don't have room on the roster for young players that aren't ready to play and also get guaranteed contracts. 2nd rounders are more useful for LA. Giving 1st round picks away still isn't a great idea, but really they likely would have given it away at some point and this allows Buss to save some cash that he can hopefully re-invest in the team down the road. And the Lakers get to close the book on a bad panic signing they made a few years ago while Sasha gets to move on and team with his buddy Farmar!