Morning Jolt: Lakers' Bynum untouchable
Thursday, May 26
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Lakers' center Bynum untouchable
Yet, Jerry Buss is turning these Lakers over to Jim, and that's the reason sources say he conducted the search with his father and general manager Mitch Kupchak assisting him. Now, Jim Buss has two guys in the franchise: Brown and Andrew Bynum. In fact, Buss has made something clear within the Lakers, sources say: Bynum is untouchable in trade talks. For now, this could include a sign-and-deal for the Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard. The Lakers are Howard's preference, but they don't have salary cap space to sign him. They'll need a deal that includes Bynum to the Magic, but there are those seriously doubting Jim Buss' desire to make such a trade. After all, Bynum was Jim Buss' discovery, his pet project and believes Bynum will ultimately resonate as the son's personal Lakers legacy. (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-wojnarowski_mike_brown_kobe_bryant_jim_buss_lakers052511)Comment
K-Rod trade becomes more likely
Considered by some to be an immovable object, Francisco Rodriguez might be willing to help change that. [Rodriguez's] $17.5 million vesting option, activated for 2012 if the closer finishes 55 games this year, is commonly seen as an albatross, a major drag on Rodriguez's trade value. But for a variety of reasons, the clause is not as problematic as it seems. ... The closer's open-mindedness will help: Although Rodriguez has a clause blocking trades to ten undisclosed teams, a source close to him said that he will consider any potential deal that is presented to him. Rodriguez is also open to waiving the vesting option in the event an acquiring team wants to negotiate a multi-year extension, the source said. (New York Daily News)Comment
Broncos won't be low-balled for Orton
Among the poorly kept secrets by teams willing to move qurterbacks -- Kevin Kolb and Donovan McNabb come to mind -- the Broncos aren't itching to get rid of Kyle Orton. Orton is a different case. The Broncos aren't looking to deal him. They aren't loaded with intent to move him. They can see many scenarios and projections with him as their starter to open the 2011 season -- in fact, that's precisely what the people I've talked to there expect to be the case. It's apples and oranges compared to the rest of this group. Could he be dealt? Certainly. ... But are the Broncos under anything close to the pressure or desire to unload him as these other teams are in cases like Kolb and McNabb? Not close. (NFL.com)Comment
Must-See Photo
Big fans in the Big D get ready to watch the Mavs earn a trip back to the Finals. (AP)
Must-See Video
Allen Iverson and Dwyane Wade break down the crossover.
Game To Watch
Heat vs. Bulls, Game 5 of Eastern Conference finals (8:30 p.m. ET, TNT)
SI Vault: More Wayne Gretzky
This Day in Sports
- 1925 -- In Detroit's 8-1 win over the Chicago White Sox, Ty Cobb becomes the first player to collect 1,000 career extra-base hits. He finished his career with 1,139.
- 1987 -- Boston's Larry Bird steals an inbounds pass from Detroit's Isiah Thomas and feeds over his shoulder to a cutting Dennis Johnson for the winning basket as the Celtics pull out an improbable 108-107 win over Detroit in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
- 1988 -- The Edmonton Oilers, with MVP Wayne Gretzky leading the way, beat the Boston Bruins 6-3 to complete a four-game sweep and win their fourth Stanley Cup in five years.
