NBA Trade Talk: Deron Williams to Lakers/Mavericks, Lamar Odom to Clippers

Here's the lowdown on two potential roster changes...

Deron Williams to the LA Lakers?

Deron Williams is the most in-demand free agent in the NBA, and his decision will shape many a team's fortune this off-season. He is being courted by the LA Lakers, who feel they need to add extra star power to their roster.

They struggled in this year's play-offs, only edging the Denver Nuggets 4-3 and losing to Oklahoma City Thunder, the eventual runners-up.

Kobe Bryant's 'big-two' supporting cast, Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol were oft criticised, and there is still a possibility of the Spanish star leaving.

Ramon Sessions is exploring his options in free agency and may well choose to leave, freeing up salary space to accommodate Williams. To sign him the Lakers would have to offer Gasol to the Nets in part-exchange for the deal to work.

Williams spent last season with the New Jersey Nets, now the Brooklyn Nets, carrying them at times - even scoring 57 against the Charlotte Bobcats.

He is said to have narrowed his decision down to staying with the Nets for the newest chapter in their history, and crossing America to the West to sign with the LA Lakers or the Mavericks

For the Nets to appeal, it would depend on their draft moves, if they could secure fellow All-Star Dwight Howard to partner him in attack, but right now it is the Rockets who are pursuing the Orlando star most aggressively.

ESPN report that the Mavericks could be the most likely to sign him, the 2011 champions want to bounce back after a 4-0 whitewash by the Thunder in the play-offs, and Williams could be the perfect teammate for star man Dirk Nowitski.

The Phoenix Suns, Portland Trailblazers and Houston Rockets are all too expected to offer for Williams, but it is more likely to be one of the aforementioned three he signs with when free agency begins on July 1.

Lamar Odom to LA Clippers? 

Lamar Odom's trade from the Lakers to the Mavericks turned out simply to be a nightmare.

The star had a terrible season and was even demoted down into the D-League. The Mavs do not want to keep him and he does not want to stay, and a move to the LA Clippers is looking most likely.

With Chris Paul and Blake Griffin around him, Odom could thrive and can play out a couple of seasons at least and restore his reputation.

Most importantly, LA was a place he was happy, married to Khloe Kardashian, and if he can get back to the surroundings in which he is happy in his personal life, it might just show in his performances on the court.

image: © compujeramey

Dan Coombs

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Dan Coombs is a writer who is keen to embrace the internet revolution. He first started writing for us in June 2011 and commenced his new role as Sports Editor in February 2012.

As a trained journalist he has met famous faces from Mr T to Boris Johnson. He once featured in an England World Cup music video too, but it did not make the charts.

He grew up wanting to be a Formula 1 driver, but it looks like this dream has passed him by. Instead, he hopes you enjoy reading his writing on our site, as we seek to debate the day's sporting hot topics.