Lakers, 76ers Trade Rumors: Iguodala’s agent fueled Odom talks

Trade talks between the Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers for a swap of their big men - Lamar Odom for Andre Iguodala - have appeared to die down.

However, that hasn't stopped speculation surrounding what happened in the trade talks.

Yesterday, HoopsWorld reported that the 76ers ended talks because they were concerned that Odom didn't want to play for them.

Today, the NY Post is reporting that trade talks never occurred between the two teams and the rumors were completely driven by Iguodala's agent Rob Pelinka.

Apparently, Pelinka is a Los Angeles-based agent and wanted to get Iguodala on the big stage in his home town.

This report would be consistent with what Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak stated around the time of the draft.

A lot of the stuff that you read in the last two days, unfortunately, is agent-driven, Kupchak said last week.

He continued, Nowadays, agents think a good way to consummate a trade would be to suggest publicly ideas that they come up with. I think that's a part of the problem.

The proposed trade between the two teams would have been the Lakers' Lamar Odom and Luke Walton for 76ers' Andre Iguodala.

Iguodala is a promising up and coming forward who had a career year with the 76ers last year. He is only 27 years old, but has a large contract with 3 years remaining that escalates to a player option of $15.9 million in the last year.

Odom has a more favorable contract at $8.9 million next year with a $2 million buyout the next year. Odom has been a quality big man for the Lakers but may have reached his potential at 31 years of age.

Odom perhaps has his highest value right now after winning the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award, so the Lakers may be trying to move him for that reason.

The Lakers are looking for changes in their lineup after getting swept by the Dallas Mavericks during the NBA playoffs.

Not only are the Lakers looking to get bigger up front, but they are looking for guard help for a premier point guard to match up with Kobe Bryant.

One trade rumor includes a trade with the Golden State Warriors for Monta Ellis.

NBA Rumors

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READ: Warriors Trade Rumors: Monta Ellis reiterates trade demand himself

READ: Knicks Trade Rumors: Steve Nash for Chauncey Billups