BY MIKE ROSE
The Lakers did not match Golden State's offer for forward/center Ronny Turiaf. So the former second-round pick is headed north to Oakland.
No surprise there.
As Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak explained on Friday, Turiaf probably wasn't going to see many minutes next season. While Turiaf brings energy and is a fan favorite, he's not worth $17 million over the next four seasons. That's one expensive cheerleader.
Plus, Kupchak reports that budding star center Andrew Bynum has been given the go-ahead to expand his rehab and can begin light work on the court. That means a frontline of Bynum, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom (or Ron Artest) should happen next season.
Kupchak expects Bynum to be ready for training camp. So with Bynum back, Gasol goes to his more comfortable power forward spot. Odom goes back to small forward.
Vladimir Radmanovic, who was the starting 3, goes back to the bench. And you have to factor in Chris Mihm off the bench. That means about 10 minutes a night -- at most -- for Turiaf.
Plus, the Lakers are so versatile that Gasol can back up at center and Odom can play power forward effectively. You might also see Radmanovic play a little power forward next season with Trevor Ariza healthy and getting minutes at small forward. And you know Phil Jackson will play Luke Walton, who passes well and has a great grasp of the triangle offense.
So it was a wise financial move to let Turiaf go. Now Kupchak can turn his attention to getting shooting guard Sasha Vujacic back.